BMW R1300R, One For The Purists
- Paul
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The big naked gets the new motor
BMWs boxer twin engine has, for many years powered a selection of bikes across the German manufacturers range. One of those bikes is the single ‘R’. While always a particularly wonderful and understated bike, the roadster has always lived in the shadow of its much better selling GS and RT siblings. It has, however, always been part of the range. Now BMW have promoted it to the new(ish)1300cc boxer engine.
It's not just the engine that’s of note however. That riding assistant thing that BMW have been using for the last few years is part of the bikes electronics package as is sports suspension. The good stuff like the adaptive headlight which looks into the corners for you is another as is the DCT gear shift. Indeed an awful lot of the technology previously only seen on the bigger and more expensive boxer engined bikes in the range is now sitting in the new ‘R’ as standard.
While you can fit luggage and taller screens, this isn’t a tourer. It’s the visually lighter, sportier and easy to use child in the family. Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) help handle changing road surfaces, the shift assistant is basically a quick shifter. All of this is part of the Intelligent Riding Assistant optional package.
The usual choice of rider modes are available and it also looks a lot cooler than previous models. I really like the cooler than cool variable footrests system. This last one is more commonly known as a set of rearsets and they can be adjusted to fit the rider perfectly.
There is, of course, an optional BMW comfort pack. Heated grips are one thing, but ticking the heated seat box must surely be all the confirmation that you need to leave the showroom and get back into your car.
The thing is though, this is the first ‘R’ that I reckon will appeal to the broader BMW rider. It looks really good and with a pack of ‘Option 719’ bits adding the levers and reservoir covers adds a whole lot of kudos to the bike. The standard dark exhaust end can looks quite cool in that while it separates into two it comes back together at the end, rather like your parents after their first divorce. The optional extra Ackrapovic is the one that it was made to wear.
The handlebar mirrors will ensure that you’ll still be welcome at the Distinguished Gentlemens’ Ride. The black frame, the black drive shaft, the black engine, the black wheels, the black handlebars and a number of other black details help the bike to achieve what I’d like to believe that black does for me. It hides a lot of the bike mass. There are four colours available including the ‘Sport’ one. I really like the “Snapper Rocks Blue” one. The body work accents the bikes simplicity, and it’s promise of performance.
It's use of the newer air and liquid engine is where it shines. The twin puts out 149 Nm of torque and a 145 bhp and thanks to the cooling system it’ll contribute less to the imminent demise of life as we know it on this planet.
BMWs boxer twin engine has, for many years powered a selection of bikes across the German manufacturers range. One of those bikes is the single ‘R’. While always a particularly wonderful and understated bike, the roadster has always lived in the shadow of its much better selling GS and RT siblings. It has, however, always been part of the range. Now BMW have promoted it to the new(ish)1300cc boxer engine.
It's not just the engine that’s of note however. That riding assistant thing that BMW have been using for the last few years is part of the bikes electronics package as is sports suspension. The good stuff like the adaptive headlight which looks into the corners for you is another as is the DCT gear shift. Indeed an awful lot of the technology previously only seen on the bigger and more expensive boxer engined bikes in the range is now sitting in the new ‘R’ as standard.
While you can fit luggage and taller screens, this isn’t a tourer. It’s the visually lighter, sportier and easy to use child in the family. Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) help handle changing road surfaces, the shift assistant is basically a quick shifter. All of this is part of the Intelligent Riding Assistant optional package.
The usual choice of rider modes are available and it also looks a lot cooler than previous models. I really like the cooler than cool variable footrests system. This last one is more commonly known as a set of rearsets and they can be adjusted to fit the rider perfectly.
There is, of course, an optional BMW comfort pack. Heated grips are one thing, but ticking the heated seat box must surely be all the confirmation that you need to leave the showroom and get back into your car.
The thing is though, this is the first ‘R’ that I reckon will appeal to the broader BMW rider. It looks really good and with a pack of ‘Option 719’ bits adding the levers and reservoir covers adds a whole lot of kudos to the bike. The standard dark exhaust end can looks quite cool in that while it separates into two it comes back together at the end, rather like your parents after their first divorce. The optional extra Ackrapovic is the one that it was made to wear.
The handlebar mirrors will ensure that you’ll still be welcome at the Distinguished Gentlemens’ Ride. The black frame, the black drive shaft, the black engine, the black wheels, the black handlebars and a number of other black details help the bike to achieve what I’d like to believe that black does for me. It hides a lot of the bike mass. There are four colours available including the ‘Sport’ one. I really like the “Snapper Rocks Blue” one. The body work accents the bikes simplicity, and its promise of performance.
Its use of the newer air and liquid engine is where it shines. The twin puts out 149 Nm of torque and a 145 bhp and thanks to the cooling system it’ll contribute less to the imminent demise of life as we know it on this planet.
The new BMW R1300R, One For The Purists is available from your local BMW Motorrad dealer to book a test ride but don’t forget to bring the biscuits…