All Tests – 2014 BMW R1200RT Test: Long live the queen! – The R1200RT takes the gal (li) on

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2014 BMW R1200RT test: long live the queen !

All Tests - 2014 BMW R1200RT Test: Long live the queen! - The R1200RT takes gal (li) on

The new R1200RT arrives in BMW dealerships in February. Site discovered in Corsica this important novelty for 2014, whose mission is to keep the head of sales of GT road motorcycles in France. And she does everything to… Test.

The R1200RT takes gal (li) on

More practical and spacious, the BMW "vice-admiral" vessel requires a little more attention and measure when ascending lines – experienced! – in the big cities. The same goes for maneuvering with the engine off, since the 2014 model weighs 15 kg more than the 2010 model….

According to BMW, the full weight (25 liters of fuel always, "at least 90% full"for the measurement) of the R1200RT is estimated at 274 kg. In the absence of the old model, difficult to measure the overweight of the beast. But one thing is certain: moving the RT is not a game child.

Fortunately, the bike remains relatively easy to post on its central stand. You don’t have to have the power of a weightlifter or have the explosiveness of a gymnast to perform this task: a bit of willpower and a minimum of synchronization are enough..

Likewise, you don’t need athletic legs to ride the new R1200RT. Placed at 805 mm high (820 mm previously), the saddle allows the vast majority of bikers to put their feet on either side of the machine.

According to the calculations of German scientists, the crotch arch is only 1810 mm, against 1880 on the old model. Suddenly, it’s a safe bet that the majority of users will opt for the high position of the saddle (825 mm), which allows to open the angle of the knees in a sitting position..

For its part, Site would have gladly installed the optional high saddle (830 or 850 mm, free!) To benefit from even better comfort in the legs, more apart than on the GS but less than on the Adventure! The little ones, for their part, will order the low and monobloc version (760 or 780 mm, free too!).

The footrests and handlebars having been lowered by 20 mm – "without hindering the angle of the motorcycle or the feeling of comfort", promises BMW France -, the driving position of the RT 2014 is very close to that of 2010: as in a chair !

The saddle, still as wide and soft, gains 2 cm in length at the pilot level and 1 cm at the passenger level. We also note that the shin protection is now as good on the road as it is at a standstill since the new shape of the fairing prevents any unpleasant shock, especially when unkicking that damn side hidden under the left cylinder. !

The distance between the levers is chosen very quickly by means of small, very convenient plastic knobs. That’s it, Site is ready to hit the road! The route promises to be ten times shorter than during our, but not ten times less instructive….

A little tour of the Isle of Beauty

Site would have gladly toured the whole of Corsica on the handlebars of this new R1200RT, as the landscapes crossed were magnificent, the roads mostly excellent, the weather finally mild … and the mount convincing. !

Our trip to the Isle of Beauty was summed up in a round trip Ajaccio – Porto-Vecchio, carried out at the controls of the new R1200RT as well as those of the new R1200GS Adventure (MNC test to follow soon). About 150 km on each motorcycle for this short winter run.

Fortunately, this winter outing was just the name: the outside temperature never dropped below 10 ° C and the surface remained dry most of the time. Also the ABS and the ASC, both delivered as standard, did not have much work. !

As for the pilot, he only experienced one truly laborious moment: lowering the RT from his power station while his nose was facing a slight slope. Under its conditions, the weight of the machine is suddenly felt, but also disappears quickly when the engine is started.

The pressure on the small red switch instantly results in a slight jerk of the R1200RT, perfectly controllable. What we remember above all is the melodious sound that emanates from the pot … chrome, it is an option !

The controls on the handlebars, as soft as they are precise, allow the motorcycle to be driven with disconcerting ease for those who have already tasted Grand Touring motorcycles. The handlebars are wide, the steering neutral, the turning radius excellent: you can drive at low speed without any problem..

The general balance of the machine allows maneuvers that one would have thought a priori difficult to perform, such as this U-turn at the end of the small dead end leading to Rondinara beach … Or the ascent – slow and careful – the queue of cars blocked by the interminable red light of Olmeto !

"New" to the RT – and the Adventure – the partially water-cooled Boxer has proven itself on the GS for a year now (read our, our, and our). Flexible and voluntary, the mill – air and water – accepts to descend without complaining below 2000 rpm on the first two reports.

On this 100% road version, the flat-twin is equipped with greater inertia masses of the crankshaft and the alternator, as well as a longer final transmission. Nevertheless, the RT retains the lively and catchy character of the "noufelle Gueesse" !

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