Australian Motorcycle News - June 21, 2018

secondhand

Long distance motorcycle travel didn’t get much better

than behind the ’bars of BMW’s tourer-with-the-lot

BMW R 1200 RT 2005-2009

WORDSROB BLACKBOURN

PHOTOGRAPHY AMCN ARCHIVES

Five-star tourer

1

New 1170cc engine,

first seen in the R

1200 GS, received

hotter cams and a

higher compression

ratio in RT guise.

2

The engine is a load-

bearing link between

the separate tubular-

steel front and rear

frame sections.

3

Slick six-speed

gearbox features

helical gears for

quieter operation and

ratios to match engine

characteristics.

4

Fairing was designed

in a wind-tunnel

and also provides more

room for tall riders’

knees than its R 1150 RT

predecessor.

PRIOR TO THE release of the R 1200 RT in 2005,
BMW’s RT-series touring bikes had represented
the gold standard for the category in terms
of the model’s impressive combination of
performance, comfort and tech-spec. Then the
comprehensively redesigned R 1200 RT arrived
and raised the bar several notches higher,
winning the Munich-based company plaudits
from fans of top-shelf tourers around the world.
The 1200 RT is a more responsive bike than
the much admired R 1150 RT it replaced, thanks
to a 15 per cent power boost (to 82kW) and a
20kg weight loss (to 229kg dry). The revised air/
oil-cooled, f lat-twin (‘boxer’) engine is housed
in a redesigned two-piece tubular-steel frame.
The suspension combines the unique Telelever
up front with the Paralever rear. A powerful,

partially linked ABS set-up provides braking

that’s a great match for the big tourer’s needs.

Rider and passenger ride sumptuously on

all-day-comfortable seats, protected from

the elements by a substantial fairing with an

electrically adjustable screen. The ergonomics

suit a wide range of rider sizes and shapes.

Rider seat height adjusts from 820-840mm.

Tacho and speedo are easy-to-read analogue

units. Supplementary digi-displays vary

according to the range of options fitted.

Other options included heated grips, heated

seats, cruise control, CD/radio audio system,

electronic suspension adjustment, tyre-

pressure monitoring and on-board computer.

The factory hard-panniers have an easy-to-

use locking and attachment system. If you’re

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