BMW R 1200 RT 2014 — Specifications

Imagine a seasoned globetrotter who knows every twist and turn of the Alps by heart, who no longer accepts compromises, and who wants it all: power, comfort, technology, and unwavering reliability. For him, there is only one serious answer on the market. The BMW R 1200 RT 2014 marks a generational shift for the Bavarian touring machine, with a new partially liquid-cooled boxer engine that reshuffles the cards in the Grand Touring category.

This 1170 cc flat-twin develops 125 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 125 Nm of torque available from 6500 rpm, figures identical to those of the adventure GS from which it is derived. But Munich has worked on the character: heavier reciprocating masses on the crankshaft and alternator smooth the power curve, adding velvety smoothness to every acceleration. The six-speed transmission with cardan drive extends the gear ratios to lower the cruising speed, which directly translates to fuel consumption, announced at 3.9 liters per hundred kilometers. On the highway, you therefore comfortably stay below 4500 rpm. The engine breathes freely, without harshness, and this fluid progression is precisely what seduces enthusiasts of the BMW R 1200 RT during initial tests. Faced with a Honda Gold Wing or a Kawasaki 1400 GTR, the boxer is less fluid than the American six-cylinder but much more communicative than the Japanese four-cylinder. It's a matter of philosophy, and the R 1200 RT embraces its own without complex.

The standard-fit onboard electronics include traction control ASC and two riding modes, Road and Rain. The Pro pack, optionally available, adds Dynamic mode, which hardens the responses to acceleration and lightens the interventions of the active aids, as well as Hill Start Control. The electronically adjustable ESA Dynamic suspension, also optional, adapts in real time to the load and riding style. On this point, it must be honest: a recall campaign concerned approximately 8000 units of this generation due to a risk of failure of the shock absorber piston rod. A point to be checked imperatively on any used BMW R 1200 RT, just like the maintenance history. The BMW R 1200 RT maintenance plan provides for intervals of 10,000 km, and the overall BMW R 1200 RT reliability remains good provided this schedule is strictly adhered to.

The cockpit strikes by its density. The 5.7-inch color TFT screen controllable by the left-hand stalk displays a quantity of information that forces a serious familiarization before departure. The riding triangle has been lowered by 20 mm compared to the previous generation, the rider's saddle is adjustable on two heights around the standard 805 mm, and the electrically adjustable windshield memorizes its position when the contact is switched off. All of this is well thought out, well executed. What is less so is the absence of a GPS as standard on a machine priced at 18,200 euros. On a motorcycle that positions itself as the absolute reference for motorized touring, this choice remains a real annoyance, especially since the cockpit technically has everything needed to integrate navigation effortlessly. Active users on the BMW R 1200 RT forum point this out regularly.

Regarding the chassis, Telelever at the front and Paralever monobras at the rear still constitute the basic architecture, with a now continuous tubular frame that gains directional rigidity. Braking uses radial four-piston Brembo calipers on dual 320 mm front discs. For 274 kg fully fueled, it’s the bare minimum, and it works. The BMW R 1200 RT 2014 is aimed at a specific profile: the demanding long-distance traveler, accustomed to long journeys, who often rides two-up with luggage and who does not want to sacrifice driving pleasure on the altar of pure comfort. It is not a motorcycle for beginners, neither by price nor by the density of its menus. It is a machine for those who know what they want, and who are willing to pay for it.