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The 'BMW R1200RT' was introduced in 2005 by BMW as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R1100RT and R1150RT models.

Contents

Previous models

R1200RT history

Additional R1200RT Specifications

Reviews and awards

See also

References

External Links

Previous models

BMW Motorrad 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. A revolution occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R1100RT.^[1]
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 R1100RT into the R1150RT,^[1]
providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted Integral-ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system.^[1]
This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two spark plugs per cylinder.^[1]

R1200RT history

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.^[1]
The design of this model is completely different from the R1150RT with a 15% boost in power, 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving,^[6]
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).^[7] An electronic tire pressure monitor (TPM) was introduced as an option. During the production of the 2006 models the original powerful two-tone horns were replaced by a single-tone horn.
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 (photo below, right).
With 110 hp and 85 ft·lb of torque, the R1200RT 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.⁶
The R1200RT is produced in a specific emergency services variant 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 .

Additional R1200RT Specifications

:''See information box for other specifications''




'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 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
'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

★ Castor (in normal position) — 4.3 in

★ Steering head angle (in normal position) — 63.4°
'Dimensions / Weight'

★ Permitted total weight — 1,091 lb (495 kg)

★ Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 lb (236 kg)

★ Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon

Reviews and awards

The R1200RT was selected as the "''Best Touring Bike''" by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.^[8]
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.^[9]
In October 2006, the R1200RT was cited as the "''Best Tourer''" for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in England. The citation read:

See also

★ BMW motorcycles

References

1.
2.
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4.
5.
6. Motorcycle Reviews
7. Traction control comes to the street from an unlikely source: BMW
8. Accolades
9. BMW wins Rider Power awards

External Links

★ BMW Motorrad R1200RT web page

★ BMW Motorrad Authorities - details of the emergency services version of the R1200RT and R900RT

★ Independent R1200RT web page with detailed information and pictures