2005-2007     R1200RT

Friends and acquaintances have been asking me, “Are you going to get one?” That is, will I buy a new R1200RT? The answer is in the photo below, right:

The photo above, left, is a 2007 model R1200RT in Biarritz blue color. The colors changed for the 2007 model year, and a new generation of ABS brakes without power assist also arrived.

For years, actually decades, BMW motorcycle saddles have been uncomfortable. The only stock BMW saddle I have ever found to be comfortable for long periods was that on the K1200LT. I have often wondered why BMW could not produce comfortable saddles for its motorcycles. A good friend once asked a BMW employee about this and was told that, surely, BMW could make comfortable saddles, but it could not sell bikes with them because of the way they look. In other words, BMW's theory is the reverse of Architect Louis Sullivan's famous dictum, “form follows function.” That is, BMW believes that when it comes to saddles, at least, form follows style. The lack of comfort of the R1200RT's stock saddle became apparent the first time I rode it from the dealer to my home. Therefore, on my full-size R1200RT I have installed a Rick Mayer leather saddle (photo below, left) to cure the serious comfort shortcomings of the stock saddle. Aftermarket saddle makers may well be happy with BMW's saddle design concept.

There are two BMW top cases available for the R1200RT. The smaller case has a capacity of 28 liters (1 ft.³ or 7.4 gallons); the larger case has a capacity of 49 liters (1.7 ft.³ or 12.9 gallons) and comes only in light gray. The small case is perfect for daily use. The large case, which will swallow two full-face helmets, is great for packing for long trips. You can definitely feel the impact of the large case on handling when you are loaded for touring. I am often asked, “Are they available color matched to the motorcycles?” The answer is no. Because it presents a large hunk of light gray lid, it surely would be nice if the large case, especially, was available from BMW color matched. For $75, I had my top lid painted to match the bike, as can be seen below.

I have added Motolight driving lights (see photo below, left). Inasmuch as I did not order a radio, I was able to install another electrical socket on the left side of the fairing (inset photo below, right), wired directly to the battery, where the radio controls would have been. The RCU Shelf (photo below, right) is now available as well from BMW of Salt Lake, and I have added one to my R1200RT to hold a variety of electronic gadgets. I had to cut the trailing edge of the RCU shelf back 1½ inches (3.8 cm), however, so I could see the highest indicator lights.

Below: I installed a California Sport Touring clock/voltmeter/thermometer on the shelf. While not waterproof (and needs to be wrapped in rain) it provides good information.

Below, left: I installed Hyper-Lites' turn signals to increase my conspicuity when I signal turns or lane changes.

Below, right: Hyper-Lites can also provide its famous flashing LED brake lights for the single-filament brake light on the R1200RT. I installed the dual function version with 16 LEDs per side. It shows steady tail LEDs (shown below) and flashing brake LEDs.

Below, left: I added a rotating, adjustable blind spot mirrors up where your views otherwise tend to be of your hands on the hand grips.

Below, center: BMW's rear fender extender (part #71607694194) slides up and down to adjust amount of projection below the stock fender.

Below, right: The door to the glove/radio box has a neat flashlight clip that holds perfectly an AA Mini Maglite® — color matched, of course.

Because of the new single-wire electrical system on the R1200RT, a normal battery charger cannot be used unless it is connected directly to the battery. Therefore, BMW produced a special charger (photo right) for this motorcycle, and the R1200GS, which can plug directly into the stock accessory socket and charge the battery. Once charged, the motorcycle's electrical system shuts down. The accessory socket I installed (see inset photo above) is wired directly to the battery. I plug the charger into this socket.

The Incredible Fading Horn

The 2005 and early 2006 R1200RT motorcycles came with loud, two-tone horns that were very effective. Midway during the production of the 2006 models, however, BMW replaced the two-tone horns with a single “beep” that is minimal and, to me, completely unacceptable. I have no idea why this was done, other than to save precious few dollars. The replacement horn is ineffective in warding off drivers drifting their cars into your lane. When I traded my 2005 in on a new 2007, I had the dealer swap the horns so my new bike still has the two-tone version. I recommend that owners of R1200RTs with single-tone horns replace their one horn with two-tone horns as soon as possible. Either secure original 2005 BMW horns or get aftermarket horns from an auto supply store.

Just in case the reason BMW replaced two horns with one was because additional electrical load caused problems with its sensitive electronics, I took the precaution of wiring the two horns directly to the battery and connecting them to the R1200RT's wiring harness's positive horn wire through a relay. I had done this with my 2005 R1200GS using an inexpensive auto relay (part no. 275-226) from Radio Shack. Having installed a relay, I have had zero problems with dual horns on my R1200RT.

The Inscrutible “Bordcomputer”

Now let me opine on the trip computer (the “BC” button — Bordcomputer, which is German for “on board computer” — the button on the right handlebar). It offers several items of information in the LCD panel, such as MPG since set, miles-to-empty, average MPH since set, ambient temperature, and engine oil level. This info is both helpful and disturbing — the latter because some of it is dead wrong. Worst appears to be the oil level indicator on 2005 models. It has a “” mark for o.k. oil level, “-----” for something else, and “<!>” for oil too low. Trouble is, all these indicators can show up in a single short ride. Therefore, when you see “<!>” you think the engine might be about to blow up, but the oil level may be just fine. So you cannot trust it and must rely on the sight glass. This problem was corrected for the 2006 R1200RTs, and a warranty fix is available to 2005 owners as of June 2006 through Service Bulletin 12 001 06 (024). The oil level indicator on 2007 models is not visible when the motorcycle is moving — only when it is stopped.

The thermometer is also inaccurate on 2005 R1200RTs because it reads between  5° and 10° Fahrenheit too low all the time. Either mount a separate remote thermometer or assume it is about  5- 8° warmer than what the LCD indicates. However, in June 2006 BMW Motorrad USA issued a fix for this in Service Bulletin 62 001 06 (005), which is covered under warranty. “Cause: Temperature sensor poorly positioned toward the rear of the motorcycle. As of model year 2006, the temperature sensor is installed toward the front of the right side panel.” Owners of 2005 models, therefore, can head to their BMW dealers for the fix. I did that and the temperature on my 2005 RT was then at least consistent, but always 10° F. low! The 2006 and 2007 models do give accurate ambient temperature readings.

When the miles-to-empty reads “-----”, meaning theoretically that you are out of gas, you actually have about a gallon left — so it, too, is inaccurate. Other riders report you can ride 40-45 miles more after this indicator suggests you are out of fuel. So when you get the “-----” reading, I guess it means you should think about looking for a gas station.

So why bother with the optional trip computer? Knowing and allowing for its limitations, I find the alleged miles-to-empty useful. I also like the resettable MPG display — the latter, surprisingly, being pretty accurate as well as entertaining. And the problems have been corrected in the 2006 and 2007 model R1200RTs.

The R1200RT-P Authority Motorcycle

In 2006, BMW began manufacturing the "Authority" version of the R1200RT, known as the R1200RT-P (photos below). It is the successor to the acclaimed R1150RT-P. BMW has the largest number of police motorcycles in service worldwide — over 80,000 — and its motorcycles are gaining wide acceptance in the United States because of their superior power, handling, brakes, and life-cycle costs. The well-known but aged Kawasaki KZ1000 police bike is no longer in production. Harley-Davidson has finally added ABS brake to it police bikes only, which still have local departmental devotees in spite of being heavier and having inferior power, handling, brakes, and life-cycle costs, because they "look tough" and have floor boards. Police departments by nature are bound by tradition, but when BMWs are given fair evaluations in comparison to other brands they usually win over motor officers not previously familiar with them. Click here to read a report (PDF file) done in 2006, “Law Enforcement Motorcycle Test and Evaluation Program,” from the Los Angeles County Sherff's Department.

I have often wondered how “spy” photos of a motorcycle model taken before its public release compare to the actual products. Below are shown two spy shots of the R1200RT taken in Spain and published in 2004, well before the R1200RT's early-2005 release. When these were published, I opined that the bulbous “fairing” appeared actually to be a cover over the actual fairing. This proved to be true. The headlight and taillight shapes were masked, and the fairing cover obscured the final shape of the actual fairing. Except for these covers, and the paint, the general outline of the new motorcycle was observable.