So three of us have just come back from the Spanish Island of Mallorca as guests of BMW Germany. The trip was an introduction to the new models for 2014. The whole event was spectacular, the location could not have been nicer, and the weather was very kind to us. For those of you that have never worked in the automotive industry the format for these events goes something along that lines of; an introduction to the unique features of the new models in a classroom environment combined with road testing the bikes in organised ride outs to demonstrate their own unique qualities. This year was to be no different, but with there being five new models and one new version of an existing model that we have not seen in the UK it was always going to be a very tough and demanding two an a half days. After arrival on Friday, and due to the numbers of people involved, the participants were split into several groups. For me it was straight out on the new R NineT. I can not tell you how excited I was setting off down the drive of the hotel with five other riders and our guide, Christian, a great rider from the BMW enduro park staff in Hechlingen. The first five minuets was just spent getting used to the feeling of the bike. I was a little nervous as it has been a couple of years since I have ridden a bike in Europe but soon got used to going around a round-about the wrong way. Well, the bike did not disappoint, it was fast, very fast to be honest, agile and most surprisingly to me, extremely comfortable, I was flat footed at a standstill but not at all cramped whilst riding. The brakes were immense, very powerful yet smooth and progressive. Our ride soon got us out of the town and on to the tight twisting roads that we all loved. On the way back to the hotel there was the chance to admire the build of the bike, the fuel tank is a thing of beauty, being a mix of painted and polished aluminum. The R NineT is a beautiful thing to behold, and a treat to ride, what a way to start the training. Back in the hotel after a coffee or two it is time for two hours of in depth instruction about what makes the R NineT and the R 1200 GS Adventure LC so special, and trust me you will not be disappointed the Adventure is a stunningly good looking machine, but unfortunately for us, the demand has been so great worldwide for the GS Adventure, that there were just not enough free machines available to be brought to Mallorca for us to be able to ride one whilst we were there. That evening, over dinner and a glass of lemonade, all the talk was about the R NineT, everyone loved it some more than others, but loved it was. At dinner there was also a chance to talk with some of the project managers for the new models. They were really good guys, and I had a great conversation with the man that was responsible for the new RT. Roll on Saturday. Saturday bright and early, and on another beautiful day it was the turn of the S 1000 R and the R 1200 RT LC. Not so much a game of two halves but rather a game of 4 quarters. First up was the S 1000 R. Once again being led by Christian we were off to the West coast near Estellencs. Again we had the first ten or fifteen minutes just getting used to the bike, and once out of town it was time to really open it up. Now I am the first to admit that a four cylinder sports bike or a roadster is not what I would usually grab the keys for but “wow” how happy was I to be on this bike once we arrived at the Piccolo Stelvio (small Stelvio) I had no idea that such a road even existed in Mallorca. It consists of about 45 very tight hairpin bends on the ascent and descent. I was comfortable, had all the power that I needed, and it seemed to be available in whatever gear I was in. I loved every moment of the climb because of the power, and descent was even more exhilarating as the brakes were superb. The S 1000 R would really look after me scrubbing speed with the slightest press of the brakes. The DDC and DTC just work, I never noticeably knew that they were “interfering”, and I am sure that is the point. At no time did I feel like I had “a moment” during the ride to Estellencs for coffee and lots of tales of people riding like Valentino Rossi. Next was the R 1200 RT one of my previously favorite bikes. Would it be as good as the old model, or will the changes have ruined it. Within 5 minutes all of my fears had been dissipated. This bike is a peach. The liquid cooled “boxer” engine is very, responsive all the way through the rev range. The seat is comfortable, as is the riding position. The new shift assist pro takes some getting used to on the down shifts but makes for effortless progress on the up shift. We had the loveliest ride back to the hotel; the time seemed to just fly by, as did the scenery. I think that I will be making the R 1200 RT my new best friend very soon. The afternoon consisted of more product training, but also the chance to have a good look around the K 1600 GTL Exclusive. This is a very good-looking bike, with some great technical advances that are new to BMW motorcycles. So that only left us with one bike to ride and that was the C Evolution Scooter. But that would have to wait for Sunday. I would love to say that I didn’t sleep because of the anticipation of riding this electric scooter, but in all honesty I slept like a baby. We all had to have a short lesson on how to use the C Evolution, but we were soon riding out the gates once more being led by Christian, surely I was not going to enjoy this, but how wrong could I be? Brilliant is maybe the best superlative for this silent scooter. All its power is available from a standstill, making it accelerate like a C650 GT. It is limited to 70 MPH and has a range of about 60 miles on one 4-hour charge, but while it does have a charge in it, it really does make sense. See one in our showroom in May.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 21:55:17 +0000
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