I certainly hadn't expected a naked bike wearing the blue-and-white propeller badge to be such an unashamed high-performance knockout. Despite BMW's attempted image transformation over the past few years and the fact that the K1200R's 163-horsepower (claimed) peak output makes it the world's most powerful roadster, the German marque still hasn't totally lost its reputation for practicality, common sense and caution.

At the Intermot Show in Cologne, Germany, Harley-Davidson displayed this prototype XR1200 variation of the Sportster 1200 motorcycle. Styled like the XR750 dirttrack racer, the XR display bike features high-performance Showa suspension and Nissin brakes. In short, it's intended to be the Sportster that emphasizes sport. The bike was showed to test the reaction of show attendees, and if it sees a positive reaction, Harley says the motorcycle will go into production, probably within the year.

But the big news out of the BMW camp is the fitment of a balance shaft, a first for the Boxer engine. A flat- or opposed-Twin like BMW's Boxer motor has perfect primary balance, much like a 90-degree V-Twin. But secondary forces from the engine's rotational mass, called a rocking couple, causes unwanted vibration the creep through to the rider. BMW's use of a counterbalancer reduces this effect, making for increased comfort for the rider and less stresses on reciprocating engine components, also allowing for a higher redline.

With nigh-on 80ftlb of torque delivered to the rear wheel at 3700rpm, the Bandit’s new six-speed gearbox needs little provocation. It’ll cheerfully pull from 3500rpm in top gear and run on to 140+mph. That gearbox is typical Suzuki: precise, perfectly spaced ratios. And, hoorah, no sign of any fuel-injection stutters or flatspots in its performance delivery.

The fact is, the Buell motor is surprisingly effective after the massaging received by Mr. Buell. We know it’s not a 14,000RPM screamer, never will be, but it’s got grunt. Ignoring factory claimed, I suspect this thing probably makes mid 80's in ponies (although it felt like 65 in the high country) torque is suitably beefy though and if past experience of the breed counts, I think it’ll be surprisingly high for its class.

...imagine there's a Yamaha blue-suited pixie who changes gear for you at your every command. He's a clever little guy too, perfect shifts every time. I (he) never lost the plot all the time I rode the thing, no such thing as a lazy toe here. By the way, if you want, you can override the system any time you like by just using your foot (still no clutch lever needed, or supplied). It's a true manual transmission, with you making the decision when to shift.

The motor on the GSX-R750 has a very smooth seamless delivery with an electric feel to it. There are no big hits in the powerband, just a steady heightening of power. The motor is a little lacking in the mid-range forcing you to keep the revs up on corner exit. You have to ride it more like a 600 than a 1000 to get the true potential out of GSX-R. Keep the motor close to its rev ceiling at 15,000 rpm and you'll have the GSX-R singing nicely.

MotorcycleUSA was invited to join a half-dozen of the premier journalists in America for the American press launch of the 2005 BMW K1200S, held in the beautiful city of Sausalito, just outside of San Francisco, California.

We rode more than 300 miles on that day, going through two tanks of fuel and bringing them back with just 3 miles left on the cool LCD fuel-o-meter countdown gizmo. But that wasn't enough seat time to really evaluate a big mileage-eater like the K, so we rode it back to MCUSA HQ in Oregon and did some additional riding there before returning it back to California.