What am I riding today? A cruiser? where’s my Johnny Rebs and my trusty old open face?

My first stop after picking up the bike, was Rolling Thunder, where, 2NUR FM’s Mikes Bikes had a promotion running. From a vantage point, away from the curb, I watched what sort of interest the bike attracted. Many of the gathering were Harley riders, and a number were more than a little curious about this intruder in their midst. Eventually I was identified as the rider and questioned at length on its pedigree, the interrogators seemingly impressed by what they saw and heard.

If you are a cruiser man, what choices do you have? Multiple Japanese copies of a great American hero, or, pay out a "fist full of dollars" for a piece of original ‘Milwaukee Iron’. Then there’s always a spaghetti version with the Moto Guzzi Californian series. But, wait there’s more, there’s that country where they celebrate beer with an annual festival (they sound o.k. eh?), why not a BMW cruiser, the R1200C series to be precise.

The test bike came fitted with, fog lights, fuel injection, non standard Corbin seating ($1200), standard BMW ABS, self cancelling blinkers !!! (why isn’t this a feature on the R1150RT?), and well used for the second day of winter, heated handgrips. The bike was shod with Bridgestone tyres, not a Metzler in sight. The 4 valve heads are lock nut and adjuster for setting the valve clearances, which will keep servicing costs down.

If you think that a BMW R1200C is not a real cruiser, then you’re also the type that believes, a Buell isn’t a real Harley, you can’t have it both ways. This is a real cruiser, it’s got stump pulling grunt from way down low, feet forward seating, wide bars, lashings of chrome and with it’s ‘brutal’ looks, plenty of attitude. This is not a ‘pretty’ bike by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s got something that makes you stare at it. This is the Pit Bull Terrier of cruisers, the tattoo you never wanted your mother to see, and, the favourite pillion described its profile as piranha looking. BMW to their credit, have not made a copy of a Harley cruiser, what they’ve done is create a cruiser of their own design.

I decided to visit my articulate, V-twin specialist, Harley riding friend, for a second opinion.

"Bloody hell, Radical design, awesome, bloody hell, incredible, what a front end, Ugly as a hat full of busted ar….les, bloody hell".

The specifications show a maximum power output of only 45kw (61hp) at 5,000 rpm, however, it’s the torque from the engine you notice most (it matches the R1150RT). It’ll pull from low speed in top gear with little effort and overtaking manoeuvres require a throttle twist only, you’d be hard pressed to require a downshift. Information off the internet states a top speed of 168kph, more than enough to lose one’s license. Three hundred kilometres should be easy for the cruisers fuel range, leaving a reserve of a couple of litres. The comfortable seating accepts a wide range of rider heights and sizes. The rear suspension seems to be somewhat stiff for a cruiser, and, I was unable to find any adjustment other than a screw in/out pre-load setting. I would have liked a tacho or louder pipes, as the engine is so quiet and under-stressed, I had trouble knowing when I was in top gear.

One thing that probably won’t be happening is, the cruiser being asked to tow a small trailer as many Ulysses Club members have a want to do. From my observances there doesn’t appear to be enough ‘structure’ to support a tow bar, not that BMW engineers ever thought that anyone would attempt such a thing.

During the 25^th Anniversary Stone Run, there were plenty of these bikes leading the ride, Normie Rowe owns one himself. The artwork on the fuel tanks (shark, snake heads etc.) were varied and only added to the aggressive look of the machines.

Ride away no more to pay prices for the R1200C are $22,321 for the Classic, $22,527 for the Avantegarde (wire wheels on these models) and $22,949 for the Independent (test bike). I would definitely go for the windshield and panniers option. There is no centre stand, however, there is provision for a workshop stand (an accessory) under the bike, something I would press my engineering talents to, should the bike find it’s way into my garage. It’s interesting to note that, the new Harley 1450cc T-Sport runs into the $26,000 bracket, and, while it’s equipment list is similar to the R1200C, it is thirstier, runs best on premium unleaded, has a lower maximum speed, may not handle as well in standard trim, and weighs an extra 50 kilograms.

The Cruisers have been around for a few years now, so, there are going to be some good second hand examples on the market for those whose budget doesn’t stretch to a new bike. There used to be an R850 Cruiser, but, that has been dropped from the current Australian model line up.

I loved my time with the R1200C, the bike was huge fun, if I had the money I would definitely have one. It has power, excellent handling, comfort and aggressive looks.

I must remember to buy a lottery ticket every week from now on.

Specifications BMW Motorcycles R 1200C Independant. – oil/air cooled boxer twin.

Engine Cubic Capacity 1170cc

Bore/Stroke 101/73 mm

Max Output 45kw 61bhp at 5000rpm

Max Torque 98Nm

No. of Cylinders 2

Valves per Cyl. 4

Fuel Supply Motronic MA 2.4

Power Trans/Gearbox 5-speed

Clutch Single plate dry clutch – 165mm dia.

Suspension Rear wheel drive – BMW Monolever

Spring Travel Front/Rear – 144/100 mm

Brakes ABS standard

Wheels Front – 2.5 x 18

Rear – 4.0 x 15

Tyres Front – 100/90 – ZR18

Rear – 170/80 – ZR15

Dimensions/Weights

Seat Height 740 mm

Weight – Unladen with full fuel tank – 256kg

Fuel Tank 17.5 litres

Fuel Consumption @ 90km/hr - 4.8 ltr/100km

Acceleration 0-100km/h (62mph) – 5.8 sec

Colours Ivory/Peach metallic, Mandarin/Graphite metallic

Motorcycles and specifications shown are indicative only and subject to change.

Accessory and spares prices:-

Bridgestone Tyres : Front - $104 Rear - $ 173

Panniers are made of space age plastic which are lockable but are upholstered in leather so they look like a traditional saddlebag - price including racks $1050 - BMW Inner pannier bags - $151 each

Pillion comfort seat - $500

Large Windsheild & fitting kit - $505. The screen is easily removable with 4 screws but the brackets take a bit more time. Most people leave the brackets on.

Speedstar windscreen as fitted standard to Independant model (can be fitted to Avantgarde and Classic) - $255.

Small cylinder protectors (black plastic as fitted to R1150GS) - $138.

Large chrome cylinder protection bars - $498.

Corbin seat is now approx. $1200 thanks to the US Dollar

Staintune mufflers are definitely a louder note at a cost of $1020.

Alarm system - $ 545.