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With its liquid-cooled Boxer engine, BMW has offered itself a small revolution, upsetting many decades of Bavarian flat. This engine, which initially appeared on the 1200 GS, is naturally fitted to all the R models in the range.. But from there to revive the RS, it was a surprise.
Behème thus once again offers a machine with a sport-GT trend in its catalog. Or rather, a dynamic road. A motorcycle a little more impertinent than the RT, more frivolous for cutting the road, without pretending to rub shoulders with the guns of this category in decline, such as the VFR 800 and the ex 1050 Sprint, GSX-F 750 or ST3. You have to go back almost 10 years to find an RS in the range, with an 1150 hanging from its letters. His descendants were called R 1200 ST, and his career was … ephemeral. Its ambiguous face, and above all its indecipherable Cyclops lighthouse, have put a lot of lead in its image. Time has passed, the profiles have harmonized, and the horses have asserted themselves. 30 more units between two generations of RS.
BMW has learned the lessons of offbeat styling. Today, the RS no longer has a crooked face. Its silhouette defends a Sport-GT posture, with opulent and dynamic forms, the face of a big mischievous mouse, a strong thorax and a more airy rear. The pilot is seated in the same spirit: tilted a little forward, just to better feel the front end and the road, slightly sport-oriented ergonomics but without sacrificing comfort. In short, it wants to travel light, and no need for instructions to understand that it wants to play.
The R 1200 RS allows itself a little nod to its distant hypersport cousin, with the adoption of transparent deflectors on the rear of the fork crown. These “winglets” are in the same vein as those of the old S 1000 RR and are supposed to play an aerodynamic role to protect the kidneys. To enjoy while driving. Here, by the way, this Reise Sport, how she sees it on the road with her latest 1170 cc ?
For its return, the RS is entitled to a very modern twin, but also to a new frame, designed for it and its desires. A tubular steel assembly, faithful to the R philosophy and using the engine as a supporting element. This block is now widely established in the BMW range and we have seen it well: liquid cooling for the heads and part of the cylinders, separate 6-speed gearbox, multi-disc clutch in oil bath; a nice little technological break with the old Boxer. With its sport profile, anyone would think that a little extra horse trim would be present. Lost ! The R 1200 RS produces 125 horsepower, like all the girlfriends with the same mill, with 12.7 mkg of torque. However, with its air box and its specific silencer, the boiler slightly inflates its torque curve at low speeds compared to the GS and RT. And then, we always have at least 10 mkg of torque on hand. No problem for vigorous revivals and forgetting the 236 kilos of the RS. BMW could have made an effort on the regime, even if this weight is within the standards of the category.
Sporty and road, endowed with sufficient power, this phoenix of a dynasty was not modernized only by the style and the engine. The electronic siding, overflowing at will and more, took hold of her. ABS, ASC, DTC, riding modes, Keyless Ride, ESA Dynamic … The R 1200 RS can even be fitted with the Shifter Pro, a refinement reserved for competition machines so recently. It allows you to up or down gears without touching the clutch. We open with a kick of the boot, and the thrust is continuous without breaking the load. When decelerating, the system itself manages the little gas to drop the gears smoothly.
Let’s go back to the previous technical names, just to refresh the ground a little. As standard, the RS comes with anti-lock braking, anti-skid ASC and two steering modes; a Road to combine performance and comfort, a softer Rain accel.
Now, let’s go through the options box, as usual in Bavaria. With Pro Modes, ASC is replaced by the more efficient DTC traction control. Two driving modes are added: a Dynamic to exploit the sporting side, a User so that the pilot can adjust the DTC and the response to acceleration.
The Keyless ride is centralized condemnation; we have already seen the Shifter Pro, let’s move on to the ESA Dynamic suspensions. Appeared recently and set to become widespread everywhere, this controlled damping system allows the machine to adjust itself. Thanks to a slew of sensors and electric valves, the bike constantly reads the road and the behavior of the rider then adapts the suspensions optimally in an instant. The system takes into account the Steering mode chosen to be more or less firm.
Here, let’s stay on the suspensions; especially the front. Do you see something wrong?!? Wouldn’t that be an inverted fork there? Nothing exceptional you will tell me. They are found everywhere, from sports to roadsters and even some customs. But here we are at BM, pegged to its Telelever for decades. Paf! Another feature that jumps out. Well, it gives a sporty character, and it allows to discreetly cram the water radiator. And then, the 45 mm in diameter, it gives you a front end, especially when the brand says that the engineers were inspired by the S 1000 RR. Between the engine and the rear wheel is the traditional Paralever Evo, faithful, efficient and perpetuating the behemian version of the single-sided and universal joint..
Ten years ago, the RS and ST were left with 4-piston axial calipers on 320mm tracks. The R 1200 RS retains the same dimensions but the calipers have become radial and branded Brembo. Seriousness, complemented by a 276mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper and disconnectable ABS. The design of the 17 “rims is modeled on those of the Munich hypersport, shod with 120 and 180.
Behind the cockpit, there is a BMW universe, technological … practical? In front, there is an adjustable windshield in two positions. Below, the dashboard marks its modernity. A large digital window completed by a needle dial. Cool, we can see the regime in the blink of an eye …… Ah well no, wrong, it’s for the speed. The plan is in the form of a bar graph or in full figures. Two display styles are available, in a space that seems too small to us. Readability risks leaving, but the instrumentation is very complete and largely informed by the on-board computer. As an option (again), a Pro computer offers additional controls, for the anti-theft device (option), indicate when to change gear to drive economy, a service indicator, control daytime running lights … the list of all the electronic possibilities of this R 1200 RS are spinning; or migraine, as desired.
The return of the RS is most promising, with very cool design and tech galore. BMW perpetuates an idea of style all its own with the possibility of embedding daytime running lights in the middle of the front. With or without, the face of the R 1200 RS is harmonious – this is to be noted. Bringing new life to the sporty road class, it can seriously boast of its vigorous flatbed twin and the dynamism that it will not fail to want to prove. Lots of electronic gadgets are standard or optional, but why did we not think about immediately putting elements of good quality about the claims of this machine?!? The heated handles, the suitcase racks, the central stand, it should be in the specifications, not in that of the Redoute.
Seeing it, it’s hard to believe that it is largely derived from the R 1200 R roadster – the exercise of transitioning to the road in vigorous mode is appreciable and successful. Note that between the “base” decoration and the “Style 2”, the differences are not limited to the colors but also to the grafting of an engine guard and a golden layer on the brake calipers. Travel is Sporty, the RS wants it so.
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Opinion
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Replaces
R 1200 RS 2015
Model marketed in
2015
2016
2017
2018
Performances
-
Max speed:
200 km / h -
Acceleration
0 to 100: 3.30 s -
Consumption
medium: 5.50 l
The technical aspect
BMW R 1200 RS 2016
- Frame
- Frame: Steel tube trellis with carrier motor
- Tank: 18 liters
- Seat height: 820 mm
- Length: 2,203 mm
- Width: 998 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,530 mm
- Weight in running order: 236 kg
- Train before
- Telehydraulic inverted fork Ø 45 mm, deb: 140 mm
- 2 discs Ø 320 mm, Brembo 4 piston radial calipers
- Front wheel:
120/70
– 17
- Transmission
- 6-speed gearbox
- secondary by cardan
- Rear axle
- Paralever Evo monoshock and single arm, deb: 140 mm
- 1 disc Ø 276 mm, 2 piston caliper
- Rear wheel:
180/55
– 17
- Motor
- Twin cylinder
flat
, 4 stroke - Cooling: Air and water cooling
- Injection Ø 52 mm
- 2 ACT
- 4 valves per cylinder
-
1170 cc
(101 x 73 mm) -
125
ch
at 7,750 rpm -
12.70 mkg
at 6500 rpm - Crit’air:
Detached pieces
exhaust
motor
fluid
electricity
filtration
braking
chain kit
Competitors
2016 Honda VFR 800 F
Gallery
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