2006–2007 · Sport Tourer · Buyer's Guide
The Boxer That Bites Back
The R 1200 S is the boxer BMW built when it wanted to chase a redline. The 1170 cc air/oil-cooled flat-twin makes 122 hp and 83 lb-ft, and unlike the lazy low-end torque most boxers trade on, this one keeps pulling, with a clear second wind that arrives above 6,500 rpm and runs to the top. At launch it was the fastest, most powerful boxer the company had ever sold. Telelever up front and Paralever shaft drive at the back give it a chassis that feels engineered for composure at speed rather than corner-entry theatrics.
On the road it rewards a rider who plans ahead. Turn-in asks for deliberate input, but once it is leaned over the bike holds its line with real authority and stays planted through fast sweepers. It ages well, too. Reliability and build quality are genuine strengths, and the shaft drive keeps upkeep simple. The honest caveat is that this is no flickable lightweight. At 470 lb it wants commitment, the rider electronics are sparse by modern standards, and ABS was an option rather than standard kit, so confirm any used example actually has it. This one suits the experienced rider who wants something with character.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 122 hp (90 kW) @ 8,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 83 lb-ft (112 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1170 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Fork | Telelever |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gal (17 L) |
| Top speed | 148 mph (238 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Comfort
Safety
The named systems that set this bike apart — and what each one does for you.
Drivetrain
Thumb the starter and the whole bike rocks on its crankshaft, settling into that lopsided boxer beat you feel in your boots as much as you hear. The cylinders sit out in the airflow where you can sense them working under your shins. The riding position is committed without being brutal, a sporty lean over the tank with weight on your wrists at a stop, though it frees up the moment you get moving. The seat sits a fair way up at 32.7 in, so shorter riders should throw a leg over one before buying. At a real road pace it feels dense and planted, the shaft drive feeding power without the snatch of a tired chain, and the fairing does an honest job of pulling the wind off your chest on a long highway stretch. It is a physical machine that asks you to ride it, not just point it.
Over the years I've kept track of what owners of this one actually tell me: in paddock conversations, in long chats with riders who've lived with it, and in the steady run of messages and emails that come my way. Put it all together and the pattern holds steady. The praise lands on how it's built and the kind of bike it is, while the complaints circle back to smoothness and equipment.
Reliability is the through-line. Owners consistently describe a solidly made bike that covers big distances without giving them much to fuss over. The other thread is character. Plenty of riders see it as an unusual proposition: a sport-focused boxer running shaft drive, a real alternative to the conventional chain-driven sportbike rather than just another machine in the pack.
The complaints sit mostly with smoothness and kit. Riders find the throttle tricky to meter at low speed, where the first bit of twist doesn't translate cleanly into drive, so riding smoothly through town takes some learning. On long highway runs a number of owners mention vibration coming up through the bars and pegs, enough to leave the hands tingling after a couple hundred miles. Others note how much it cost to get one well equipped, since several of the features they wanted came only as expensive options.
Fuel pump flange recall (NHTSA 13V617) – risk of fuel leak and fire
The original fuel pump flange may crack, causing fuel leakage and increased fire risk. BMW issued a recall to inspect and replace the flange on affected motorcycles, including the R1200S.
Rear wheel flange recall (NHTSA 15V-141) – possible cracking
The rear wheel flange can develop cracks on some 2006–2008 R1200S motorcycles, potentially leading to wheel failure. BMW recalled affected units to replace the flange.
Rough idle / stalling
Some owners report rough idling, occasional stalling, or the engine running on one cylinder. Causes may include vacuum leaks, throttle body imbalance, or sensor issues.
Where this BMW R 1200 S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the R 1200 S is actually built for.
If your weekends live on the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala, the S rewards precision and holds a line beautifully. Just know its deliberate steering makes you work harder than a lighter, flickable bike would.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
This is your sweet spot. For 200 to 400 mile days linking Highway 1 or the Blue Ridge, it pairs real wind protection and comfort with a chassis that loves fast, flowing curves.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway