Road Test: BMW R1200RT

After about twenty miles of motorway cruising on the new and improved BMW R1200RT I've come to a worrying conclusion. My helmet smells.

And why do I mention this lapse in hygiene? Simple. It demonstrates how good the BMW's fairing is. I'm over six feet tall, and with the electric screen on its highest setting all I need do is dip my head and I'm cocooned in a pocket of still air, even at 80mph. Which is why I noticed the smell.

That aside this is one mightily impressive motorbike. The old model, the R1150RT, is one of those bikes that owners raved about, but when we did a group test alongside the Honda Pan European and Yamaha FJR1300, I have to say I wasn't quite so impressed. In a straight line the BMW was probably the most comfortable bike I had ever ridden, but it would run wide in corners and the motor wasn't exactly fantastic.

But these criticisms didn't stop sales. The RT was BMW's best selling bike in 2002 and 2003, only beaten last year by the new, and very good, R1200GS.

So what's new this year? Well, continuing BMW's 'continuous model offensive' (their words) the RT now gets the new 1170cc Boxer motor with its improved gearbox and smoother running engine, and an extra 15% more power - now 110bhp - and 10% extra torque at 85lb.ft. The fairing is re-designed for more protection, the fuel tank bigger at 27 litres and economy improved to a claimed 58.8mpg at 75mph.

It's also been on a diet. A big one. The RT now weighs 20 kilos less at 229kg. And while the digital display, adjustable seat, fitted panniers and optional extras remain, they have all been updated and improved.

And it all works together very well. Like I say, I wasn't a huge fan of the old RT but this new one is excellent. And once off the motorway, on which the new bike showed similarly impressive levels of comfort to the old, the RT is a massive improvement.

Tenerife, where BMW launched the bike, is full of twisty roads running up and down mountain sides and along valleys, and it came as quite a surprise how easily the BMW handled this terrain. It's still a fairly big bike but the overweight feeling of old is gone and the new one follows a line through, and out of, corners perfectly. Minus a pillion you can really have a lot of fun on the Beemer. Compared to the old RT it's closer to a sports-tourer than all-out touring bike. But it hasn't sacrificed any of its touring ability to make this switch.

Despite the base model having no front suspension adjustment, standard settings offer an excellent compromise. Like the old model the rear can be adjusted for spring pre-load and damping, mainly to stiffen it to compensate for the extra weight of a pillion and/or luggage.

The optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) is also worth considering. First seen on the K1200S, ESA adjusts pre-load between three settings - single, pillion, and pillion and luggage - while stationary, and on the move adjusts the damping between comfort, normal and sport modes via a handlebar control. It's a clever system that really makes a difference. Is it worth an extra £395? In my opinion yes, but not having it doesn't ruin the bike by any stretch.

As well as testing the suspension the twisty Tenerife roads were also a great test of the RT's new engine. As it is in the R1200GS, the new motor is excellent in the RT. It's smoother and considerably more powerful than the old lump, pulling well from 2000rpm without complaint. The new gearbox is better too, with a much smoother and more positive action. And sixth gear is now just that, no longer an overdrive. The only drawback is the engine feels like it's working a bit harder on the motorway, and at 5 to 6000rpm it's a bit more vibey. Not intrusive, but something owners updating from the current RT will notice.

And this is the group from which most of the RT's sales will come. BMW reckon it has around 60% customer loyalty, which shows the strength of the brand. Will these owners be happy updating? Probably, yes. The engine is a step up and the handling far superior. The powerful servo-assisted brakes aren't everyone's cup of tea, but BMW riders will be used to them, while new owners will get used to their lack of feel.

I reckon the RT has the measure of the FJR and now matches the Pan for handling while still offering a better riding position. BMW's update to the Boxer motor and its new philosophy of creating fine handling bikes is working wonders. Keep it up, guys.

VERDICT

The new RT improves on the old bike's talents with a sharper motor and better handling. It should be a winner

SPECS

TYPE - TOURER

PRODUCTION DATE - 2005

PRICE NEW - £10,710

ENGINE CAPACITY - 1170cc

POWER - 110bhp@7500rpm

TORQUE - 85lb.ft@6000rpm

WEIGHT - 229kg

SEAT HEIGHT - 820-840mm

FUEL CAPACITY - 27L

TOP SPEED - 135mph

0-60 - n/a

TANK RANGE - N/A

After about twenty miles of motorway cruising on the new and improved BMW R1200RT I've come to a worrying conclusion. My helmet smells.

And why do I mention this lapse in hygiene? Simple. It demonstrates how good the BMW's fairing is. I'm over six feet tall, and with the electric screen on its highest setting all I need do is dip my head and I'm cocooned in a pocket of still air, even at 80mph. Which is why I noticed the smell.

That aside this is one mightily impressive motorbike. The old model, the R1150RT, is one of those bikes that owners raved about, but when we did a group test alongside the Honda Pan European and Yamaha FJR1300, I have to say I wasn't quite so impressed. In a straight line the BMW was probably the most comfortable bike I had ever ridden, but it would run wide in corners and the motor wasn't exactly fantastic.
But these criticisms didn't stop sales. The RT was BMW's best selling bike in 2002 and 2003, only beaten last year by the new, and very good, R1200GS.

So what's new this year? Well, continuing BMW's 'continuous model offensive' (their words) the RT now gets the new 1170cc Boxer motor with its improved gearbox and smoother running engine, and an extra 15% more power - now 110bhp - and 10% extra torque at 85lb.ft. The fairing is re-designed for more protection, the fuel tank bigger at 27 litres and economy improved to a claimed 58.8mpg at 75mph.

It's also been on a diet. A big one. The RT now weighs 20 kilos less at 229kg. And while the digital display, adjustable seat, fitted panniers and optional extras remain, they have all been updated and improved.
And it all works together very well. Like I say, I wasn't a huge fan of the old RT but this new one is excellent. And once off the motorway, on which the new bike showed similarly impressive levels of comfort to the old, the RT is a massive improvement.