Question: What if there is no next S?

[1967 R50/2]

I brought this up in a post a few months ago but there seemed to be no takers.

There is a lot of talk on the board about what we'd like the NEXT S to be...but what if there isn't a next boxer S.

OTL last month had speculated that the next K bike might be introduced as an S. Given that the only time BMW had overlapping sport models was 1961 with the R69S and R50S. Even then it was only for 1 year. So if the K is an S, then it seems unlikely that there will be an R-S as well.

So would you ride a K-S? Go GS? (We know from the spy photos posted here that that one is real likely.) or ride something else?

Curious as to the replies.

[jclark]

Is there some need for a "Next S"?

[1967 R50/2]

From this posts on this board you would think so. It seems to me that some posters here are of the mind that just about anything is better than the bike they chose to buy.

In anycase back to the original question: What if there is no next S? What would you ride?

[Flatbutt1]

Given the mods I've made to mine, and the major love affair I have with it, I can see riding it for a long time. Given that I'm now 51 years of age I honestly can't see going to something hotter should I need to give her up. I've never been a fan of the K bikes so if I had to change then maybe the RT or the FJR for sporty touring.

[CarlosT]

If they could see it fit to make a light K (500lbs or less), there would be no real need for the next S.

[JustAnotherSquid]

Wow, good question.

Personally, the R1100S is about as heavy as I'll go for a sport bike. And I don't see BMW thinning down the K engine that dramatically.

If I had to go out and buy a bike today, and it couldn't be an S, it would probably be a Buell XB12S, Triumph Speed Triple, Yamaha FZ-1, or Suzuki SV1000.

[pdonnell]

Good question for our in-house prognisticator and know it all Dr. Curve.
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But wait, our responses haven't gone off the deep end enough to solicit his participation in this thread. Maybe in 9 months Jimmy will have something to say.
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IMHO, there doesn't need to be a next "S". More exclusivity in our bikes!!

[ckcarr]

I'm kinda with flatbutt, although not quite as old. Doubt if I'd sell mine but I also wouldn't buy a new one.

Want to add a K1200LT to the collection some day.

[718Rider]

If the K-S is a triple - I think it'd be great for BMW, but I don't know how interested I'd be. I like bikes that are not like all the other ones out there and the fact that BMW is the only widely available flat twin is a big selling point to me. When I think Triple I think Triumph. No thanks for me.

[JustAnotherSquid]

Originally posted by pdonnell
Good question for our in-house prognisticator and know it all Dr. Curve.

Would this be the same "Dr. Curve" that guaranteed a new R1100S for 2003? The same "Dr. Curve" that told us all of the forthcoming BMW single supersport bike, the bike that turned out to be the "anything but a supersport" F650CS? Yes, we could use his input ... if for nothing else to know what BMW isn't going to do.

Originally dribbled by Dr. Curve
Nobody said the new S would be ready for us in the 2002 model year guys.........its the 2003 model year that will have the NEW S. Not to worry.......BMW will have something special to introduce in conjunction with their 80th year of production.....just like Harley has done with their 100th year new engine, the V-Rod.

As BMW prepares to get much more sporting we may see a nice jump in power as well as a change in engine width to the "new" S that is now barely one year away. Introduction of the new S at the bike show in Germany will be in the last quarter of 2002, just a year or so from now. The 2002 units are the last ones of the current design. Best,

Originally dribbled by Dr. Curve
I think we (some lucky European dealers were invited to attend a Berlin intro this coming week) will see a finished picture very soon. Within 30 days with luck, maybe sooner. Reportedly it has a 6 speed and 10 more HP than the most recent GS. Us mille owners know this is very possible because the BMW single is still basicly a Rotax design. The mille is getting 64HP per 500cc side and the new BMW will have another 100 of so ccs to work with.

How does a 65 to 70 HP single that weighs only 390 wet sound to you? And by the way, this bike will lean WAY over and should be able to carry a lot of speed through the corners... Sounds very twisty to me.... Best,

[dfaber]

I would probably look favorably at a K version "S", if the weight and the price was no more than my current "S" model. I was impressed with my friend's K1200RS except for the heft and the cost. I love the new Buell but realistically in the Midwest most of my seat time is on the SuperSlabs or two-lane flat roads with only moderate bends. I want a fun, sporty bike, capable for infrequent twisty duty, but it has to be comfortable and freeway-friendly. The "S" is a good Autobahn cruiser and fit for that purpose. My only complaints have been the lack of zoom and the tiring vibrations. A "K" equivalent would presumably obviate those nicely.
My bike is now five years old and I have seriously thought a lot about a replacement. These bikes have been the top contenders (in no particular order):

Honda CBR954: I am a fan of Honda and this bike is a great do-it-all sport machine. Comfy, fast, reliable.

Honda CBR1100XX: A very fast tourer, bulkier than the 954, but easier to ride and with decent pillion accomodations.

Triumph Daytona: Pretty bike and very stout build quality. Great motor.

Ducati 1000DS: Not the most practical idea, but I've always wanted one.

BMW R1100S Boxer Prep: I could just swap my Ohlins, etc. to the new bike and sell the old one with a bunch of new parts on it. Financially a solid choice, though less solid than just keeping my old one.

Just some thoughts.

[EZ-RIDER]

The talk that I have been hearing is a supercharged k-bike engine,
and a three clyn. sport bike to come out this next fall and be a 2005
I don't think the S will go away like some of you are saying.

[ErricZ]

05 GS is what I'm now waiting for.

[CarlosT]

R1300RT counterbalanced and with cruise control is what I'm waiting for

[1967 R50/2]

Originally posted by JustAnotherSquid
And I don't see BMW thinning down the K engine that dramatically.

It's is possible. There are only two things fundamentally separating the S from the KRS. The engine and the frame. Yet the S is 130lbs less dry.

Everything else is a common factor if not exactly common parts: Transmission, shaft, final drive, paralever, telelever, wheels and disks. All are present on both bikes, even if, as I said, the part numbers aren't exactly the same. It would seem to follow that main cause of the weight difference is the engine (undoubtedly first) and the frame (so much bigger than the S's skimpy one).

So, if it is a known factor that the K engine will be replaced by "Engine X" ...which in turn would necessitate a different frame...why couldn't the new bike be have the same weight as the S...or less?

With that said, I do think the K will be lighter, but not S light. Why? Because this engine will have to serve double duty in the hypothetical K-S/RS ...and in next KLT. Weight is less of a factor in a grand tourer like that and even something of an advantage. You don't get blown all over by side drafts.

[motoyoyo]

I like the idea of a triple, like some of you mentioned already. I think I even brought this up about eight months ago, so don't rag on me for repeating my wish list for a new S.

What I'd like to see is a 4V triple based on the K75 motor, in the 900-1000cc range. Full telever/paralever suspension similar to our S, but a bit shorter wheelbase maybe and 50 pounds lighter. Should be able to pump out more ponies too with some technology upgrades on the motor. Of course add all the reqired sex appeal that our S is ooozing with, along with nice components and I'd jump on one of those in a heartbeat.

[roger albert]

If the KS were a triple, then maybe. Just grew up when L-4s were everywhere and they bore me to tears. If I ever got stuck with one, then certainly not one of the fat beemer variety. The R-S is, as others have said, quite porky enough - and then some.
A triple or boxer 4 would be cool alternatives. But if I really wanted an L4, I'd go Honda or Kawi. Triumph for a triple.
Getting a beemer 4 is like buying a metric cruiser that costs twice the price of the bike they're imitating. No thanks.

[Chris Geuting]

Hallo
Two issues ago MOTORRAD (biggest motomag
on planet earth) had an interview with
the new BMW-Motorradboss...
He said that BMW will put more effort into
the segments in the market where BMW is not
so strong in the market and will bring sporty bikes with two (Boxer) and multi (4)
cylinders!So there will be a lighter,higher
revving S!My guess is not for the next
year but for 05,after the new GS will be
the first model of the new boxer generation
to be shown to the public for the first time
january 04 in Southafrica...
If it will be a evolutionary change maybe
with a supercharger or a revolutionary change with a new valvetrain permitting
higher revs...,who knows?!
But the least we can expect will be 120hp/
220Kg with a full tank of gas and that is
exactly what most riders wished for from
day one and very good news!
Maybe they overhaul the throttle cable for
always perfectly synced throttlebodies and
maybe hydraulic valve adjusters and a bigger
tank,too?!
But all the speculations apart,THERE WILL BE
DEFINATELY A NEW S WITH A TWO CYLINDER
BOXERMOTOR!!!(according to MOTORRAD and the
BMW-Motoboss)
Chris

[Raven]

No R -S, no more BMWs for me. I wore myself riding those porky Ks.

I would rather go back to less expensive Jap bikes than wrestle with another king sized, porky, over weight, doesn't turn well, wear me out K!!

[Derry Walsh]

Hey Pete,
Your showing your ass again.