Wednesday 26th March 2014

BMW R1200 RT: Review

Planning a two-wheeled tour? BMW's new R1200 RT could be the place to plant your bum

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BMW's boxer engined RT models are something of an institution. Now entering their 36th year of production (the R100 RT first appeared in 1978), the RT range has developed an enviable reputation for sporty handling and bulletproof reliability. To be brutally honest they aren't the sexiest of bikes, but if you are looking at ticking off the miles the RT is the tourer to have. However, of late the old air/oil-cooled R1200 RT has been facing a bit of an uphill battle against newer competition such as the Triumph Trophy. Well, for 2014 it has (somewhat predictably) received a much-needed boost of not only engine performance, but also handling prowess and electronic gadgetry.

It's a big bike but the weight is low down

As expected, the RT has received the partially water-cooled GS engine for 2014, although with a heavier flywheel and generator to make it a bit smoother. Aside from this, and a longer drive shaft gear for more relaxed motorway riding, the basic motor is the same, meaning the RT also gets ride by wire and power modes for the first time.

Gadgets galore
To go with the new engine is a new frame (again based on the GS's steel one), a change in ergonomics that include an improved fairing, new lights and larger seats, a full colour LCD dash and loads of updated electronics. As well as the usual traction control, dynamic suspension and cruise control, the RT is also now available with Hill Start Control and Gear Shift Assistant. Although most of these are missing in the basic spec bike (you get ABS, power modes and traction control as standard), nearly every single RT sold has extras added by its owner. Here's a random fact for you: of the nearly 30,000 BMW R1200GS models sold last year, only 142 didn't have ESA! So yes, when it comes to BMW owners, you can safely assume we are talking bells and whistles on the bike...

BMW has been very careful not to rock the boat much and when you ride the 2014 machine it feels very much like the old RT, just a bit better everywhere. The new engine is not only smoother, but has about 10 per cent more grunt throughout the rev range, while managing to keep the same feeling of control. It's not the most powerful tourer on the market, but according to BMW that's not what the RT owners wanted. Anyone who wants to go fast on a fully-faired BMW gets the ballistic K1600 GT, those who want a light weight and agile tourer get the RT. And the RT is agile, despite weighing 274kg.

No excuses for getting lost then

Like the old model the seating position is more 'on top' rather than 'inside', but BMW has done a great job of keeping the RT's weight very low in the frame, meaning it has remarkably accomplished handling. Compared with most full-dress tourers the RT is a sports tourer and turns in rapidly while retaining a reassuring feeling of solidity mid-corner. Get your gander up and you can really hustle the RT around, all the time cocooned in one of the most protective fairings around. And now for 2014 you can even see behind you, BMW having updated the notoriously poor RT mirrors into items that now show more than just your hands...

Tech savvy
Most BMW owners have ridden with ESA and therefore know how good it is, and the same is true for ABS, traction control and cruise control. However, Hill Start Control and Gear Shift Assistant are brand new technologies. Hill Start Control does exactly what its name suggests. Stop on an incline (or a flat) with the engine running and a quick squeeze of the front brake illuminates a light on the dash, signaling that the RT has automatically applied the rear brake. It will hold it on until you either pull away or turn off the ignition.

New-school part water-cooled boxer twin

This may sound very simple technology but in practice it is simply brilliant. A fully loaded RT is quite a beast, and this feature will offer loads of reassurance for riders when it comes to stopping on an incline or at a toll booth when you need to fumble around for change. The Gear Shift Assistant, however, is less convincing. Essentially a quickshifter linked with an auto-blipper, the system means that once on the move, riders can go up and down the gearbox without using the clutch lever. A quickshifter is pretty tried and tested technology, but the downshift element is new. Although not taken from the WSB bike (PH2 rode Marco Melandri's S1000RR last year which had an auto-blipper fitted) the system on the RT works in a very similar fashion. Close the throttle and when you stab the gear lever the RT automatically briefly blips the throttle before allowing the lower ratio to engage. It's a fairly basic system and not as clever as Honda's DCT or Yamaha's clutchless gearbox, but seemed to work well enough. But is it necessary? Owners who struggle with using the clutch a lot might find it helpful. Quizzed about gearbox additional wear BMW claims it isn't an issue.

A bike built to take you places, no matter how far

A worthy successor?
The outgoing RT is a very popular bike and in not reinventing the wheel BMW has ensured that this new generation of RT will be equally as well received. It has all the feeling and spirit of the older RT, but is improved in just about every aspect. The 2014 bike is not only more responsive, it is more comfortable, loaded with technology and offers better weather protection as well as a view of what is behind. The colours are a little disappointing for PH2 tastes perhaps but RT owners are possibly a little more conservative and will doubtless offer few complaints about this or any other aspect of the bike.

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2014 BMW R1200 RT
Engine: 1170cc boxer twin
Power: 125hp@7,750rpm
Torque: 92lb ft@ 6,500rpm
Top speed: 145mph (est)
Weight: 274kg (wet)
MPG: 53mpg (est)
Price: £13,200 (before options)

 

[Numeric]

Was very surprised first time I tried a 1200RT how 'nippy' it felt and very planted.

I'm pretty sure these would be better for most who get a GS? Only thing worrying me is the reliability of all the clever suspension etc when i get a chance to buy in 5 years time!

[dern]

I looked at one of these before I bought my gs and I guess it would have been better in some ways I just didn't fancy one. It felt very big and comfy and evoked as much desire as a mondeo

Would definitely consider one if I wanted to do tours or europe or the states I guess.

[Tubbycharged]

BMW MOTORRAD knows its market very well and this is what these buyers want. Technology sells in this market and the margins on the extras works out very nicely for them.

It may not be the quickest, or the best looking, but they will sell bucketloads of these to private buyers as well as Plod...

[GlennT]

I bought the outgoing 2013 model last August and just love it. It's certainly not the most exciting 'bike on the market, but for touring across France two up, its comfortable, quick enough and (boring, sorry) economical, and economy means not having to stop too often! Then when your on your own you can still have some fun on the twisty bits.

I'm looking forward to a test ride on the 2014. And as the previous poster mentions, BMW Motorad know exactly what their customers require. And I'd take one over a Mondeo any day!

[Harry H]

Always thought the RT was boring until I had one on loaner for a day whilst the GS was in for a service. Far too sunny to go into the office so I thought I'd go and visit some of our branches. Ended up doing 350 miles on it. What a great bit of kit. Plenty quick enough and surprisingly easy to chuck around. Certainly would now think different about trying to out ride the police if it ever came to that.

Only down side is that as soon as you hit London traffic you're stuffed with that fairing. Technically it's no wider than a GS but at least on the traily you can wiggle the bars to get past car wing mirrors. On the RT you might as well almost be in a car.

[hornetrider]

I'm buying one of these shortly, never thought I'd end up on a BM. Quite looking forward to it actually.

[hornetrider]

Numeric said:

I'm pretty sure these would be better for most who get a GS? Only thing worrying me is the reliability of all the clever suspension etc when i get a chance to buy in 5 years time!

I collared an old boy who pulled up on one of these last week, to bend his ear on them. Turned out he was a serial BMW owner having owned loads over the last 20 years. Reckoned the ESA was very useful on the GS if you are travelling across varied terrain, but not really used on the RT as it's mainly a road bike. Seemed a fair comment to me.

[spareparts]

hornetrider said:

Reckoned the ESA was very useful on the GS if you are travelling across varied terrain, but not really used on the RT as it's mainly a road bike. Seemed a fair comment to me.

On the contrary! It is on the road that ESA comes into its own when you can actually feel the difference between the different settings. On the K13, ESA adjusts the handling significantly between comfortable lazy tourer and a harder edged sports bike with sharper turn in.

Off road, I doubt ESA will make as much of a difference as everything _under_ the tyres is moving and sliding around.

[hornetrider]

spareparts said:

hornetrider said:

Reckoned the ESA was very useful on the GS if you are travelling across varied terrain, but not really used on the RT as it's mainly a road bike. Seemed a fair comment to me.

On the contrary! It is on the road that ESA comes into its own when you can actually feel the difference between the different settings. On the K13, ESA adjusts the handling significantly between comfortable lazy tourer and a harder edged sports bike with sharper turn in.

I can see how that would be handy. My view I think is getting Ohlins or similar with no ESA would get me having the handling I want on the road, with no electrickery to go wrong.

spareparts said:

Off road, I doubt ESA will make as much of a difference as everything _under_ the tyres is moving and sliding around.

That makes no sense. Firm for the tarmac, soft for off the beaten track.

[Harry H]

hornetrider said:

I can see how that would be handy. My view I think is getting Ohlins or similar with no ESA would get me having the handling I want on the road, with no electrickery to go wrong.

I'm in agreement with this. When riding a bike there's enough going on without mucking about with the suspension all the time. Decent quality suspension well set up is all you really need. The only time it would need adjustment is when carrying a passenger.

I think the ESA rear shock is the best part of £800 and BMW shocks are only good for 25k miles