All Tests – Long-distance test: 1500 km in duo with the R1200RT – R 1200 RT in duo: engine and dynamic behavior

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Long-distance test: 1500 km in duo with the R1200RT

All Tests - Long-distance test: 1500 km in duo with the R1200RT - R 1200 RT in duo: engine and dynamic behavior

Winner of all our reviews, the R 1200 RT embodies BMW’s mastery in the road bike category. But what is it really worth over the long haul, loaded and in duo? After 1,500 km shot in a few days, MNC delivers its verdict. Test !

R 1200 RT duo: engine and dynamic behavior

This is the strong point of the BMW R 1200 RT: despite its mass and volumes, it offers agility and precision allowing dynamic driving. In this, it stands out from its rivals, which are often equally well equipped and comfortable, but much less manoeuvrable and rigorous..

This characteristic is due to its excellent tubular frame, its low center of gravity and its relatively low weight for this category. Admittedly, its 274 kg are not a "small task", but they nevertheless prove to be much less "sucker" than the 292 kg of the, the 301 kg of the, the 305 kg of the, not to mention the 329 kg of the. the !

Add to that an excellent turning radius (5m38 measured to make a U-turn) and perfect balance from the lowest speeds, and you have a "big" motorcycle surprisingly easy to ride, even loaded and in duo. With a little practice, driving in the city turns out to be a formality … only marred by its width of nearly one meter (983 mm for mirrors, 985 mm for suitcases).

In terms of damping, the optional ESA Dynamic (€ 770 purchased alone) is very convincing to face the different conditions since it allows to vary the hydraulic laws of the suspensions from Soft (soft) to Hard (hard) d ‘a simple rotation of the Multicontroler. Very efficient and practical, especially to spare the passenger on a bumpy portion !

On the other hand, with the ESA set in duo, the shock absorber loses its progressiveness on small bumps due to the significant increase in preload. If your guest is not too heavy and the luggage lightly loaded, prefer the intermediate mode "solo-with suitcases", with smoother operation.

Articulated around Brembo 4-piston front calipers (with avia hoses), the braking is adjustable and perfectly calibrated for its functions. The power is not lacking, even two, especially as the front is combined with the rear. Thanks to the Telelever and the suspensions that are both soft and rigorous, mass transfers under braking are extremely reduced, a very pleasant parameter for the passenger.

With the ESA set to the harshest, the R1200RT even gives the impression of moving "flat", without diving under braking or sitting on the back under acceleration. The best to let go without sweating in a succession of turns, especially as the limits of the ground clearance are quite high for the category.

In terms of mechanical performance, the "Fleet-twin" has many qualities expected of a road bike. Very flexible, it is for example able to resume without hiccuping in 4th at 50 km / h, two with weapons and luggage.

Willful and lively from 3000 rpm, this 1170 cc engine has much less inertia than the old "air-oil" version, as well as a lower overturning torque. Its stimuli are sturdy and without downtime up to 6,000 rpm, before gradually stagnating around 8,000 rpm. Either a sacred operating range, ideal for winding two without "knitting" the selector !

And that’s good, because the selection of the R1200RT is not exactly a model of smoothness and speed, besides being quite loud. Breaking down your movements carefully at each gear change is essential to avoid "telescoping" of helmets with the passenger. Fortunately, the smooth and precise clutch makes it easier to exercise !

Another possible source of jerks not appreciated by the guest: the cruise control. Installed as an option at 325 €, this device lacks softness when it is deactivated (by touching the brake or the accelerator). As the throttle grip returns to zero when the regulator is engaged – which is part of the reason for the jerk when it’s off – the trick is to go around the throttle and then lightly brake from behind to disengage it smoothly..

Finally, a last word concerning consumption: at 140 km / h odometer (134 km / h in GPS) on more than 300 km of motorway, MNC recorded a consumption of 6.53 l / 100 km in duo loaded, with the windshield in the high position. On a mixed course (a little town and a lot of secondary network), the BMW sipped a very honest 6.26 l / 100 km in ride mode..

Solo and empty luggage, MNC even went down to a very satisfactory 5.21 l / 100 km by taking secondary roads and a few expressways, without hurrying or dragging himself along the way. A result worthy of a (much) smaller displacement !

Enough to confirm the status of queen of the road of the R1200RT, whose only "big" defect lies in its price, not necessarily high at the outset (18,400 €) but very quickly elitist with the essential options such as the ESA and the sound system. Thus, the version tested here was close to 23,100 € (details of the options in the "Conditions and route" at the top right).

For this price, MNC would have liked to be offered a reverse gear, much more useful – given the weight of the beast – than the Pro shifter (up and down gears without disengaging) or the hill start control assistant "Hill Start Control "available … optional, naturlich !

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