BMW R 1200 RT 2016 — Specifications

When Honda, Yamaha, and their allies attempted to wrest the crown of European grand touring, they crashed against a Bavarian wall erected decades ago. The BMW R 1200 RT doesn’t seek to convince. It asserts itself, and those who have taken the time to consult a BMW R 1200 RT argus know that its value holds up better than many competitors on the used market.

This 2016 vintage marks a real turning point, however. The boxer finally receives partial liquid cooling, a proven mechanism from the R 1200 GS before arriving here. The result: 125 horsepower at 7750 rpm, 125 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm, figures that correspond to those of the off-road touring model but with a different temperament. Engineers have increased the inertia masses on the crankshaft to soften the character of the flat-twin, lengthened the gearbox ratios to lower cruising engine speeds. The announced fuel consumption drops to 3.9 liters per hundred kilometers, which allows you to seriously consider the 25 liters of the tank as an autonomy of over 600 kilometers. On the highway, it’s almost a promise.

The BMW R 1200 RT weighs 274 kg in running order, 233 kg dry. That’s not nothing, and no marketing rhetoric will transform these kilos into feathers. But the 805 mm seat height remains reasonable for the category, the center of gravity is well-engineered, and the Telelever at the front combined with the Paralever monobras at the rear means this mass is managed better than a Honda ST1300 or a Yamaha FJR1300 of similar size. The continuous steel tubular frame gains rigidity. Four-piston Brembo calipers bite on 320 mm discs. At a top speed of 201 km/h, this braking is not a luxury.

Electronics play a central role in the riding experience. Traction control ASC and two riding modes, Road and Rain, are standard equipment. The optional "Mode Pro" pack unlocks access to the more aggressive Dynamic mode and the Hill Start Control, this little assistant that holds the brake for a few seconds when starting uphill. The dynamically semi-active ESA suspensions adjust in real time according to the load and the chosen style, solo, solo with luggage, duo with luggage. For those who consult a BMW R 1200 RT maintenance plan before purchase, these systems prove reliable provided the intervals are scrupulously respected. The BMW R 1200 RT reliability is real, provided revisions are not neglected.

The cockpit displays a 5.7-inch color TFT screen inherited from the K 1600, with a scroll wheel on the left handlebar control to navigate the menus. It’s legible, well-thought-out, and gives a feeling of technological richness. What is annoying, however, is the absence of standard GPS on a motorcycle priced at 18,905 euros. At that price, offering navigation as an option is a marketing miscalculation. Honda understood this a long time ago with the Gold Wing. BMW, visibly, prefers to inflate the bill with a catalog of options that can double the final invoice: heated seats, cruise control, Keyless Ride introduced in 2015, top case, tire pressure monitoring. Regulars of the BMW R 1200 RT forum know this dance well.

The electrically adjustable continuous windshield, the height-adjustable rider’s seat, the retractable mirrors, the refined ergonomics with a handlebar-seat-footrest triangle lowered by 20 mm: all this confirms that this motorcycle is designed for the serious touring rider, the one who chains together 700-kilometer days without pain. It’s not a motorcycle for beginners, nor for the track rider seeking intense sensations. It’s the tool of the demanding grand traveler, ready to invest in a BMW R 1200 RT motorcycle whose depreciation remains contained and resale is facilitated by a strong brand image. For this specific profile, it’s difficult to find anything better on the market.