BMW continues to widen its range, aiming to offer something for everyone. Its latest product, the K 1200 S is typical BMW - it has its own way of doing things. This time BMW has challenged the best of the superbikes with a machine that tops the big power league at 167 hp, writes John Wheeler
That should mean a top speed in the 170-180mph bracket, putting it in close contention with Suzuki's Hayabusa, Kawasaki's ZX 12R, Honda's CBR 900RR Blackbird, Ducati's 999R and Yamaha's YZF-R1.
Markus Barth, on a pre-production model with two cameras strapped on, rode the famous North Loop of the Nürburgring, known as the "Green Hell". This 20.8 kms circuit has 40 right-hand and 33 left-hand bends. Barth achieved a time of 7 mins 57 secs - just 8 seconds slower than the 10-year-old record established by Helmut Daehne. This is one seriously fast machine.
Telescopic forks, virtually an industry standard for the past 50 odd years, have been given the BMW re-think. The result is the Duolever, which bears an uncanny resemblance to girder forks.
On June 1st, BMW started production of its new high performance superbike at its motorbike plant in Berlin. However, these early machines will not go to customers but will be used for internal purposes including training and to perfect processes to ensure the highest quality when the new model is officially launched in September.
The K1200 S is a new concept sports bike from BMW. It's the second machine, after the R1200 GS launched in March, to reflect the new design philosophy of creating lighter, more agile motorcycles with more power.
The sporting potential of the K1200 S can be seen easily in its technical specification. The 4-cylinder, in-line 1157cc capacity engine generates 123kW (167 bhp) at 10,250 rpm. A highest torque figure of 130Nm is achieved at 8,250 rpm. In addition, more than 70 per cent of maximum torque is available from just 3,000 rpm.
The target for the engine developers was sports-type characteristics that would ensure rideable and fully controllable road performance.
The valves of the dual-camshaft engine are operated by light and rigid cam followers. With a bore/stroke ratio of 59 x 79mm, the engine is a short-stroke unit. Two balancing shafts in the horizontally-divided cylinder crankcase are made of light alloy - to ensure a distribution of masses and low-vibration running.
To achieve a flat design for the crankcase, the K1200 S is fitted with dry-sump lubrication. This permits an extremely low siting of the engine (there is no oil sump) - with the cylinder bank angled forwards to 55 degrees, it helps establish a low centre of gravity.
What is unique, for a production bike in this class, is the "cassette transmission" construction of the integrated six-speed gearbox.
Suspension and chassis technical highlights are the Duolever and electronically adjustable suspension. The Duolever resembles a link square made up of two virtually parallel longitudinal links which are mounted in the frame so they can swivel and permit a precise up-and-down movement of the front wheel.
This is mounted in an extremely rigid component, the so-called wheel carrier, a light component of high-strength aluminium alloy which is connected to the longitudinal links via two ball joints. It performs the steering action.
In turn, a longitudinal link connected to the central spring strut is responsible for suspension and damping. The benefits of this system are extremely high rigidity, combined with low weight, and an ideal wheel and lift curve.
With the Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) option, yet another BMW innovation enters production. The spring pre-load and damping can be electronically adjusted with the touch of a button on the handlebars.
The electrics are also very advanced. A whole series of functions is facilitated by the so-called CAN bus technology, which is simpler than conventional systems and offers full diagnostics capability.
The K1200 S will be available from BMW Motorrad dealers after the premiere at the INTERMOT motor show in mid-September. The first machines will be available shortly afterwards. Price has not yet been fixed, but we would expect it will be more expensive than the €16,750 for the K 1200 RS.