While the fine lines and sculpted
features of most sport bikes spring
from the drawing tables of stylists,
those oftheBMW R65LS had adifferent birthplace.
The drafting tables of German
engineers.
As a result, they are the recipients of the same pragmatic consideration and evolutionary refinement
asthe legendaryengine that powers
this 650cc machine.
The shapely sport fairing, for
example, provides much more than
cosmetic appeal. It helps reduce
front-wheel lift by over 30%.
The LS handlebars are low, compact, and help to provide a seating
position that "is sporting in a
way that Japanese bikes,
even with red paint,
have notdiscovered"
(Cycle World).
(High bars are
also avaiable.)
The bike's
slender tajl,
artful as it too appears, was creat- increase handling prowess but deed in one of the most aesthetically creases unsprung weight.
indifferent environments known
In the end, the BMW R65LS is
to man: the massive BMW wind
one sports bike whose graceful
tunnel in Ismaning, Germany.
lines do not serveas camouflagefor
Even the wheels of the LS pos- weak engineering. For it is a masess a beauty that goes far deeper chine as adept atslicing through the
than their gleaming enamel. Each wind and rounding corners as it is
rim section is made of a highly rigid at turning heads.
Its price? A lofty $3,790::'
aluminum alloy;eachhubandspoke
assembly is separately cast from a . But as a motorcycle columnist of
far more elastic aluminum alloy to AutoWeek observed, "a bad motorprovide added flexibility. And then cycleisworthless;agood motorcycle
everything-hubs. spokes and rims- is worth whatever it costs...By that
iscast as
asingle unit.Cul- standard, the R65LS is a bargain:'
'
Mar
