Do you like your naked bike with attitude and the power to back it up? If so, BMW’s new K 1300 R might be your cup of tea. The bike was just announced by BMW this morning at the Intermot Show in Germany. Here are some details from BMW:
The BMW Motorrad 4-cylinder combines superior power with sporty understatement. And a striking set of technical data, too. What the new inline 4-cylinder in the BMW K 1300 S, R and GT models has to offer is truly impressive. Punctually for the 25th anniversary of the K Series, BMW Motorrad is presenting three new peak performers in the “Champions’ League”.
Motorcycle muscle: BMW K 1300 R.
There’s a new guy in town! Streetfighting at its best! The new BMW K 1300 R is as fully equipped to do the quarter mile as it is to deal with any other distance.
The new Power Roadster boasts real muscle when it comes to inner and outer values. At a standstill you can already sense what is happening inside the high-performance powerplant. 140 Nm of torque from 1,293 cc are generated already at the lowest of revs. Any questions? The 173 bhp delivered at 9.250 rpm are of course also very welcomed by all quarter mile freaks.
Compared to the performance category the 4-cylinder is very restrained when it comes to fuel consumption and emissions. New digital engine electronics settings as well as a newly designed exhaust system with hexagonally shaped silencer and electronically controlled flap control including 3-way catalytic converter are the reasons. Once again BMW Motorrad illustrates how modern engines should be built. The fact that they also produce a throaty sound to send a shiver down your spine is a great sign for the combination of common sense and emotion.
You’ll find a lot of that in the design of the K 1300 R, too. Compared to her potent predecessor she cuts an even more dynamic figure. The compactly designed front wheel guard and the aggressively shaped radiator panels demonstrate even more power. A whole series of details emphasise this motorcycle’s unmistakeable claim to leadership in the naked sports segment. Its truly remarkable visual impact is like an exclamation mark raising the BMW K 1300 R high above the masses. The “R” is and remains one of the hottest bikes there is – an icon!
The driveline puts the 173 bhp onto the road with maximum traction and with supreme ease. The maintenance-free shaft drive, which is still unique in this class, with new two-level cardan shaft operates on the other side of the gearbox which has also been adapted to the engine’s power and shifts extremely smoothly. The optional sports wheels with the new rear tyre dimensions 190/55 truly grip the tarmac. For all those who like fast reloading, there is a race-proven must-have on the options list – the automatic gear shifter of the HP2 Sport tested in many long-distance races. No-clutch up-shifts – just kick the lever a few times to get a clear view in your rear mirrors!
The Duolever front wheel guidance – introduced in the BMW K 1200 S – with its newly designed lower longitudinal strut, safeguards even higher riding precision and maximum riding stability in the BMW K 1300 R. The firm spring/damper settings give the rider perfect road feedback. Adapted chassis geometry for optimum straight-line running, maximum mass concentration and a constructionally designed low centre of gravity result in an absolutely harmonious overall package which offers handling and balance which set the standard in this class. To combine this performance with an even higher level of comfort, the K 1300 S can be fitted with the optional ESA II, the electronically adjustable 2nd generation suspension. The spring base, spring rate and damping are synchronised – automatically. Call up your desired ride mode at the press of a button and enter a new dimension.
To make sure you get a good grip on this Power Roadster, the engineers have introduced the next generation of controls which are being used for the first time on the new K models. They will be the basis for all BMW motorcycles to come. Ergonomics have been optimised, space requirements have been reduced and MID technology* has been introduced. In short – the controls simply feel and look better.
Power Roadsters by BMW Motorrad cut a fine figure both on bends and the quarter mile as was impressively proved in the PowerCup 2006 where the BMW K 1200 R had its own racing series which always took place before the MotoGP. If you feel like clocking up some laps on the racetrack on your K 1300 R and want your information presented in motorsports style, you can order the optional 2D-dashboard presented for the first time in the BMW HP2 Sport. Digital racing thrills!
*Moulded Interconnect Design, printed circuits in the switch unit instead of individual wiring.
