BMW R 1200 C

BMW To Go After Cruiser Market Again

MUNICH – No matter that it already makes exceptional touring, adventure and sport bikes, BMW seems to have a serious case of cruiser envy that it just can’t shake.

Included in a BMW press release earlier this week was the news that the German manufacturer will make a stab at building another cruiser model. Its previous boxer effort in this segment – the R 1200 C – lasted seven years from 1997 through 2004 and never really caught on.

The new model will use a “Big Boxer” engine, possibly an 1,800cc boxer twin. BMW revealed that a concept model will be unveiled sometime in the first half of this year with a production model coming out in 2020. BMW’s goal is to expand its reach.

“Naturally we want to keep growing,” said Timo Resch, vice president of sales and marketing for BMW Motorrad. “One step we will take to do so, certainly in the US market, is to enter the cruiser segment. BMW Motorrad is consistently pursuing its growth strategy with the clear aim of becoming the number one in the Premium Big Bike Segment.”

Don’t expect to see Harley-Davidson or Indian quaking in their boots. Over the seven years of the R 1200 C’s existence only 40,218 units were sold. 

About Bud Wilkinson

Bud Wilkinson writes the "RIDE-CT" motorcycle column and the "My Ride" classic car feature in the "Republican-American" newspaper in Waterbury, CT. A graduate of Vermont Academy, he received a B.A. degree journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1975. He is the recipient of a Scripps Howard Foundation National Journalism Award in 1992 and a 1991-92 regional Emmy Award for commentary. He currently rides a 1987 BMW R 80 RT and a 2014 Triumph Bonneville and drives a 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata and 2008 Ford Ranger pickup.

One comment

  1. What with retro being the current rage you’d think they would wise up and take a look at their pre-70’s past.