PERFORMANCE TESTING

Like all BMW’S boxers the secret of a brisk launch is getting the clutch out and then whacking the gas open. Too much clutch slip and too many revs just causes traction control-induced stuttering (or cack-handed wheelies if it’s turned o’), and makes the clutch get smelly. Make a clean start and the Urban G/S hits 60mph as quickly as an S1000RR. It’s ¢at out, needle edging o’ the end of the speedo, in about half a mile or so. Yep, it’s got some grunt.