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Evolution of the Species
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Evoluzione Cyclesports BMW K 1200 S
Jeff Buchanan
11/01/2006
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Photography by Kevin Wing
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Front brake rotors are AP
Braking units, which give an incremental edge on performance over the stock
ones, plus a slightly more progressive feel at the lever. Zeller is quick to
point out he replaced them partially because he had the rotors lying around and,
true to tinkerer form, “just wanted to change something.”
As for bodywork,
Zeller prefers the look of the K 1200 R front fender and clean tail-section. So,
in addition to the front fender, a rear tail cowling of carbon fiber was added
to give the bike a congruous design flow and the more apropos race appearance of
a single-seater. An aluminum license plate bracket was fabricated to reduce the
weight and clutter of the stock unit. Although losing weight was not necessarily
Zeller’s objective, the Evoluzione K 1200 S is around 25 pounds lighter than
stock.
 One engineering element that Zeller knew he had to do something about
was the instrument layout. The German engineers placed the speedometer directly
in the middle of the dash with the tachometer playing second fiddle off to the
left. Zeller reversed the two gauges, placing the emphasis on the rev counter by
putting it squarely in the rider’s line of sight. (Click image to enlarge)
A set of Dunlop’s
outstanding Qualifiers round out the package. They give the Evoluzione K bike
predictable handling and substantial grip in the corners, without sacrificing
the agreeable highway ride. The rims are stock BMW, powder coated in the
Evoluzione orange to accent the new paint scheme of the bodywork. Zeller’s wife,
Alana, used a color wheel to find a contrasting, yet complimentary, color to
the factory BMW deep blue and came up with an electric orange that creates a
dynamic pairing. The dashboard instrument backgrounds carry through with the
Evoluzione blue/orange color scheme for a detail touch of
continuity.
Building on an already exemplary package from BMW, the Evoluzione
performance kit brings the K 1200 closer to the lofty realm of the Suzuki
GSX-R1000 and Yamaha R1 sport machines. The increase in raw horsepower combined
with the fast-revving engine results in an explosive, yet controlled,
adrenaline rush. The power arrives in crisp, sharp snaps of the throttle that
issues a delicious snarl and pop from the exhaust. The increased engine
performance, combined with the quicker turn-in and the shedding of those
extra pounds, results in an impressive sportbike that weds BMW’s legendary
refinement with real bite to produce a kind of sophisticated bully for the
street.
 RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Shoei RF-1000 Diabolic 2 TC-5
Leathers:
Kushitani
Gloves: Cortech Accelerator
Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa. (Click image to enlarge)
The general consensus is that K bikes is that are not only
purchased by BMW loyalists, but also by a number of enthusiasts coming over to
the brand for the first time. Zeller believes the machine has found its core
audience with the maturing sportbiker; experienced riders looking for a more
relaxed motorcycle without sacrificing performance. In this regard BMW has
created, either by design or chance, a niche for itself in the sportbike
category that was not completely being addressed by other manufacturers. “I
sometimes wonder if BMW realizes just what it has here,” muses
Zeller.
Just like their Japanese and Italian-mounted counterparts, the
rapidly expanding community of K bike owners wants the freedom to play with
aftermarket modifications. “It was actually customers that inspired the kits,”
says Zeller. “We didn’t realize what a good market the K bikes were going to be
for us.” A year ago Evoluzione was doing zero commerce in BMWs. Today they
represent 40 percent of the business and the trend shows no sign of slowing
down. Zeller has noticed an increase in customer interest for the new BMW with
the release of the naked R model, which he attributes to the machine’s wholly
unusual looks, all helping to further eradicate any lingering stigma about BMWs
being for the mild at heart.
As testament to Zeller’s newly found respect
and appreciation for BMW, he has just added an R 1200 GS to the Evoluzione
stable. Given his inclination for tinkering, the machine has already been taken
apart for scrutiny and naturally, Zeller has some ideas about what he would
like to change.
www.evoluzione.net | 805.306.9705
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