Hot on the heels of their own success with the R1200GS, BMW give the R1150RT the 'sharper'n' lighter' treatment. Jon Urry dances to the Boxer beat.
After about twenty miles of motorway cruising on the new and improved BMW R1200RT I've come to a worrying conclusion. My helmet smells.
And why do I mention this lapse in hygiene? Simple. It demonstrates how good the BMW's fairing is. I'm over six feet tall, and with the electric screen on its highest setting all I need do is dip my head and I'm cocooned in a pocket of still air, even at 80mph. Which is why I noticed the smell.
That aside this is one mightily impressive motorbike. The old model, the R1150RT, is one of those bikes that owners raved about, but when we did a group test alongside the Honda Pan European and Yamaha FJR1300, I have to say I wasn't quite so impressed. In a straight line the BMW was probably the most comfortable bike I had ever ridden, but it would run wide in corners and the motor wasn't exactly fantastic.
But these criticisms didn't stop sales. The RT was BMW's best selling bike in 2002 and 2003, only beaten last year by the new, and very good, R1200GS.
So what's new this year? Well, continuing BMW's 'continuous model offensive' (their words) the RT now gets the new 1170cc Boxer motor with its improved gearbox and smoother running engine, and an extra 15% more power - now 110bhp - and 10% extra torque at 85lb.ft. The fairing is re-designed for more protection, the fuel tank bigger at 27 litres and economy improved to a claimed 58.8mpg at 75mph.
It's also been on a diet. A big one. The RT now weighs 20 kilos less at 229kg. And while the digital display, adjustable seat, fitted panniers and optional extras remain, they have all been updated and improved.
And it all works together very well. Like I say, I wasn't a huge fan of the old RT but this new one is excellent. And once off the motorway, on which the new bike showed similarly impressive levels of comfort to the old, the RT is a massive improvement.
