London Motorcycle Show: BMW Bike Highlights

If you’ve seen this week’s MCN you’ll probably still be drooling over the official Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show supplement.

Outside of all of the talks, presentations, live interviews and riding shows taking place, there is – of course – a mountain of beautiful, new, 2015 bikes to lust over.

We’ve taken a look at what each manufacturer is bringing and pulled out our own, particular highlights…

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BMW R1200RS

• Power: 125bhp @ 7750rpm
• Weight: 236kg
• Seat height: 820mm

The RS name is firmly routed in BMW’s biking history, with the first of the fast-touring boxers – the R100RS – being launched in 1976. The half-faired styling remains, as does the boxer twin, but there’s little else to link them. 

This all-new bike uses the 125bhp water-cooled boxer engine first unveiled in the 2013 R1200GS, which has given the boxer range a whole new lease of life. It resides in an all-new tubular steel frame, with inverted traditional fork, and the firm’s Paralever shaft drive at the rear.

A long way from its 1976 roots, the new RS is fitted with a mass of electronic rider aids. ABS is standard fitment, and there’s Automatic Stability Control (ASC) and dual riding modes, too.

Riders who want even more can opt for the Pro riding mode upgrade, which adds Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and two further riding modes.While the RS isn’t intended as a grand tourer, BMW have still made ample provision for touring practicalities.

The stock bike is designed to accept the firm’s pannier system, with a full range of luggage and touring accessories created specifically for this model. Engine protection bars and auxiliary lighting help further with the bike’s touring pretensions, while not encroaching on the standard machine’s expected skills as a sporty road bike.

Arriving in dealers toward the middle of the year, the RS will come in a choice of three specs; the standard bike costing £10,835, while an RS Sport version will be £11,870, and the range-topping RS SE will set you back £12,915.

 

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BMW will be displaying a whole host of new metal on stand M65 at the London Motorcycle Show from February 13th, 14th and 15th.

Tickets are available on the door and more information can be found at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com