Ergos are sporting, leaned forward with legs moved up close to your bum, close to a sport bike position and exactly what the Café Racer crowd is looking for. The less flexible and thin, like myself, will prefer the K1300GT configuration, but hey, BMW will sell you one of those if you want! And after many decades of complaints from the Press, BMW has switched to the industry-standard single toggle switch on the left cluster for turn signals, abandoning the more logical, to me, toggles on each side, which only required a slight movement of the thumb. I owned several Bimmers and liked the old system, as they were the only bikes I rode at the time and it felt OK to me. OK, so you had to cancel the blinking with another toggle, but BMW could have added a timer, like H-D does.

The ride is always responsive and rock steady – can I say safe?

The compact dashboard shows speed and rpm clearly, and allows you to select other information on the separate, compact separate flat panel.

On the bike, you can feel the direct connection between the throttle and acceleration, from 2,500 rpm (Where 70% of max torque is already available) up to the red line – just twist and go. Happily all the electronics do not choke off the excitement, but rather provide some sanity barriers for the normal amongst us, while nutters and skilled racers can turn off the traction control and the ABS, and let loose.

The ride is always responsive and rock steady – can I say safe? – with the front suspension feeling like it is hooked to the road, and the assisted brakes do their job effortlessly. Overall, the R gives off a feeling of confidence to the rider and the (occasional) passenger, a feeling that BMW have specialized in for decades.

The K family represents a growing part of the BMW product line, with exceptional models such as the R we rode. As with the other Ks I rode over the years, any extra money you pay gives you a set of desirable options, while the base R model is attractively priced against direct competitors and great value for lovers of high tech and bikes with a difference. Your money will provide you with exceptional behavior more than just brutal power, but also sophistication in a financially approachable package where high resale value helps offset any higher cost when you add up all the exclusive and desirable options. As long as you can manage the up-front cash flow.


Competitive base model pricing, with exceptional standard features
Usable, generous power and torque
Smooth gearbox and easy gear changes
Super-efficient front suspension


Sporting riding position not ideal for some riders
Get much more for a little more money




Hmmm.





Photo Credit : Marc Cantin