We have known for some time that the old R1150R would be the next and last of the big Boxers to benefit from the new 1200 engine. What we did not know was that it would be the first BMW to feature some ground breaking roadbike technology; ASC, TPC, evolved ABS, ESA and EVO Paralever. In plain English this means that the bike can be delivered from the Berlin factory ready fitted with traction control, new and better ABS, tyre pressure control and electronic suspension adjustment. Is this man beating nature or is it all too much? 注意米漿發展的車友早已知到那老 R1150R 會是下一個也是最後一個演化成 R1200R 的車型. 然而有所不知的是她竟是首台配備了一些先進道路用車的工藝-ASC, TPC, evolved ABS, ESA and EVO Paralever. 也就是說從柏林出廠就配有牽引控制，新且更好的 ABS，輪胎氣壓控制和電子懸掛調整. 是演化使然還是多此一舉？見仁見智. The R1200R is in principal the simplest of the BMW Boxer 1200s. However, in a strange twist it is now the most advanced on paper! It will only last until 2007 when all the other big BMW Boxers will get the same options as the R1200R . . . except for the R1200S (no ASC ready yet for the most powerful of the Boxers). BMW thinks of the bike as a traditional roadster, but also as an entry level tourer. I have to disagree with BMW on the tourer bit as the bike lacks a fairing! Only a small fly screen is available as an option for wind protection, and the German manufacturer has already got the most extensive touring range possible where the ST and RT feature the same 109bhp engine as the R1200R. But a full range of luggage accessories are still available if you should choose the R1200R for touring. Unfortunately, none of the press bikes were fitted with the new traction control or tyre pressure control, but they did have the latest generation integral ABS that is necessary for the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) to work. 基本上R1200R是最簡單的一型。然而奇怪的是, 起碼在 2007 年其他大 Boxer 車型也加上這些選配前, 書面上, 她是最先進的！(R1200S 馬力最強的跑車除外 , ASC-自動穩定控制仍在研發). 米漿認為這是傳統的 Roadster-道路用車, 也是台入門級的旅遊車. 這點作者倒不同意. 因為她少了 風罩. 雖說選配部品有一小不拉嘰的蠅罩-Fly Screen. 同樣是 109 匹曲軸馬力的 ST-旅跑, RT-旅遊兩型附有更大的風罩. 然而你硬是要將 R1200R 拿來做旅遊車還是辦得到. 米漿提供一系列的行李箱裝備讓你選. 不巧, 這次新車介紹會並無新的抓地牽引控制或輪胎氣壓控制. 但是有最新一代可與ASC (自動穩定控制)搭配的 ABS. The world launch took place in the South of Germany and in the Bavarian Alps-as good a place as any for such a versatile motorcycle. Between Munich and the Bavarian Alps there is only a short stretch of Autobahn. Due to reports of rain in the Alps we took the long route South to test the bike before we had to encounter the rain. If the bikes had been fitted with the new ASC system I would have raced towards the rain to try it out! 新車介紹會是在德國南部與巴伐利亞阿爾卑斯山-正適合這多功能的摩托車. 在慕尼黑與阿爾卑斯山之間只有短短的一段 Autobahn 高速公路, 由於山間下著雨, 我們特別繞遠道至南方試車後才遇雨. 如果車子附有ASC(自動穩定控制)裝備, 我一定衝入雨中試驗 ASC是蝦米碗膏. You may already understand that the integral ABS and the stability control are the main technological advances for BMW in 2007. First of all, they (ABS & ASC) have been developed as a safety feature and not a MotoGP-ish track-day feature. BMW still has a long way to go before they have a fully functional ASC system on their most sporty Boxer R1200S and the more powerful in-line four K-series. You and I can only imagine how many calculations are needed from a super onboard computer to work out when to cut power or apply the rear brake when fully on the power leant over on a racetrack; hence the headline "Real world technology bearer". In brief, the ASC only works when the integral ABS is fitted and it utilizes the same sensors to determine when the front and rear wheel are moving at different speeds. If the rear wheel starts spinning up, the sensors will pick up the information and cut the engine until traction is regained. BMW has had wet roads, slippery white lines and manhole covers, gravel on the road and winter riding on their mind when developing the system. 2007 年的 BMW 主要的技術突破為其最新一代的 ABS與ASC(自動穩定控制) . 要強調的是ABS & ASC是為騎乘安全為出發點而非MotoGP賽道. 要將 ASC 裝上 R1200S 跑車以及更大馬力的 K上, 還要一段時日. 你可想像要將一台在賽道上傾角至極限的車車, 其車上超強電腦主導何時斷油或使用後煞所需的計算有多繁雜. 莫怪新 R 有著"Real world technology bearer-現實世界級技術持有者”之稱. 簡單地說, ASC 必需與 ABS 搭配, 利用 ABS 的監視器來告訴它何時前後輪轉速有差異. 如果監視器偵測到後輪開始打滑, 馬上通知引擎部門停止操作, 直到抓地力回復. 米漿研發這系統時是以台灣的(虎爛的啦!)濕路, 滑溜的分道標示線, 人孔蓋, 路上碎石以及冬季騎乘的因數為首。 The bike itself might look quite similar to the old R1150R but there are many improvements. The bike now steers much better and more positively on the winding roads and when turning on a car park. Balance is almost perfect with the new EVO Paralever and balancing shaft fitted. At the front, a steering damper is fitted to the Telelever to stabilise the bike further when hard on the brakes or over uneven surfaces. 新 R 看似與老 R 同樣, 卻有很多改進. 在蜿蜒的山路與停車場上, 轉向更靈活更實在. 引擎的逆向平衡桿, EVO Paralever 後搖臂平衡感極佳. 前 Telelever添加的防甩頭使得猛煞與爛路上行進更穩定. When I first sat on the 800mm tall standard seat it felt comfortable and suitable for a roadster. It is in similar territory to the Ducati Monster and Moto Guzzi Breva but both higher and lower seat options are available when you order the bike (low: 770mm, high: 830mm). I suspect that the suspension is set up to "normal" as standard. ESA (electronic suspension adjustment) is available as an extra and will allow you to adjust the suspension either softer or harder by the push of a button. Suspension felt fairly soft on the test bike, but as soon as the R1200R settled into a turn I could apply the throttle hard out of it without any stability concerns. 坐上 800mm 的椅墊感覺舒適, 就像台Roadster-道路用車. 與Ducati Monster, Moto Guzzi Breva 同級. 訂車時也可選擇770mm 低墊或 830mm 高墊. 我猜想懸掛系統是設計在”正常”. ESA(電子懸掛調整) 為選購配備, 按個鈕就可調整軟硬. 試騎的廠車感覺蠻軟, 一旦入彎後, 可毫無後顧之憂地灌滿油門, 揚長而去. The new Continental Road Attacks developed specially for BMW are now for the first time fitted to a big Boxer model. I first tried them on the F800S in South Africa and thought they were good then. The Conti tyres are quite sporty and feature the most funky tyre pattern we have seen to date. The level of grip is very good even without the ASC fitted and when it is time to decelerate the newly developed integral ABS works impeccably. The new ABS system is a big improvement over the system available for the 1150. I remember that I thought the servo assisted ABS was very harsh for low speed control in the city when I rode the R1150R back in 2001. On the R1200R the ABS feels like conventional brakes when applied for normal use. For emergency stops you still get some feedback through the foot pedal or front brake lever, but particularly for slow speed stop-and-go the new ABS is much better than the old servo assisted system. 專為米漿設計的大陸牌 Road Attack 胎首次裝上這大 Boxer. 筆者上次在南非試騎 F800S 曾見識過. 此胎運動感十足, 胎紋特異. 雖然沒有ASC(自動穩定控制), 抓地感很好. 煞車減速時, 新一代連動 ABS 表現的無懈可擊. 新 ABS 系統比起 1150 的要更上一層樓. 2001年筆者試騎的 R1150R, 伺服加壓的 ABS在市區低速操作感覺粗魯. R1200R 的 ABS 正常操作時, 無異感. 急煞時, 一部分是因為停停走走的速度, 手拉桿與腳踏仍有些脈衝回饋. 但比起伺服加壓的 ABS 感覺好多了. Another technological first is the TPC (Tyre pressure control) sensor that is still under development. We are simply talking about a sensor in the wheels that allows you to check tyre pressures on the move. If the pressure drops a yellow warning light will appear on the console and if the pressure drops dramatically (puncture or similar) the warning light turns red. 另一技術突破是仍在研發的TPC(輪胎氣壓控制)偵測器. 輪框內附偵測器, 在行進時檢查輪胎氣壓. 如果壓力下降, 儀表板上的黃色警告燈亮起. 如果壓力突降 (砸孔之類)警告燈變成紅色. The engine is the same as in the big R1200RT tourer. Since the R1200R weighs considerably less than the RT it feels strong and powerful enough for all sorts of antics. The power output is 109bhp @7,500 rpm and 115Nm @6,000rpm by using premium RON98 grade fuel. The knock control allows you to use lower grade fuels too at the cost of a slight decrease in power output. 引擎與 R1200RT 旅遊車同. R 要比RT 來得輕, 各種操作上感覺動力要比 RT 強了許多. 使用高級汽油, 動力輸出是109bhp @7,500 rpm, 扭力為115Nm @6,000rpm. 防因低級汽油引起的爆震控制-Knock Control讓車車能使用辛烷值更低的汽油, 但馬力會稍減. Power delivery is instant and the midrange is very strong. At the same time the R1200R is as smooth as an air/oil cooled Boxer can be. Some vibration inherently makes its way to the handlebar, but as long as you keep both hands on the handlebar there is minimal distortion to the mirrors. Take one hand off to clean your visor and the vibration shows by distorting the view in the mirrors. The general feel is of a smooth and comfortable package though. 動力輸出隨傳隨到, 中速很猛. R1200R 的平順已淋漓盡致. 與生俱來的震動會傳至手把. 只要雙手抓著, 後視鏡的景物還是有一丁點變形. 手離開去擦眼罩, 鏡内的景物可就模糊啦! 大致來說整個組合還是平穩和舒適的. The gear ratios have also been altered slightly from the RT to suit the use of the big naked better when in town or on B-roads. The R1200R also features a new larger oil-cooler placed in front of the engine rather than on both sides of the petrol tank as on the 1150. The higher engine power output made this change necessary (the new engine produces 28% more power than the old one). The torque curve is very strong from low revs, but drop the revs below 2.000 rpm in the highest gear and the big R doesn't really like it. 齒輪比與 RT 稍有不同. 更讓這 NK 更適合城市與次級道路騎乘. R1200R 單一大油冷排是裝在引擎前方與 R1150R 油缸兩側的油冷排截然不同. 馬力增強 (比老 R 多出 28%) 使得新引擎不得不配上大排. 扭力從低轉速就來勢洶洶. 然而2,000rpm 以下用高檔, 引擎會抗議. I think that I am struggling a bit with the feedback from the Tele/Paralever suspension on the wet and I find it difficult to find more lean in the bends when wet. I suppose ASC will help as you then can trust the throttle and up front you have got the best ABS in the business. I am still not convinced it would make me any faster on the wet, but I do believe safer and that can only be a good thing. 在溼路上行進, 我對 Tele/Paralever 前後懸掛的回饋仍有那一點點戒心. 溼滑的彎道上傾角還是保守. 相信有了ASC(自動穩定控制), 再加上頂級 ABS會較膽大. 但怎麼說我還是不認為會快到那去. 會更安全倒是真的, 那倒是件好事. I admit I wasn't expecting anything special from the new R1200R at all. I thought BMW would just upgrade to the 1200cc engine and move on from there with the same design. The design is not wildly different from the 1150, but still enough to distinguish it as a new BMW. With all the new technological features launched on the R1200R, it suddenly raises the expectations to a higher level. The new integral ABS is brilliant as it works just as well or better than the old servo assisted system, with the improved feel of a conventional set up. And what can I say about the traction control? Exciting news, but just a shame it was not ready for us to try. It was demo'ed on gravel in Berlin, but this sort of thing must be felt on a motorcycle out in the real world to be judged. After experiencing the new R1200R, I can assure you BMW's motto "advance through technology" is full of substance. 筆者承認起初對 R1200R 並不存有太多期望. 還以為米漿將她換上新引擎就了事. 新車型改變不大, 但足以分辨出是新型. R1200R 增加了許多新工藝, 將她又推上一新紀元. 新一代連動 ABS 出色的功能比伺服加壓的 ABS 更好, 感觸比傳統式設立還要好. 要我怎麼憑評鑑 Traction Control-抓地牽引控制呢? 是個令人振奮的消息, 可惜當時還未能讓我們試驗. 米漿是有在柏林的碎石路上示範, 但這碼子事是要親身體驗才能感受得到. 騎過 R1200R 後, BMW 的標語 “advance through technology-進步出自工藝應用” 還真不是嚎小的呢.
