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BMW R1200RT

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BMW R1200RT
Biarritz blue BMW R1200RT motorcycle parked in front Polperro House at the Wisconsin Historical Society's Pendarvis historic site in Mineral Point.
ManufacturerBMW Motorrad
Productionsince 2005
PredecessorR1150RT
Engine1,170 cc, 2-cylinder, 8-valve boxer, air/oil cooled
Bore / stroke101 mm × 73 mm (4.0 in × 2.9 in)
Compression ratio12.0:1
Power81 kW (109 hp) @ 7,750 rpm[1]
Torque120 N⋅m (89 lbf⋅ft) @ 6,000 rpm[1]
Transmission6-speed, shaft drive
Frame typeLoad-bearing unit construction engine & gearbox, with front & rear subframes
SuspensionFront: BMW Telelever
Rear: BMW Paralever
BrakesBMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral)
Front: 4-piston EVO calipers with floating 320 mm discs
Rear: 2-piston floating caliper with single 265 mm disc
TiresFront: 120/70ZR17 on 3.50 x 17 rim
Rear: 180/55ZR17 on 5.50 x 17 rim
Cast aluminium wheels
Rake, trail63.4°, 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Wheelbase1,458 mm (57.4 in)
DimensionsL: 2,230 mm (88 in)
W: 905 mm (35.6 in)
H: 1,430 mm (56 in)
Seat heightAdjustable 820 to-[convert: unknown unit]
Low seat option: 780 to-[convert: unknown unit]
Weight229 kg (505 lb) (dry)
259 kg (571 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity25 L (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal)
RelatedR1200GS

The BMW R1200RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW Motorrad as a touring motorcycle designed to replace the R1150RT model.

History

Previous RT models, 1970s to 2004

Four separate pictures of different generations of motorcycle
Four generations of "RT" motorcycles from 1996 to the present

BMW Motorrad began manufacturing "RT" ((Reise-Tourer, or "travel tourer") touring motorcycle models in the late 1970s. The first of these were "airhead" models that continued BMW's long tradition dating to 1923 of producing "boxer" or opposed-twin engined motorcycles with unit engine-transmission construction and shaft final drive. A change occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R1100RT. The new machine included oil-cooling, standard ABS brakes, four-valve heads, 5 speed gearbox, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension, and an electrically adjustable screen.

In 2002, BMW launched the R1150RT, providing the same basic platform with increased engine capacity and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted ABS brakes, revised front lighting system and a 6 speed gearbox. This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two spark plugs per cylinder.

R1200RT - since 2005

The next version of the RT series arrived in 2005 with the introduction of the R1200RT[2]. The design of this model is completely different from the R1150RT with a 15% boost in power, 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving,[3][4] optional electronically adjustable suspension (ESA) and on-board computer. A low seat and/or a lowered suspension are available for shorter riders reducing seat height to a lowest level of 820 mm (32.3 in),[3] although the lowered suspension eliminates the ESA option. The standard electrically operated windscreen can be adjusted across a large range of heights. The servo powered ABS brakes on the 2005 and 2006 models are partially integrated such that the rear brake pedal only applies the rear brake while the front brake lever applies both brakes.

For the 2007 model year, servo assist has been removed from the partially integrated brakes. The new, more advanced ABS system is lighter and has been produced by Continental Teves, which also produces the optional Automatic Stability Control (ASC),[5] BMW's traction control system for motorcycles.[6] An electronic tire pressure monitor (TPM) was introduced as an option. During the production of the 2006 models the original two-tone horns were replaced by a single-tone horn. Other optional equipment includes cruise control, heated grips, heated seats for both the rider and passenger, and a CD/Radio audio system.

The BMW motorcycling community has dubbed the 1,200 cc version of the RT and BMW models with the same or similar engines as "hexhead" models, so named because of the shape of their valve covers compared to the oval shape of oilhead models.

With 110 hp (82 kW) and 85 ft⋅lbf (115 J) of torque, the R1200RT is suitable for long-distance touring carrying a rider and passenger and a full load of luggage; and is able to reach 135 mph (220 km/h) and do a standing quarter mile in 12.2 seconds.[4]

In November 2009, BMW announced some revisions to the R1200RT for the 2010 model year. The new model has the same horsepower, but more torque at 88 ft⋅lbf (119 J), a higher engine speed of 7,750 rpm, and double overhead camshafts borrowed from the BMW HP2 Sport.[7] There are some relatively minor styling changes and revisions to the screen and cockpit designs, switch gear, and location of the hydraulic fluid reservoirs.

Specifications

See information box for other specifications
Red BMW R1200RT motorcycle parked on a desert gravel road with a tall cactus in the background
The 2005 & 2006 R1200RT was available in Piedmont red
Closeup picture of the swingarm, rear wheel and rear brakes on a red BMW R1200RT motorcycle
BMW's Paralever rear swingarm

Engine

  • Type — Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer engine, one camshaft and four valves per cylinder, central compensation shaft
  • Mixture control / engine management — Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: BMW engine management, BMS-K with overrun fuel cut-off, dual ignition
  • Emission control — Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter

Performance / fuel consumption

  • Maximum speed — Greater than 125 mph (200 km/h)
  • Fuel consumption over 62 miles (100 km) course at a constant 56 mph (90 km/h) — 65 mpg‑US (3.6 L/100 km; 78 mpg‑imp)
  • Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 75 mph (121 km/h) — 49 mpg‑US (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg‑imp)
  • Fuel type — Unleaded premium, 95 or 98 octane (RON) with automatic knock control

Electrical system

  • Alternator — 720 watts 60 amperes three-phase alternator
  • Battery — 12 volts, 19 ampere-hours

Power transmission

  • Clutch — Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated
  • Gearbox — Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing

Chassis

  • Frame — Three-section frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine-gearbox unit
  • Front wheel location / suspension — BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central spring strut, rebound damping electronically adjustable with standard ESA
  • Rear wheel location / suspension — Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad EVO-Paralever; spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of electronically adjustable ESA, rebound damping with standard ESA
  • Travel front/rear — 4.72 inches (120 mm) / 5.31 inches (135 mm)

Dimensions / Weight

  • Permitted total weight — 1,091 lb (495 kg)
  • Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 lb (236 kg)
  • Fuel reserve — 4.0 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal)

Special models

Front view of a white BMW R1200RT with "Police" signage and emergency lighting
An R1200RT outfitted for police duty

The R1200RT-P is the successor to the R 1150 RT-P and is produced as a specific emergency services variant, also known as "authority" model, by BMW Motorrad's Official and special duty vehicles division. In addition, a unique R900RT model is produced for this market, which is not available to the general public. BMW bikes have been popular with United Kingdom police forces in the past and many chose to return to them in 2007, taking delivery of BMW R1200RT-P while citing concerns about the handling of Japanese alternatives. Many western states and cities in the United States use the R1200RT-P for police duty, most notably California, especially since Kawasaki in 2005 stopped producing its economical KZ1000P police motorcycle. In the United States, more than 225 law enforcement agencies have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles.[8] In 2008, there were more than 100,000 BMW motorcycles officially in use in over 150 countries on five continents.[citation needed]

The authority variant can be recognized by the addition of chrome crash bars situated about the front fairing, and could also be used for mounting of additional equipment such as sirens; crash bars around panniers, "city" lids to panniers, single seat with radio box, additional switch gear for equipment, emergency lighting, lower ratio gearbox increase capacity alternator and second battery.[9]

Reviews and awards

The R1200RT was selected as the "Best Touring Bike" by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.[10]

In September 2006, the R1200RT was named the United Kingdom's "number one motorcycle" by readers of RiDE magazine in its annual "RiDER POWER" survey.[11] It repeated this achievement in 2007 and reached second place overall in 2008.[3]

In October 2006, the R1200RT was cited as the "Best Tourer" for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in the UK. The citation read:

The R1200RT was awarded the accolade after RiDE readers were invited to nominate and assess their favourite bike according to a number of rating categories. These included build quality, engine performance, rider comfort, reliability, handling and overall impressions. The RT which also won the 2005 MCN Best Tourer Award in its first year of production received an overall score of 85.14 per cent, beating 149 other motorcycles to the number one spot.

Over 10,000 readers voted in the survey and each was asked to justify their choice of bike. "Overall this is a brilliant bike, I haven't had so much fun in ages" said one RT owner. A second writes: "I've had no faults, build quality or reliability issues. I'm extremely impressed with my BMW." Another claims that his RT is "the best bike I've ever owned."

— Motorcycle News

Safety issues

The R1200RT has been affected by a number of safety issues since its launch. The UK Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has issued six separate vehicle recalls covering the front brakes,[12][13] anti-lock braking system,[14][15] throttle cable,[16] and clutch.[17] This compares with just two for its R1150RT predecessor. Similar recalls have been issued by vehicle safety authorities in other countries.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "R1200RT Data Sheet" (PDF). BMW Motorrad. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  2. ^ [http://bmwdean.com/bmw-r1200rt.htm 2005 - 2009 BMW R1200RT]
  3. ^ a b c "BMW R1200RT", RiDE, no. December 2008, pp. 130–131, ISSN 1360-3507
  4. ^ a b "Motorcycle Reviews". Motorcycle News. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  5. ^ "Traction control comes to the street from an unlikely source: BMW". American Motorcyclist Association. 13 July 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  6. ^ Kevin Ash, BMW ASC traction control, retrieved 2010-01-03
  7. ^ 2010 BMW R 1200 RT: Dual Overhead Cams and More Power!, WebBikeWorld, November 5, 2009, retrieved 2009-11-05
  8. ^ BMW Police Motorcycles
  9. ^ "Emergency services version of the R1200RT and R900RT". BMW Motorrad Authorities.
  10. ^ "Accolades". BMW Motorrad USA. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  11. ^ "BMW wins Rider Power awards". Inside Bikes News. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  12. ^ "Recall RM/2008/019". VOSA. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  13. ^ "Recall RM/2009/025". VOSA. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  14. ^ "Recall RM/2006/020". VOSA. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  15. ^ "Recall RM/2006/021". VOSA. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  16. ^ "Recall RM/2005/015". VOSA. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  17. ^ "Recall RM/2006/023". VOSA. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
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