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2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic Overview
BMW R 1200 C Classic is a custom / cruiser motorcycle, displacing 1170 cc. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer engine running SOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Bore and stroke come in at 101 x 73 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 98 of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 168 km/h. On the road, the 2004 R 1200 C Classic tips the scales at 258 kg, carries a 17.50-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 740 mm and spans a 1,650 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 42.7 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. The full 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2004 R 1200 C Classic - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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Accessible seat height: A 740 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Running Shaft drive (cardan) final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the R 1200 C Classic - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the R 1200 C Classic needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With SOHC valve gear, the R 1200 C Classic needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from Double disc - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1200 C Classic's suspension runs BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut at the front. The rear uses Die-cast steel single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Monolever; WAD strut. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1200 C Classic uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Three-section composite frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine., the R 1200 C Classic's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
258 kg puts the R 1200 C Classic toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
R 1200 C Classic - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1200 C Classic should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a R 1200 C Classic's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1200 C Classic needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used R 1200 C Classic since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic have?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic uses a Two cylinder boxer engine with 1170 cc of displacement.
What is the top speed of the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic has a factory-quoted top speed of 168 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic weigh?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic weighs 258 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic make?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic produces 98 of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic has a 17.50-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 291-350 km between stops.
Is the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic suitable for shorter riders?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic has a seat height of 740 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic have?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic uses Double disc at the front and Single disc at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic use?
The 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic runs 100/90-ZR18 front and 170/80-ZR15 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
BMW R 1200 C Classic Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1200 C Classic was produced across 2 model years (2004-2005). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2004 |
2005 |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single disc |
Double disc |
| Suspension - Front |
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut |
BMW Motorrad Telelever |
| Suspension - Rear |
Die-cast steel single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Monolever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of hydraulic handwheel |
Die-cast steel single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Monolever |
| Fuel System |
Injection |
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 with overrun fuel cut-off, twin spark ignition |
| Rake |
27.2° |
29.5° |
| Wheel Travel - Front |
144 mm / 5.7 in. |
35 mm / 1.4 in. |
| Wheel Travel - Rear |
100 mm / 3.9 in. |
135 mm / 5.3 in. |
| Power-to-Weight Ratio |
0.2563 HP/kg |
0.2535 HP/kg |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer
Power
Not published by manufacturer
Top Speed
168.0 km/h / 104.4 mph
Weight
258.0 kg / 568.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons
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Full 2004 BMW R 1200 C Classic Specifications
Seat Height
740 mm / 29.1 in.
Wheelbase
1,650 mm / 65.0 in.
Height
1,130 mm / 44.5 in.
Length
2,340 mm / 92.1 in.
Width
1,050 mm / 41.3 in.
Dry Weight
238 kg / 524.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons
Wet Weight
258.0 kg / 568.8 lbs
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.0 x 2.9 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
101.0 x 73.0 mm
Displacement (cc)
1170.00 cc
Displacement (ci)
71.39 cubic inches
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer
Fuel Control
SOHC
Stroke
4
Fuel System
Injection
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Fuel Reserve
4.00 litres / 1.06 gallons
Valve System
4
Final Drive
Shaft drive (cardan)
Gearbox
5-speed
Frame Type
Three-section composite frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine.
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut
Suspension - Rear
Die-cast steel single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Monolever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of hydraulic handwheel
Rake
27.2°
Wheel Travel - Front
144 mm / 5.7 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
100 mm / 3.9 in.
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.0 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
305 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
11.2 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
285 mm
Brakes - Front
Double disc
Brakes - Rear
Single disc
Tyres - Front
100/90-ZR18
Tyres - Rear
170/80-ZR15
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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