VOL. 52 ISSUE 9 MARCH 3, 2015 P63
I've become a fan of the shaft
drive as it eliminates the task
of regular chain tension adjust-
ment and oiling. The optional
Gear Shift Assistant Pro is highly
recommended if you intend to
use the R for any spirited rid-
ing. Clutchless upshifts and
downshifts transform the R into a
video game, with no need to let
off the throttle on the upshifts,
the system providing no interrup-
tion of power flow. Once experi-
enced, it's hard not to fall in lust
with this device.
The Roadster is equipped with
a pair of 320mm rotors mated
with four-piston radial-mounted
calipers on the front and a single
276mm disc on the rear (with
two-piston caliper). The powerful
configuration is nicely matched
to the performance level and
weight of the R, with standard
ABS that can be disengaged
if desired. 17-inch wheels with
3.5-inch width on the front and
5.5-inch width on the rear are
reminiscent of BMW's super-
bike. All of these elements give
the R 1200 R a high degree of
sportiness yet without sacrificing
everyday ride-ability.
Whereas some machines
in this burgeoning category of
"minimalist design" forego a
number of the creature comforts
we've come to expect in favor
of simplicity, BMW has suc-
ceeded at maintaining an aura of
paired down efficiency while still
providing a host of the technical
gadgetry we've come to expect
from the brand (ESA, ASC, DTC,
ABS). It's a surprising amount of
technical bravado packed into
the R 1200 R without giving it an
overloaded look or feel. This is
even reflected in the instrumen-
tation. Despite the limited real
estate of the dash, in addition to
the essential speedometer and
tachometer there's Trip 1 and 2,
range, outside air and engine
temperature, average fuel con-
sumption and speed, date, time,
oil level and tire pressure. There
is also the riding mode indica-
tor. The R boasts Keyless Ride.
Keep the key in your pocket and
when you're on the bike starting
the engine and locking the front
fork are activated simply by the
push of a button.
The new Roadster is a blast
to ride, whether you're head-
ing into the canyons for some
serious flogging or merely in the
mood for a jaunt into town. The
bike is capable of some dis-
tance as well, providing comfort
The fun-to-ride
(even in the rain)
2015 BMW R
1200 R is a new
incarnation of
BMW's original
Roadster.
One of the most significant
aspects of the R 1200 R is that
engineers traded in the lauded
Telelever front end for an
inverted telescopic fork.
