BMW goes Rock ‘n’ Rolling
WORDS: Adam ‘Chad’ Child
There is no hiding the fact that this is a colossal boxer engine. Each cylinder has a 107.1mm bore size, the pistons are as large as my hand. The engine, including the gearbox and intake system, weighs 110.8kg; that’s over 17 stone, that’s a decent rugby player, or doorman. As you’d expect from a 1802cc air-cooled engine, peak power and torque are way down in the rev range. Peak power is 91hp at just 4750rpm, and the huge 116.5lb-ft of torque is at 3000rpm, barely ticking over, like a canal boat it chugs along. This is the most powerful boxer engine ever used in a motorcycle, even between 2000-3000rpm there is over 110lb-ft of torque.
I can’t remember the last time an engine sat so centre stage on a motorcycle. But as impressive as they are, torque and power are slightly down compared to its Indian competitor, and considerably less than Triumph’s Rocket 3 muscle bike, which is similarly priced.
When you throw a leg over the relatively low seat you’re immediately drawn to the engine, like a moth to a flame. Each protruding cylinder head is almost overwhelming, it feels very unfamiliar to see so much engine whilst still seated on the bike. The right cylinder is set closer to the rider, as it sits further back on the crank which runs the centre line of the bike. When your feet
