BMW R1200RT

BMW R 1200 RT

Manufacturer	BMW Motorrad, Munich, Germany Manufactured in Berlin, Germany
Production	2005 to present
Predecessor	R 1150 RT
Engine	1170 cc 2-cylinder boxer, air/oil cooled Bore x stroke: 101 mm x 73 mm Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Power	110 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Torque	85 ft.-lbs. @ 6000 rpm
Transmission	6-speed, shaft drive
Suspension	Front: BMW Telelever Rear: BMW Paralever
Brakes	BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral) Front: 4-piston EVO calipers with floating 320 mm discs Rear: 2-piston floating caliper with single 265 mm disc
Tires	Front: 120/70ZR17 on 3.50 x 17 rim Rear: 180/55ZR17 on 5.50 x 17 rim Cast aluminium wheels
Wheelbase	1.48 meters, 58.3 in
Dimensions	L: 2.23 meters, 87.8 inches W: 0.90 meters, 35.6 inches H: 1.43 meters, 56.3 inches
Seat height	Adjustable 820/840 mm (32.3/33.0 in)
Weight	229 kg (505 lbs) (dry) 259 kg (571 lbs) (wet)
Fuel capacity	7.1 US gallons, 27 liters

The BMW R 1200 RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW Aktiengesellschaft (AG) as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R 1100 RT and R 1150 RT models.

History

BMW Motorrad began manufacturing "RT" touring motorcycle (Rad Touren) models in the late 1970s. The first of these were "airhead" models that continued BMW's long tradition dating to 1923 of producing "boxer" or opposed-twin engined motorcycle with unit engine-transmission construction and shaft final drive. These motorcycles were called "airheads" by BMW riders. A revolution occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R 1100 RT. Revolutionary were the new RT's oil-cooling, standard ABS brakes, four-valve heads, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension, and an electrically adjustable windshield.

2007 R 1200 RT is available in Biarritz blue

Four generations of BMW "RT" motorcycles

"Oilhead" valve cover, left. "Hexhead" valve cover, right.

In 2002, BMW upgraded the R 1100 RT into the R 1150 RT, providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted Integral-ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system. This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two sparkplugs per cylinder.

The latest version of the RT series arrived in 2005 with the introduction of the R 1200 RT, which continues into the 2007 model year with color and other changes. The design of this model is completely different from the R 1150 RT with a major boost in power, electronically adjustable suspension, on-board computer, and relatively few interchangeable parts. The power ABS brakes on the 2005 and 2006 models are partially integrated such that the rear brake pedal only applies the rear brake while the front brake lever applies both brakes.

For the 2007 model year, power assist has been removed from the partially integrated brakes, and the more advanced ABS system is lighter and has been produced by a new manufacturer. A minor, but annoying, change occurred part way during the production of the 2006 models when the original powerful two-tone horns were replaced by a much inferior single-tone horn.

The BMW motorcycling community has dubbed the 1200cc version of the RT and BMWs with the same or similar engines as "hexhead" models, so named because of the shape of their valve covers compared to the oval shape of "oilhead" models (photo, right).

With 110 horsepower and 85 foot-pounds of torque, the R 1200 RT is a powerful motorcycle suitable for long-distance touring carrying a rider and passenger and a full load of luggage.

The R 1200 RT is produced in a specific emergency services variant by BMW Motorrad's Official and special duty vehicles division. In addition a unique R 900 RT model is produced for this market, which is not available to the general public .

Additional R 1200 RT Specifications

See information box for other specifications

An R 1200 RT outfitted for police duty

The 2005 & 2006 R 1200 RTs were available in Piedmont red

Rick Mayer's leather saddles for the R 1200 RT

BMW's unique Paralever rear swingarm

Engine

• Type — Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke Boxer engine, one camshaft and four valves per cylinder, central compensation shaft
• Mixture control / engine management — Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: BMW engine management, BMS-K with overrun fuel cut-off, dual ignition
• Emission control — Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter

Performance / fuel consumption

• Maximum speed — Greater than 125 mph
• Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 56 mph — 65 mpg
• Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 75 mph — 49 mpg
• Fuel type — Unleaded premium, octane rumber 98 (RON) with automatic knock control

Electrical system

• Alternator — 720 watts 60 amperes three-phase alternator
• Battery — 12 volts, 12 ampere hours

Power transmission

• Clutch — Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated
• Gearbox — Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing

Chassis

• Frame — Three-section frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine-gearbox unit
• Front wheel location / suspension — BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central spring strut, rebound damping electronically adjustable with standard ESA
• Rear wheel location / suspension — Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad EVO-Paralever; spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of electronically adjustable ESA, rebound damping with standard ESA
• Travel front/rear — 4.72 inches / 5.31 inches
• Castor (in normal position) — 4.3 inches
• Steering head angle (in normal position) — 63.4°

Dimensions / Weight

• Permitted total weight — 1,091 pounds
• Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 pounds
• Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon

Reviews and awards

The R 1200 RT was selected as the "Best Touring Bike" by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.

In September 2006 the R 1200 RT was named the United Kingdom's "number one motorcycle" by readers of RiDE magazine in its annual "Rider Power" survey.

In October 2006, the R 1200 RT was cited as the Best Tourer for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in England. The citation read:

The R1200RT was awarded the accolade after RiDE readers were invited to nominate and assess their favourite bike according to a number of rating categories. These included build quality, engine performance, rider comfort, reliability, handling and overall impressions. The RT—which also won the 2005 MCN Best Tourer Award in its first year of production—received an overall score of 85.14 per cent, beating 149 other motorcycles to the number one spot.

Over 10,000 readers voted in the survey and each was asked to justify their choice of bike. “Overall this is a brilliant bike—I haven’t had so much fun in ages” said one RT owner. A second writes: “I’ve had no faults, build quality or reliability issues. I’m extremely impressed with my BMW.” Another claims that his RT is “the best bike I’ve ever owned.”

See also

• BMW motorcycles
• R 1150 RT Wikipedia with German text

External Links

• BMW Motorrad R 1200 RT web page
• BMW Motorrad Authorities - details of the emergency services version of the R 1200 RT and R 900 RT
• Independent R 1200 RT web page with detailed information and pictures