BMW has achieved the impossible in recent years, changing the image of its bikes from Breezeblock to James Bond's vehicle of choice quicker than you can say "Q."

In the last-but-one 007 thriller, Tomorrow Never Dies, audiences stared agog as the international supersleuth outmaneouvred various maniacs on his BMW cruiser.

It therefore came as no surprise when the 1997 R1200C BMW's first venture into the cruiser market went on to win several design awards in the next few years.

But even less of a surprise is the knowledge you don't have to be a secret agent about to meet his maker to get the best out of a BMW cruiser, especially the latest R1200C.

The R1200C Independent, the latest variation on BMW's cruiser theme, sports so many gleaming extravagances it could almost have been conjured up by Q himself.

The sculpted single seat, tinted speedster windshield, extra lights and new aluminium alloy wheels are stylish enough for wannabe-Bonds without being too brash.

Equally sumptuous design details include the new oval shaped mirrors and perfectly finished chromework covering the brake reservoir, clutch and brake levers.

Underneath all this super-style beats the heart of BMW's original R1200 cruiser, with the same smooth but torquey and now time-tested 1170cc Boxer twin engine.

If you can prise your fingers off the glistening brake lever for long enough to twist the throttle, the bike pulls to the naughty side of 90mph both quickly and cleanly.

The Independent has retained all the fine performance features of its forefather, with Telelever/Paralever chassis and power peaking at around 61bhp at 5000 rpm.

As the latest incarnation of one of the most successful cruisers on the market, the new Independent offers time-tested performance...

but with a certain film-star flair.

BMW R1200C Independent

Specification

Price: £8,895 on the road

Availability: On sale now

Contact: BMW GB on 01344-480320

Engine: 1170cc, air-cooled, four-stroke Boxer twin

Transmission: Five gears, shaft final drive

Performance: Maximum power 61bhp @ 5000 rpm