BMW Erlkonig

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BMW Erlkonig

motorcycles

Tourer

BMW Erlkonig

BMW Erlkonig
Who rides so late …

BMW’s touring boxers have been making their way for over a quarter of a century, since the R 100 RT in 1978. The R 1200 RT will soon continue this tradition. Not as a legendary figure, but very real.

Thomas Schmieder

11/03/2004

Who rides so late through night and wind? It’s the RT, it rides quickly … This is how many observers thought that a monstrous black touring motorcycle recently passed on rain-soaked motorways. Erlkonige for sure, BMW R 1200 RT, escape in a tail of spray. The camouflaged test vehicles face the adversities of the local traffic reality after prototypes had rolled over the sunny streets of Tenerife in winter.
MOTORRAD presented the first Erlkonig photos in issue 6/2004. At the moment the tests seem to be going into a very intensive phase. Speed ​​is of the essence because the machine should be available for purchase in the first half of 2005. Then, after four successful years, the R 1150 RT will go all earthly. Although she is currently the most successful tourer of all classes in Germany with twelfth place among new sales.
Not an easy inheritance for the successor. For the time being she is still hiding her face anxiously, but it is worth catching a glimpse of her camouflage suit. For example on the mighty front with the newly integrated rear-view mirrors and a new double headlight. An important development goal was even better wind and weather protection thanks to the wide cladding, at least in the upper area. In addition, the disc grew, its height and, coupled with it, its inclination can be adjusted electrically. Possibly the lower half will be tinted and so fit better into the appearance.
In the best BMW tradition, the
RT in the acoustic wind tunnel optimized for good wind slippage and low noise development. So that you can also hear it when the wind rustles in the dry leaves. The search for good aerodynamics is borne out by the curved, symmetrical suitcases on the elegant rear end: They are now painted and more integrated into the vehicle, and both suitcases probably swallow a full-face helmet without any problems. If that’s not enough, you can use the airy, stylish luggage rack.
Ergonomics has traditionally been a strength-
ke the RT, MOTORRAD editor-in-chief Michael Pfeiffer tore off 3000 kilometers in 48 hours with the 1150 in a comparatively relaxed manner (issue 17/2003). In this respect, Goethe’s poem (Reaches the court with effort and hardship …) does not apply to this Erlkonig. Two-person operation
enjoys high priority during the test drives, not just for father and son. At least in the front area, the two-part bench will be height-adjustable. Clear larger bulges on the dummy tank and front panel
long legs take up more space than before.
The touring bull will be brought up to speed by the 1170 cm3 boxer engine of the GS. Its balancer shaft with the rough vibrations should also be the main point of criticism of the bis-
Eliminate previous RT: And if you are not willing, I need violence. In addition to running smoothness, the new boxer with more stroke and lower moving masses clearly increases punch and revving.
The “old” RT already had 95 hp, ten more than the 1150 GS. Since the 1200 travel enduro harnesses 98 or 100 horses, the new RT should be good for 110 hp, and a 98 hp version will be available as an option. More power means less weight. In addition to the slimmed-down engine, the lighter gearbox with adapted gear ratios, the simplified cardan construction and the more delicate frame construction all contribute to this.
If you assume a reduction of up to 25 kilograms, as with the GS, then there are still a good five hundredweight left of the previous 281 kilograms. That would be a great value in this class. A Yamaha FJR 1300 A weighs 283 kilograms, a Honda Pan European even its 326. Many motorcycle travelers may look forward to what Erlenkonig quietly promises me.

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