UNSUNG HERO

All big and clever manufacturers are using one engine to power a whole platform of bikes – from adventure tractors to supersport missiles. Take the tried and tested Honda CB/CBR/ CBX combo, for instance. Or the brand new Ducati V4 dynasty: a superbike, a naked and (if the rumours are true) the upcoming Multistrada. Hugely different bikes can use the same powerplant with small – or sometimes no – changes. It makes much more sense than building separate engines for each one. But sometimes the rest of the packaging of one or two models becomes so alluring that they steal the limelight, leaving the others behind – no matter how good they are.

I feel that's the case with the R1250RS. BMW has a great engine in the new 1250cc boxer, and a