BMW R1200RT
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| BMW R1200RT | |
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| Manufacturer | BMW Motorrad, Munich, Germany Manufactured in Berlin, Germany |
| Production | 2005 to present |
| Predecessor | R1150RT |
| 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 @ 7500 rpm |
| Torque | 85 ft.-lbs. @ 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 |
| Wheelbase | 1.48 meters, 58.3 in |
| Dimensions | 2.23 meters, 87.8 inches (l), 0.90 meters, 35.6 inches (w), 1.43 meters, 56.3 inches (h) |
| Seat Height | Adjustable 820/840 mm (32.3/33.0 in) |
| Weight | 229 kg (505 lbs) (dry), 259 kg (571 lbs) (wet) |
| Fuel Capacity | 7.1 US gallons, 27 liters |
| Similar | Ducati ST3, Honda ST1300, Moto Guzzi Norge, Triumph Sprint ST, Yamaha FJR1300 |
The BMW R1200RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW Aktiengesellschaft (AG) as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R1100RT and R1150RT models.
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[edit] History
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. These motorcycles were called "airheads" by BMW riders. 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 windshield.
In 2002, BMW upgraded the R1100RT into the R1150RT[2], providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted Integral-ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system.[3] This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two sparkplugs per cylinder.[4]
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.[5] 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 partially 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 horns were 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] 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
- 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 inches / 5.31 inches
- Castor (in normal position) — 4.3 inches
- Steering head angle (in normal position) — 63.4°
Dimensions / Weight
- Permitted total weight — 1,091 pounds
- Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 pounds
- Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon
[edit] Reviews and awards
The R1200RT was selected as the Best Touring Bike by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines.[6][7]
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.[8]
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:
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 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.”
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Revolutionary 1100cc BMW R1100RT
- ^ History of the 1150
- ^ Why ABS on Motorcycles?
- ^ 2004 “2-Spark” BMW R1150RT
- ^ 2005-2007 BMW R1200RT
- ^ Awards (BMW website)
- ^ Reprint of reviews
- ^ Inside Bikes News
