BMW R 1200 CL 2005 — Specifications

What happens when BMW decides to play cowboy? You get the R 1200 CL, a 308 kg Bavarian cruiser that attempts to tread on Harley-Davidson's turf with a flat-twin standing in for a V-twin. Produced between 2002 and 2006, this BMW R 1200 CL embraces a radical approach: delivering the comfort of a big American tourer, but with the build quality and technology made in Munich. On paper, it's an enticing gamble. On the road, the picture is more nuanced.

In terms of on-board comfort, the CL plays in the big leagues. Its seat, perched just 745 mm off the ground, inspires immediate confidence, and the generous seating accommodates rider and passenger with equal treatment. The aerodynamic protection, provided by an imposing fairing and a carefully shaped windscreen, filters the wind with an efficiency that would put some pricier GTs to shame. The Telelever front suspension and Monolever rear — hallmarks of the brand — iron out road imperfections without complaint. For anyone seeking a used BMW R 1200 CL built for long-haul riding, comfort is the killer argument. Add flawless fit and finish, precision adjustments down to the millimeter, and you understand why regulars on BMW R 1200 CL forums praise its perceived quality compared to an Electra Glide whose tolerances remain more approximate.

The 1170 cc boxer engine, however, divides opinion. Its 61 horsepower delivered at 5000 rpm and especially its 98 Nm of torque from just 3000 rpm provide welcome flexibility in smooth-flowing riding. The shaft drive and six-speed gearbox operate without fault. But when it comes to hauling this 300 kg-plus mass back up to speed, the engine shows its limits. The power-to-weight ratio hampers mid-range acceleration and strips the machine of the expressive character you expect from a cruiser. Against Milwaukee's Twin Cam 88, more aggressive and more generous through the revs, the Bavarian flat-twin comes across as a polite professor facing a saloon brawler. Every video review of the BMW R 1200 CL confirms the same verdict: the engine lacks the punch to match the bike's bulk.

In the handling department, things get even trickier. The 150 mm front tire, chosen to achieve that American custom look, compromises steering agility. The BMW R 1200 CL demands anticipation through sequences of corners, and its turning circle puts your patience to the test in town. Braking, on the other hand, delivers the goods with twin front discs and a rear disc that bite harder and more progressively than anything Milwaukee's competition offers. Fuel consumption held to 5.1 liters per 100 km partially offsets the modest 17.5-liter tank, which limits highway range.

Priced new at around €16,100 in 2005, the BMW R 1200 CL cruiser targets a very specific rider profile: the unhurried tourer, a lover of fine engineering and miles swallowed from an armchair, who prefers Germanic reliability to the characterful vibrations of a Harley. On the used market, the 2003, 2004, and 2005 model years offer the best balance between equipment and price. Reviews of the BMW R 1200 CL converge on one point: it's an endearing machine despite its flaws, provided you accept it will never be the fastest or the most agile in its segment. A singular proposition, typically BMW in its approach, that never found a true successor in Munich's lineup.