R 1200 C

1998 BMW R 1200 C Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in BMW's custom - cruiser motorcycle lineup, the 1998 BMW R 1200 C pairs a 1170 cc (71.4 cu in) air-cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 61 HP (44.5 kW) at 5,000 rpm while maximum torque reaches 98 Nm (72.3 lb-ft) at 3,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive (cardan) final drive. With a specific output of 52.1 HP per liter and a 2,000 rpm working window between peak torque (3,000 rpm) and peak power (5,000 rpm), the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the R 1200 C measures 239 kg (527 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.26 HP/kg (3.92 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 740 mm (29.1 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's BMW archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1998 to 2003, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.