Ride Review: 2012 BMW R1200RT

2012 BMW R1200RT (demo ride)

It just flat works for me…but then I am used to the boxer motor & like upright roomy egos…bars, seat, pegs, windscreen, are plug-n-play for me…with seat in the high position it feels like I could cross the continent. After immediately getting off my R1150R you do notice a top heaviness standing still with that huge 25 litre tank & expansive faring, yet still has a flickable feeling once under way & tracks delightfully leaned over with nary any bob or weave even with bumps mid corner. Much quicker in acceleration & revs than my old R1150R though still very similar in feel with omnipresent low level vibes that keep you in touch with the motor without becoming intruding or objectionable…it’s just the character of the refined motor & drive train…it is very reassuring at parking lot speeds & exhibits perfect crisp fueling. 

 A nice feature is that despite the imposing bodywork in front of you, there is a clear view of the forks, tire & road through the gap between the tank & the instrument cluster. The tranny is so improved over my 1150 it feels Japanese in its lightness & lack of clunking. You never once think about the shaft. The windscreen has a larger range of movement than the K1200GT/1300GT & offers better protection, although I would need a 2” taller screen (aftermarket only, no taller OEM option) to be in complete still air, but would definitely ride a season before considering a change…it’s very effective & offers a nice breeze in the low position that would be welcome on hot rides. The bike has a very solid taught quality feel, as did the K1200GT/K1300GT, with the GT feeling a bit more of a mass & not quite as quick turning (longer wheel base & about 60 lbs heavier on the road weight). The brakes on both bikes are nothing short of amazing, but I think the RT has edge in feel & progression.

The ESA suspension is awesome, again I doubt if you would ever need the sport setting, but having on the fly adjustment of dampening, ride height & spring rate is amazing. The electric windscreen, cruise control, heated seats & grips will spoil you rotten. ABS is standard, stability control & tire pressure monitoring are options. Nobody makes better bags than BMW.

The gearing on the RT is much taller in the higher gears (105 kph = 3k rpm in 6th) giving the bike a much more relaxed demeanor compared to my old R1150R…the RT requires downshifting 1 or 2 gears if wanting quick acceleration from anything <100kph…this is in stark contrast to the K1200GT/K1300GT which pulls like a freight train in 6th & becomes a rocket in the lower gears. The RT accelerates at a pace that my aging mind & reflexes can comfortably process…quick enough to be fun & satisfying, yet capable of getting into trouble if not paying attention, whereas the K1200GT/K1300GT is so quick with linear acceleration that never seems to drop off despite lofty speeds…that has a whole lot of potential to scare me.

Now for the significant chink in the armor…out the door $25k.