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WHY I HAD TO HAVE A.

When BMW went racing to boost its sporting image, a road version of their track bike quickly followed. The limited-edition replica now has cult appeal
Geoff, 52, works for the NHS, owns a Harley and an 02 Boxer Cup Rep. 62-year-old MD Nigel has a heavily modfied 2003 Boxer Cup Rep.
BMW R1100S BOXER CUP REPLICA

WHY I HAD TO HAVE ONE

Geoff: I went touring in France on my Harley, and found I couldnt keep up with a mate who had a VFR800. I also missed out on a limited edition BMW in the 70s and didnt want to make the same mistake, so I bought number 17 of the 25 that BMW made. was a perfect sports-tourer. The Boxer Cup sorted those issues and although it isnt incredibly fast I think it handles really well. Ive fitted Laser pipes, an ECU chip, braided hoses, rear hugger and cylinder head protectors and can can keep up with the VFR now without any problems. Nigel: Its a myth that Boxer Cup bikes have more power than a stock R1100S as far as I know the only difference is that the 2004 BCR had Laser cans on it. I have lightened mine, de-welded the exhaust, increasing the available volume by 20%, and fitted a K1200RS fuel pressure regulator to make it run better at lower rpm. Power is now 102bhp at the rear wheel. Paul: Theres an opinion in the UK that BMW equals old mans machine. But the Boxer Cup can be ridden as fast your ability allows. OK, it makes just under 100bhp, maybe a bit more with the Laser pipes and BB power chip I have on it, but it handles superbly, especially on bumpy roads. Ive added an Ohlins shock at the back end, too. It really is versatile and feels very solid and trustworthy when youre pushing it hard. Geoff: I think the fuel tank is a bit small; it looks huge but you can only get 140-ish miles from it. Apart from that its a great tourer, with my hard panniers and sat nav. Nigel: It is a great handling bike; very stable with precise steering, too. I love grippy Metzeler Sportec M1s, although I chew them up in about 1500 miles, but that is with track use and I dont hang about. Paul: I did Nick Sanders Moto Challenge in 2004 and found myself ahead of guys on R1s, all sorts. Then I fell off, flew through the air and landed in a river. The bike snapped its sub-frame and was a category D write-off, but I loved it so I bought it from the insurance company and fixed it! Geoff: The finish isnt brilliant some bits corrode around the Telelever front end, just

2002-04

GEOFF BURGESS

RIDING

like on the stock R1100S. It is also hard to crank over sometimes; I reckon the standard battery is a bit weak. But its totally reliable in 8500 miles and as I do much of my own servicing, I dont find it expensive to run. Nigel: I like the Boxer Cups rarity value and because BMW GB and BMW America have also done their own 1100S specials, there are unique versions about, too. I reckon the blue/white/red bikes of 2004 are the best. BMWs are reliable, but expensive to run. Servicing isnt cheap, nor are parts. As I make carbon-fibre for a living, parts prices dont worry me too much, but a 2004 Boxer Cups belly pan is around 1400! Paul: The paint and the overall finish is a bit rubbish to be honest, I expected more from a BMW. But although it will never look mint partly because I binned it I have found it to be totally reliable. The nicest thing about owning the Boxer Cup is that it always starts a debate among bikers over its looks.

NIGEL WOOD

Nigel: Ive owned all kinds of bikes, but I always come back to BMW. Im that BMW type I suppose. I like track days, even though Im in my sixties, and love showing Japanese sports bike owners how a BMW twin can go around a twisty circuit. Paul: I bought the Boxer Cup as I thought it looked great in the race colours, and I wanted to slow down after having bikes like the Hayabusa, where one twist of the throttle sees you doing warp factor nine. Geoff: I liked the R1100S when it came out and really apart from the naff standard paintwork and quiet exhaust thought it
Engineer Paul, 39, is based in Yorkshire and bought his Boxer Cup Replica in 2003.

PAUL BENSON

PERFORMANCE

OWNING

34 | MOTOR CYCLE NEWS MARCH 22, 2006
THE Boxer Cup replica is the bike that proved that a BMW twin could be a decent sports bike

MCN SAYS

Exclusivity Top-drawer handling
Questionable finish Expensive parts prices if you drop it

OWNERS TOP TIPS

Geoff: The fuel filler can sometimes splash back, so I drilled a small hole in the tank near the filler cap so that air could escape quicker as I filled up. Nigel: Id be mad if I didnt mention my carbon rocker covers, wouldnt I? Also, if you have dropped your Boxer Cup, hunt down some magnesium covers from the standard R1100S theyre lighter than Boxer Cup ones. Paul: If youre doing up a written-off BMW you might find top class aftermarket parts like Ohlins are cheaper than stock factory items.

PARKERS PRICE GUIDE

NOW INCLUDES BIKES!

www.parkers.co.uk

MCN quick guide
MWs R1100S won the marque new fans in 1999 and from its launch UK buyers could buy a hoppedup version with Sportmoto extras (ECU chip, stainless exhaust silencer ) with a claimed 11% power boost and 2.2kg weight loss. That summer, BMW launched their one-make Boxer Cup race series, which ran as a GP support series from 1999-2004. In 2002 BMW GB announced a limited run of 25 machines. These were kitted R1100S Sport models, with new paint, numbered plaque,
heated grips and a Union Jack belly pan. Laser end cans and Goodridge hoses were free at the first service. After these sold well, BMW produced a further 317 Boxer Cup replicas between 2003-04. The 2003 changes were largely cosmetic, but with a slightly lower Telelever front end to sharpen the steering a tad. In 2004 BMW gave the Boxer Cup a serious makeover, and so the factory claimed the same power as the race bikes. They retailed for 9200. When the K1200S and R sport bikes arrived in 2005 the replica was discontinued.
Nobody expected it to be a credible race bike, so it was great to see it do well. I remember watching Richard Cooper start from the back at Oulton Park once and pass half the field it was such a stable bike that sheer rider ability outweighed power. The rules were strict, so it was pretty much as the road machine, except with a different ECU chip to enrich the mixture it didnt boost power, it just saved the valve seats and boosted throttle response out of the corners. Mark Fisher, BMW Boxer Cup team manager

EXPERT VIEW

COST NEW:

BMW R1100S BOXER CUP REP

FUEL: 37mpg, 18 litres, 145 miles
SEAT HEIGHT: 800mm RAKE: 25 TRAIL: 100mm
USED PRICES: 2002: 5500-6000 2003: 5500-6500 2004: 6000-7300 POWER (claimed): 98bhp TORQUE (claimed): 70ftlb WEIGHT: 229kg MODEL CHANGES
2002 Boxer Cup introduced 2003 Lower front end 2004 New rear shock, mirrors, paintscheme, bellypan, more power Engine: 1085cc Boxer twin Chassis: Tubular steel frame; engine as stressed member Insurance group: 14 (of 17) Top speed: 144mph

TECHNICAL SPEC

WHEELBASE: 1473mm
MARCH 22, 2006 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS | 35