The 4-Cylinder Engine; Lateral Thinking, Lateral Mounting; Engine Performance - BMW K 1200 S Brochure

Power
Feel the power.

The 4-cylinder engine.

Thanks to its in-line 4-cylinder engine, the BMW K 1200 S is the
most powerful motorcycle BMW Motorrad has ever built. Not only
does it deliver remarkable performance, its low centre of gravity is
key in delivering the sort of outstanding handling you would expect
from a BMW sportsbike.
The perfect blend of acceleration and performance.
Optimized airflow through the intake and exhaust ports and a
straight manifold help the BMW K 1200 S extend the frontiers
of motorcycle performance. Its 167 brake horsepower (123 kW)
catapult it from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds, and
130 Nm of torque ensures instant engine response right across
the rev range.

Lateral thinking, lateral mounting.

The BMW K 1200 S is the first BMW Motorrad motorcycle to
feature a laterally mounted 4-cylinder engine. And by angling the
cylinder bank forwards by 55 degrees, our designers have achieved
a lower centre of gravity, while the narrowness of the liquid-cooled
engine makes the bike more ergonomic, so you can lean harder into
corners. A radical rethink of where to site components such as the
water pump helps reduce the size and weight of the engine and
eliminates unnecessary cables and hoses.
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The joy of six.
Close gear ratios and a precise shifting mechanism are essential
on any sportsbike, and that's just what the 6-speed manual trans-
mission on the BMW K 1200 S delivers. The close ratios allow
riders to convert the power of the 4-cylinder engine into truly jaw-
dropping acceleration, and the shifting mechanism is exceptionally
smooth. The whole drive train has been designed with one
thing in mind: ultimate performance.
Formula One on two wheels.
The cylinder head technology on the BMW K 1200 S is directly
derived from that used in Formula One. The engine's 16 valves
are operated by rocker arms, minimizing friction and increasing
durability at high revs. The large valve lift, low weight of the moving
parts and the rigidity of the valve train all reduce the stresses
on individual components, resulting in impressive fuel economy,
smooth torque delivery, and of course, the legendary reliability
you expect from BMW Motorrad.
Cleaner combustion for a cleaner environment.
The engine of the BMW K 1200 S sets new standards in terms of
environmental friendliness. State-of-the-art combustion chamber
design ensures that the fuel/air mixture burns more efficiently and
reduces fuel consumption. And thanks to a secondary air system
and a regulated 3-way catalytic converter, the quality of its emissions
comfortably exceeds the strict EU3 environmental standard.
No wider than typical 600cc
4-cylinder units, the engine
fits neatly into the slim profile
of the BMW K 1200 S, improving
ground clearance when cornering.
The 6-speed gearbox of the BMW K 1200 S T
c converts the power of the 4-cylinder engine
in into outstanding acceleration.

Engine performance.

120
100
80
60
40
20
kW
rpm 4000 6000
Derived from the BMW Formula One
engine, the 16 valves are operated by
rocker arms, minimizing friction and
increasing durability at high revs.
Its 4-cylinder engine makes the
BMW K 1200 S the most powerful
motorcycle BMW has ever built,
delivering 167 bhp (123 kW) of
power and 130 Nm of torque.
Max. output
167 bhp (123 kW)
10,250 rpm
240
200
Max. torque
160
130 Nm
8,250 rpm
120
80
40
Nm
8000 10000
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