All Tests – 2014 BMW R1200RT Test: Long live the queen! – Lots of new features … optional

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2014 BMW R1200RT test: long live the queen !

All Tests - 2014 BMW R1200RT Test: Long live the queen! - Lots of new features ... optional

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.

Loads of new features … optional

The German twin’s soundtrack remains flattering, especially when listened to from the outside and without headphones. But the "fleet-twin" backfires less when decelerating in the turns, and has the good taste to be more discreet at constant speed on the RT than on the – more and more – sporty GS.

Completely new, the one-piece tubular frame is more rigid than the old frame and incorporates the anchoring of the Telelever and Paralever. However, the dimensions of the R1200RT have hardly changed: same wheelbase, same caster and open angle of 0.2 ° (see the technical sheet at the end of the article).

On the handlebars, this translates into behavior at least as lively as that of the old R1200RT, despite the weight gain! The handling of the RT is remarkable … especially, it is true, when stepping down from the GS Adventure !

With ESA Dynamic set to "Soft", the suspensions offer remarkable comfort. They smooth out the slightest bumps in the road and absorb speed bumps without flinching, even at 30 km / h regulations. A real "treadmill"…

Driving the R1200RT is all the more zen as its rider can benefit from the services of a "Pro Shifter", as found on sports motorcycles! Better, this "option ex works"allows not only to up the gears but also to lower them without touching the clutch lever.

When accelerating, the throttle remains open – wide! – while in the deceleration phase, it must be suitably closed to let the electronics take control: the motorbike alone gives the gas "which goes well" to engage the lower gear.

"In terms of technical operation, a sensor located on the output shaft of the gearbox detects the pilot’s wish to shift into a gear and triggers the help by the shifter", details the manufacturer."The driveline load is reduced by a targeted increase or decrease in engine torque, so that the target gear claws can engage as if the clutch were actuated".

A dry suspicion – we have to find some faults in this bike … – the gear selection takes place very simply and quickly. Some jerks and mass transfers may appear during downshifting when the engine is running fast, but on normal speeds it is a success. We are not very far from the automatic R1200RT !

On the braking side, we could imagine, the results are very good. At the front, it is even impeccable since the calipers – radially mounted marked "Brembo", bitte schon! – provide adequate bite and optimal dosage. The power is very impressive: enough to torture the Michelin Pilot Road 4…

The rear brake – combined with the front, but not vice versa – also effectively slows the beast. We only regret that the feel of the pedal is too hard to be perfectly dosable. On slippery surfaces, the ABS can intervene earlier than expected, but without disturbing driving, fortunately.

To have fun in the winding, it is advisable to brake the hydraulics of the suspensions: a little more rigorous in "Normal" than in "Soft", the R1200T equipped with the ESA becomes much more so by selecting "Hard" . We then benefit from a more precise front axle which encourages arousal.

Attention, it is not easy at the beginning to navigate in the menus of the on-board computer while driving … It is even impossible – or too reckless – to do it on the small Corsican roads. Better to wait for the next straight line, even if it means letting the fellow travelers take off !

By keeping the "Soft" setting, the RT nods too nonchalantly and crashes too much when relaunching – more muscular than in 2010! – to be perfectly effective, even reassuring. Stability in large curves is therefore greatly improved by adopting the "Hard" setting.

The "Dynamic" mode of the engine this time, which is activated via the "Mode" button on the right stalk, brings an additional touch of sportiness. Responses to requests from the right grip are notably faster, without being jerky..

BMW persists and its customers (re) sign

Developing 125 horsepower in the free world, the engine is particularly well restricted. Its astonishing length does not frustrate the French biker, who will be happy to surprise, in turn, these friends in roadsters or sports cars who thought they would make short work of this big GT…

On the highway, the same accomplices will be copiously jealous of the owner of the R1200RT. By raising his electric bubble by half, the RTiste – nothing to do with a RMiste … – already isolates himself correctly from the wind. Raised to the maximum, the bubble deflects the air above the helmet and completely protects the shoulders. Only the strongest should afford the "comfort" bubble.

The unpleasant "push in the back" feeling sometimes felt behind large windshields is quite negligible on this RT. Also good: unlike the 2010 version, the 2014 R1200RT no longer tickles your hands around 110 km / h !

The rubber of the footrests still filters out vibrations sensitive to acceleration beyond 5000 rpm, when the engine raises the tone. And it offers sure support, which doesn’t give the unpleasant impression of putting your boots on jelly….

The insulation of the bubble also allows to enjoy the new audio device and its effectively improved bass. The Boxer’s discretion is also appreciable on this point … Passengers (-ers) will also prefer to travel on the RT rather than on the GS: less sound, it also offers an even better seat..

The regulator – optional – set to 100 km / h "counter" (93 km / h on the GPS), the pilot traces the route without ever getting tired or bored. But another gadget, which Site has reserved for you at the end, can also make life easier for the frequent traveler….

"World novelty", boasts BMW, the hill start aid is intended to facilitate this maneuver, especially when the motorcycle is"fully loaded". To activate this assistance, nothing could be simpler: when stationary – obviously – apply the front brake very firmly and watch for the rapid appearance of a small H (for" Hill Start Control ") on the panel.

On, this warning light indicates that the rear brake is locked and that the driver can now concentrate on the clutch and the throttle. The caliper automatically releases its grip when the motorcycle starts … or when the ignition is switched off: be careful, it is not therefore a parking brake !

Coming from the automobile where the management of the pedals requires more "skill" in these conditions, this aid is less useful on a motorcycle … At Site, we therefore largely preferred to play the shifter !

Only problem in returning the R1200RT to BMW Motorrad France: the question of the price, very high, especially in "Full". Displayed "from" € 18,200 (ABS, ASC, 2 engine modes included), the "Behème" can see its bill go up to € 20,590 by combining the three packs (see next page).

It can be further increased by adding, if necessary or as desired, a top case to move more freely in town, or the set of specific saddlebags so as not to dirty the interior of the guest room with suitcases while traveling, etc.

But given the scores of the latest generation of R1200GS on the, the all-new BMW R1200RT should meet its audience in 2014. Word of Site !

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