BMW K1300S, R and GT expected in 2009

These are, supposedly, the first official pics of the 2009 K1300R, K1300S and K1300GT. More pics and details here

According to a report on Solomoto, BMW are working on the next iteration of the K1200S – the K1300S. BMW are expected to show the new K1300S alongside the S1000RR superbike, at the INTERMOT and/or the EICMA show later this year. The company is also likely to unveil the K1300R and K1300GT variants at the same time.

The K1300S will be fitted with a new 1300cc inline-four, which is expected to produce around 180 horsepower. The bike will keep the Duolever front suspension and shaft-drive/single-sided swingarm from the K1200S, but the suspension is likely to be much more refined, and will offer more adjustability.

In terms of styling, we wouldn’t expect anything radical – an evolution of the K1200S lines seems more likely. The same would be true for the K1300R, K1300R Sport and K1300GT, all of which will use the new 1300cc engine and an evolution of their respective styling. And, yes, BMW are also expected to show the new F800R at the INTERMOT/EICMA shows.

First official pics 2009 BMW K1300R, K1300S and K1300GT

The 2009 BMW K1300R looks smoking hot!!

Pics: MotoFlash, Solo Moto

Last month, we wrote about the possibility of BMW launching the K1300 series (R, S and GT) for 2009. And now, barely three weeks after that, we found this first official pics of the three bikes on MotoFlash and Solo Moto! (Well, at least the pics look reasonably ‘official’ though... we are, somehow, a bit suspicious... Could this be an elaborate hoax…?!)

Anyway, we hope the pics are real. And going by the details available, the meanwhile, the 2009 K1300R is supposed to weigh in at 217 kilos, the engine produces 173 horsepower, and the bike gets ESA II electronic suspension adjustment (optional), ABS and ASC traction control. A quickshifter system, which allows clutchless, push-button gearchanges, is also optional on the K1300R, which will be available in new colours – orange, gray/black and white.

The 2009 BMW K1300S

The 2009 K1300S weighs 228 kilos, packs 175bhp, gets the new quickshifter system (optional), ESA II (optional), ABS and ASC traction control. The bike will be available in orange, white and black/silver-gray.

The 2009 BMW K1300GT

The same 1,292cc inline-four, in the 2009 K1300GT, makes 160bhp. The bike gets an electrically adjustable windscreen, ABS and ASC. ESA II is optional, though the clutchless quickshifter is not available on the 1300GT. Colours available are orange, bronze, black and silver-gray.

Update: Ok, so the pics are real...!
2009 BMW K1300S: More pics, video and specs
2009 BMW K1300R: More pics, video and specs
2009 BMW K1300GT: More pics, video and specs

2009 BMW K1300S Specs, more pics and video

Here's the first video of the 2009 BMW K1300S in action...

2009 BMW K1300S specs:

Engine

1,293cc, water-cooled four-stroke straight-four power unit, DOHC, four valves per cylinder

175bhp at 9,250rpm

140Nm at 8,250rpm

Electronic fuel injection, Digital Motor Electronics
with integrated knock control (BMS-K)

4.7ltr/100km (at a steady 90km/h)

Chassis and Suspension

Aluminium beam frame, with the engine as a load-bearing member

Duolever with central spring strut (front), cast aluminium single-sided Paralever swingarm (rear), adjustable for preload and rebound damping

Dry weight 228kg

Brakes

Twin 320mm discs (front) with four-piston fixed calipers, single 265mm disc (rear) with twin-piston fixed calipers. Integral ABS

Electronics

Anti-lock brakes, ASC traction control, ESA II (electronic suspension adjustment (optional)), Quickshift system, with clutchless, push-button gearshifts (optional)

BMW K1300S riding impression

The 2009 BMW K1300S is, according to InfoMotori, much better than its predecessor...

Among current BMWs, our no.1 favourite is the naked, funky-looking K1300R. But we do suppose the fully faired K1300S would be a more sensible choice for long-distance touring. InfoMotori recently had the chance to ride the new-for-2009 K1300S, and here are some excerpts from what they have to say about the bike:

With its bigger engine (about 150cc up on the old K1200S unit), the K1300S has an 8bhp and 10Nm advantage over its predecessor. Other changes on the new bike include a modified shaft drive, lightened Duolever suspension, mildly reworked bodywork, improved gearshift mechanism and revised instrumentation for better visibility.

BMW have also fitted with K1300S with the all-new ESA2 electronic suspension, which is easy to fiddle with, but which doesn’t ‘remember’ your chosen settings when you switch the bike off. What’s really surprising on the new bike is how quiet the engine is – much, much quieter than the old 1200. All the mechanical noise seems to have been removed from that big, four-cylinder engine.

With 175bhp and 140Nm of torque, the K1300S should be quite all right on the street...

Unlike the K1200S, the K1300S offers smooth, seamless power delivery, with the engine and transmission working in perfect harmony at all times. The brakes are more powerful and effective than ever before, with two fingers on the front brake lever being quite sufficient to haul up the bike very quickly. The ABS system, which comes as standard equipment on this bike, also works admirably well, though we’re not as sure about the ASC traction control system, which is supposed to prevent wheelspin. We wish BMW had provided the option to switch the bike’s ASC system off…

As you might expect, the K1300S feels nimbler and handles better than its predecessor, though without losing its trademark high-speed stability. The bike’s quickshifter lets you change gears faster, without using the clutch or having to roll back the throttle, though it does work better at higher revs and is more useful on the highway rather than in urban use, in slow traffic.

Overall, the big BMW is much improved compared to the K1200S, though it still isn’t perfect. Then again, which bike is?