BMW K 1300 GT - Manual (Page 21)

BMW
Media
Information
10/2008
Page 21
A high-precision welding robot subsequently assembles the components in
the in-house Aluminium Competence Centre at the BMW’s Berlin Motorcycle
Plant to form an extra-stiff overall frame. And with the engine being tilted
to an extreme angle, the profi le bars of the main frame run above the cylinder
head, unaffected by its width. This allows ideal confi guration of the frame,
which can be kept slim and slender as a result.
This superior confi guration is also supported around the swing bearing by
the Paralever allowing the footrests to be positioned low down while
nevertheless enabling the rider to lean the motorcycle over in a bend by more
than 50
o (measured geometrically) thanks to the overall confi guration of
the suspension and power unit.
Together with the Duolever front-wheel suspension, the low confi guration of
the frame ensures a very good fl ow of power and, accordingly, keeps the
forces acting on the frame structure to a minimum. Overall weight of the main
frame is a mere 11.5 kg or 25.4 lb.
The power unit is bolted fi rmly to the frame at six points and acts as a
stiffening unit without performing any load-bearing functions. The light rear
frame is made of square aluminium profi les welded to one another and is
bolted on to the main frame at four points.
Refl ecting the true style of a genuine sports machine, the K 1300 S comes
in regular trim with only one side-stand. A main stand is however available
as special equipment and may be retrofi tted within a matter of minutes.
The BMW Duolever – perfect front-wheel suspension.
The Duolever ensures superior riding precision and directional stability,
together with superior suspension comfort and clear feedback. It offers even
the sporting and ambitious rider an unparalleled feeling of safety in every
situation.
The front-wheel suspension is indeed the elementary component of a motor-
cycle in terms of riding precision and comfort. Realising this fact at a very
early point in time, BMW has indeed introduced a series of innovations on the
front-wheel suspension throughout the 85-year history of the Company.
The fi rst hydraulically dampened telescopic fork on a production motorcycle
(1937), the longitudinal swing arm (’50s and ’60s), long-stroke comfort
telescopic forks (’70s) and the Telelever (1993) were and still are milestones
in motorcycle technology invented or at least enhanced by BMW Motorrad
and introduced by BMW for the fi rst time in series production.