BMW has produced, in the R1200 RT, a machine that is light years ahead of the R1150 RT, the model it replaces. With its flat twin now displacing 1 170cc and generating 81 kW (110 bhp) and 115 Nm of torque it’s a truly formidable high-speed touring machine. Apart from the extra power and torque delivered by the bigger engine, the 20 kg or so less weight (229 kg dry) makes the bike feel much less cumbersome than the old bike.
A very worthwhile improvement is in the replacement of the extra tall sixth gear with a very useful top cog that’s now much closer to fifth and thus delivers the goods all of the time rather than simply functioning as an overdrive. On the older version spirited riding found you alternating between over-revving the engine in 5th and plodding along in a too-tall sixth. The new bike’s always ready to surge ahead whenever you hook top gear.
When we set off from Franschhoek, heading for Knysna along the stunning Route 62, my first impression of the R1200 RT was that it was a little lardy. At standstill I had to be careful to hold it bolt upright, and when we got rolling the suspension felt a little wishy-washy. At the first stop we cured both maladies by taking off the seat, dialling up the preload on the rear shock and replacing the seat at a lower setting. The transformation was immense. My legs now reached the ground easily, and the bike felt taut and balanced at speed, more like a sports-tourer than the super-tourer it really is.
For the R125 000 asking price the big Beemer offers an enormous number of standard features. Heated hand grips, an immobiliser key, partially-integrated ABS brakes (the handlebar lever works the front stoppers and back brake, while the foot-pedal operates the back brake alone), shaft drive, a windscreen that’s electronically adjustable for height and luggage panniers are all standard. Additional options include electronically adjustable suspension (R5 500) , an on-board computer, a lower seat, and a built in sound system. There’s also a GPS available that comes loaded with a map of Munich – you have to buy the software for your home country separately. B17 pilots in 1944 would have appreciated the standard mapping, but it’s of little use in South Africa today.
BMW has yet again produced a winner. The bike can scramble up to 100 km/hr in 3,6 seconds, has a top speed of about 225 km/hr and you can cruise at 200 km/hr on it all day if you can afford the fines. It’s superbly comfortable over long distances for both rider and passenger, and it’s relatively maintenance free. BMW’s done a superb job of creating an excellent all-round machine around their famous boxer engine.