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2006 BMW R 1200S Overview
BMW R 1200S is a sport motorcycle, displacing 1170 cc. Power comes from a Twin engine running SOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. On the performance side, it delivers 90 kW @ 8250 rpm of peak power and 112 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 241.3 km/h. On the road, the 2006 R 1200S tips the scales at 212 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1487 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 17.4 kg heavier than the average sport motorcycle in our database. The full 2006 BMW R 1200S spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2006 BMW R 1200S compared with other bikes in the Sport category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2006 BMW R 1200S against up to 2003 bikes in the Sport category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 172 of the other 2002 bikes in the Sport category have a larger engine displacement than the 1170 cc of the R 1200S.
- With 112 Nm, the R 1200S has the joint 345th highest torque of 1573 bikes in the Sport category, 49% above the category average of 75.4 Nm.
- Wet weight of 212 kg is heavier than that of 875 of the other 1212 bikes in the Sport category.
- Narrowing the field to the 588 models within five model years of it, the engine displacement of 1170 cc is larger than that of 501 of the other 587.
2006 R 1200S - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 90 kW @ 8250 rpm and 112 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque on tap, the R 1200S is no slouch for its class.
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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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🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: At 820 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the R 1200S relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the R 1200S 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 1200S 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 2 x 320mm Discs, 2 piston caliper - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1200S's suspension runs BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 41 mm, central spring strut at the front. The rear uses Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD spring strut. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1200S 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 Main and front frame made of steel tubes, rear frame made of square aluminium tubes, engine with load-bearing function, the R 1200S's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
R 1200S - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2006 BMW R 1200S with its 1170 cc sport, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 20 years old, this sport is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1200S should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the R 1200S's 1170 cc twin like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1200S 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 1200S 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.
2006 BMW R 1200S - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2006 BMW R 1200S have?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S uses a Twin engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
What is the top speed of the 2006 BMW R 1200S?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S has a factory-quoted top speed of 241.3 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2006 BMW R 1200S weigh?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S weighs 212 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2006 BMW R 1200S make?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S produces 90 kW @ 8250 rpm of power and 112 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2006 BMW R 1200S?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.
Is the 2006 BMW R 1200S suitable for shorter riders?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S has a seat height of 820 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2006 BMW R 1200S have?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S uses 2 x 320mm Discs, 2 piston caliper at the front and single 265mm disc, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2006 BMW R 1200S use?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S runs 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2006 BMW R 1200S have?
The 2006 BMW R 1200S is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
BMW R 1200S Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1200S was produced across 4 model years (2006-2009). 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 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
| Wet Weight |
212 kg / 467.3 lbs |
212 kg / 467.3 lbs |
212 kg / 467.3 lbs |
213.0 kg / 469.6 lbs |
| Dry Weight |
190 kg / 418.8 lbs |
190 kg / 418.8 lbs |
190 kg / 418.8 lbs |
190 kg / 418.9 lbs |
| Engine Type |
Twin |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
| Top Speed |
241.3 km/h / 149.9 mph |
241.3 km/h / 149.9 mph |
241.3 km/h / 149.9 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
| Seat Height |
820 mm / 32.2 in |
820 mm / 32.2 in |
820 mm / 32.2 in |
830 mm / 32.7 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
17 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.2 US gal |
17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons |
| Stroke |
73.0 mm |
4 |
73.0 mm |
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| Mods from previous model |
Performance-tuned high compression sports boxer layout |
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Final production lifecycle run parameters |
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Key Specifications
Power
90 kW / 122 hp @ 8250 rpm
Torque
112 Nm / 11.4 kgf-m / 83 ft-lb @ 6500 rpm
Top Speed
241.3 km/h / 149.9 mph
Weight
212 kg / 467.3 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.2 US gal
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Full 2006 BMW R 1200S Specifications
Year
2006
Make
BMW
Model
R 1200S
Make Model
BMW R 1200S
Seat Height
820 mm / 32.2 in
Wheelbase
1487 mm / 58.5 in
Height
1177 mm / 46.3 in (without mirrors)
Length
2151 mm / 84.6 in
Width
870 mm / 34.2 in (with mirrors)
Dry Weight
190 kg / 418.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Wet Weight
212 kg / 467.3 lbs
Engine Type
Twin
Fuel Control
SOHC
Stroke
73.0 mm
Displacement
1170 cc / 71.4 cu in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: BMW engine management, BMS-K with overrun fuel cut-off, dual ignition
Bore x Stroke
101 x 73 mm
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Cooling System
Air/Oil cooled
Fuel Consumption
7.4 L/100 km13.6 km/l / 32 US mpg
Fuel Induction
Fuel injection, 52mm throttle butterfly
Ignition
Digital CDI
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Battery Capacity
12 V / 14 Ah, maintenance free
Chain Size
None (Shaft Drive)
Clutch
Hydraulic, dry, single-disc
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st 2.521 / 2nd 1.842 / 3rd 1.455 / 4th 1.287 / 5th 1.453 / 6th 1.015:1
Gearbox
6-speed
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Main and front frame made of steel tubes, rear frame made of square aluminium tubes, engine with load-bearing function
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 41 mm, central spring strut
Suspension - Rear
Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD spring strut (travel-dependent damping), adjustable spring preload continuously variable, rebound damping adjustable
Rake
24.0°
Steering Head Angle
66°
Trail
87 mm / 3.4 in
Wheel Travel - Front
110 mm / 4.3 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
120 mm / 4.7 in
Alternator
600 W generator
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.6 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
320 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.4 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
265 mm
Brakes - Front
2 x 320mm Discs, 2 piston caliper
Brakes - Rear
Single 265mm disc, 1 piston caliper
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR 17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR 17
Wheels
Die-cast aluminium
Wheels - Front
3.50 x 17
Wheels - Rear
5.50 x 17
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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