Why Married Men Shouldn’t Go To Singles Bars
Written: Jun 16 '07 (Updated Jun 25 '08)
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Pros: Lighter weight, low & high speed handling, range and comfort
Cons: Expensive battery tech, priced high in market
The Bottom Line: The experienced motorcyclist’s benchmark mixture of long distance motorcycle capabilities and comfort has evolved to yet an even higher level
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| donc230's Full Review: 2007 BMW R 1200 RT |
The 2007 BMW R 1200 RT has evolved the experienced motorcyclist’s benchmark mixture of long distance motorcycle capabilities and comfort to yet an even higher level.
I love my 2003 BMW R1150RT . We go almost everywhere together, enjoy the same sights and sounds, and are wonderfully matched in all our physical activities and contacts. Gazing at those well proportioned lines leaves me weak in the knees. When we touch, there is an emotional spark that ignites an almost unbounded lust for life. We have a physical and emotional bond that is both satisfying and invigorating. Finding a perfect match is rare, so how can a younger, slimmer, and more agile lynx ever tempt one from their commitment? Well, BMW might have unleashed a long legged temptress that is turning even my head.
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
A motorcycle is an emotional object. Nobody can gaze upon any motorized two-wheeler without feeling something. Yes, on the one hand it might be fear, intimidation, or even distaste. And on the other hand, for those of us with a yen for covering great distances with total mastery of their vehicle and the environment, motorcycles can rekindle even the slightest spark of those yearning. No car or van can generate those feelings as easily. Since their creation in the late 1970’s, BMW RT’s have been designed with that lust for excitement and comfort as their goal. The RT series maintained that you should be able to satisfy those needs during daily stop light to stop light commuting and exploration of those blue back roads on a road map, and then the RT is also the master of the Autobahn or Interstate highway.
Throughout the last decade or so, BMW has led the long distance and performance touring market with their bikes like those seen in the “Mini chase” of the movie The Italian Job, and K1200LT ultimate luxury motorcycles. But as the market called for more, BMW delivered.
Looks
The “new” RT has a distinctive style. A major departure from the rounded compound curve lines from the recent past. Fairing panels so lightly curved as to look almost flat, bring the performance tourer into the twenty-first century. Painting the fairing lowers a darker color does help to soften any “flat” look. Bowing to Newton’s Laws you were pained to memorize in school, panel design better allows the bike to move through solid air by providing an even lower “drag” obstacle. Larger kidney shaped scoops over the front fender channel air into the front mounted engine oil cooler. Larger, more effective headlights brighten the night. A more ergonomic shaped fuel tank has been added to better hold the 91 octane unleaded premium fuel that feeds the engine. The lines of the more curved windshield better shape the comfortable air-pocket for rider and passenger, and the large saddle bags easily follow the aggressive lines of fairing while being able to hold a full face helmet. The RT only comes in three metallic colors: beige, blue, and silver. Nope, no matter what the picture at the top of this review may lead you to believe, neither red nor black are offered for 2007.
Raising The Bar – The Engine
Improving on either the performance or luxury touring market called for serious design work. The existing R1150 boxer engine produced a baseline of 90 plus hp. With longevity proven over millions of customer and law enforcement miles, power was confidently raised to over 110 hp by punching the cylinder hole a bit larger. Like its older brother, the 4 valve 1170 cc, retains the “dual sparkplug” design for better combustion efficiency and predictable engine control in the lower parts of the power band. The “surging”(inability of the engine to maintain a constant level of power output) sometimes found in earlier version of the engine has been effectively eliminated. Torque has been increased to 85 lb/ft to further enhance the usable portion of that flat power band.
Slimmer
A common, but usually unspoken, complaint of motorcycle riders is a heavy feel. Normally, that is caused by a combination of a high center of gravity (the heaviest parts of the motorcycle being farther from the ground), rider skills during low speed maneuvers, and upper body strength. It is “unspoken” because most feel it means they are either unworthy or not “man” enough to be riding. BMW opposed twin motorcycles have always been designed with this complaint in mind. This engine design pretty much lowers where the weight is concentrated. Now BMW has succeeded in reducing the RT overall weight from over 625 to just over 500 pounds.
Younger
New BMW motorcycles are state-of-the-art in technology. From the computer controlled engine management system, through the EVO anti-lock partially linked brakes, to the CAN BUS single wire based electrics, the BMW screams young. Even the batteries are a sealed fiber mat design. The down side is that they will require a battery charger that understands this technology. I know that the one I use costs much more than those usually found at the local hardware store, but you should consider one. With so much computer stuff going on, having correct voltage levels in the system is highly desired.
Longer Legs
Power like that is only useful if it can be comfortably controlled. A six speed gearbox adds to the purpose built performance of the new RT. Power passing through the 180 mm, hydraulically activated, automotive style clutch, enjoys two higher gears with ratios of 0.90 and 0.81:1. During earlier times of motoring these ratios were sometimes know as “overdrives.” That additional power and leaner bulk can combine with all this mechanical engineering to make those overdrive-like gears really useful on the road. A rider can roll the throttle for an interstate highway pass without downshifting in most cases. Those lower engine speeds equate to better gas mileage, longer distances between fuel stops, and less effort for the rider. Yep, those legs are getting longer. Adding to that a 7 US gallon fuel tank, the estimated fuel economy of over 50 mpg gives you a useful range of over 350 miles between stops. You can now stop when you want to and not when you have to. Wow, those legs really are long!
Ah, The Rear End
BMW has pretty much perfected the driveshaft equipped motorcycle. Dating back to 1923 when the first BMW motorcycle was unveiled to the public, their serious road warriors have all sported this technology. With no dirty chains or belts to deal with, power can be transmitted unseen to the rear wheel. Remembering my early riding days, I still enjoy not messing up clean riding gear with chain lube thrown from a chain.
Purpose Built Frame
Part of keeping off unnecessary weight is the use of the engine and driveline as primary stressed members of the frame. If you are not impressed with the technical terms, that means that instead of having a heavy bar running the length of the motorcycle (like your first bicycle), they use the motor and driveshaft to do that job. The Telelever front suspension is sort of like an average motorcycle single shock rear swing arm on the wrong end of the bike. It returns a smoother ride, due to having less unsprung weight for the shock to manage, and a more controllable front end. The rear Paralever is a single sided swing arm, that is really the enclosed driveshaft, and a single 5.3 inch travel rear shock. Again, weight is reduced, strength is increase, and the slimmer design returns more agile and controllable performance.
Bouncing And Stopping
Big news for BMW is the Electronic Suspension Adjustment, or ESA. A hefty $800 option, it should be seriously considered. At the touch of the finger, a rider can adjust spring preload and rebound dampening while riding. OK, that means that you can change the entire personality of the bike’s ride and handling from the behind the handle bars. The EVO brakes that I loved so much on earlier models have again “evolved” to a more manageable system. Where once riders did have to be sure that the front wheel was pretty straight when coming to a complete stop, recent changes in valving and programming have given motorcycle “power assisted” brakes a new high in usefulness. Two four pistons calipers slow the front wheel, and a single two piston caliper keeps the rear wheel from overtaking the front.
Commander’s View
The view from the command seat is great. Handle bar controls are laid out in a logical and easy to reach manner. Once you get used to the BMW decree that the right turn signal switch is on the right grip and the left is on the left, you might wonder why others do it differently. Switches for the optional cruise control, heated seats, radio / CD, and heated hand grips fall readily to the thumbs without too cluttered a look. For those “exercise the limits” times, the speedometer is easy to read, as is the tachometer. In the center is a newly designed multifunctional display for engine health feedback and gear selection. It also provides an output for the on board computer system. Useful information about remaining fuel range, distance traveled, and such is always right at hand.
Going Out Together
Even with those long RT legs the adjustable seats on the RT are welcome. At the 30 inch lowest level it did not spread my own 31 inch inseam legs too far as to become unsteady at a stop. The highest 32 inch level allowed me to greatly relax my knees when cruising speeds were attained. The seat is wide and firm enough to spread those hot spots around. I believe it would be more than adequate for most all riders typical 300 mile days, and the addition of a custom seat only necessary for serious long distance endurance riders. Bar placement lets my 5 foot 10 frame and 32 inch sleeve length body assume an upright, slightly forward curved, relaxed riding position. Foot pegs and controls are slightly to the rear, but not excessively sport positioned, for continued relaxed riding.
The passenger seat is very similar to the rider seat in comfort and height adjustment. It is wider at the front, but the passenger does not have to control a bike with their feet during stops.
Handling
I always thought my other BMWs were easy to handle in all situations. BMW has taken that to new heights. Compared to my R1150RT the R1200RT feels like a bicycle at low speeds! Even with full saddle bags, trunk, and the passenger seat loaded with camping gear, 5 mph parking lot maneuvers were amazingly easy. I had a hard time believing it weighed in at even 500 pounds. Road irregularities and bumps were handled with ease, and handle bar feedback great. On twisty, rider roads the adhesion of the fitted Michelin Pilot Road tires can be taken to their limits. There was always a confident feel of control and comfort, even when turns were accidently taken above posed speed limits.
Comfort
Vibration always seems to come up in motorcycle discussions. Yes, an opposed twin cylinder engine will have to have a rocking at idle. The R1200RT is no exception. Wringing that extra 20% horsepower out of the engine can add a bit more. While I never found it objectionable, it is more noticeable than on the four cylinder bikes, and I believe it will settle down as an engine beds in. Both bikes I rode had less than 3,000 miles on them, and for around 300 miles each, so time will only tell. I do know that my R1150RT settled down around the 20,000 mile mark.
If you have never ridden in cool weather with either heated hand grips or a heated seat you do not know today’s motorcycles. Turning on the grips and seat during a cool or cold rain can make all the difference in the world. It changes an endurance ride to an enjoyable ride. Discomfort is something you should not have to live with in the near $20,000 range.
The electrically adjustable windshield does allow you to change the air pocket for climatic or fatigue conditions. Besides the seat, I do not think I would change anything other than the windshield for more serious riding. It works much better than most stock shields, but it might not totally fit your body.
Storage
There is ample space in the bags and the trunk for a full face helmet. They are keyed with the same key as the ignition, and can be removed when not needed. There is a cargo strap like band across the inside to help hold the contents. But I would still recommend some bag liners so that you do not have to bring road grim into either your home or hotel room.
Singles Bar?
The 2007 BMW R 1200 RT can seriously erode your relationship with any other touring mount. It has evolved the experienced motorcyclist’s benchmark mixture of long distance motorcycle capabilities and comfort to yet an even higher level. For around $18,000 you can ride the new ultimate in all around motorcycle excellence. The good thing is that if there is a little more room in your garage you can keep a more perfect model along side your tried and true love!
Reliability Update
Recently there has been a significantly high number of final drive failures. Failures have been preceeded by leaking and a grinding noise. Mileage on these bikes has been around 30,000 + total miles on machines under load and other longer distance touring conditions. Since being made aware of the condition, BMW AG has revised their service schedule for these machines. There is now a recomendation to change the lubrication in the final drive at least annually, and inspect the "play" in the bearings. BMW has "brought back" the drain and fill plugs on all new production final drives (R series and K series bikes) to facilitate renewal of lubricants. Since there have been no retrofit plans, owners of the "non-drain plug" final drives will still have to remove the component to renew the lubricants.
Once again, permanent lubricants have shown themselves to be unrealistic.
Don
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Test ride
Condition: New
Model Year: 2007
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