Rockster Ready To Roll

ROCKSTER READY TO ROLL

BMW is fast forward with its Roadster Concept, unveiled at the Munich Show this past September (Roundup, December, 2002). Aimed at "younger and more extroverted" motorcyclists, the early release '04 R1150R Rockster Is already in production, and bikes should be in dealerships by March, priced at $10,790 ($12,990 for the ABS version). Funky paint and way-out looks aside, big news is the new twin-spark plug cylinder heads. Eventu ally to he phased in on all flat-Twins, the new heads add a second sparkplug to the perimeter of each four-valve combustion chamber, speed ing burn time and shrinking emissions. Power claims re main the same. Stylish and environmentally friendly, what a concept!

Matthew Miles