Crystal ball 2012: BMW

IT might be doom and gloom in the motorcycle market in general but BMW is bucking the trend and experiencing its best profits ever – so don't be surprised to see some significant advances from the firm in 2012.

It's already confirmed that it will have not one but two scooters in the range next year, both based on the Concept C. We're expecting the two machines to be largely similar, with detail differences that subtly change their focus – rather like the differences between the K1600GT and K1600GTL. Apparently the bikes are racking up thousands of testing miles at the moment, even though so far nobody has managed to snatch a spy shot.

One machine that has purportedly been spied is the successor to the R1200GS. Although the only pictures are so blurred and disguised that it's impossible to see any specific details, there's much speculation that the bike will be water cooled – despite the fact BMW has only recently revamped its air-cooled boxer engine and that the current GS is still topping sales charts all over Europe. For our money, if a water-cooled boxer does show up, it will be offered – at least initially – alongside the old air-cooled machine.

Wilder BMW-based speculation has seen talk of an S1000RR-based naked bike – don't hold your breath – and a revival of the suggestion, once dismissed by BMW, that there will be an S600RR. Indeed, the firm's boss, Hendrik von Kuenheim, has reportedly confirmed there is a 600cc supersports engine sitting in the R&D department, but that it will only be used if the market picks up.