Intro

There are many R1200GS riders who never venture offroad but who take full benefit of its excellent touring abilities. Those riders may be tempted by BMW's dedicated tourer, the R1200RT. This page compares and contrasts these two excellent boxers.

GS1200 RT1200
GS1200 RT1200
  • lighter (wet: 25kg, 11%) (1)
  • better power:weight ratio (wet: 2.5%) (1)
  • more chuckable so more fun!
  • wider handlebars make steering easier
  • better ground clearance
  • offroad ability
  • cheaper
  • more powerful (10bhp, 10%) (1)
  • higher top speed
  • longer range
  • quieter
  • better headlights
  • integrated sidebags as standard
  • options include electronic cruise control and heated seat

Manufacturer's Specs (1) GS1200 RT1200
Power (PS) 98 @ 7000rpm 110 @ 7500rpm
Torque (Nm) 115 @ 5500rpm 115 @ 6000rpm
Compression ratio 11.0:1 12.0:1
Fuel 95 98
Alternator/Battery 600W/12Ah 720W/19Ah
Suspension travel F/R 190/200mm 120/135mm
Tyres on wheel - Front 110/80 R19 on
2.5x19 		120/70 ZR17 on
4x17
Tyres on wheel - Rear 150/70 R17 on
3.5x17 		180/85 ZR17 on
5.5x17
Disk diameter F/R 305/265mm 320/265mm
Wet weight (kg) 225 259 without bags
Fuel capacity: main/reserve/total (l) 16/4/20 23/4/27
Consumption @ 90kmh (l/100km) 4.5 3.6
Consumption @ 120kmh (l/100km) 6.0 4.8
Tank, main/reserve/total (l) 16/4 = 20 23/4 = 27
Range, main/reserve (km) @ 120kmh 260/66 = 326 480/83 = 563


Measured Performance (2) GS1200 RT1200
Measured power (PS) 96 @ 6700rpm 111 @ 7700rpm
Measured torque (Nm) 113 @ 5600rpm 110 @ 6100rpm
Wet weight (kg) 237 262 without bags
0-100 km/h 3.5s 3.6s
50-120 km/h in top gear 7.1s 7.2s
Top speed (km/h) 218 226
Fuel capacity: main/reserve/total (l) 16/4/20 23/4/27
Consumption - general (l/100km) 5.7 5.3
Consumption - Autobahn @ 130km/h (l/100km) 5.2 5.8
Range, main/reserve (km) - general 280/70 = 350 434/75 = 509
Range, main/reserve (km) - Autobahn @ 130km/h 307/77 = 384 396/69 = 465

Notes

  1. Calculated based on BMW's official specs in the first table.
  2. Performance figures as measured by the German motorcycle magazine, Touren-fahrer; GS12 6/2004, RT12 3/2005.

But you could also try the R1200GS with Aeroflow/Saeng combination. This makes the GS quieter than the R1200RT while still being lighter, cheaper and more fun to ride.

Copyright © 2007, by Hari Ahluwalia & H. Marc Lewis. All rights reserved.