Smart Money Tips: Buying a Used 2010–2013 BMW R1200RT

BMW isn't the only brand in the sport-touring club, but it's one of the founding members, and any other motorcycle manufacturer applying for admission has a pretty good idea whose standards it has to meet. Since its debut in 2005, the R1200RT has chaired just about every meeting of riders who want solid comfort and overall competence from their mounts. In 2010 BMW passed a motion to give the R-RT the engine out of that year's R1200GS, ensuring its reappointment to almost everyone's Best Sport Tourer list for at least another few years.

The R-RT’s 1,170cc, air-/oil-cooled, DOHC boxer lump got bigger valves and throttle bodies, different cam specs, and new pistons. Claimed output was 110 hp, not outstanding among its sport-touring competitors, but that number was actually less significant than the increase in torque throughout the powerband, which peaked at a claimed 88 pound-feet and got serious at about 3,000 rpm. The added oomph made reaching for the 8,500-rpm redline—500 revs higher than the previous engine—an unnecessary exercise. Optional ABS and traction control moderated the flow of power in the appropriate circumstances.

The chassis featured the familiar Telelever front and Paralever rear suspension, but the optional ESA II added an extra dimension of control by letting you switch damping rates from Sport to Normal to Comfort and back again on the fly. Other nice touches included an adjustable windscreen, heated grips, an optional heated seat, rubber-mounted handlebars, an exceptionally effective fairing, and a 6.6-gallon tank that lets you ride almost 250 miles between fill-ups.

Legroom for both pilot and passenger was generous, with the seating position described as sporty by some and neutral by others. The rider’s part of the seat could be raised from 32.3 to 33.1 inches, and several other seat options were available. The optional top trunk gave the passenger welcome back support.

The handling was composed and controlled, with more than enough cornering clearance for a bike with the R-RT’s mission statement. Few riders were excited by it, but fewer still found that to be enough of a drawback to overshadow its other virtues. It was a far cry from its stripped-down ancestors, dwarfing them in terms of size and capabilities, but the teutonic nature remained.

Build quality of the R1200RT was high, with the fit and finish you'd expect from a premium model. Not exactly a hooligan's first choice for stunting, used ones have usually been cared for scrupulously—but there are exceptions, so ask for service records, and if you don't get them, move on. According to owners, BMW still had not eradicated final-drive failures by this generation—though the rates were in single-digit percentages—so check for proper service and evidence of leaks, and feel carefully for any bearing play.

Addressing any of these issues is no job for amateurs, and BMW dealers tend to charge handsomely for their time and expertise. Even with that price to pay, the R1200RT is a stellar sport-touring option with a healthy aftermarket and many, many happy customers.

CHEERS
Refined and capable. Like a good butler, willing to see to your every sport-touring need.
JEERS
Not the most thrilling ride you can buy. Tends to blend into the scenery.
WATCH FOR
Drops of fluid under the final-drive housing, non-functional electronic features.
VERDICT
Brilliant evolution of the boxer and proof there's life in the concept for years to come.
VALUE
2010 / $10,790
2011 / $11,900
2012 / $12,865
2013 / $13,585

2005–2009 BMW R1200RT
BMW continued to push the RT toward the sporting end of the sport-touring spectrum, thanks to a weight-reduction program, a new 1,170cc engine from the R1200GS with more torque, and a redesigned fairing. Almost ubiquitous as a cop bike at this point.

2002–2004 BMW R1150RT
The box score: Great chassis, so-so engine, clunky gearbox. Servo-assisted brakes will live in infamy. This generation got dual-plug heads in 2004, which is less of a milestone, more of a road map pointing to the R-RT's eventual metamorphosis into a more sharply focused sport-tourer.

1996–2001 BMW R1100RT
After BMW introduced the Oilhead in the R1100RS, it was only logical to create an RT off the same platform. As expected, it was heavier and less thrilling to ride than the RS. Vibey, heavy, and with a clunky gearbox. There are driveline reliability issues on high-mileage bikes.