BMW R 1200 R 2019 — Specifications

Take the R 1200 GS, remove the saddlebags, lower the center of gravity, and oil the transmission to reduce clacking in the city. That's roughly the philosophy behind the BMW R 1200 R: a roadster designed for those who want the boxer DNA without the trail posture. Except BMW has never been one for simplicity, and this 2018 version confirms it with disarming frankness.

The engine, first, because it dominates the conversation. This 1170 cm3 liquid-cooled flat-twin develops 125 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm. Figures that, on paper, seem reasonable in a segment dominated by the Ducati Monster 1200 or the Triumph Speed Triple. But the BMW boxer isn't read on paper. It's felt in the grips, in the way the torque spreads from low RPM with a smoothness that inline four-cylinder engines only approach when revving up. The final shaft drive transmission, classic on Munich’s R models, eliminates all chain maintenance hassle. Practical on the road, imperceptible in daily use.

The major stylistic change in this generation is the abandonment of Telelever in favor of a 45 mm inverted fork directly borrowed from the S 1000 RR. A choice that makes some old-timers cringe, attached to the particular road feel of this proprietary suspension. In return, the dynamics gain in precision, in feedback during hard braking, and the motorcycle now accepts being pushed into corners without the characteristic blur of the previous architecture. At the rear, the Paralever monoshock ensures continuity with the house tradition. The wheelbase of 1515 mm guarantees stability at high speeds, confirmed by a top speed announced at 200 km/h. All this for 232 kg fully fueled, a manageable weight that BMW structurally masters better than most of its competitors.

The electronic equipment deserves attention. As standard, ABS, traction control ASC, and two riding modes Rain and Road form the foundation. But the 2018 BMW R 1200 R is primarily a motorcycle with options, and that's where the budget can run wild. Riding modes Pro, the bidirectional quickshifter, ESA Dynamic suspension with continuous electronic adjustment, cruise control. Each addition makes sense individually. Together, they cheerfully push the bar past 16,000 euros for a machine displayed at a base price of 13,900 euros. That’s the BMW game, known, assumed, and the target clientele willingly accepts these rules.

This clientele, just so, isn't that of a beginner. The adjustable seat between 760 and 840 mm suits various builds, but the richness of the available settings and the power of the engine block require a certain amount of experience. The urban rider looking for lightness will look elsewhere, towards a Z900 or MT-09 that are more lively and less cumbersome. The BMW R 1200 R used attracts more of a fifty-something touring profile who has been riding for twenty years, appreciates the measured consumption of 4.96 liters per 100 km, and prefers shaft drive over the capriciousness of a greasy chain. On the used market, the 2015, 2016, and 2017 versions are found at significantly more accessible prices than new, and share the same robust mechanical base. Buying a used BMW R 1200 R LC remains a reasonable bet on reliability, provided you check the maintenance history and the condition of the cardans.

This roadster doesn't seek to seduce at all costs. It offers a precise compromise between comfort, performance, and onboard technology, in a German roadster format, rational and well-executed. Not the most exciting motorcycle in the category, not the lightest, but certainly one of the most complete for those who accept paying the price.