Test: BMW R 1200 RS – AvtoTachki

Content

Basic data
Technical information

Over the past decade, traditional sport travelers have had to quietly and almost unopposed leave their role in the market for so-called all-round adventure bikes. Admittedly, they summed up all the main features of the sporty travelers very well, but for lovers of the classics, despite the very simple recipe, the real offer is relatively small. Not too much, but a solidly powerful engine, good suspension and brakes, some ride and comfort and maybe a bit of sporty looks is just about all it takes.

BMW, which has been one of the most prolific motorcycle manufacturers to improve its range in recent years, is no newcomer to the class. Already in 1976, he convincingly demonstrated the R 1000 RS, but at the turn of the millennium he had to admit that competitors knew better then, probably mainly due to the characteristics of the boxing engines with which the R 1150 RS was equipped. The boxing-powered RS (Road Sport) has been forgotten for a few years, but they've recently returned to the segment convincingly and with great style.

This is thanks to the new water-cooled boxer engine. With upgrades, this engine easily propelled the iconic GS and luxurious RT to the top of its class and is also ideal for the R 1200 R and R 1200 RS models.

Since the R 1200 RS shares a lot of frame and geometry with the NineT and R 1200 R models, this bike isn't quite the classic BMW boxer as we know it. We are used to Bosker BMW having a so-called remote switch in the front, which remained on the factory shelves after the introduction of water-cooled engines due to water cooling. In the GS and RT models, water coolers are squeezed out along the side of the motorcycle, while in others, which should be much narrower for their purpose, there was simply no room for this.

It is not noticeable that due to the new classic front wheel mounting, in comparison with the already respected R 1200 RS telelover, it loses something in terms of stability and controllability. The high-quality suspension, supported by a three-stage electronic adjustment, a stabilization program and an excellent Brembo brake package, allows you to always be safe even when the motorcycle is pushed hard. As far as suspension settings and behavior are concerned, the driver actually has very little work to do despite the many options, since, in addition to choosing the desired setting from a simple selection menu, everything is done electronically. There is no ghost or rumor of swaying when driving through irregularities or sitting under hard braking. Well, the pleasures and joy that modern electronically controlled suspension brings.

As far as the engine itself is concerned, there seems to be nothing more suited to dynamic, sporty driving on the road at the moment. The engine will not burst from the abundance of "horses", but these two German pistons are sovereign and flexible. Its electronics are standardly supported with a choice of different work programs, but it must be admitted that no significant differences were observed between them on dry roads. The drivetrain is long in the last two gears, so high highway speeds won't put unnecessary stress on the engine. The test bike was also equipped with a quickshifter system allowing clutchless shifting in both directions. Between first and second gears, at least in the voice messages sent by the transmission mechanics, it is still better to use the clutch, and in gears that are more decisive and faster, pressing or raising the gear lever shifts gears smoothly and smoothly without any bumps. To switch to a lower throttle, the engine must be fully closed and each time the engine automatically adds some intermediate gas, which also causes an audible crackle in the exhaust system. Pleasant.

In any case, the technology is enough for the driver to have to deal with the settings for a rather long time before the first ride. And when he tidies up all those transparent and simple icons and menus, he then looks for differences and suitable settings for several tens of kilometers. But as soon as he finds a suitable one, he simply forgets it all. The way it is.

So much about technology, but what about comfort and tourism? The driving position behind the low-slung steering wheel is quite sporty, but a far cry from what we know from the sporty S 1000 RR, with which the RS shares much of its looks. The seat is generally not adjustable in height, but when ordering, the customer can choose one of two height options. At 187 centimeters, I did not notice a lack of space. The RS is a big bike, and it seems like it's easy to do 200+ kilometers in its entirety. The wind protection is adjustable in four levels in a 2+2 system. It's not as much as in other BMWs, but it's enough that the wind and noise around the helmet are not too strong even at high speeds. Considering the fact that BMW offers much more luxurious and touring bikes, the fact that the RS mostly comes without suitcases is not a downside. If you need them, you can find them in the original accessories list. This time is enough for the Republic of Slovenia to travel seriously and far. But I would not choose it for such a purpose. Just because it's too much fun and fun to carry luggage around with you. It's the guy's bike that you ride, zip up your leather jacket, drive off, not necessarily far, and come home with this crazy look. Driving a slow bike is more fun than choking the most powerful supercar in traffic.

We cannot say that among the competition and the BMW offer itself, there is no best sport, best travel or best city bike. But when you try the RS, you'll find that for more sportiness, more rides, and more short city ride fun than this bike offers, you'll need at least two, if not three bikes. The Republic of Slovenia is not a compromise, it is a completely unique motorcycle with a lot of what we call style, soul and character.

However, the Republic of Slovenia is living proof that great compromises in a world on two wheels are possible thanks to modern technology, and giving up something at the expense of something else is becoming less and less. Living with compromises is smart, less stressful, and more practical in the long run, but it's not written on everyone's skin. If you are among those who can do this, then RS is the right choice.

Matyazh Tomazic, photo: Sasha Kapetanovich

Basic data
Sales: BMW Motorrad Slovenia
Test model cost: € 14.100 XNUMX €
Technical information
engine: 1.170cc, two-cylinder boxer, water-cooled

Power: 92 kW (125 hp) at 7.750 volts / min
Torque: 125 Nm at 6.500 rpm
Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, cardan, quickshifter
Frame: two-piece, partly tubular
brakes: front double disc 2 mm, Brembo radial mount, rear single disc 320 mm, ABS, anti-slip adjustment
Suspension: front telescopic fork USD, 45 mm, electr. adjustable, single rear swingarm Paralever, el. adjustable
Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 180/55 R17
Growth: 760 / 820 mm
Fuel tank: 18 liters
Weight: 236 kg (ready to ride)