BMW R 1200 RS 2017 — Specifications

Ten years of absence, and yet Munich has dusted off the RS letters. When the BMW R 1200 RS returned to the catalog, few were truly expecting it. The R 1200 ST, which carried the heritage between two generations, had left a mixed memory; its cyclops nose had not convinced either purists or sport-GT enthusiasts. With the 2017 version further refining the design, Munich proves that it knows how to learn from the past. A test ride of the BMW R 1200 RS is enough to understand that this time, the project is serious.

What strikes you first is the consistency of the positioning. The RS does not seek to be a sportbike disguised as a touring machine, nor a lightened RT. It occupies a precise territory, that of a dynamic touring machine, capable of devouring 800 kilometers without martyrizing the back while still retaining the desire to play in the curves. The ergonomics go in this direction, with a slightly forward-leaning position that engages the rider without punishing them. The 820 mm seat will reserve the machine for intermediate and tall builds, but this contributes to the overall dynamism. It's not a GS adventure bike nor a grand-touring RT; it's exactly in between, on a machine that embraces its ambitions. The comparison with a VFR 800 or an old Sprint ST quickly ends: the BMW plays on a more composed, more mature register, less focused on revs and more on torque availability.

The 1170 cm3 liquid-cooled boxer delivers 125 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm. These figures are identical to those of the GS and RT sharing this engine, but the RS benefits from specific intake and exhaust systems that densify the low-end filling. Torque availability at low revs is frank, which makes acceleration effective despite the 236 kilograms all full. One might regret that BMW did not seek to shave off a few horsepower to mark the sporty identity, but the engine remains vigorous over a wide spectrum. The six-speed gearbox with shaft drive ensures smooth progression, and the 2017 model has gained in engagement smoothness over previous generations.

What truly distinguishes the BMW R 1200 RS 2017 from its predecessors is the abandonment of Telelever in favor of an inverted 45 mm fork. The decision surprised regulars, as this system was a Bavarian signature. The result is there: the front end is precise, direct, inspired according to the engineers of the S 1000 RR. At the rear, the Paralever EVO remains in place with the shaft drive. Radial Brembo calipers on two 320 mm front discs and a 276 mm rear disc compose a serious braking system, with switchable ABS. Buyers looking for a BMW R 1200 RS used, whether for a 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019 model year, find on the secondary market a mechanically sound and solidly braked machine.

The options catalog remains the irritating point of the matter. At 14,514 euros in new price, the RS is positioned high, but heated grips, a center stand and luggage supports remain extra. For a machine targeting the sporty touring rider, this lack of consistency is difficult to swallow. Pro Riding Modes, Dynamic ESA and the Pro Shifter elevate sophistication to a level that few competitors reach, but all of this comes at a price. The BMW R 1200 RS opinion of experienced riders is almost unanimous on this point: the Pro pack really changes the machine, and it should have been standard. It’s a motorcycle tailored for those who want to travel fast and well, without daily constraints but with a real reward in the curves. Not for beginners, not for grand luxury enthusiasts; for riders who know what they’re doing and want their motorcycle to know it too.