BMW R1200C

Four years on, this Aussie custom has taken the concept one step further...BMW, The German marque evokes many emotions, and asking just about any group of motorcyclists will see many of the same adjectives trotted out, today as they have through the decades. Quality. Reliability. Precision-made. There's no denying the Germans have been close to if not at engineering's forefront since the Industrial Revolution, at least certainly when it comes to cars and motorcycles. However, when it comes to BMW motorcycles specifically, up until a few years ago, those words of praise had come to be tempered with words such as conservative and, perhaps a little harshly, dull. Good machines certainly, but better suited to your "pipe and slippers" set of older motorcyclists, who place practicality well towards the upper end of the priority scale.

In recent years BMW has sought to address these perceptions, and the models spearheading the charge, the R1150 GS and F650 dual-purpose bikes, the R1100 S Sport Boxer and the R1200 C, have effectively remodelled the company's corporate image. The latter machine neatly carried BMW away from the 'conservative' tag in two directions at once, not only was the cruiser a first for the marque, but this wasn't your everyday sort of cruiser.

DRAGONFLY-ON-STEROIDS

The latest Beemer to check in to the AMCN test fleet, an R1200 C customised by Melbourne BMW dealership Moto One, has taken an already 'out there' cruiser concept, and added a unique twist of its own. I'd always viewed the R1200 C as something of an oddity, a trap I've fallen into before when it comes to bikes I've never thrown a leg over. But I thoroughly enjoyed the week I spent aboard the machine, during which time its commuting duties were broken with a spirited sprint through the hills. Being a long streak of pelican's proverbial, I generally tend to find my knees flapping around my head on cruisers which don't have highway pegs, so I was relieved to find the R1200 C a perfect fit. Ample legroom is complemented by a comfy seat and an ideal stretch to the chunky and super-wide 'bars, the latter lending a definite presence to the bike and amplifying its 'dragonfly-on-steroids' appearance. The 'bars are a genuine BMW accessory, and are available for $221. Thumbing the starter revealed a similarly pleasing surprise, the crack of the bike's exhaust system (with both cans now on the one side) was positively raucous, and a welcome change from a stock Boxer's muted rumble. Unlikely to see you behind bars, it is one of those bikes that gives you an excuse to do another lap of an underground carpark, much to the terror of young mums and their kiddies. Selling for around $1350, the beautifully-crafted system is locally made and available through Moto One, tel (03) 9568 0100

WIDE PORTFOLIO

Clunking into first showed the five-speed 'box to be standard BMW fare, a little clunky and difficult to engage until the oil's warmed up to operating temperature. While on the go, especially when you're giving it the berries, care has to be taken shifting from first to second. When on the move, the torquey flat-twin powerplant revs willingly and pumps out a healthy spread of power, but it's the grunty midrange where I found myself most the time, whether it be winding it on in red light drags or ripping up a twisty bit of road. Yep, you heard right, this is one cruiser I enjoyed both posing down my favourite cafe strip, or scraping the pegs up a winding mountain pass. Well, winding mountain pass may be a slightly grandiose exaggeration when it comes to Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, but my afternoon strop highlighted this cruiser's wide portfolio nonetheless.

GREAT PERFORMER

In a speed limitless world I'd reckon about 170kmh would be possible in stock trim, which ain't bad for a machine of the cruising genre. The flat twin layout has its inherent vibrations, and although they relegate the otherwise good mirrors to the blurry bin they weren't enough of a problem to give me tingly hands or feet. The Beemer's Telelever front end really did quite a good job of soaking up the bumps, although its rear monoshock seemed a little harsh to me, the bike tending to bounce off big bumps rather than ride over them. For most roads it's fine, and remember, this is a cruiser accompanied by the usual low-spec suspension, adjustment is limited to rear preload only. Having said that, the bike steered beautifully, and tracked through the corners in fine style in a relatively nimble manner. Ground clearance is generous, certainly up the upper end of the scale for a cruiser, as is the brake performance afforded by the Brembo calipers front and back. Those flat bars only added to the fun in the tighter stuff, allowing me to put a little more weight over the front end and ease some of that remoteness that goes hand in hand with riding a cruiser.

MILE EATER

In the looks and handling departments the bars get a big thumbs up in my books, although they can become something to watch out for in tight manoeuvring, executing a full-lock U-turn will see your outside arm stretching off into the distance, and those on the shorter side will find their arms limit the bike's steering lock rather than the lock stops. Mav for example hated the riding position, as he found it too much of a stretch. The broad saddle is comfy and compliant, and together with the spacious and upright ride position makes the R1200 C ideal for eating up the highway miles. You really sit 'in' this Beemer instead of 'on' it, so even the windsock effect prevalent with most naked machines is relatively minimal. On the subject of seats, the pillion pad doubles as a backrest for solo riding, with a pull of a spring-loaded pin all that's needed to convert from one to the other. My regular pillion Meghan found the Beemer's back seat quite comfortable and the leg room abundant, quite a holiday by the sportsbike standards she's used to; I found the backrest an unusual and pleasant change from standard seats.

BEEMER WITH ATTITUDE

But performance is only part of the equation when it comes to bikes like this, and as far as cosmetics and finish go this is one machine which shines, literally. This R1200 C has acres of mirror finish. The quality paint work was completed by Melbourne-based company RA Motorcycle Crash Repairs, tel 0414 522 306, with all bodywork, the cylinder-heads and even the fuel cap coming in for attention. Of course whether it pushes your buttons or not is a matter of personal taste, but combined with the rasp of those aftermarket pipes and bars, I found this to be one Beemer that was turning heads wherever I went. A BMW with attitude, and lots of it, I reckon the idea could take off...

Story: Rod Chapman. Photos: Stuart Grant