Ride Review: 2012 BMW R1200RT

By
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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tenere 700: MIVV Dakar Exhaust & Carbon Heat Shield

By
Image
MIVV Dakar Y.064.LDKX Exhaust + Carbon Heat Shield ACC.80.0 Why a New Exhaust? Yamaha opted for Dakar inspired styling & cost savings vs function with the design & location of the oem muffler for the Tenere 700 that positions it precariously low & outside the swingarm, attached to a welded on vs bolt on hanger that easily bends pushing the muffler into the aluminum swingarm with the slightest provocation (there have even been reports that some damaged bikes in the USA have been written off by insurance citing a bent frame). See  my blog article here  for additional info on the swingarm/muffler issue & several aftermarket T7 exhaust options. The oem wide muffler positioning also complicates the use of some soft bag & rackless systems & clearance with the hot muffler plus mandates that many luggage rack systems be detrimentally far away from the center line of the bike,  adding unnecessary width & undesirable handling dynamics at the back end. De...
Read more

Tenere 700: 8 Day, 4,360 km (2,709 mile) 'Rideabout' - 2 Provinces, 5 States, 1 Provincial & 4 National Parks + Tenere 700 Hwy Touring Observations Aug 2024

By
Image
    8 Day,  4,360 km (2,709 mile), 'Rideabout' - 2 Provinces, 5 States, 1 Provincial & 4 National Parks -  Aug 7-14, 2024 With each year, & officially a 'baby' senior at 66, motivation & ability to do the things I historically treasured become a plethora of balancing the increasingly disparate physical & emotional realities with the seductive biased recollections of my youth touring much of western Canada & USA, Baja/Central/Northern Mexico & 2 years in Texas via motorcycle...Bob Seger's "Against the Wind' echoes in my head 😎.  After having to cancel my Yukon/Alaska trip this June because of recurring back issues, & while no where near 100%, was in need of some throttle therapy & seized an opportunity. The ensuing journey is as much an exploration of my current abilities for a concentrated high mileage solo 1 or 2 week long 'rideabout' without much conditioning & lead up riding as it is about my accessorized ...
Read more

Tenere 700: Correct Fork Alignment - Floating Right Fork Needs to be Set Correctly on Axle to Obtain Equal Gap for Brake Caliper & Rotor - Service Manual Front Wheel & Tightening Torques - 'Everything Tenere' & Dave Moss Videos: Align Fork Legs Properly After Mounting The Wheel

By
Image
Disclaimer: I am just a long time motorcycle enthusiast with moderate wrenching experience/skills (not a professional/Yamaha mechanic) & have compiled this info from others more experienced & knowledgeable as a reference based on my personal experience with my T7 that hopefully can help others. Fork Alignment & Right Fork Caliper/Rotor Position MUST Be Checked After Front Wheel Removal! T he T7 right front axle assembly is a floating design that, depending on several factors, may not correctly position the caliper & rotor for equal gap & can result in the rotor resting against the upper edge of the caliper...not a desirable situation if gone unnoticed. This information is NOT in the Yamaha Service Manual & can be an overlooked issue when changing the T7 front tire .. .the right fork's static/resting position is toward the outside on my T7, which incorrectly positions the inside edge of the caliper to make contact with the rotor ( has been posted by others ...
Read more