Since the 1980s, BMW had always conformed with the policy of voluntary self-restriction pursued by motorcycle manufacturers, which involved not marketing any motorcycles generating more than 100 hp in the German market. This changed from 1997 when BMW launched the BMW K 1200 RS as its first series model to significantly exceed this limit: 130 hp generated from a capacity of 1,172 cc, a torque of 117 Nm at 6,750 rpm and a top speed of 245 km/h. The K 1200 RS made a top name as a Big Bike with good comfort over long distance. After the motorcycle underwent a facelift in the model year 2001, sales experienced a second surge.