Beemer With Balls
BEEMER WITH BALLS
Of the many highlights surrounding the new-for-2006 BMW R1200S that debuted last November at the Milan Show, one tantalizing tidbit towers head and shoulders above all else: 122 horsepower at 8250 rpm and 83 foot-pounds of torque at 6800 rpm.
To produce the most powerful air-cooled Boxer to date, the balance-shaft-equipped, sixspeed flat-Twin that currently powers the R1200GS, RT and ST received yawning 52mm throttle bodies, high-compression pistons, steel-alloy connecting rods, three (as opposed to two) camshaft bearings, reinforced rocker arms, stiffer valve springs and catalyzer-equipped
underseat mufflers.
Coping with this uprated engine performance is a new three-piece frame-the front and central sections are tubular steel, the subframe crafted from square-section aluminum-complemented by firmer settings for the reconfigured Telelever and EVO Paralever suspension. “Extra-light” non-servo anti-lock brakes weighing just 3.3 pounds and Öhlins shocks head the options list. Claimed dry weight for the standard, non-ABS model is 419 pounds, nearly 29 pounds less than its predecessor. -Matthew Miles
