Touring BMW R 1200 RT

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BMW R 1200 RT Touring test

From southern Spain to southern Germany

From Almeria to Alemania, from southern Spain to southern Germany. Test editor Thomas Schmieder experienced around 2500 kilometers in the sheltered saddle of the new, water-cooled BMW R 1200 RT. It was his grandmother’s fault…

Dear Omma, I have just come back from a great trip from Spain. I owe you: BMW wanted a completely new one R. 1200 RT present, the big "touring tourer" with fat full fairing, easy-care cardan and standard suitcases. RTs have been around since 1978. You may know as a police motorcycle. They are great tourers. I like to drive. That’s why I said to my test boss Gert Thole: “Well, my grandmother is still driving home from southern Spain with such an RT.” And then my boss only said: “Okay, then you go, but not your grandmother! “He probably thought:“ It’s pretty stupid, it can get really cold at the end of January. ”And then he made that clear with BMW. Well, that’s it. A man a word. So I flew to Almería to test drive the new BMW R 1200 RT there. Then I quickly emailed the driving report to the editorial office over the weekend. That’s why MOTORRAD 4/2014 already says that the new BMW can do a lot, drives really well.

BMW R 1200 RT Touring test

From southern Spain to southern Germany

Tires for the BMW R 1200 RT

For a tourer, the twin offers superior dynamics

Blue sky, warm wind rustled through green palm fronds on the white beach. Spring! The on-board thermometer showed 18 ° C. The dream of driving. Belongs only to yourself. When there is only a piece of road between you and the future. Always north. The navigation system of the BMW R 1200 RT showed 2066 kilometers of direct route home. It costs extra, sits flush above the two round clocks for the speedometer and tachometer. You see, some of the tried and tested are retained. Like the boxer.

You know, these are the engines, where the cylinders peek out on the left and right. BMW Builds since 1923. Older than you! For the first time in 90 years, cooling water and a gasoline-air mixture flow through the engine from top to bottom instead of from back to front. The new 125 PS boxer pushes ahead with confidence even in the lower rev range. According to BMW, it should have more power than the good old air-cooled engine at any speed. From 2500 revolutions per minute always over 100 Newton meters, maximum 125.

Tourer

BMW R 1200 RT in the driving report

New water boxer in the touring galaxy

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All used offers: BMW R 1200 RT

Raumgleiter is a real curve artist

When idling, the boxer bubbles and hums discreetly. The large, chrome-plated silencer is not intrusive even when it is turned off. Only more robust. In addition, from four or five thousand, it roars hammering out of the air filter box. The flywheel mass of the crankshaft and alternator, which is larger than that of the GS, fits perfectly with the BMW R 1200 RT. It soothes, lets the engine run smoother and smoother at low speeds. You can feel pulsing in the thin handles, but your hands never fall asleep. For a tourer, the twin offers superior dynamics. Hui, he goes off at the traffic light sprint! Get out of the beautiful city of Almería, with its Moorish castle high up, into pleasure.

Somewhere behind the sea, behind the horizon is Africa. But there is also desert here. Through the karst landscape around
Tabernas and Sorbas wind their way through picture-perfect asphalt. The Lord God threw curves on the hills here, simply amazing. It is in its element, the BMW R 1200 RT. The engine purrs satisfied. The perfectly balanced tourer swings back and forth easily. The space glider is a real curve artist! The lengthwise crankshaft makes it easy to use. The BMW R 1200 RT carries me lively through the hairpin bends, sailing so wonderfully light-footed and precisely through the corners. A dream.

Left hook, right hook, then the straight line. Intermediate sprints put you in a good mood. The BMW R 1200 RT follows the desired line directly and predictably. And the commands on the electronically queried throttle. The "Road" mode is perfect. Then there’s "Rain" for rain, where the 1170 cubic two-cylinder responds more gently. And in which traction control and ABS intervene earlier to prevent slides or even falls. You see, everything is so beautiful nowadays. There is also the "Dynamic" mode for an extra charge. But it seems almost too aggressive for a tourer, with progressive throttle response and later intervening control systems.

BMW R 1200 RT drove better loaded than unloaded

Speaking of which: the "Dynamic" mode also includes a new hill start-up aid. Later, a steep bridge on the Mar Menor salt lake was perfect test terrain for this. Works great. If you pull the brake lever hard while the engine is running, the integral brake will hold the rear stopper shut. Then you can let go without the BMW R 1200 RT rolling away. Until you shift into first gear and start with a little more gas.

If you get lost (the GPS has gaps in Spanish cities): A turning circle of just 5.30 meters is damn little for such a touring steamer. Without luggage, the brand new tires, Michelin Pilot Road 4 2CT, still had a tendency to suddenly tip over further in tight corners. In addition, little feedback from the rear 180 tire was irritating. Felt like the carcass was too soft. Strangely, the BMW R 1200 RT drove better when loaded, with maximum air pressure (2.5 / 2.9 cold). She wants to go on a trip! Like me.

You know, in moments like this you want to hug the world because life is so wonderful and the stress is so far away. The almond trees are in bloom early this year. Great to be out and about. Just like in Cartagena. The stylish harbor promenade invites you to stroll. Let’s go again, the expanded is waiting. It’s amazing what the semi-active ESA landing gear is pulling out. Long waves, deep potholes, it doesn’t matter. Front and rear suspension travel sensors notice the rapid immersion or immersion (also when braking and accelerating) and then increase the damping. It’s fantastic how the 282 kilo BMW can be guided through the bustle of Valencia with centimeter precision when fully fueled. The card-driven rear wheel rolls roughly on hard edges in or on the asphalt, for example in the case of "rumble strips" to prevent falling asleep. Otherwise, the RT is a real sedan.

No need to clutch when upshifting

The last evening. I’m in the Dalí town of Figueres, but unfortunately I don’t have time for the world-famous museum: already dawdling too much. Just one more day, the boss is waiting. So now a good 1050 kilometers of motorway in a row. Child’s play. It’s relaxed, entertaining and protected. Fast too. A lot of overtaking prestige could be due to the LED eyes around the two high beams. With the “Multi-Controller” wheel on the left of the handlebars, you can control the navigation system and the audio system (1000 euros extra). Really, you can listen to the radio while driving. In the front panel of the BMW R 1200 RT (at BMW it is called “body”) there is a new pair of boxes with a bass reflex tube and two lockable, waterproof compartments for small items, such as toll tickets. The “Agde” exit races past where you used to be on vacation.

Again and again it was said to overtake the same truck, full to the brim with oranges or tomatoes, because you lose a lot of time when refueling and at toll booths. Wroop, wroop, wroop, with "Shift Assistant Pro" you don’t have to use the clutch when shifting up. Simply hold the e-gas open and push the gear lever up. Power on, but is dispensable on a tourer. Furthermore, even downshifting without a clutch is allowed. You have to close the throttle fully beforehand. You have to concentrate on it, almost reconditioning it. Works better at medium to high speeds. In the partial load range, the BMW R 1200 RT is more likely to jolt. Like every time when first gear is engaged, of course with a handle for the smooth, hydraulically operated clutch. Kalonk does it then. Like in old times.

A motorcycle that won’t freeze you in winter

Since Tarragona the sky has been getting darker. The tires stick well even in the rain. Now it’s getting really cold. But I didn’t even notice, but waited for the ice warning to come on at 3 ° C. But it was burning the whole time – white instead of yellow as expected. Wow, a motorcycle that you won’t freeze on in winter. Hands and buttocks keep heated grips (standard) and seat heating (extra) cozy and warm in five internships. Even the torso, feet and knees do not cool down. Sensational. Only noticed the cold at the gas station: visor on – and suddenly it shivers. But when driving on it got warm again. Honestly true. Will the BMW R 1200 RT roast you in summer? Let’s see.

Through the rush hour in Lyon it went right through. Later, on German autobahns, the BMW R 1200 RT demonstrated great accuracy, and that with real 225 things according to GPS. The speedometer reports 235 km / h. I felt more comfortable in such fast corners with a lower disc. Then shoulders and helmet get wind, but without turbulence. When there is heavenly peace and quiet, I could still listen to music up to a tempo of 130, with my visor open. But be careful: the slight suction you feel can lead to a stiff neck in the long run – a scarf is still a must.

No swinging, no stirring, nothing

There is nothing to complain about when it comes to the straight line and the sleepwalking directional stability of the BMW R 1200 RT. No swinging, no stirring, nothing. Okay, in long curves you notice minimal movement in the completely new chassis as a sensitive nature. At 130 km with a lot of speed 170 in between, she took 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers. At a constant 120 it’s 5.5 liters according to BMW. Then there would even be a range of around 450 kilometers. The bottom doesn’t need a break beforehand. You can stand it for hours on the comfortable seat. And even reaches the ground safely at just 1.71 meters. Seat height: 81 centimeters. In no time it is two centimeters more raised. That fits. For taller drivers, like Uncle Gunther, there is a 2.5 centimeter higher bench. And for smaller ones an equally deeper one. BMW thinks of everyone.

You always said: “The world is going to ruin elegantly. ”That fits exactly with RT. The fully equipped costs a mere 21,000 euros. Sip. Sure, you could get going with a used XJ 900 for 1500 euros, but that can’t be compared. After all, the new boxer didn’t need a drop of oil on the entire tour. Almost like a Japanese. Great what? Sincerely, your Thomas.

Technical specifications

Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, two overhead camshafts, four valves, injection, Ø 52 mm, G-Kat, multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, cardan, bore / stroke 101.0 x 73.0 mm, displacement 1170 cm³, power 92.0 kW (125 PS) at 7750 / min, torque 125 Nm at 6500 / min, load-bearing engine-gearbox combination, telescopic fork, Ø 37 mm, two-joint single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper, ABS, cast aluminum wheels, 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17, wheelbase 1485 mm, steering head angle 63.6 degrees, caster 116 mm, spring travel 120/136 mm, seat height 805–825 mm, weight 282 kg, tank capacity 25 liters, price of base / test motorcycle: 16,990 / 21,140 euros.

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