BMW R1200R: PH2 Review

The quintessential BMW motorcycle according to the firm's bosses - does it live up to the hype?

BMW's top brass describe the R1200R as 'the quintessential' BMW motorcycle as it encapsulates everything about the brand. This naked roadster relies on a boxer engine, is incredibly practical, fun and in many ways is pretty similar to the very first BMW motorcycle ever built, the R32. OK, the last 91 years have seen technology change quite a lot, but the essence of the motorcycle is still the same - two wheels, a comfortable seat, wide bars and a boxer twin. However, over the last few years the R1200R has reflected 'old' BMW Motorrad and as a result its popularity has dipped. BMW is a company going through a change of attitude and the old pipe and slippers have been consigned to the closet. Accordingly for the R1200R the outgoing model's drab paint schemes and lack of attitude have gone the same way and the 2015 version is very different.

Pipe and slippers definitely not included

BMW has injected a bit more excitement into the R1200R by giving it a thorough refresh. As well as adopting the new partially water-cooled boxer engine with a healthy 125hp and 92lb ft of torque, the R1200R gains an upgraded chassis with (shock horror) conventional inverted forks instead of a Telelever system, cool styling and the most advanced electronics ever fitted to a boxer engined bike. While the standard bike only gets ABS, two fuel models and basic traction control (ASC), you can spec the hell out of the R and add advanced fuel modes, traction control that responds to the onboard gyroscope (DTC), semi-active suspension, quickshifter and the greatest invention of 2015 - BMW's keyless ignition system that even includes a keyless petrol cap. Pure genius...

However, as cool as these extras are, for me the biggest change to the R1200R is the fact the Sport version, with its red frame and white panels, is the first R1200R to actually look sexy. Although if you are of a more restrained disposition the stock blue and black colours are suitably demure...

New-school part water-cooled boxer

A new attitude
As soon as you sit on the new R1200R it feels fresh. The digital dash has all the usual practical stuff such as a fuel gauge and mpg figure, but a click of a button changes it into two extra custom displays with either a sporty or touring bias. It's a small but neat touch that I really like, alongside the fact the digital rev counter changes its look to warn you the engine isn't up to temperature yet. While the riding position remains typically R comfortable, with the bars placed for a relaxed stance and the pegs nice and low, BMW has given the whole feel of the bike a sporty injection. And when you fire that boxer engine into life the R not only feels fresh, it sounds brilliant too. I spoke to one of the bike's designers who assured me that with the optional Akrapovic can fitted, his R rattled the windows of cars he passed on his way into work.

Interestingly, despite the R1200R gaining inverted forks like the R NineT, it doesn't have as radical geometry as the air-cooled naked, something that shows up in the ride. Although still pretty agile, and considerably better than the old model, the new R's handling feels more on the assured side than full-on sporty like the NineT.

Telescopic forks shocker!

Does this detract from the riding experience? Not really. Thanks to the advanced electronics you can still go pretty damn fast on this boxer. Previously, given a typical British road full of bumps and cow poo, I reckon the fastest bike from A to B would be a GS. Now I'd put my money on the R. Thanks to the beautifully stable chassis (the semi-active suspension is excellent), advanced traction control system (the bikes we tested had DTC fitted), grunty boxer engine and ABS you can go blisteringly fast down roads you don't know on the R.

Ready to play
Unlike the ASC, the DTC allows you a degree of slip in 'dynamic' mode. As well as letting the rear slide slightly out of bends you can even hold up a gentle wheelie over crests where on the GS with its ASC any mono-wheel activity results in a barrage of warning lights and the front crashing down to earth. The partially water-cooled engine is identical in spec to the GS engine, with only airbox modifications altering its performance. So you get that lovely free-revving attitude that the water-cooled motor brings as well as heaps of low down grunt and even a cheeky top end rush.

Looks the biz, goes like it too

Despite all the excitement over the in-line four engine, the top four best-selling BMW models are still powered by a boxer twin. Naturally the GS and Adventure lead the way but behind them are the R NineT and RT. I reckon for 2015 the R1200R will be in the top three best selling Beemers worldwide as it absolutely hits the nail on the head.

Not only does the R (in Sport guise) look great, it has all the practicality of the GS but in a cool, and fashionable, roadster format with cutting edge electronics. It's certainly no sports naked like the S1000R, but that's its role in life and if you want to go bananas then get the in-line four. Ironically the only thing that might harm the sales of the R1200R is its sibling, the R1200RS, which has everything the R does but adds a fairing. Personally, if I had the choice, I'd take the R every time and just put up with a bit of windblast. No wonder the BMW top brass are so enthused.

BMW R1200R
Engine: 1,170cc boxer twin
Power (hp): 125@7,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 92@6,500rpm
Top speed: 155mph (est)
Weight: 231kg (wet)
MPG: 50mpg (est)
Price: £10,250 (Sport £11,06, Exclusive £11,910)