Sport Bikes, Bavarian Style

Wednesday (November 22) saw a flurry of activity at the showroom of Autohaus BMW in Libis, Quezon City while Thursday (November 23) transferred that flurry to Autozentrum BMW in the Ayala-Alabang business district in Muntinlupa. The occasions marked the entrance of the new BMW Motorrad models — the R1200 S and the F800 S and ST — to the Philippine market.

At the Autohaus launch, members of the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) led by its president, Francis Rivera and special guests surrounded BMW Philippines Corporation president Dr. Joerg Breuer, Motorrad manager Gil Balderas, Autohaus president Tony Aquino and vice president Eymard Aquino as they unveiled the three new models. The following night, Balderas and Autozentrum officials led by Bombet Villafuerte and Doris Pastoriza unveiled the F800 series in a dazzling fashion show complete with a live performance from the Rage Band.

The New Sport Boxer

BMW Motorrad claims that the new R1200 S motor is the most powerful production Boxer the world has ever seen and that they have fitted the new bike with the features to handle this newfound power. The new Motorrad is the newest addition to the Boxer series and follows the footsteps of the successful R1100 S, with the focus clearly on sporting performance and dynamic riding characteristics.

BMW’s new Sports Boxer Twin benefits from the innovations already featured on the R1200 GS. Displacing 1170cc, the motor features four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder and modified cylinder heads that enable the R1200 S to develop an impressive 122hp (90 kW) and 112 Nm of torque at 680rpm smoothly delivered to the crankshaft running in anti-friction bearings. BMW equipped the R1200 S with a dog-shift six-speed gearbox (weighing just 13 kilos) and a lightweight shaft drive that have already proven their qualities on the new Boxer generation and are now being carried over without requiring any modifications to the R1200 S. To further cut weight, BMW built a three-piece frame structure which integrates the engine into the chassis and suspension as a load-bearing element. The central and front sections of the tubular frame structure are made of steel, while the rear frame bolted in place is made up of extra-light square aluminum tubes. The advantages of this structure extend beyond the low weight, and allows simple and low-cost repair of accident damages at the rear.

The geometry of the front Telelever suspension is new and has been specifically tailored to the R1200 S, highlighting the agility and superior handling offered by this Sports Boxer on winding roads. The Ohlins-equipped rear Paralever suspension is made of cast aluminum and rests on the frame of the motorcycle via a modern gas-pressure spring strut with travel-dependent damping (TDD) that offers 120mm spring travel. The new R is equipped with sweeping, dynamic aluminum wheels from the K-models and the high-rising silencer allowing a free, unobstructed view of the 6.00 x 17-inch rear wheel shod with 190/55ZR-17 tires while the front 3.50 x 17-inch wheel runs on a 120/70 ZR 17 radial sports tire. The tires tenacious grip is constantly tested by the new 1200’s power as well as by the uncompromising two 320mm front and 265mm disc brakes with new two-channel ABS.

BMW Motorrad quite intentionally chose the former R1100 S model as the benchmark in creating the design of the new R1200 S. And together with this distinctive legacy, the responsible designers were able to successfully bring out a particular touch of lightness and dynamism in the looks of the new machine — not least thanks to its more slender and perhaps even more athletic silhouette bearing clear testimony to the outstanding lightweight technology of the R1200 S. Overall weight of the new machine in road trim and with the tank filled up is 213kg, making it 13 kg lighter than its 1100cc predecessor. It almost goes without saying that BMW’s new Boxer comes with all the features so typical of the brand, including a fully-controlled catalytic converter and the single-wire CAN-bus system for the on-board network complete with an electronic immobilizer.

A New Middle Weight Twin

BMW likewise introduced the new "midrange" models of its Motorrad division, entering the segment with no less than two new models at the same time. After a short development period, the F800-series now form BMW Motorrad’s fourth model line-up. According to Dr. Breuer, the F800-series motorbikes will satisfy the needs of local BMW enthusiasts who are looking for a mid-sized sport or sport-touring bike to augment the R-series or K-series bikes already in their collections. Dr. Breuer added that the F800S (sport) and ST (sport touring) models are a step up from the F650 Singles and a step before the new 1200cc models.

Powering the F800-series is a brand-new liquid-cooled parallel twin motor with four-valve technology and 798cc displacement developed by BMW Motorrad in close cooperation with Austrian specialist Bombardier-Rotax GmbH. With its powerful character, the two-cylinder model series combines impressive torque and pulling force, superior responsiveness and good fuel economy all in one. Maximum output is 85hp (62.5kW) at 8000 rpm, with peak torque of 86 Nm at 5800rpm. While the new engine features a fully-controlled three-way catalytic converter and secondary air flow to protect the environment, it cannot be termed as a "weakling" environmentalist. To live up to its "sport" nomenclature, the S-model accelerates from 0—100kph in just 3.5 seconds while offering a high standard of engine flexibility at all engine speeds. The slender, aerodynamically optimized fairing provides particular advantages at high speeds, and low dry weight of just 182 kg makes an important contribution to the motorcycle’s dynamic performance.

With full tank and in road trim, the athletic F800 S weighs a mere 204kg, while the F800 ST weighs just 5kg more on the scales. The key to this low weight is consistent lightweight technology all round with a weight-optimized and extremely stable aluminum frame and an attractively-designed die-cast aluminum single swing arm. The F800-series features a close-ratio six-speed gearbox transferring the power to the rear wheel via low-noise, long-life toothed belt. A high-performance braking system, with a new generation anti-lock braking system (ABS), was fitted for superior stopping power while 43mm telescopic forks and adjustable single shock system was installed for improved road holding capabilities. BMW even located the fuel tank beneath the seat for a low center of gravity and with an easily accessible filler manifold. To further cut fat, the F800s are fitted with a single-wire electrical system with CAN-bus technology.

The new chiseled-look of the R1200 S and the F800 S provides good protection from wind and weather and possesses excellent aerodynamic qualities and are intended for corner carving and the occasional track day blitzes. On the other hand, the touring-oriented F800 ST features a higher windscreen, larger fairings with side panels, a more upright tubular handlebar, a luggage rack, "Dynamic" wheel design and a painted front fender. Both of the new F-models are fitted with a 120/70-ZR17 tire on the 3.5-inch front wheel and an180/55-ZR17 tire on the 5.5-inch rear wheel.

See the new BMW Motorrad models at Autohaus BMW in Libis and at Autozentrum BMW in Alabang.