BMW R 1200 RT

Infobox Motorcycle
name = BMW R 1200 RT


aka =
manufacturer = BMW Motorrad
parent_company = BMW
production = 2005 to present
predecessor = R 1150 RT
successor =
class =
engine = 1170 cc 2-cylinder boxer, air/oil cooled
Bore x stroke: 101 mm x 73 mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
power = 110 bhp (81 kW) @ 7500 rpm
torque = 85 ft·lbf (115 Nm) @ 6000 rpm
transmission = 6-speed, shaft drive
suspension = Front: BMW Telelever
Rear: BMW Paralever
brakes = BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral)
Front: 4-piston EVO calipers with floating 320 mm discs
Rear: 2-piston floating caliper with single 265 mm disc
tires = Front: 120/70ZR17 on 3.50 x 17 rim
Rear: 180/55ZR17 on 5.50 x 17 rim
Cast aluminium wheels
rake_trail = 63.4°, convert|4.3|in|mm
wheelbase = 1.48 m, 58.3 in
length= 2.23 m, 87.8 in
width= 0.90 m, 35.6 in
height= 1.43 m, 56.3 in
seat_height = Adjustable 820/840 mm (32.3/33.0 in)
dry_weight = 229 kg (505 lb)
wet_weight = 259 kg (571 lb)
fuel_capacity = 7.1 US gallons, 27 liters
related =
similar = Ducati ST3, Honda ST1300, Moto Guzzi Norge, Triumph Sprint ST, Yamaha FJR1300The BMW R 1200 RT was introduced in 2005 by BMW as a touring motorcycle designed to replace BMW's successful R 1100 RT and R 1150 RT models.

History

Previous RT models, 1970s to 2004

BMW Motorrad began manufacturing "RT" ((Reise-Tourer, or "travel tourer") touring motorcycle models in the late 1970s. The first of these were "airhead" models that continued BMW's long tradition dating to 1923 of producing "boxer" or opposed-twin engined motorcycle with unit engine-transmission construction and shaft final drive. A revolution occurred, however, in 1995 when BMW produced its first "oilhead" RT, the R 1100 RT.Revolutionary were the new RT's oil-cooling, standard ABS brakes, four-valve heads, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension, and an electrically adjustable screen.

In 2002, BMW upgraded the R 1100 RT into the R 1150 RT,providing the same basic platform with more displacement and horsepower, fully linked, power-assisted ABS brakes, and a revised front lighting system. This model was further updated in 2004 by the addition of two spark plugs per cylinder.

Introduction of the R 1200 RT, 2005

The latest version of the RT series arrived in 2005 with the introduction of the R 1200 RT, which continues into the 2007 model year with color and other changes.The design of this model is completely different from the R 1150 RT with a 15% boost in power, 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving,cite web | url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/BMW/BMW-R1200RT-2005-current/?&R=EPI-149 | title= Motorcycle Reviews | work= Motorcycle News | accessdate= 2007-08-31 ] optional electronically adjustable suspension and on-board computer. The servo powered ABS brakes on the 2005 and 2006 models are partially integrated such that the rear brake pedal only applies the rear brake while the front brake lever applies both brakes.

For the 2007 model year, servo assist has been removed from the partially integrated brakes. The new, more advanced ABS system is lighter and has been produced by Continental Teves, who also produce the optional Automatic Stability Control (ASC). [cite web | url= http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/BMW_ASC.asp | title= Traction control comes to the street from an unlikely source: BMW | work= American Motorcyclist Association | date= 13 July 2006 | accessdate= 2007-08-31 ] An electronic tire pressure monitor (TPM) was introduced as an option. During the production of the 2006 models the original two-tone horns were replaced by a single-tone horn.

The BMW motorcycling community has dubbed the 1200 cc version of the RT and BMWs with the same or similar engines as "hexhead" models, so named because of the shape of their valve covers compared to the oval shape of oilhead models.

With Convert|110|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and Auto ft.lbf|85|0 of torque, the R 1200 RT is a powerful motorcycle, suitable for long-distance touring carrying a rider and passenger and a full load of luggage, yet is still able to reach 135 mph (220 km/h) and do a standing quarter mile in 12.2 seconds.

Specifications

:"See information box for other specifications"

Engine

* Type — Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke Boxer engine, one camshaft and four valves per cylinder, central compensation shaft
* Mixture control / engine management — Electronic intake pipe injection/digital engine management: BMW engine management, BMS-K with overrun fuel cut-off, dual ignition
* Emission control — Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter

Performance / fuel consumption

* Maximum speed — Greater than 125 mph (200 km/h)
* Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant convert|56|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on — 65 mpg
* Fuel consumption over 62 mile course at a constant convert|75|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on — 49 mpg"'
* Fuel type — Unleaded premium, octane rumber 98 (RON) with automatic knock control

Electrical system

* Alternator — 720 watts 60 amperes three-phase alternator
* Battery — 12 volts, 12 ampere hours

Power transmission

* Clutch — Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated
* Gearbox — Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing

Chassis

* Frame — Three-section frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine-gearbox unit
* Front wheel location / suspension — BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central spring strut, rebound damping electronically adjustable with standard ESA
* Rear wheel location / suspension — Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad EVO-Paralever; spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of electronically adjustable ESA, rebound damping with standard ESA
* Travel front/rear — 4.72 in / 5.31 in

Dimensions / Weight

* Permitted total weight — 1,091 lb (495 kg)
* Payload (with standard equipment) — 520 lb (236 kg)
* Fuel reserve — Approximately 1 gallon

pecial models

The R 1200 RT is produced in a specific emergency services variant by BMW Motorrad's Official and special duty vehicles division. In addition a unique R 900 RT model is produced for this market, which is not available to the general public. [cite web|url=http://www.bmw-motorrad-authorities.com/authorities/en/index_frameset.html?content=http://www.bmw-motorrad-authorities.com/authorities/en/products/r1200rt/r1200rt_main.html|publisher=BMW Motorrad Authorities|title=Emergency services version of the R 1200 RT and R 900 RT]

Reviews and awards

The R 1200 RT was selected as the "Best Touring Bike" by two major American monthly motorcycle magazines. [cite web | url= http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/etc/utils.jsp?t=accolades | title= Accolades | work= BMW Motorrad USA | accessdate= 2007-08-31]

In September 2006 the R 1200 RT was named the United Kingdom's "number one motorcycle" by readers of "RiDE" magazine in its annual "Rider Power" survey. [cite web | url= http://195.224.59.217/news/archives_2000/news_details.asp?id=4800 | title= BMW wins Rider Power awards | work= Inside Bikes News | date= 26 September 2006 | accessdate= 2007-08-31]

In October 2006, the R 1200 RT was cited as the "Best Tourer" for the second year in a row by Motorcycle News in England. The citation read:

ee also

* BMW motorcycles

References

External links

* [http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/bikes/tour/r1200rt/r1200rt_main.html BMW Motorrad R 1200 RT web page]
* [http://www.bmw-touring.co.za BMW Touring motorcycle web page]
* [http://bmwdean.home.att.net/r1200rt.htm BMW R 1200 RT web page]