[2] From its inception, the R1200C had a passenger seat that could fold up to become a driver backrest with three different angles, adjustable while riding.

BMW first released the R1200C with an advance promotional placement of the motorcycle in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

When BMW ended production of the R1200C lineup, Dr. Herbert Diess, then President BMW Motorrad, cited a prime reason for discontinuing the bike was the apparent unsuitability of the 1,170 cc (71 cu in), 61 hp (45 kW) engine to then current market tastes and the unavailability of a suitable engine for further development, but did not rule out BMW pursuing a reinterpretation of the cruiser idea at a later date.

[3][4] Michelle Yeoh, in her role as Chinese spy, Wai Lin, rode the bike during the scene where she and 007 ran from Elliot Carver's henchmen.

The quantity and selection of BMWs drew some criticism that the models did not all have the same significance and relevance of the other brands represented, given BMW's role as the main corporate sponsor of the show.