When buying a motorcycle, it is invariably a compromise between what you want and what is practical. You rarely get exactly the machine you’re after, mainly because no one machine can match the many moods you’re likely to have. One day you may want to blast through corners like Bayliss, then another you might be drawn to cruising down an endless highway or, still again, the desire to get off road altogether. With this in mind, many manufacturers have created multi-purpose bikes such as the Sports Tourer and the Road Trail. I’ve now found a new multi-purpose bike, I’m designating "The Luxury Touring Cruiser".
The R1200CL is based on BMW’s cruiser series, but, has all the trappings that can be found on the luxury tourers. The flat twin 1170cc ‘boxer’ engine is designed for easy running and low rev grunt. It’s interesting to note that, the stated torque of 98Nm @ 3,000rpm, matches my 1100cc 4 cylinder bike in the stump pulling stakes. At 90kph in 6th gear (overdrive) the motor was barely ticking over (2500rpm) and it is very easy to hear the pleasant exhaust note for accurate shifting.
I was lulled into a relaxed mode of riding as I punted the 308kg bike along the highway, electronic cruise control making sure I wasn’t losing valuable points and the CD/radio stereo playing just the right music to match my mood.
The CL shares the same servo assisted ABS brakes as used on the R1150RT and K1200LT, which makes it one of the safest cruisers I have ever ridden. The bike has very comfortable seating, and along with the foot boards, wide handlebars, heel toe gearshift, heated hand grips & seats, self cancelling blinkers, analogue clock, tachometer, plus, brilliant weather protection, this is also one of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden. The pillion isn’t forgotten either, and mine was full of praise for the seat, grab rails and back-rest. There is plenty of luggage space in the hard case panniers and top case for those long trips to far off and interesting places.
There was a considerable crosswind blowing when I picked up the CL and this had me a little concerned due to the large handlebar mounted fairing, however, the Beemer was completely untroubled by a blustery mother nature. The 4 headlights in the fairing will have people loving or hating them, no doubt the American market was in mind during the styling work there. The 2 outside lamps are the parking/low beams, while the 2 vertical smaller ones are the high beam and are so powerful, they’ll singe the fur from a kangaroo at 2 kilometres.
Another great feature of this particular cruiser, is its ability to be leaned over hard into corners and roundabouts, there being excellent ground clearance without compromising seat height (745mm). The stability from the tele-lever front end, is further enhanced by the 150 section front tyre, (that’s bigger than my bike’s back tyre!) and it does this without making it feel heavy.
Considering the base cruisers are $22,500 the R1200CL is very keenly priced at $27,000 on road, and, you get a value packed bonus swag of features for those extra dollars. There was buggar all I could find to criticise on the bike, maybe the lack of a fuel gauge or the reserve light being a bit hard to see in daylight, but these are pretty trivial and I’d really like one in my garage.
Test bike courtesy of John Brisan Motorcycles, Whickham 49694500.
Time to start buying lotto tickets I reckon.
May your lid never skid….www.users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbidp