Photo: Nicolas Petit
It's been a while since we last had the brilliant Nicolas Petit featured here, but the wait was well worth. He's back with a bang a bike that we'd really love to see making it into production at Wunderlich, the iconic BMW modders.
Dubbed the BMW R1200S Concept, Petit's latest creation builds on the new liquid-cooled (LC) platform and looks like taking over where the 2015 R1200RS left. We had a close encounter with the 2015 BMW R1200RS at EICMA and the machine felt awesome, so we believe that a slightly more radical and sportier version could really be a most welcome addition to the range.
The design was inspired from the cues of the R1200RS, but Petit went for a new lateral arched profile that seems to integrate the front cowls, the tank and then smoothly flow into the upswept tail section.
Looking at the Wunderlich R1200S Concept from one side, the front of the cowl harks back a bit to the aggressive Panigale, and Petit would not hide it. Likewise, the head-on view of this concept involuntarily takes us into 2015 model year R1 territory.
However, these two details are so subtle that they will never be regarded as downsides. The valve covers are different from those of the R1200 LC current engine, because Nicolas Petit envisages a new powerplant that will sport variable valve timing. The revised boxer could tap into the 160-horsepower zone, making such a sport bike a more thrilling machine.
We're sort of torn between the two exhausts, though. The 2-into-1 version design is very aggressive and makes the entire tail section look clean and tidy, but the MotoGP-inspired right-hand exhaust is by no means a lesser option.
Hopefully, we get to see Wunderlich building this kit, and we'll find out how evil the R1200LC platform can really be.
The design was inspired from the cues of the R1200RS, but Petit went for a new lateral arched profile that seems to integrate the front cowls, the tank and then smoothly flow into the upswept tail section.
Panigale and R1's cousin
He also opted for returning to the symmetrical design of the fairing, a thing that might split the BMW fans' opinions. If anything, we can spot certain Ducati Panigale vibe, as well as a dash of Yamaha YZF-R1 DNA.Looking at the Wunderlich R1200S Concept from one side, the front of the cowl harks back a bit to the aggressive Panigale, and Petit would not hide it. Likewise, the head-on view of this concept involuntarily takes us into 2015 model year R1 territory.
However, these two details are so subtle that they will never be regarded as downsides. The valve covers are different from those of the R1200 LC current engine, because Nicolas Petit envisages a new powerplant that will sport variable valve timing. The revised boxer could tap into the 160-horsepower zone, making such a sport bike a more thrilling machine.
We're sort of torn between the two exhausts, though. The 2-into-1 version design is very aggressive and makes the entire tail section look clean and tidy, but the MotoGP-inspired right-hand exhaust is by no means a lesser option.
Hopefully, we get to see Wunderlich building this kit, and we'll find out how evil the R1200LC platform can really be.
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