BMW R1200RT Overview
Once again, BMW have taken something really great and improved on it with the BMW R1200RT. This part water-cooling bike has a motor that has been compared to the Triumph Trophy, with a little more pizzazz and a touch more bite to it.
This bike is bigger than the others in the range, coming in at 274kg, but it hasn’t faltered on lightness and ease of steer and guide. The electronics have been updated and the power modes have really made this bike’s performance go up a level – including its ability to pull off a flawless hill start.
The engine has had a few adjustments due to the fact that the flywheel and the alternator has added more weight and the rear shaft gear has been made taller in order to pacify the acceleration. The air and oil-cooled engine gives way to a flawless throttle, allowing the BMW R1200RT to give a smoother performance low-down and much better handling. It isn’t very powerful but that doesn’t detract from the beautiful ride that it gives.
The BMW R1200RT is one of the cheapest tourers around, even when it’s fully dressed, but when you start putting on the add-ons, the price will start to go up. However, the add-ons aren’t always necessary; you don’t have to have them for the bike to get a great performance, it already does that. The thing with this bike is that its overall performance is really good because its handling is very light and it is so comfortable when you are packing on the mileage.
BMW R1200RT Spec
| Seat height | 820mm (adjustable) |
| Weight | 259kg |
| Engine | Air cooled, four stroke, 4v, two cylinder |
| Capacity | 1170cc |
| Average fuel consumption | 44mpg |
| Top speed | 130mph |
| Insurance group | – |
BMW R1200RT Gallery
Owner Reviews |
| Submitted by: | UpsidedownGary | Review Date: |
Comfort | | Could do with more comfortable seats for longer rides | | Ride Quality | | Very smooth but is heavy at slower speeds |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | None so far |
| Engine Rating | | Adequate |
| Brake Rating | | Love it |
| Running Cost | | Cheaper consumables |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | An excellent mile muncher for 1 or 2 up in all weather. Just love it!! |
| Cons Comments | Cheaper consumables |
| Submitted by: | Dave Asher | Review Date: March 2017 |
Comfort | | Many swap out the seat for a gel unit etc. but I'm 5ft 11 and had no issues. I have done a few 300+mile days and overall the bike is very comfortable | | Ride Quality | | Typical BMW. Just faultless. The second the massive weight is moving, it could easily be a 750. I was totally surprised how well the bike handles. |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | Incredible. Stainless everything. Really solid and well-put together. Very Germanic! |
| Engine Rating | | A lovely smooth delivery. Could just do with a few more beans but maybe that's being a little greedy! |
| Brake Rating | | Awesome, awesome, awesome! |
| Running Cost | | The only problem with the 1200RT is it's size. Riding through central London is similar to driving! |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | If you planning to cover a lot of miles, look no further! |
| Cons Comments | The only problem with the 1200RT is it's size. Riding through central London is similar to driving! |
| Submitted by: | Gus | Review Date: March 2017 |
Comfort | | | | Ride Quality | | |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | |
| Engine Rating | | A bit clunky when stationary |
| Brake Rating | | |
| Running Cost | | The gear selection could be smoother when stationary, you tend to leave in gear at junctions etc due to the clunk when engaging first gear, but the rest is just fantastic. |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | The feeling that the bike looks after you with the traction control, abs brakes and the solid handling, never any nasty surprises even when ridden at speed. A quality well designed product that enables you to concentrate on the ride, not the problems of handling and general control. |
| Cons Comments | The gear selection could be smoother when stationary, you tend to leave in gear at junctions etc due to the clunk when engaging first gear, but the rest is just fantastic. |
| Submitted by: | John | Review Date: May 2017 |
Comfort | | | | Ride Quality | | |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | |
| Engine Rating | | |
| Brake Rating | | |
| Running Cost | | Build quality and less warranty claims. The bike is let down by multiple warranty claims and poor build quality. |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | The riding position. Great bike and great dealer support. |
| Cons Comments | Build quality and less warranty claims. The bike is let down by multiple warranty claims and poor build quality. |
| Submitted by: | Lloyd | Review Date: May 2017 |
Comfort | | Best bike I have ever had for long journeys | | Ride Quality | | Superb handling, feels lighter than it is |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | Subject to a recall but was compensated well by BMW |
| Engine Rating | | Lots of power when you need it |
| Brake Rating | | Stops on a dime |
| Running Cost | | Front screen could be taller |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | Fully adjustable performance to suit conditions and what you're carrying. Big bike for big distances, without any hassle. |
| Cons Comments | Front screen could be taller |
| Submitted by: | Mario | Review Date: May 2017 |
Comfort | | Very comfortable with a relaxed upright seating position and good wind protection | | Ride Quality | | Surprisingly good for a big bike. It carries its weight low, though it's still heavy when fully loaded |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | Overall pretty good, though the switchgear failed twice on mine when still under warranty |
| Engine Rating | | I have added Ad-xied fuel controllers which have transformed the bike, giving it extra power and smoothness. |
| Brake Rating | | Very good for a big bike, has ABS. |
| Running Cost | | Nothing, it's pretty accomplished for a large router. |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | It's a good all round machine which is equally good at carrying heavy loads, comfortably over long distances, as it is on short town journeys. Great all round bike. |
| Cons Comments | Nothing, it's pretty accomplished for a large router. |
| Submitted by: | Angus Webb | Review Date: May 2017 |
Comfort | | | | Ride Quality | | |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | |
| Engine Rating | | |
| Brake Rating | | |
| Running Cost | | The gearbox it easy to operate and never misses a selection but could be less clunky especially when selecting first gear when warm. |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | Even though its a large touring motorcycle, it has a sporting light handling ability.Great bike with secure handling and brakes, the bike seems to look after you. |
| Cons Comments | The gearbox it easy to operate and never misses a selection but could be less clunky especially when selecting first gear when warm. |
| Submitted by: | IJay | Review Date: November 2017 |
Comfort | | Updated from other BMW's, about my 7th one, seat less comfy than previous R850RT, also handlebars could do with a small amount of adjustment possible. | | Ride Quality | | Rides very well, smooth once going but heavy at low speeds. Very stable in windy conditions. Rear is a little too soft and bouncy I feel from previous BMW's. Only major issue is shocking gearbox, very notchy and agricultural and 1st gear way to high. |
| Build Quality & Reliability | | Well built and very reliable, I commute to London every day and I do about 18,000 a year, not had any problems bar worn out bits, 4 fuel strips and a shaft breakage. BMW need to issue a mod for fuel tank level sensor strip! |
| Engine Rating | | Good engine, smooth but could be better, have heard good things about remap that adjusts a bit richer for smoother still and better low rev running. |
| Brake Rating | | Brakes adequate, rear lacks feel and is wooden, less snatchy than the later R1150 it replaced with electric brakes. |
| Running Cost | | Excellent for cheap running, no chain to replace and good on fuel for such a big bike. Servicing cheap if you know where to go! Unusually cheap to insure, was once thinking of getting Honda deauville, but £300 more to insure. |
| Overall | | |
| Pros Comments | Reliability, cheap servicing and insurance, great protection from weather by fairing. |
| Cons Comments | 1 – Gearbox! worst thing on the bike by miles, and stands out for all the wrong reasons. 2 – Cost of clutch – parts alone are £700ish, and job will cost somewhere between £1000-£1500 to get done. It's the reason older R1150RT's can be more expensive than newer R1200RT. If you're looking at one to buy find out when/if clutch was done (mine lasted 40K). 3 – Fuel strip – perennial problem for '04-'09 bikes, fuel tank float was replaced with a strip that is very unreliable. I'm on my 4th one, and nothing can be done except replace. Garage said he has had people on 7th/8th one. So bad that BMW have stopped parts supply, so can't be gotten used, only new from dealer with fitting, worst case was failure in the turning after coming out of dealers! |
