Presentation of the BMW R 1150 RT and K 1200 RS

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Presentation of the BMW R 1150 RT and K 1200 RS

Element of surprise

They had to stay outside at the Intermot trade fair in Munich, and only at the start of the season did BMW shock with the renovated sales hits K 1200 RS and R 1150 RT.

Now all of Bavaria is rehearsing the Beckenbauer. Yes, it’s?? because today? Christmas? But unlike Emperor Franz, who is one of the extremely active Christmas men with his cell phone and otherwise, the BMW superiors kept a safe distance from the festival of love and sent their surprise packages in the rather joyless time between New Year’s Eve and Carnival. Exactly on January 12th, a program hit the MOTORRAD editorial team that even insiders had expected in late summer at the earliest and which was therefore all the more excited: first photos and information on the facelifted K 1200 RS and the thoroughly rolled-up R 1150 RT.

After the GS has benefited enormously from the 1150 engine and its six-speed gearbox since 1999 and the roadster was presented with this engine at the Intermot, it was to be expected that the traditional touring boxer would also enjoy this pleasure. At some point. After all, it is not enough to simply hang the larger engine in the old landing gear. The gearbox is longer, the swing arm is correspondingly shorter? and that calls for a modified framework. Be that as it may, it has now happened that the beneficial effects of the torque that is higher over a very wide range (see graphic on page 16) and of the sixth gear, which is designed as overdrive, are also finding their way into the touring steamer. In view of the aerodynamic qualities of the RT, the fact that the maximum output increases by five hp at the same time cannot bother anyone. When the going gets tough, it now pushes it a touch faster over the track, according to the manufacturer with 200 instead of 196 km / h.

Much more important for a tourer is the passage. In absolute terms, it shouldn’t improve as significantly as with the GS, because the ?? on top of that translated longer? At 279, RT carries around 30 kilograms more than its Stollen sister. But in relative terms, time will also be saved here. Incidentally, the increased displacement by 45 to 1130 cm3 contributes less to the increase in torque than the modified exhaust system (?????). In sixth gear, which is good for xx kilometers per hour per thousand crankshaft revolutions, nobody should expect miracles. As with the GS, this gear stage is reserved for cultured strolling or expressways, where the low speeds are supposed to provide a very surprising gain in comfort and significantly lower consumption.

RT 1100 owners can already praise that a high level of driver comfort also guarantees a good average mileage. So that this song sounds even happier in the near future, buyers of the successor will not only get a hydraulically operated clutch with a three-way adjustable handle, but also a seat with a refined contour and upholstery. Thanks to this bench, the seat height, which remains unchanged in three levels, increases from a maximum of 820 to 845 millimeters, so that from now on even the lower leg flexion angle should be suitable for relaxed tours. Smaller contemporaries should be reassured at this point: the old bench with a seat height of at least 780 millimeters remains in the range as an accessory.

The well-bedded crew is protected by a disguise that is still expansive, but clearly more dynamic in appearance. Even high-ranking BMW employees have long admitted that the old RT front end is somewhat reminiscent of small cars. And named the unadorned headlight as the main suspect. As far as that goes, the new RT clearly points towards the modern age, because first of all it now has a nicely shaped clear glass chandelier. Which is now en vogue, so it goes without saying. Second, however, it houses two integrated fog lights behind the nifty window. What has never existed before, but has haunted true and real motorcycle tourists for generations? the additional lamps screwed onto the crash bars of many a two-valve BMW herald this. There the light show fulfills at least a similar purpose as permanently carried aluminum suitcases with travel enduros: Look here, if I wanted, I could go to the end of the world. Even to the end of the Eifel or other fog holes. Now the MOTORRAD testers are really excited to see what the RT headlights, which are placed quite high, will bring in heavy rain or fog.

The adjustable windshield was undoubtedly useful. And will it stay that way? also in the face-lifted upper part of the RT fairing. With the overall presentation of this BMW that point has been reached where Emperor Franz always emphasizes with regard to his cell phones that the basic fee is exempt. scho ?? inside. So serial additions. In the present case, the following should be mentioned: regulated catalytic converter as with every BMW, suitcase including carrier, driver information display, socket, main stand … Or the other way around: heated grips, cassette radio, cylinder protection, theft warning, a few small things and? ? from soon ?? Navigation systems cost extra. However, the BMW basic fee for driving RT is proud ….. Marks, … more than before.

To describe this additional price as moderate is easy insofar as the new RT already comes up with the BMW Integral ABS, which has also been announced since the Intermot, but initially only for the K 1200 LT. In the fully integral version in which both foot and hand levers activate all three disc brakes. The whole thing too? and for the first time in motorcycle construction ?? in combination with brake booster and load-dependent brake force distribution. The latter is particularly interesting for tourers, because the rear wheel can brake much more strongly when fully loaded than under a solo rider. In addition to the new ABS, improved Brembo brakes have been given to the front wheel, with a larger disc diameter and new pliers and pads. They rotate in lighter five-spoke aluminum wheels, the rear was ?? also with regard to current and more powerful tire types ?? changed the dimension from 4.50 x 18 inches to 5.00 x 17 inches. Otherwise the landing gear remained untouched. Nevertheless, we can speak of a new RT overall.

With the adjective revised, however, BMW’s touring flagship, the K 1200 RS, has to be modest. It builds on the familiar components for both the chassis and the engine, but is already benefiting from Integral ABS. In contrast to the R 1150 RT, however, the modern stop device is used here in a partially integral way, which means that only the rear brake is activated when the foot pedal is pressed. The hand lever, however, is connected to all three discs. This shape is intended to serve the more sporty BMW models, which firstly makes sense because committed pilots really don’t count among the foot brakes. And second, because they like to correct their course with the brake pedal in brisk corners.

A.The K fairing also has a new upper part, albeit with a less conspicuous facelift than the RT: The area of ​​the windshield, which is still adjustable in two stages, has grown by 20 percent and is a little higher, the oil cooler has disappeared behind a BMW kidney grille, and the arm of the Turn signals moved down. Little happened behind the new plastic skin, but because BMW lowered the driver’s footrests by three centimeters and the previously optional comfort handlebars are now installed as standard, the RS is moving even more towards touring. Do you need cruise control as an extra? We’ll see.

The most important changes: BMW R 1150 RT

Engine: Displacement increased by 45 to 1130 cm3, compression increased from 10.7: 1 to 11.3: 1, conversion to Bosch Motronic MA 2.4, exhaust system with xxL large front silencer Gearbox: installation of the one from the R 1100 S and R 1150 GS well-known six-speed gearbox, sixth gear designed as a speed-lowering overdrive, better shiftability than with the five-speed gearbox due to the lower speed of the primary shaftBrake: BMW Integral ABS with brake booster and load-dependent brake force control in fully integrated design Chassis: Lighter aluminum wheels, rear with 17 instead of 18 inch diameter Equipment: clear-glass headlights with two integrated fog lights, ergonomically improved driver’s seat, optional navigation system

The most important changes: BMW K 1200 RS

Brakes: BMW Integral ABS in a partially integral version, front brake discs enlarged from 305 to 320 millimeters, improved brake calipers and pads Equipment: wider and higher windshield with a total area increased by 20 percent, slimmer paneling with consistently good weather protection also for the hands and forearms Driver, comfort handlebars, driver footrests lowered by 30 and passenger footrests by 20 millimeters, optional cruise control available

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