BERLIN PLANT READIED FOR THE NEW BMW K 1200 S

The preparations for the start of production of the new K 1200 S high
performance sports bike are running at full power in the BMW motorcycle plant
in Berlin. On the 1st of June, in the presence of the head of BMW Motorrad, Dr.
Herbert Diess, the official go-ahead for the series production was given. The
aim of starting production at this early stage is to train the staff and to
perfect all processes to ensure the highest level of quality when the model is
officially launched.

The sporty potential of the new K 1200 S can be seen from its technical
specifications. The 4-cylinder inline engine generates an output of 167 bhp at
10,250 rpm from a capacity of 1157 ccm. The highest torque of 130 Nm is
achieved at 8,250 rpm. More than 70 percent of maximum torque is already
available from 3000 rpm. The overriding target for the engine developers was to
achieve sports type characteristics offering rideable and fully controllable
performance.

The valves of the dual camshaft engine are operated by light and rigid cam
followers. With a bore/stroke ratio of 59 x 79 mm the engine is a short-stroke
unit.Two balancing shafts in the horizontally divided cylinder crankcase made
of light alloy ensure the balancing of masses and low-vibration running.

In order to achieve the flat design of the crankcase, the K 1200 S was fitted
with dry sump lubrication. This permits an especially low position of the
engine (due to the fact that there is no oil sump) and in conjunction with the
cylinder bank angled forward at 55° contributes to a low center of gravity.

What is unique for a production bike in this class is the type of construction
of the integrated 6-speed gearbox: it is a cassette transmission.

As far as the suspension and chassis are concerned, the technical highlights
are the "Duolever" and the electronically adjustable suspension. The Duolever,
seen from a kinematic point is view, resembles a link square made up of two
virtually parallel longitudinal links which are mounted in the frame so they
can swivel and thus permit a precise up-and-down movement of the front wheel.
This is mounted in an extremely rigid component, the so called wheel carrier.
The wheel carrier, a light component cast from high strength aluminium alloy,
is connected to the longitudinal links via two ball joints and can thus also
carry out a steering motion at the same time. A longitudinal link connected to
the central spring strut is responsible for suspension and damping. The
benefits of this system are extremely high rigidity combined with low weight
and an ideal wheel and lift curve.

With the ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) option a further innovation is
entering production. The spring preload and damping can be adjusted at the
press of an electronic button on the handlebars.

This vehicle electrics are also very progressive. A whole series of functions
is facilitated on the basis of the so-called CAN bus technology which is
simpler then conventional systems and also offers full diagnostics capability.

Together with the catalytic converter (a self-evident equipment feature on BMW
motorcycles) , standard ABS (partially-integral version of the Integral ABS) as
well as the maintenance-free shaft drive, the K 1200 S represents a unique
premium offer in the sport segment which will be available from BMW Motorrad
dealers after the public premiere at the INTERMOT Motorcycle Show in Munich
next September. Apart from the two non-metallic paint finishes (indigo blue
metallic and granite gray metallic) there will also be multi-colored variants.

Pricing has not been announced by BMW Motorrad USA at this time.