BMW R 1200 RT

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BMW R 1200 RT

Manufacturer	BMW Motorrad, Munich, Germany Manufactured in Berlin, Germany
Production	2005 to present
Predecessor	R 1150 RT
Engine	1170 cc 2-cylinder boxer, air/oil cooled Bore x stroke: 101 mm x 73 mm Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Power	110 bhp (81 kW) @ 7500 rpm
Torque	85 ft·lbf (115 Nm) @ 6000 rpm
Transmission	6-speed, shaft drive
Suspension	Front: BMW Telelever Rear: BMW Paralever
Brakes	BMW 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
Tires	Front: 120/70ZR17 on 3.50 x 17 rim Rear: 180/55ZR17 on 5.50 x 17 rim Cast aluminium wheels
Rake, Trail	63.4°, 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Wheelbase	1.48 m, 58.3 in
Dimensions	L 2.23 m, 87.8 in W 0.90 m, 35.6 in H 1.43 m, 56.3 in
Seat height	Adjustable 820/840 mm (32.3/33.0 in)
Weight	229 kg (505 lb) (dry), 259 kg (571 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity	7.1 US gallons, 27 liters
Similar	Ducati ST3, Honda ST1300, Moto Guzzi Norge, Triumph Sprint ST, Yamaha FJR1300

The BMW R 1200 RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R 1100 RT and R 1150 RT models.

1 History
- 1.1 Previous RT models, 1970s to 2004
- 1.2 Introduction of the R 1200 RT, 2005
2 Specifications
3 Special models
4 Reviews and awards
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

Four generations of BMW "RT" motorcycles

[edit] Previous RT models, 1970s to 2004

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 motorcycle with unit engine-transmission construction and shaft final drive. A revolution occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R 1100 RT. Revolutionary were the new RT's oil-cooling, standard ABS brakes, four-valve heads, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension, and an electrically adjustable screen.

In 2002, BMW upgraded the R 1100 RT into the R 1150 RT, providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system. This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two spark plugs per cylinder.

[edit] Introduction of the R 1200 RT, 2005

The latest version of the RT series arrived in 2005 with the introduction of the R 1200 RT, which continues into the 2007 model year with color and other changes. The design of this model is completely different from the R 1150 RT with a 15% boost in power, 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving,^[1] optional electronically adjustable suspension and on-board computer. 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, who also produce the optional Automatic Stability Control (ASC).^[2] 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.

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

The BMW motorcycling community has dubbed the 1200 cc 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.

With 110 hp (82 kW) and 85 lb·ft (115 N·m) of torque, the R 1200 RT is a powerful motorcycle, suitable for long-distance touring carrying a rider and passenger and a full load of luggage, yet is still able to reach 135 mph (220 km/h) and do a standing quarter mile in 12.2 seconds.^[1]

[edit] Specifications

See information box for other specifications

The 2005 & 2006 R 1200 RT was available in Piedmont red

BMW's unique Paralever rear swingarm

[edit] 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

[edit] Performance / fuel consumption

Maximum speed — Greater than 125 mph (200 km/h)
Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 56 mph (90 km/h) — 65 mpg
Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant 75 mph (121 km/h) — 49 mpg
Fuel type — Unleaded premium, octane rumber 98 (RON) with automatic knock control

[edit] Electrical system

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

[edit] Power transmission

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

[edit] 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 in / 5.31 in

[edit] Dimensions / Weight

Permitted total weight — 1,091 lb (495 kg)
Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 lb (236 kg)
Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon

[edit] Special models

An R 1200 RT outfitted for police duty

The R 1200 RT is produced in a specific emergency services variant by BMW Motorrad's Official and special duty vehicles division. In addition a unique R 900 RT model is produced for this market, which is not available to the general public.^[3]

[edit] Reviews and awards

The R 1200 RT was selected as the "Best Touring Bike" by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.^[4]

In September 2006 the R 1200 RT was named the United Kingdom's "number one motorcycle" by readers of RiDE magazine in its annual "Rider Power" survey.^[5]

In October 2006, the R 1200 RT was cited as the "Best Tourer" for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in England. The citation read:

“	The R 1200 RT 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