Bike Trader

We ride the brilliant BMW R1200 RT

30 October 2007
Reviews image The BMW R1200 RT is regarded as one of the world’s best touring bikes. We took one out to see just how good it is.

The BMW R1200 RT is powered by the 1200cc boxer engine, first introduced in the now highly successful BMW R1200 GS (as used by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on The Long Way Down).

In the RT it has been engineered to give even more power and torque. Power is up to 110bhp (100bhp in the GS) and pulling power is up to 115Nm. With a dry weight of only 229kg you have a recipe for a tourer that can seriously hustle.

And it’s seriously quick with a 0-62mph (100kph) time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed in excess of 120mph.

Our Biarritz Blue Metallic test bike had virtually every optional extra, including chrome exhaust, ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), heated seats, heated grips, cruise control, on board computer, radio with CD Player and speakers, white indicator lenses, anti-theft alarm system and additional power socket.

The on the road price is £10,895, but this cost swells to £13,690 with the extras. However many owners will feel these extras are essential and represent good value for money.

Our bike had the full BMW luggage system including top case and panniers. They are very good quality with excellent locks, which you push to open the lids, which then glide gracefully down into the open position.

But all these extras add many more buttons to the standard motorcycle set up, which can be distracting.

However, BMW have striven hard to create a tourer that meets the expectations and even exceeds those of its customers with an options list that allows buyers to tailor the bike to their exact needs.

Gone are the curved, bulbous lines of its predecessor the R1150 RT, replaced with sharp angular lines and panels. The bike met with mixed reception when parked up, some liked it, others did not.

Instrumentation is copious, with round analogue speedo and rev counter dials separated by a rectangular LCD display, for provision of additional information from the onboard computer. The white on gray contrast of the dials was not the clearest, but the automatic orange backlighting in poor light or at night is excellent.  However the LCD display is not an improvement over the compact form of the earlier touring models, as the text layout does not make optimum use of the available display space.

This bike carries its 229 kg very lightly; helped by the low centralised centre of gravity from the boxer engine layout. It feels light and nimble, even at car park speeds.

The bike has a near neutral seating position. You sit fairly upright up the bike in a natural position that does not put strain on the back neck or wrists. Additionally the seat is height adjustable.

But it’s when you start to explore the R1200 RT’s handling and performance that you will be blown way.

Ridden sedately it’s immensely comfortable and refined, with the ESA allowing you to change on the move between Sport, Normal and Comfort suspension settings.

The whole bike’s response is tauter and more aggressive. If you try and ride the bike spiritedly on B or C roads I found the lesser settings allowed the bike to wallow and pitch when pushed hard, but Sport does what is says on the button. You have to keep reminding yourself you’re riding a large tourer.

However, when the top case is fitted, the handling slightly affected, it doesn’t weave, but you are conscious the box introduces a slight rear-end hesitancy.

The engine pulls strongly through out all the gears and the entire 8,000rpm rev range. Because of the huge reserves of pulling power on offer, many overtaking manoeuvres don’t need you to change down from top.

The smoothness is complemented further by gearbox. BMW has been criticised in the past for clunky gearboxes but in the 1200 RT this is no more. It’s slick, quick, and effortless.

What’s most impressive is you are able to ride the bike without consideration for its bulk and size. It’s easy to forgot you’re riding a large tourer as you make smooth and fuss free progress on motorways down to challenging C-roads.

Comfort is a major requirement for a long distance tourer and the upright riding position and full wind cheating fairing both combine to provide a comfortable ride, with a couple of exceptions.

With a massive 27 litre fuel tank capacity, fuel stops are infrequent. Over the period of loan the BMW R1200 achieved an amazing fuel economy figure of 59mpg – giving a potential range of 350 miles.

The BMW R1200 RT delivers comfort, performance, handling and economy all in one package. It allows the rider to cover great distances and make smooth and rapid progress on most roads with almost sports bike handling. Plus it can be tailored with an options package to the individual desires of most buyers.

Article and Photos by Jon Booth – http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/ – The UK Biker Site

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Thanks to the BMW North Oxford dealership for the loan of the BMW R1200 RT.
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