BMW R1200RT

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BMW R1200RT

The BMW R1200RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW Motorrad as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R1100RT and R1150RT models. It was selected as the Best Touring Bike by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.^[1]^[2]

In September 2006 the BMW R1200RT was named the United Kingdom's "number one motorcycle" by readers of RiDE magazine in its annual "Rider Power" survey.^[3]

In October 2006, the BMW R1200RT was cited as the Best Tourer for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in England.

"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 (sic) 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.’"

1 History
2 R1200RT Specifications
3 See also
4 References
5 External Links

[edit] History

Four generations of BMW "RT" motorcycles

"Oilhead" valve cover, left. "Hexhead" valve cover, right.

BMW began manufacturing "RT" touring motorcycle (Rad Touren) 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 motorcycle with unit engine-transmission construction and shaft final drive. These motorcycles were called "airheads" by BMW riders. A revolution occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R1100RT.^[4] Revolutionary were the new RT's oil-cooling, standard ABS brakes, four-valve heads, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension, and an electrically adjustable windshield.

In 2002, BMW upgraded the R1100RT into the R1150RT^[5], providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system.^[6] This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two sparkplugs per cylinder.^[7]

The latest version of the RT series arrived in 2005 with the introduction of the R1200RT, which continues into the 2007 model year with color and other changes.^[8] The design of this model is completely different from the R1150RT with a major boost in power, electronically adjustable suspension, on-board computer, and relatively few interchangeable parts. The power 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, power assist has been removed from the partically integrated brakes, and the more advanced ABS system is lighter and has been produced by a new manufacturer. A minor, but annoying, change occurred part way during the production of the 2006 models when the original powerful two-tone horn was replaced by a much inferior single-tone horn.

The BMW motorcycling community has dubbed the 1200cc version of the RT and BMWs 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 (photo, right).

With 110 horsepower and 85 foot-pounds of torque, the R1200RT is a powerful motorcycle suitable for long-distance touring carrying a rider and passenger and a full load of luggage.

[edit] R1200RT Specifications

Three generations of BMWs: 1968 R60/2, 1973 R75/5, and 2005 R1200RT

2006 R1200RT in Arizona

2007 R1200RT available in Biarritz blue

BMW's unique Paralever rear swingarm

2004 R1150RT — predecessor to the R1200RT

Engine

Type — Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke Boxer engine, one camshaft and four valves per cylinder, central compensation shaft
Bore / stroke — 101 mm x 73 mm
Engine displacement — 1,170 ccm
Rated output — 110 bhp at 7500 rpm
Maximum torque — 85 foot-pounds at 6000 rpm
Compression ratio — 12.0:1
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
Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 56 mph — 65 mpg
Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 75 mph — 49 mpg
Fuel type — Unleaded premium, octane rumber 98 (RON) with automatic knock control

Electrical system

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

Power transmission

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

Chassis / brakes

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 / 5.31 inches
Wheelbase (in normal position) — 58.3 inches
Castor (in normal position) — 4.3 inches
Steering head angle (in normal position) — 63.4°

Die-cast aluminum wheels

Rim, front — 3.50 x 17
Rim, rear — 5.50 x 17
Tire, front — 120/70 ZR 17
Tire, rear — 180/55 ZR 17
Brake, front — EVO brake system with dual disc, floating brake discs, 320 mm diameter, four-piston fixed caliper
Brake, rear — Single disc brake, diameter 265 mm, double-piston floating caliper
ABS — BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral) as standard

Dimensions / Weight

Length — 87.8 inches
Width (including mirrors) — 35.6 inches
Height (not including mirrors) — 56.3 inches
Seat height, unladen weight — 32 / 33 inches (special equipment low seat bench: 30.7 / 31.5 inches)
Unladen weight, road ready, fully fueled — 571 pounds
Dry weight — 505 pounds
Permitted total weight — 1,091 pounds
Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 pounds
Usable fuel tank volume — 7.1 gallons U.S.
Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon