BMW has taken the wraps off the 2015 R1200RS and the R1200R sports touring motorcycles. Both the motorcycles are based on the same tubular steel bridge frame which has the boxer engine as a self-supporting component. While the R1200R has been styled like a naked streetfighter, the R1200RS gets an aerodynamically styled fairing with twin headlights.
The ‘RS’ in the motorcycle’s moniker stands for ‘reise’ and ‘sport’, i.e. travel and sport, and defines the R1200RS’s true purpose. The R1200RS is a spiritual successor to the original 1976 R100RS, which was the first true sports touring motorcycle. While the R1200RS might fool some people into believing it to be an S1000RR, the engine’s two cylinders sticking out through the side gives away the motorcycle’s true identity. The R1200R on the other hand is a naked motorcycle and as expected, borrows many styling cues from the Concept Roadster, which was revealed by the company, earlier this year.
Both the R1200R and the R1200RS are powered by the new liquid-cooled boxer engine which is also employed in the R1200GS, R1200GS Adventure sand the R1200RT. The engine churns out 125bhp and 125Nm through a six-speed gearbox. Both the models get a conventional telescopic front fork instead of the Telelever setup.
Both the R1200RS and the R1200R pack modern electronics like ABS, Automatic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment, banking detection and different riding modes. The instrument cluster is made up of an analogue speedometer and a digital display.
The R1200RS will be available in two paint schemes - blue metallic/Light grey metallic and a grey metallic matte, while the R1200R will be offered in three shades - Cordoba blue non-metallic, light white non-metallic and thunder grey metallic.
