BMW's R1200 C: A bike for the connoisseur
By Neil McDonald
BMW describes its first-ever cruiser motorcycle -- the R1200 C -- as a bike for the connoisseur.
It could be the ideal bike for those slow Sunday cruises down Jl. Sudirman, challenging those gleaming Harley-Davidsons that take to Jakarta's streets occasionally.
And judging by the R1200 C's svelte lines and retro 1950s look, it is sure to turn heads.
In some markets, the cruiser is sometimes referred to as a chopper but that's where the similarity ends with the R1200 C.
The bike's styling message underlines the relaxed nature of cruising the highways.
Helping to emphasis the cruiser message, the bike's wheel fork is arranged at a flat angle, it uses high-rise handlebars and a low saddle-shaped seating position, and the whole bike sits on a long wheelbase.
The foot pedals are also positioned way out front to allow the upright seating position favored by highway cruisers.
And what would a BMW cruiser be without its saddle bags?
The R1200 C is available with quality leather saddle bags and a tank bag. To complete the ensemble, there are specific BMW- style cruiser helmets and goggles.
Made of a special thermoplastic material, the shell of the helmet is painted at the top in one of the R1200 C's three colors plus arctic gray metallic.
The lower part of the helmet is finished in leather, again in the right color to match the leather seat upholstery.
Interestingly, the BMW bike does not use the usual V-engine arrangement expected of most cruiser bikes.
Instead, it follows its tried-and-true two-cylinder "boxer" engine layout so successfully used on other BMW bikes.
BMW engineers faced a challenge to redefine the boxer engine characteristics from a pure, muscular, sporting machine to turn it into an equally superior but more relaxed cruiser.
To achieve this, extensive modifications were made to the existing boxer motor. BMW engineers reduced valve diameters, installed a new camshaft configuration with shorter valve-timing and shorter valve-stroke and optimized the intake system for maximum torque.
To round all this off, the Motronic engine management system was reprogrammed to provide maximum torque at low engine speeds.
The R1200 C comes with all the high-tech features expected of the marque -- from its fully controlled catalytic converter to a highly efficient braking systems with optional antilock brake system (ABS).
The engine has a 1.2-liters capacity and has been designed from the outset with highway cruising in mind.
It also develops that distinctive BMW boxer growl that sets BMW bikes apart from its more mainstream competitors.
The engine develops 45kW at just 5000rpm and peak torque of 98Nm at just 3000rpm, again emphasizing the ample torque available at low speeds -- real cruiser country.
The substantial torque and useful power range extends from 1500rpm all the way to 6500rpm.
This means that, in fifth gear, the bike can accelerate smoothly from a docile 50kmh in city traffic all the way up to its maximum speed of 168kmh without even changing gears.
For those interest in specific, the bike will acceleration from 0-100kmh in 5.8 seconds.
Transmission is by way of a hydraulically operated single- plate dry clutch leading straight into the new five-speed gearbox derived from the newly developed six-speed gearbox used on the K 1200 RS.