When you’re looking for the best BMW motorcycle, the K1200R is the obvious choice, but you may also be interested in the R1100RS, the sporty sports tourer, or the R18, which features a clean sheet modern design. There’s an excellent reason for each choice, and we’ll talk about the pros and cons of each. Listed below are some of our favorites. To start, read about the HP2 Enduro, which was inspired by the R1200GS, which was originally an off-road motorcycle. Suitable for off-road adventures, this motorcycle is a lean, fast, and powerful beast.
K1200R is a rock-like ride
The BMW K1200R is a stripped-down version of the supersport K1200S, and it is a fun, fast, and funky motorcycle. Its aggressive styling is a stark contrast to the smooth aerodynamics of its larger sibling. Despite its radical design and high-performance components, the BMW K1200R’s tank is inviting and beckons riders to lean over and grab the bars.
R1100RS is a sporty sports tourer
The BMW R1100RS is a sport touring motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad between 1993 and 2001. This motorcycle was the world’s first clip-on handlebar motorcycle and features rearset footrests and a pillion cowl. It produces nearly 100 horsepower and is often described as a sporty sports tourer. It was the first motorcycle to use an oil-cooled boxer engine.
R1100S is a flat-twin “oilhead”
The BMW R1100S is a flat twin motorcycle with an oil-cooled engine. The term “Oilhead” is used to describe the engines that were developed from the mid-1990s. The earlier BMW boxers had a single camshaft that bore onto the crankcase, but later models gained an oil cooler and four-valve cylinder heads. BMW’s Oilheads have valve-rocker operation and conventional air-cooling.
R18 is a clean-sheet modern design
The BMW R18 is a contemporary motorcycle with prewar-inspired styling and a massive air-cooled boxer-twin engine. The engine is the largest production BMW motorcycle engine to date, generating 91 horsepower at 4,750 rpm. It is oil and air-cooled, with a mild 9.6:1 compression ratio. The motorcycle also comes with a plethora of modern rider aids, including ABS and traction control.
R90S is BMW’s first-ever superbike
The BMW R90S is a superbike made by BMW. It has an 898cc boxer twin cylinder engine with a 67 bhp capacity and a top speed of 124 mph. The R90S was able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds and ran a quarter mile in 13.5 seconds. The bike’s maximum torque came at five thousand rpm and its redline was 7,200 rpm.
K1200R is a radical diversion
BMW introduced the K1200R to counter the Hayabusa, a Japanese motorcycle that had a carbon fiber body. This bike was a radical diversion for the German manufacturer, but it didn’t sell well in the UK. The K1200R is effectively a naked K1200S, and BMW’s Director of Motorcycle Design, Dave Robb, was inspired by the crash to redesign the bike. Robb aimed to connect the essential components of the bike with minimalist styling elements.