Ditto on the hand-wringing comment...
This is a clearly superior machine from tip to tail conceptually. Obviously the proof will be in the riding, but this is a peek at where all the boxers will go:
- Raidially mounted brakes
- LED main headlight
- one-handed adjustable windshield
- short throw (70deg vs 85deg) throttle-by-wire
- semi-active suspension (ala HP4)
- vertical intake seperating cams
- refined front telelever
- significantly lengthened paralever
- the new integrated switch gear w/multi-function wheel
- electronic cruise on a GS!
- increased ground clearance and suspension travel (GS)
- slipper (anti-hop) clutch
- new frame
- nearly 14% more power
But for us sport-boxer afficianados this is what excites me the most:
Quote:
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By changing the through-flow direction from horizontal to vertical, however, it is now possible to have purebred intake and exhaust camshafts... This opens up the possibility of adding variability to the valve gear in the future.
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And... according to my factory rep, Motorrad already has a sport boxer in development; could it have variable valve timing???
By looking at the torque curve it is clear the water GS runs out of breath nearly 1500 rpm before redline. open up those breathing passages and give the motor some fuel and I would be very surprised if a factory "S" didn't come stock with at least 140hp.
Unfortunately, based on past development timelines I personally wouldnt expect to see an S until 2015 earliest, and maybe not until 2016.
While the boxer S doesnt sell particularly well in America, plenty of units get moved in Germany to justify the development of a water cooled sport boxer.
Keep the faith!!!
Regardless, I am VERY IMPRESSED with the new GS and the direction BMW is taking the boxer. They have clearly doubled-down on the boxer with the inclusion of their latest technologies and the development of an engine that has lots of headroom for power growth.
Hey, where'd the Kool-aid go? I need to refil my cup!!!
JT