BMW

BMW F650 CS

BMW realised that, in spite of success in the tough Paris-Dakar rally, their 650cc Funduro singles spent 99 per cent of their life on city Tarmac and less than one weekend a year on the rough stuff they were designed for. BMW introduced the Starda (Street) version with road wheels a couple of years back, but now they've shaken the desert sand right out of the big single and introduced the F650CS.
With Supermoto styling and bug-eye headlights incorporated in the neat fairing and fake gas tank unit, the F650CS looks the perfect tool for the local rat run. City commuters and touring riders please form an orderly queue.
Seat height is a lowly 780mm (30.7in) and there's an optional 750mm (29.5in) seat unit for the vertically challenged. Like the F650GS off-roader, the CS comes with its 15-litre (3.3gal) fuel tank in the frame triangle beneath the seat to keep the centre of gravity down low.
The Rotax-derived liquid cooled four-valve power unit and the five-speed gearbox have both been carried over from the GS. Mods to the airbox and exhaust mean maximum power of 50bhp now comes in at 6800rpm A learner-friendly 25kW (34bhp) version is available.
But the most outstanding feature of the F650CS is the single sided swingarm and toothed drive belt. Toothed belt drive is quiet, clean, requires no lubrication, is easy to service, and it lasts at least twice as long as a drive chain.
The beautiful aluminium single swingarm gives a high level of torsional stiffness for precise steering. Elegant, silver-painted 17in three-spoke cast aluminium wheels are also new.
The CS comes with a single-disc brake at the front, with a two-piston floating calliper and sintered metal brake linings. The rear-wheel brake is also a single disc. Like on all BMW motorcycles, ABS is optional.
BMW also offer an audio system with integrated, weather-proof speakers and an amplifier with both manual and speed-related volume control. You can use a portable CD, MC or MD player.
With 110mph potential and an ability to cruise at the ton all day, the CS makes a viable alternative to bigger touring bikes. The BMW single can cover 200 miles on a tank-full. And despite suspension leaning more towards comfort than sports handling, the CS can be thrown through bends with confidence. Riding to work is a pleasure again.

BMW F650 GS

When BMW launched the original F650GS the simplicity of the machine appealed to everyone - simplicity in design, maintenance, and riding. But simplicity cannot hide functionality. The F650GS is not just an easy motorcycle for the inexperienced to ride; it is as comfortable on tarmac as it is on dirt and is used on BMW?s award-winning Off-Road Skills courses.
By adding fuel injection and digital engine management, the single-cylinder four-stroke four-valve water-cooled engine puts out a vigorous 50bhp. Peak torque is an impressive 60Nm at 5000 rpm. Aided by the engine's new cush-drive damper, the smoothness and response of the F650GS puts an end to the myth of single-cylinder engines being basic and agricultural.
Made by Rotax, the GS engine is refined, responsive and controllable under all riding conditions. Of course, a standard closed loop, three-way catalytic converter ensures that the F650GS is one of the most environment-friendly motorcycles on (or off) the road.
Snatch-free progress, even at the lowest possible revs, is a tribute to the reliable five-speed gearbox, chain-drive transmission and light-feel clutch. The 17.3 litre (3.8 gal) fuel tank has been relocated under the rider's seat and significantly lowers the F650GS's centre of gravity. Combining this with a generous lock and tight turning circle improves balance, enhances manoeuvrability and makes the GS one of the easiest and most stress-free motorcycles for town and city riding.
By taking advantage of BMW's ergonomic options, the 78cm seat height can be adjusted to provide a more personalised riding position. Lowering the seat by 30mm is a no-cost factory option. Alternatively, it is possible to have the seat raised by 40mm - an optional extra - to provide a more practical seating position for taller riders. No other motorcycle in its class offers the same degree of adaptability as the F650 GS.
To cope with the specific stresses and rigours of off-road riding, BMW has developed a bridge-tube frame made of rectangular steel tubes with an additional crossbar in front of the cylinder head. By bolting the lower subframe to the mainframe, the engine is surrounded by steel for maximum protection.
Because the F650GS is a multi-purpose machine, the suspension set-up has been strengthened and the Showa forks incorporate an extra stabiliser that improves smoothness on rough surfaces, especially when BMW's optional ABS is used.
Damping force is provided by a two-arm, box-type, swinging arm that is made of steel. Further progressive damping is achieved by connecting the central spring strut, using a lever system, to the swinging arm. The spring strut can be adjusted infinitely for preload and outward stroke damping by using an accessible adjusting wheel.
The F650GS is equipped with 19-inch and 17-inch spoked wheels at the front and rear. Additional features include a 300mm (11.8in) single-disc front brake with twin-piston floating calipers and sintered metal brake pads, and a 240mm (9.4in) single-disc rear with a single-piston, floating caliper. BMW anti-lock braking (ABS) is also available as an option.
The fuel tank capacity is 17.3 litres (3.83 gallons) and the excellent power-to-weight ratio will reward GS riders with a touring range of around 200 miles. Once the F650GS has been run-in, scheduled servicing is carried out at 10,000 kilometres (6,000 miles) intervals.
There is also an F650GS Touring model, which comes with hand guards, pannier frames, panniers and inner bags, a top case holder, top case and inner bag, and a high windshield.

BMW K1200LT

The K1200LT luxury tourer gets a load of updates for 2004 - including an electro-hydraulic mechanism so you won't get a hernia hoisting it on the main stand.Thorough revision of the flat four engine includes improvements to the camshaft, the throttle butterfly valves (increased in diameter to 36mm), and intake ports. Power output is boosted by 15 per cent to 115bhp with maximum torque increasing to 88 lb-ft.

The five-speed gearbox now operates even more smoothly, with noise being reduced and gear meshing improved.
A spring strut with progressive damping pinched from the cruiser models and the R1150GS Adventure improves back end suspension. As the damping effect increases - as a function of spring action - the spring strut ensures better roadholding and comfort by eliminating destabilisation forces when carrying a heavy load or riding over large bumps.
The seat has been re-design to allow shorter riders to touch the ground more easily and give better slow speed handling.
The electro-hydraulic main stand is a brand-new feature on a motorcycle. Even when fully laden and carrying a passenger, the rider is able to automatically lift and park the K1200LT simply by pressing a button on the right grip. There is no need to dismount.
Most of the body components remain unchanged for 2004, but it?s surprising what a difference a few modifications can make. The headlight is now split into two separate sections. Below the new free-form low beam headlight there is now a separate high-beam unit, which is integrated into the fairing. Light intensity is about 10 per cent better than on the 2003 model.
New colour options are Light Yellow metallic, classic and elegant Ocean Blue metallic, as well as Dark Graphite metallic. Chrome drips from the footrests, bumper strip surrounds, grab rail on the top case and the air vent and logo plate.
The redesigned cockpit gets a flat-screen information unit that gives more info than anyone on a touring holiday really needs. Besides the total mileage and two trip counters, coolant temperature, air temperature, gear selection, petrol level and clock there?s also the radio details. I bet the instructions for that lot takes up more space than the all the info for the rest of the bike?
Optional extras include an anti-theft warning system, central locking and "ground illumination". Simply by pressing a button the rider is able to lock the top case, the cases at the side of the machine, and the storage compartment, while intentionally leaving the tank lock open for filling up at a gas station.
Ground illumination is activated when the rider switches off the anti-theft warning system and the ignition and selects the option to illuminate the ground around the parked motorcycle. This makes getting on to and off the machine at night much safer.
But why stop there? On a luxury tourer you'll also want the heated seat and backrest, higher windscreen, chrome plated running boards, sat nav system and the CD changer. Oh, and don't forget the cup holder.
And we're not joking?

BMW K1200RS

BMW has thoroughly updated the K1200 RS sports tourer originally introduced in 1997, with the objectives of improving wind and weather protection and comfort for the rider and passenger.
The K1200RS has BMW's new EVO brake on the front wheel and can be fitted with ABS as an option - in this case the partly integrated version reflecting the sporting character of this model. This means that the handbrake lever acts simultaneously on the front and rear wheel brakes, but the foot brake lever only activates the rear brake.
Without making any concessions in terms of its sporting performance, the touring comfort of the K1200RS has been improved significantly and both the windscreen and the upper section of the fairing have been totally redesigned. As before, there is a choice of two positions, but windscreen height has now been increased by 60mm in the lower position and by 45mm in the higher position. The result is even better weather protection, particularly around the upper body.
The upper section of the fairing has been modified as a result of extensive wind tunnel testing and the K1200 RS now sports a more slender, dynamic look with re-positioned direction indicators and water radiators. There are also larger rear-view mirrors, and re-designed instrument and inner cockpit covers, both finished in the colour of the motorcycle.
The K1200 RS comes in a choice of three new colours: night black non-metallic; pacific blue metallic and twin tone frost blue metallic/marrakech red non-metallic. The wide range of optional extras includes a comfort seat, luggage rack, heated grips, alarm, tank bags and cruise control.
There's also a special edition K1200RS, with headed grips, a luggage grid with left and right pannier fastenings, and a wider 5.5 inch rear wheel rim with a 180 section tyre. In addition to all the standard factory equipment specified, a low handlebar conversion is available at no extra cost, as is a higher dual seat. Cruise control can be added for just £345.

BMW R1100S

Think BMW and you think tourer. The Bavarians build bikes for mature riders, for people who care more about practicality and quality than hooning around, scraping knee-sliders and popping wheelies.
But in the 60s and 70s BMW also built sports bikes. The suffix S to the model designation meant high performance Sport. With the R1100S, BMW has reinstated that great tradition of building potent pared down mile-munchers.
BMW must have known its venerable twin couldn't mix it with the Blade or R1. But with the sports bike market accounting for over 50% of sales, they could still take on sports tourers like the Honda VFR and Ducati ST2.
The 1085cc mill is the most powerful production Boxer ever, pumping out a claimed 98bhp at the rear wheel. It delivers lusty torque from 4000rpm and keeps on pulling past 8000. Power delivery is so silky that you can keep it wound on through the twisties. A smoother rider is a better rider.
The six-speed box is as good as you'd expect on a Jap bike. No clunky changes from this Beemer.
With weight slashed to 229kg and the suspension firmed up, the R1100S even handles like a sports bike.
The anti-dive Telelever front suspension and double-joint Paralever swingarm can be adjusted while you're on the move. Comfort is in the usual BMW league, so you're not looking for a fag and a bacon sarnie after just 100 miles.
ABS was an expensive option, adding £700 to the list price. There were few takers.
The R1100S even looks good - there's a sexy fairing that covers the petrol tank, and twin exhaust cans exit under the taillight just like a 916. But the best bit is the price. The fastest production Boxer cost a bargain £8000 on the road when it was launched in 1999.
A sports bike with heated grips? That'll be the BMW.

BMW R1150GS

Twenty-one years ago, the launch of BMW's R80 GS established a new category in motorcycling - the large capacity enduro machine. Numerous Paris-Dakar victories and thousands of customer deliveries later, the GS range has become one of BMW's greatest success stories, with over 146,000 units sold to date.
Largely based on the best selling R1150GS, the Adventure has been designed with long distance travel in mind and is engineered to perform in all conditions, on or off-road. This visually striking new model comes equipped with many special features as standard and a whole range of optional accessories and fittings that make it the ultimate long distance enduro machine.
Whether on gravel paths, sand tracks, rough terrain or over long distances, the chassis of the R1150GS Adventure ensures optimum comfort and control even when fully loaded. Spring travel has been increased by 20mm to 210mm at the front, and 220mm at the rear. Easy spring pre-load adjustment to the front can be made by a supplied spanner and to the rear by a hydraulic adjuster. Rebound damping at the rear can be adjusted by means of a small screw.
For the first time in a BMW motorcycle, a strut is used at the rear which has suspension deflection related damping, whereby the greater the spring deflection, the greater the damping effect. The WP strut is characterised by sensitive response and a high degree of knock resistance.
The Adventure uses BMW's EVO brake, which was introduced on a number of models in the spring of 2001 and significantly increases stopping power. Plastic coated braided steel hoses help provide stable and constant pressure. ABS can also be fitted, which can be switched off when riding off-road.
Unlike the R1150 GS, which uses top gear as an overdrive, the Adventure uses a shorter sixth gear ratio. There is also a shorter first gear to make pulling away easier on difficult terrain.
The Adventure's engine can now take regular petrol as well as unleaded for round-the-world travellers. An optional coding plug for the engine management system ensures it can be safely operated with regular fuel (RON 91) without any risk of damage. Other optional special equipment includes waterproof inner bags for the aluminium cases, cylinder protection brackets, headlamp protector, fog lamps with flint protectors and knobbly tyres for improved off-road capability.

BMW R1150R

The R1100R was a huge success story for BMW, with 53,000 sold in six years since 1994. So BMW has high hopes for the new 1150cc model that was introduced in 2001.
Bringing naked Monster-style cool to the staid BMW touring image, the flat-twin, four-valve engine enjoys a 5bhp power increase on the old 1100 and now develops 85bhp. The torque curve shows that the new engine is beefier through the entire speed range, with more than 66 lb-ft of torque consistently available between 3000 and 6500rpm, significantly improving acceleration.
The increase is attributable to the engine?s higher capacity and the digital engine management. However, 50 per cent of the power increase has been made possible by a new exhaust and silencer system manufactured from chrome-plated stainless steel.
Another notable feature of the R1150R is the upgraded six-speed gearbox. The standard top gear is "shorter" and more dynamic (compared with the five-speed unit of the previous model) but a "longer" sixth gear is available as an option. The longer gear is intended for more comfortable touring and for use as a kind of overdrive to aid fuel economy.
The BMW Telelever front wheel suspension can now be geared to the rider?s individual style, or to compensate for varying payloads. The newly developed EVO front brake boosts stopping power by no less than 20 per cent and allows ABS as an option.
Additionally, the R1150R features a two-piece front mudguard, cast aluminium wheels with five double spokes, a 20.4-litre capacity fuel tank giving an improved range of approximately 225 miles, two-piece saddle with a rider height of 800mm (31.5in) and wider handlebars.
As you would expect from BMW, a full range of dedicated luggage and accessories is available for the R1150R, which comes in a choice of three colours: Atlanta blue metallic; red metallic and night black.

BMW R1150RS

BMW's big sports tourer has had a makeover for 2002. Like the R1150GS, R1150R and R1150RT, the R1150RS comes with a larger and more powerful engine featuring a catalytic converter and six-speed transmission.
The brakes have been upgraded to match the increase in performance. The R1150RS is equipped with BMW's new EVO brake on the front wheel - offering up to 20 per cent more braking power - while Integral ABS can be included as an option, in this case, the partly integrated version to reflect the sporting character of the machine. This means that the hand brake lever acts on both wheels while the foot brake lever only applies the rear brake.
There are new lighter and stronger cast aluminium wheels with five double spokes. The reduction of unsprung mass improves handling and riding comfort.
Maximum output is up from 90 bhp on the 2001 model to 95 bhp at 7250 rpm. Maximum torque has increased from 95 Nm to 100 Nm (74lb ft) at 5500 rpm, with more than 90 Nm or 66 lb ft available between 3000 and 6500 rpm.
The R1150RS now has a hydraulically operated clutch. As with the R1150RT, the new six-speed unit is geared for more comfortable touring with top serving as an overdrive.
The R1150RS features BMW's Telelever front-wheel system and the Paralever, which acts as a double-joint swinging arm on the rear wheel.
The new R1150RS also gets a bigger screen, which is eight centimetres higher and six centimetres wider. This increases the total area of the screen by about 30 per cent for better protection from wind and weather. A full fairing (previously only available as an option) is now standard on the R1150RS.
BMW will be launching a special edition R1150RS, which will include partly integrated ABS (sports) heated grips, pannier fixings and a luggage rack as standard equipment. Additional equipment can be specified, such as panniers, topcase, tank bag, cylinder protection hoops, chrome-plated cylinder protection covers and an anti-theft warning system.

BMW R1150RT

With armchair comfort and excellent weather protection, the R1150RT is the best long distance tourer from BMW yet. And it's not just an autobahn cruiser - the big Beemer handles surprisingly well, so that you can eat up the twisties when you get to the end of the motorway.
Developed from the R1100RT, which was in production for over five years - plenty of time to sort out any design issues - the R1150RT has an 1130cc Boxer engine, an increase of 45cc over its predecessor. Maximum power from the four valves per cylinder engine is up from 90 to 95bhp at 7250rpm, maximum torque has increased from 95Nm (70lb-ft) to 100Nm (74lb-ft) at 5000rpm and more than 90Nm (66lb-ft) is consistently available between 3000 and 6500rpm, providing significantly more low down power.
The R1150RT has a six-speed gearbox designed especially for comfortable touring. The tall sixth gear acts as an overdrive, reducing engine speed and, accordingly, fuel consumption. Lighter, cast aluminium wheels reduce unsprung weight and the front wheel features the newly developed EVO brake. BMW's integral ABS system is fitted as standard.
The new headlight system and upper fairing section characterise the new face of the R1150RT. Like the four-cylinder K1200RS, the R1150 RT also features two foglamps at the sides. The upper part of the fairing has been totally redesigned to match the new headlight system, yet retains the excellent wind and weather protection that the R1100RT offered.
The rider's seat comes with even better thigh support and four height different settings. Shorter riders also have a lower seat option. As befits a genuine tourer, the R1150RT comes equipped with two system cases and an integrated luggage rack as standard.
The R1150RT is available in a choice of four colours: aquamint metallic, titanium silver metallic, dark blue metallic and red metallic. Optional extras include heated grips, a radio kit with speakers, a radio cassette player, multi-tone horn, topcase, tankbag, cylinder protection bars and an alarm system.
With a top speed of 130mph and 45mpg at touring speeds, the R1150RT is the perfect bike for shrinking continents.

BMW R850R

The venerable Boxer twin was the bike long-distance riders aspired to in the Seventies. It didn't matter that the gearbox was clunky or that a Z1 would leave it standing at the lights. BMW was selling quality with a capital Q.
But while a fairing is great on a touring bike, some riders don't like the extra bulk and prefer going naked.
Now BMW have given its baby roadster, the R850R the same looks as its R1150R stablemate. And it is gorgeous, with its neatly sculptured lines running from mudguard to gas tank.
The air and oil cooled flat-twin, four valves per cylinder engine is a small-bore version of the 1150. Modifications incorporated on the 2003 version of the six-speed gearbox include extending the geometry of the gears to provide greater overlap of the gear flanks to give a softer mesh when gear shifting.
The mechanism has also been improved to give a smoother action. Other mods to the clutch have resulted in less noise and reduced weight (by approximately 1kg).
Clunky changes are a thing of the past. And with 70bhp at the end of the twistgrip the R850R is good for 118mph - that's plenty fast enough for riding naked.
In fact, the 850 tops out at the same speed as the 1150, although the big-bore Beemer has more torque. You get the same dependable handling and EVO front brake as the R1150R. Two large diameter brake discs (320mm) and new four-piston calipers provide supreme braking control from light to extra-powerful.
Compared with conventional designs, the same amount of effort applied to the brake lever will produce up to 20 per cent more braking force.
The full range of optional extras for the R1150R is also available for the smaller model. The bigger banger sold out in the UK within months of the launch when it was introduced two years ago, so expect a rush of orders for the 850.