[Mulhollanddose]

K 1200R...163 horsies

Give BMW credit for doing what Japan wouldn't or couldn't do: bolt serious horsepower into a big, comfortable naked bike. This German translation leaves its contemporaries looking relatively underdressed when it comes to technological accoutrements. The Fior/Hossack-derived Duolever front suspension uses the same technology as John Britten's iconic V1000. BMW's new Paralever is still the world's only truly neutral shaft drive, and those anti-lock-powered brakes take some of the pucker from everyday life without messing up a fast Saturday scrape through the twisty bits.

After reinventing the heart and soul of its motorcycle lineup in little more than a year, BMW clearly isn't afraid of thinking outside the box. In fact, we're pretty sure it scrapped the box entirely. Here's an 82-year-old company that doesn't think like one. It's clearly going after buyers who've never considered darkening the door of a BMW dealership before. Buyers who want everything-power, comfort, technology and attitude-in one package. No concessions. No apologies. No kidding.

— Motorcyclist