BMW shows R 1200 R with stability control – July 24, 2006

Approximately 30,000 motorcycle enthusiasts representing more than 40 countries visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, earlier this month for BMW Motorrad’s 6th International Biker Meeting. The event featured mountain tours, stunt shows, live music and the introduction of the R 1200 R — successor to the R 1150 R and the first bike to feature the company’s new generation Integral ABS with automatic stability control (ASC).
BMW says the air-cooled flat-twin 1170cc unit develops 109 hp, exceeding the output of the former engine by almost 28 percent. Torque is up almost 17 percent over the R 1150 R, to 85 pounds-feet at 6,000 rpm.
While the 492-pound (wet) R 1200 R may be viewed as simply a take-off of the already introduced R 1200 RT, the bike features a number of unique offerings: BMW says BMW Motorrad Automatic Stability Control is the first system in the world to control drive spin on a production motorcycle; the rear section of the tubular spaceframe was specially developed to reduce weight and offer a light and nimble appearance; and the company says Tire Pressure Control, warning the rider of a loss of pressure while riding, also is currently being developed as a further feature.
The new ABS and ASC features will be available on the R 1200 R as optional items, and BMW says ASC also will be introduced as an optional extra on touring models in the 2007 K and Boxer series.
Viewed by BMW as “a logical counterpart to ABS,” ASC prevents the rear wheel from spinning uncontrolled when accelerating all-out. Also, lift-off detection and intervention serves furthermore to prevent the front wheel from moving up when accelerating under full power.
Here’s how it works: The ABS wheel sensors determine the speed at which the wheels are turning. Registering any sudden change in the difference in speed front-to-rear, such as the rear wheel spinning, the engine management system responds by intervening in the ignition angle to take back engine power. If that’s not sufficient and a greater reduction of engine power is required, fuel injection will be canceled out for a certain time.
BMW says this kind of control and management is fast and sensitive, with any effects on riding comfort and dynamics virtually negligible. However, the rider is able to deactivate ASC at any time, even while riding.
As for the Integral ABS system itself, BMW says the new set-up was developed separately from the previous system and is no longer based on the plunger principle or, respectively, the ram pressure process used on previous generations. Instead, it was conceived as a valve system carried over from automotive applications. This, the company said, reduced feedback of brake pressure modulation “to such an extent that it no longer has any kind of adverse effect.”
As usual with BMW, a wide range of accessories will be made available for the R 1200 R.
The BMW International Biker Meeting took place July 7-9. The 7th International Biker Meeting is scheduled for July 6-8, 2007, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Look for more 2007 models from BMW to be released at INTERMOT in October.