Hold onto your air (well, air and oil) cooled boxers

[Grey Thumper]

"Spy photos reveal a prototype of what appears to be BMW’s 2012 R1200GS. The updated GS will utilize an all-new liquid-cooled version of the iconic Boxer Twin."

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/616/10853 ... 200GS.aspx

[Bigg-Brother]

It was/is just just a matter of time. In order to get more power out of 1200cc, they need to go liquid...
Ducati Diavel makes 40% more power out of the same displacement and 2 cylinders...
It's going to be interesting to see how this change will effect power, weight and... pricing.

[pistonbroke]

hi
liqud cooled boxer engine , emm , nothing wrong will the simple air cooled one , just that its getting past its sell by date .
ducati is nice but it will not outlast a 1200 motor , not many dukes will 80000 miles on them . a friend has a air cooled 900 with 40000 thou on ,still not been rebuilt , however it does not get thrashed . hp2 motor has to be rebuilt at 30000. they are under a lot of stress.cracking motor though.
piston.

[deilenberger]

The article appears to be more speculation, based on two photos that don't clearly show anything. If you actually read the article - it's heavily laced with hedge words..

PistonBroke: "a friend has a air cooled 900 with 40000 thou on ,still not been rebuilt" - is that 40,000,000 miles or 40,000 miles? I certainly wouldn't expect any BMW to need rebuilding at 40,000 miles unless it's truely abused. (Mine is at 48,000 at the moment - did the service yesterday..)

[tinytrains]

While I was at the dealer today, they mentioned the next thing was to be S600RR, followed by water cooled boxer, and then the scooter. Rumor has it the S600 has been shelved for a while, so the H20 Boxer is next.

If my dealer says it, it must be true!

Scott

[Anyname]

BMW has said they will not build a 600RR. They say it would cost nearly as much to build as the 1000, and would need to sell for much less. Besides, the 600 sport bike market is very slow these days.

[reidmct]

Ducati Diavel makes 40% more power out of the same displacement and 2 cylinders...

I have to say, the Diavel is calling my name. Loudly.

[mogu83]

BMW has said they will not build a 600RR. . Besides, the 600 sport bike market is very slow these days.

I don't know about that, I'm seeing more and more Suzuki Wee Stroms showing up at the Beemer rallys. I can only assume it's ex or current Beemer owners riding in on them.

MSRP $8,099 Watch out BMW I know a few Beemer riders that are lusting for one of these.

[Tr250Tom]

Why would I want to "hold on" to my air/oil cooled boxer when something better is on the way?

I don't ride BMW for a nostalgia trip. I ride it for cutting-edge engineering solutions that enhance my riding experience. The flat-twin layout is a nice retro touch and enhances the character of the engine, nothing more.

I expect BMW to catch up to and then surpass Ducati, Honda, and Kawasaki with selectable riding modes (ASC/ESA/ABS/engine output all integrated) and in specific power output. Maybe add active suspension soon, too. 109 HP out of 1200cc is no longer impressive.

I welcome a new engine that uses liquid cooling to help improve power output while meeting more stringent emissions standards. Bring on the WasserBoxers!

Cheers, Tom

[mogu83]

Actually I'm really impressed with the HP/Torque produced by Beemers 1200cc engine. Nice power in a package that is mild mannered and reasonably easy to work on.
The Ducati Hypermotard 1100cc twin puts out less power in a slightly more peaky engine that is more maintenance intensive.
The only Honda 1300cc twin I could find was the VTX 1300cc and with 75 horse and 75 pounds of torque it doesn't even come close to the Beemer.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700cc puts out 108 pounds of torque out doing the Beemers 88 but the horsepower is well under 100 and it takes 1700cc to do it.

I think the Buell 1200s and most likely the big KTM surpassed the Beemer in both horsepower and torque but I have no idea about maintenance or longevity of the engine. Basicly I don't think BMW is 'behind' anybody in the motorcycle areas they have decided to focus on. And IMHO 109HP out of a mild mannered engine that requires minimal maintenance is really impressive.

BTW: I'm not a Beemer Nut but I believe in giving credit when credit is due.

[Acpantera]

What do you think that triangle bracket is that goes from the lower front of the engine to the front fork and then back to the upper part of the engine??

[Tr250Tom]

What do you think that triangle bracket is that goes from the lower front of the engine to the front fork and then back to the upper part of the engine??

Huh?

[Bigg-Brother]

What do you think that triangle bracket is that goes from the lower front of the engine to the front fork and then back to the upper part of the engine??

Yes, I saw it and can't figure this out - its location does not make a lof sense - it can't move with the front fork... Hmm....

[dbrick]

I think the white triangle is tape, applied to obscure and distract.

[tinytrains]

I think the white triangle is tape, applied to obscure and distract.

You can bet it will not be on the production bike. If they have a new engine in an old frame, all sorts of goofy mods need to be made.

[Rolando33]

If this happens, I'm done with boxers. Sad but true. I can put my R12R next to my R100, next to the R23----and they all have distinct characteristics that make them BMW through and through. I'm not against progress, but it won't be the BMW that kept me on the road with "tradition." Doesn't mean I will quit buying BMW's. I just will have to fast forward and move up to an S100RR or a K1300S. But until that time comes, I'm sticking with my Air/Oil-head twins.

[tinytrains]

The boxer currently has a second pump, separate fluid passages, and a radiator just for a cooling. The only difference is they will be filled with water instead of oil as they are today. Having had zero trouble with the cooling system on my K75 for 22 years, I don't see what all the fuss is about. I don't see how an improved cooling system is a bad thing. It is just new. Sort of.

As long as it remains easy to maintain, I am fine with it.

Scott

[Bigg-Brother]

It will most likely add weight to the engine in general (bike too I assume).

[xbpod]

I think water cooled engines tend to weigh less than air cooled for the same configuration and displacement size.

[mogu83]

I also don't see this as a major issue, we're already carrying a radiator on the bike and usually the major complaint about water cooling is that the radiator spoils the lines of the bike. It will most likely improve engine performance and add a very few pounds to the machine. Just another step in evolution.

Now if it's important for you to have an Airhead, then buy a real Airhead. Their relatively inexpensive, available, parts are available from BMW, their easy to work on, and you can let them sit for a while without any major drama, on start up, when you decide to go for a ride.