Experience of owning a BMW R1200RT or “low-level bomber”

So I got around to describing my BMW, or, as I dubbed it, “bomb carrier.” Why is this so? Because the capacity of the cases turned out to be gigantic, and the sound of the boxer, developed by a company with a history in aircraft manufacturing, is like the most propeller-driven “bomb carrier” in low-level flight from the First World War (by the way, for those who don’t know, the BMW logo is not stylized propeller, unlike the established stereotype, but only represents the colors of the Bavarian flag). Moreover, this “two-wheeled aircraft” is equipped with modern electronics and excellent protection from the encroachments of nature on the “reputation” of the rider. But first things first.

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BMW R1200RT: sports tourer, 2010, 1170 cm³, 110 hp, 230 kg, RUB 1,026,000.
BMW R1200RT: sports tourer, 2010, 1170 cm³, 110 hp, 230 kg, RUB 1,026,000.

I drive a Honda Gold Wing, my neighbor in the garage drives a Pan-European. Every time I came to the garage, I involuntarily compared both devices. “Golda” has everything you need on a long journey (and even what you don’t need), while “Europe” has practically nothing except a couple of funny “crazy stuff”. But this is also a “tourist” type, and for almost the same money! To myself, I called this class of motorcycles “sub-tourer”.

With such skepticism, I went to BMW Rusland Trading to pick up a test BMW R1200RT 2010. But after the first kilometers, doubts began to dissipate. The motorcycle is a muscular, robust one. The company positions the RT as a dual-purpose motorcycle: both for the city and for long trips. I managed about 800 km on Moscow streets and 6500 on the roads of Karelia and the Arctic, as well as Norway, Finland and the Baltic states.

I didn’t have to get used to the motorcycle - the ergonomics were calculated perfectly: I sat down and went. The weighty dimensions are deceptive - the dry weight is only 230 kg, which is 50 kg less than, for example, the ST1300 Pan-European. The motorcycle is easy to control at any speed, and maneuvering in city traffic is no more difficult than on the street - the dimensions are quite acceptable. Well, on the track he is the king! The engine power, even when loaded, is enough to quickly accelerate, which is very important, for example, when overtaking oncoming traffic on native “two-lane” roads. However, there is one thing - the gearbox. Due to the close row, you have to switch more often than you would like. On the highway you hardly notice this, but when driving around the city you will have to work with your paw.

The brakes are perfect - they stop firmly, without skidding or wobbling, in any weather. The brake system with ABS is of a semi-combined type: the lever on the steering wheel acts on both wheels, and the pedal only on the rear one. This option is more effective than the “Golda” (the pedal is on the front and rear, and the lever is only on the front), because when maneuvering it is more convenient to use the lever on the steering wheel.

The RT is an asphalt motorcycle, but the suspension is almost identical to the GS (the latter has slightly more suspension travel and a slightly thicker fork leg). The system is well known - Telelever and Paralever work well both on the broken roads of the Kem parish and in the difficult turns of the Norwegian “serpentines”. The motorcycle runs smoothly, without any hiccups. And the feature of this model is the new ESA II remote suspension adjustment system, where spring stiffness can be adjusted. Not preload, but stiffness: two springs (soft and hard) are located one inside the other, and the load on each of them is adjusted using a servo drive. To change the settings, you just need to select one of the options in the computer menu: “driver”, “driver + luggage”, “driver + passenger + luggage”. Damping settings are selected using a button on the remote control right on the go from three options: Comfort, Normal or Sport. “Comfort” mode is really comfortable, like on an old Cadillac. True, during sharp maneuvering there is a “floating stern” effect, but this is only an effect. Engage "sport" mode and the RT sticks firmly to the road. True, here we have to remember that our roads are not mirrors.

By the way, about mirrors. On RT they are unique and are located in the fairing ebb below the steering handles. That is, at the top of the mirror you see your hand, and below it - what is happening behind and on the sides of you. The wind protection of the R1200RT is quite decent - tested in the Arctic and storm gusts of the North Cape. But this is still not “Golda”, and you can’t do without a raincoat. Electric windshield. On a touring trip, the highest position is comfortable, when the flow of the headwind passes over the helmet, allowing you to ride even with the flip-up chin raised. In the rain, on the Gold you need to crane your neck to see the road over the water-filled glass, but here you simply lower it to eye level. The new RT has changed its shape to reduce wind noise, which is important for a motorcycle with a built-in audio system. It is also different: instead of a CD player there is a radio, but with USB and TRS (mini-jack) inputs for any media. The sound quality is quite decent, but after 120 km/h you can’t hear much from a pair of small speakers. There are now button controls for the audio system under the left hand on the inside of the fairing. On the remote control, the wheel controls only the sound and switches program tracks.

An important criterion for a tourer is the autonomous range. Low consumption is common for Bavarian “opposite” cars. In the 90–140 km/h mode, RT consumes plus or minus 5 liters of gasoline per 100 km, which is one and a half times more economical than the same Pan-European (not to mention the Gold Wing). You can travel 500 km on one 25-liter tank, even in a mixed cycle. The on-board computer will show the range on the remaining fuel (as well as the oil level, tire pressure, “outboard” temperature, average fuel consumption). But the meter writes off the last 100 km much faster than you actually drove! In the deserted north of Norway I almost went dry.

There is an opinion that the injection engine of the past R1200RT is capricious in terms of fuel. This one happily consumed both 95 and (in the absence of the latter) 92 gasoline. I did not notice any difference in engine performance or thrust. Also, a story about the oil gluttony of the BMW “boxer” travels from mouth to mouth. Having received a motorcycle with a mileage of 6000 km, I noticed a significant lack of oil. The service people were surprised, they filled it with oil and gave me half a liter for topping up. But after 8000 km, not a drop was lost. So I’ll chalk up the low-level incident to an oversight by the mechanics or the zealousness of other “test drivers,” perhaps trying to make the poor RT take off.

One of the most important factors in long-distance driving is the comfort of the “fifth point”. The seat is a real, but perhaps the only disadvantage of the model. My wife and I didn’t have as much pain in our “iron asses” after passing the standard on the old “Gold” as after 500 km on the new RT. This drawback was confirmed by other owners of this aircraft, who saved themselves by installing tuning saddles. But there are also advantages. Firstly, the driver's seat is height adjustable in two positions. Secondly, the driver and passenger saddles (as well as the steering wheel grips) are heated with two modes, which was very helpful in the Arctic. At temperatures “above zero”, the Low mode is quite enough, at High you feel like you’re sitting on a frying pan, and it’s better not to handle the handles without gloves!

Another criterion is cargo capacity. 32-liter side panniers are standard equipment on the motorcycle. Comfortable, but not very big. The upper one (49 or 28 l) is purchased separately. Don’t be stingy if you use the motorcycle for its intended purpose, that is, in real long-distance driving, and not in front of the girls at the Lookout. Although the latter will be grateful for the comfortable backrest. The motorcycle is also equipped with an anti-theft system, GPS navigator, cruise control, additional sockets and much, much more. The list of options and devices opens up almost limitless possibilities for its improvement.

Buying a BMW R1200RT

Sorry, I'm already sold!

As I wrote earlier, the choice fell on the Beemer not so much because that’s what I wanted, but because “normal Beemers” began to be made before the “polished” Japanese analogues appeared. And in the end, being fanatically in love with the FJR1300, I bought... a Beemer. Because finding one in good condition and with a mileage of up to 20 thousand km (albeit a German “import”) for an amount that suits me turned out to be easier and faster than waiting for an FJR. In addition, I perfectly understood that if I was fined on CBF, then on such a “jet fighter” like the FJR (or, even better, GTR) it wouldn’t be enough. Beamer seemed calmer and more balanced. In addition, “something different”: from the manufacturer to the handling feel and the boxer engine, in contrast to the “four” (cylinders). As a result, I was also very pleased with the upright landing - after CBF, I realized that in this configuration I could, as it turned out, drive more than one hundred kilometers without much strain, and both FJR and Kawasaki GTR are still sports tourers with an emphasis on the first word and a slightly inclined landing. If the trend continues, then there should be a cruiser next :).

The purchase itself was somewhat unexpected. “My” copy was discovered after a fairly regular, but at the same time lazy, combing of sites. After thinking a little, I decided to do a “test drive” and then see what’s what. When I saw the R1200RT on site, I realized that I might not get away with it “just like that.” And when I drove the first few kilometers, I realized that the bike was made “for me.” Everything is in its place (well, except for the “thoroughbred” turn switches, which you “will have to get used to”), comfortable fit (later the details came to light, but more on that later), handling is excellent, the presence of a cruise simply touched me (although not as much as after first experience of use on a Harley). After arriving back at the dealer, I couldn’t help but start bargaining, and in the end... we unexpectedly agreed. They accommodated me halfway, offered me a reasonable price, and added options. In general, it was impossible to refuse :).

It took almost a week to prepare, including getting the numbers (just imported from Deutschland Germany). I had a technical inspection and a week later I left my CBF (trying not to get too upset about it) in the dealer’s parking lot, switching to a gray miracle of German motorcycle construction. So, the “shaving flight” began.

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In 2010, BMW made a number of changes to the RT family.
Like the all-terrain R1200GS, the asphalt tourer receives an updated 1170cc DOHC boxer from the HP2 Sport and some other changes. Power remained the same - 110 hp. at 7750 rpm, but torque increased from 115 Nm to 120 Nm at 6000 rpm. Thanks to the new exhaust valve, power is distributed more evenly across the entire rev range. Another new feature is the ESA II electronic suspension adjustment system. To improve aerodynamics, the shape of the glass, fairing and front wing has been slightly changed. There are new remote controls on the steering wheel (analog with the K1300 family). The seats and audio system have also been changed. In 2010, BMW made a number of changes to the RT family. Like the all-terrain R1200GS, the asphalt tourer receives an updated 1170cc DOHC boxer from the HP2 Sport and some other changes. Power remained the same - 110 hp. at 7750 rpm, but torque increased from 115 Nm to 120 Nm at 6000 rpm. Thanks to the new exhaust valve, power is distributed more evenly across the entire rev range. Another new feature is the ESA II electronic suspension adjustment system. To improve aerodynamics, the shape of the glass, fairing and front wing has been slightly changed. There are new remote controls on the steering wheel (analog with the K1300 family). The seats and audio system have also been changed.

Suspension

The suspension deserves special words of praise. It was borrowed from another model of this manufacturer. We are talking about the S1060GT bike. But when assembling the described bike, the systems were improved. The electronics were selected as closely as possible to modern reality. Thanks to the suspension settings, you can change modes even while on the move. Due to this, you can alternate between soft, hard and normal driving modes. The suspension depends entirely on the engine options.

The on-board computer is configured to automatically fully monitor and regulate the operation of the springs. In the comments, buyers describe that the driving behavior depends entirely on the suspension settings. In hard mode, the BMW R1200RT motorbike (owner reviews are described in more detail in the article) resembles a powerful sports vehicle, while in soft mode it resembles a large scooter. The suspension depends entirely on the engine options. The on-board computer is configured to automatically fully monitor and regulate the operation of the springs. The ground clearance has been reduced when compared with the previous modifications. Therefore, the driver can safely take turns on the race track.

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The BMW Navigator IV navigation system is good old Garmin.
BMW has selected the best of what is available on the navigator market today. Works perfect if you load maps. The standard preload is very conditional and displays only the main tracks. Take care of this, otherwise you will have to drive like this... The BMW Navigator IV navigation system is good old Garmin. BMW has selected the best of what is available on the navigator market today. Works perfect if you load maps. The standard preload is very conditional and displays only the main tracks. Take care of this, otherwise you will have to go like this...

Transmission

The BMW R1200RT motorcycle (it has excellent reviews) has a high-speed manual gearbox. The manufacturer took care to introduce a special comprehensive assistant. The assistant is necessary in order to change gears from top to bottom as smoothly and easily as possible. But in general, it must be said that the bike is designed in such a way that even with the assistant turned off, the ride is as smooth as possible. The standard package also includes a special system that helps you start downhill. It holds the brakes on its own, which helps the motorcycle not roll back. Many buyers report that without this assistant it is quite difficult to start driving a vehicle that weighs 300 kg.

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Using the wheel, you can adjust the sound and switch program tracks.
On the one hand, it’s convenient, on the other hand, when you try to turn on the turn signals, you often click the program at the same time, especially if your hands are wearing gloves. Using the wheel, you can adjust the sound and switch program tracks. On the one hand, it’s convenient, on the other hand, when you try to turn on the turn signals, you often click the program at the same time, especially if your hands are wearing gloves.

More about electronics

This BMW R1200RT motorcycle, whose technical characteristics are amazing, was released in 2014. He is considered a leader in the use of electronics. It should be noted that it is equipped with a large number of systems that help facilitate movement and make it as safe as possible. There is also GPS support. Of course, a large color TFT display is installed. We will talk in more detail about the systems described above below.

The suspension adjustment function has three settings. We are talking about mild, normal, severe. It depends on what kind of driving the driver wants to do. Configuration is performed either automatically or manually. It should be noted that there is a small nuance: if a person has the dynamic driving mode activated, which automatically turns on the hard suspension setting, then the driver can manually switch the suspension to any other type. The following system deprives the driver of fine-tuning the controls. It is so comfortable that this drawback is not felt. If a person does not like electronics, then he may notice that the basic configuration of this motorbike comes with the automatic function deactivated.

The TFT display is considered new on the entire R series of motorcycles. The diagonal is 5.7 inches. The screen displays information from the on-board computer and audio system. Using it, you can also monitor the settings of the driving mode, suspension, air temperature, tire condition, as well as multimedia. There may be reflections that make viewing difficult, but the display has two positions. Accordingly, you can easily find one in which the text will be readable. During the presentation, the company focused on this BMW R1200RT motorbike (technical characteristics are specified above), as a vehicle that has a special “Premium” option package. The test bike comes equipped with some of these features. We are talking about central locking and assistant. There is also an anti-theft system. You can purchase these options by paying a certain amount at a time. In addition, the navigation system is also sold separately.

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RESULT. My skepticism is destroyed! The BMW R1200RT is truly a full-fledged tourer. But with expanded capabilities for comfortable driving both in urban conditions and on long rides, and even on relative off-road conditions. He is one of the best in his segment and rightfully has his own circle of admirers. But, unfortunately, this circle is much smaller than that of the same “geese,” although many of their owners never leave the asphalt. Isn’t it better then to buy a more “civilian” R1200RT?.. BMW equipment is not cheap, the price of this RT is just over a million rubles. The “naked” basic one costs 200,000 rubles. cheaper, but it’s better not to skimp on options - there is something to pay for. Don't be stingy, and you will be rewarded on the road!

The motorcycle was provided for testing.

Victim of prejudice: BMW R1200RT

Motorcycle operation

The on-board computer of the BMW R1200R, which has excellent reviews, provides three types of driving.

The first one is called Rain. Translated into Russian it means “rain”. This mode is suitable for driving in cloudy weather or on wet asphalt.

The second operating mode is called Road, which is translated into Russian as “road”. This mode should be used if a person is making a leisurely trip or just driving around the city.

The third Dynamic mode is designed for those who love high speeds. The gas handle works and shows itself perfectly, there are no dips or jerks. The electronics do not turn off at low engine power, and dynamic driving depends on the mode that is activated. Stability control also pleases many bikers. The function of this system is that it monitors how much the wheels are spinning. Accordingly, it reduces the fuel supply if there is an imbalance. This assistant works differently in operating modes, so driver safety is improved.

The RT family is not a bestseller in Russia. Bad motorcycle or?.. Let's try to figure it out.

Appearance, distinctive features

Rational design - this is how the appearance of the BMW R1200RT can be briefly described. There are no unnecessary parts, and the functions and ergonomics are thought out for the convenience of the rider and passenger, who can not be distracted from the surrounding landscapes during long journeys. An adjustable windshield and wide lower fairings protect the driver and passenger from cold winds. Protruding cylinders also perform a safety function, protecting the driver’s legs from impact when falling.

The mirrors are more reminiscent of car mirrors. They are built into the fairing, have a large usable area, but take some time to get used to. The shape of the bike allows you to cut out unnecessary sounds when riding, while the driver hears a soft boxer engine that does not get boring even after a thousand kilometers. There are 32-liter panniers installed on the sides, which can be easily removed if necessary. There is also a sealed glove box that houses USB and TRS inputs.

Available colors:

• Black metallic,
• Blue quartz metallic,
• Matte grey.

The use of transparent and light details in the design creates a feeling of lightness.

Cost of equipment

There is a huge list of additional equipment that can be purchased at an additional cost. This list includes navigation, wardrobe trunks, and sound system. The heated seats and grips are considered optional, which is why you have to pay extra for it. This is considered one of the main disadvantages of the BMW R1200RT motorcycle. The photo is presented in the article. In the showrooms of Russian dealers, the cost of a bike is 850 thousand rubles. for standard equipment. This cost seems too high to many fans. But on the other hand, we should not forget about who the manufacturer of this motorcycle is.