2007 BMW R 1200 R

Advertisers contact for details

2007 BMW R1200R-Real world technology bearer

We have known for some time that the old R 1150 R would be the next and last of the big Boxers to benefit from the new 1200 engine. What we did not know was that it would be the first BMW to feature some ground braking roadbike technology; ASC, TPC, evolved ABS, ESA and EVO Paralever. In plain English this means that the bike can be delivered from the Berlin factory ready fitted with traction control, new and better ABS, tyre pressure control and electronic suspension adjustment. Is this man beating nature or is it all too much?

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Arnold E.A. Debus

R 1200 R is in principal the simplest of the BMW Boxer 1200s. However, in a strange twist it is now the most advanced on paper! It will only last until 2007 where all the other big BMW Boxers will get the same options as the R 1200 R except for R 1200 S (no ASC ready yet for the most powerful of the Boxers). BMW thinks of the bike as a traditional roadster, but also as an entry level tourer. I have to disagree with BMW on the tourer bit as the bike has got no fairing! Only a small fly screen is available as an option for wind protection and the German manufacturer has already got the most extensive touring range possible where the ST and RT features the same 109bhp engine as the R1200R. But a full range of luggage accessories are still available if you still choose the R1200R for touring. Unfortunately none of the press bikes were fitted with the new traction control or tyre pressure control, but they did have the latest generation integral ABS that is necessary for the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) to work.

The world launch took place in the South of Germany and in the Bavarian Alps-as good a place as any for such a versatile motorcycle. Between Munich and the Bavarian Alps there is only a short stretch of Autobahn. Due to reports of rain in the Alps we took the long route South to test the bike before we had to encounter the rain. If the bikes had been fitted with the new ASC system I would have raced towards the rain to try it out! This is only excerpts of the full article.

R1200R WA

Read the news story with ASC diagrams, static's etc here.