2015 BMW R1200RT Review 

Great review but width for filtering is all in your head. The GS with expanded vario panniers and Adventurer is actually wider than the RT and the RT is more stable at slow speed so agreed its not the easiest bike to filter with but its not such a big issue when compared to a GS. I know as I have both models. Very informative review however - keep up the good work.

I recently picked up a 2017 R1200 RT LE with 40k miles on it. Impeccable condition with full BMW history. Rides like a dream for such a large bike handles and stops well too. I found this “older” review very useful Andy thanks.

SPOILER : 5 years later TMF will buy the Honda Goldwing and is still in love with his GS.

The radio is awesome. Imagine driving through some sleepy Cotswold village at 5am playing Welcome to the Jungle at full volume. And that's why I wouldn't be allowed one of these bikes :(

Just purchased a R1200RT today. Fantastic machine, and watching this review before hand pretty much sold it to me! Thanks for a great review. Josh

Filtering is such a big part of my riding I couldn't give that up even though I would love one of these

Hi TMF and all RT/BMW Boxer fans. As my handle will tell you I'm a big RT fan. Had mine 4 years now, it's a 2010 with 60,000 miles on it now. Been around Europe a couple of times on it and numerous UK trips. I've done the sports bikes and sports tourers but once I got this I never used my other bikes - so sold 'em and just have this now. It really does do it all. Here is a list of what impresses me about it: The Engine - as all 1200 boxer riders know, the torque is just awesome, pulls from any speed in any gear with a cheerful "ok Dude, lets go then" kind of attitude, and then it'll slow you down too in the intermediate gears if your hassling sports bike riders for a bit of fun, by just rolling off. I had a great blast with a Triumph 675 rider last year through some real twists close to the Dolomites. He was hanging off on all the corners, with hard accels and heavy braking, while I just maintained my distance, 2nd and 3rd gears, very little braking and feeling BAD - inspired by some Foo Fighters on the Audio system and the thrill of the chase. This leads me on to..... The Handling - Vice-less (is that a word?) is what I call it, it just stays so planted at any speed and lean angle, never shakes its head/feels like there is a hinge in the middle/falls into corners or any of those little confidence zapping characteristics of so many bikes. That said much of this can be down to poor suspension settings (how many leave it as they bought it??) and the number one for poor handling - Tyre Pressures!! - always check and set 'em before any ride The Luggage - takes soooo much stuff and with the liner bags so easy at the hotel - and never leaked yet! The Screen - just great, set it to blast your visor clear in the rain, cosset you in a calm bubble or drop it a bit when your getting a wiggle on! The Seat - best I've ridden on bar none! I did add the comfort seat, not for extra comfort, standard was fine, but it is just a little lower and I'm a 30" inside leg so appreciate that little extra foot planting when paddling around with "she who can't sit still"on the back! The Presence! I wear a hi-viz bib (NOT a Bloody POLITE one I hasten to add - a step too far IMHO) when commuting, and on the traffic jammed dual carriage way section, the traffic just seems to part for me - Marvellous!! The only real downside is the finish, whilst most of it is ok, you do have to keep on top of it to keep it looking good. I've tried many products and methods and the easiest and best for me seems to be wet the bike down/spray on muc-off on a small area - say 1/2 of the wheel/agitate with a 2" paint brush/rinse off with low pressure water from the garden hose. So next bike will surely be a water-cooled RT, daren't try one yet, won't be able to leave the show room without signing up! TMF love your videos, keep up the good work my friend. You make me feel to dig out my old go-pro and post some more - doubt they'll be as good as yours though! Hope our paths cross someday. Cheers mate - Dude

Hi Andy, what’s you opinion on older bmw’s? I’m looking at a 2006 r1200rt with 25k on it, are these bikes still good to buy and be dependable? Thanks

Great review mate.. this one’s definitely in my wish list

Large and bulbous ??? After riding a 1,000 lb Gold Wing for the last 5 years ( a great bike by the way ), I find my 2014 RT, at 550 lbs, quite light and slim ! It's a lot more fun to ride than the Wing, although I love the Wing for what it is.

Your review is one of the best I have seen of this bike. Your views on the rt1200rt strikes me as being quite honest and btw totally in Line with my own. Maybe it˚s time to give the old war bird some peace and Sunday-drives only (K100RT, July 1986), and finally pull the trigger on one of these new boxers for my own retirement. Best wishes and take care from an old Danish warrior/geezer, Tino :-)

Another good review. I have one of these 2015 bikes and an older GS. I’ve had all versions of the GS from the R1100 onwards and covered a lot of miles and some big mileage days on GS’s - I’m a fan of the GS. Picking the best is pointless as it really just comes down to personal preference, having said that, if I want to cover distance with luggage and arrive feeling civilised the RT has the edge for me. The size is just an illusion it’s just plastic covering space to produce a very effective fairing, if you think the experience is car like or that they don’t handle you cannot of ridden one. Brilliant fuel economy and range as well!

Great review, exactly my feelings. I have a r1200rt from 2008 still air cooled and not so fancy dashboard. However, I am glad to see they kept all the feeling/“character” of the bike in the new versions, everything you described applies to all models so far at least from 2005. Maybe one day I upgrade to newer model. Cheers

Mate you're obviously not very good at filtering, I filter through tight traffic here in NZ on my Triumph Trophy (not with panniers) same as my Suzuki gsx 1000s traffic. Width of my gsx s1000 is 89.5cm, trophy is 93.5cm and my car approx 2.4m, trophy nearly 3 times less wide. I measured width mirror to mirror. London traffic commuting inner is definitely worse than here but normal filtering no problem

Dream bike, absolutely a beautiful machine. Thanks for sharing.

Seems like an almost perfect bike. I have to imagine that some time soon, given the nature of the bike and the tech development, that it will likely have a DCT transmission in its next iteration. I would hope so, even if it is as an option. I just can't see anyone wanting a bike like this and objecting to fully automated gears - and I do not mean CVT, I do mean DCT, like some Hondas. Thanks for the great video. I really want to swap my wonderful and much loved 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 for one of these. In the real world though, I only do anything like a tour once or twice a year, and only in Japan where I live and, given that roads here are narrower, more congested, and subject to a national maximum speed limit of eighty kilometres per hour, yes fifty miles per hour, this bike would be wasted 95 percent of the time. Thanks again.

nice review, I love mine its a 2011 with 27K on it. Bought it brand new. I love heated grips and seat also.

Rock and roll screen...ROLF. love your reviews. Typische British humor. Or humour forgive me.

Radio on a bike? Hmmmm. I guess if the engine note isn't too inspiring it has some validity but I remain to be convinced. I guess this is an early TMF video, made before speedos went all blurry :o)

Hey mate, fantastic review, my dad has a slightly older one and he loves it, iv e mailed him the link or this to watch too! Mark

Daniel, many thanks for the review - I just watched your Triumph Trophy review, and you mention the price. On this R1200RT review you don't mention the price. If the UK is anything like Australia, there is a big difference in price. For example, the BMW R1200RT is AU$32,500 approx' ride away, and the Triumph Trophy is AU$23,490, that's a big AU$9,010 !! What is the difference in price in the UK? Great videos, keep it up mate!

The Land Rover of bikes! Town & Country. Love my RT.

This was a very smart review because all of us who are researching the GS without the intent of every riding it off road, just on motorways wonder if we should be looking at a non-off road offering from BMW, like this RT. Now here comes the million dollar question: Why not replace the GS with this RT machine now? what is it about the GS that makes you prefer it now to the RT even though you do not do off road? , why wait till you get tired of it, what keeps you with it now? something obviously does. that will be a very valuable answer.

stop.whining about the width those cylinders save your legs e very time when a car driver decides to occupy the space you're in if he's coming from your left when your left cylinder head starts making g Graunching tearing noises in his drivers doorhe soon backs off I used to have this experience about once a week as a despatch rider on an R80RT in London in the late 1980s

As a GS rider myself, you got to admit this bike get’s stuck in your head doesn’t it? Riding this was a revelation for me. I always assumed riding a motorcycle was supposed to be uncomfortable. All the discomfort of the gs is just not worthed anymore after this. The GS sucks at highway. This one is made for what we use the GS: road. I can count on one hand the amount of times I went offroad with mine. we all buy a GS for the looks and the world tour we will likely never make. I’m sold on this one.

Hi there! I've seen your doing a lot of different reviews at the minute most recent being the R1, I to am a GS rider and am possibly up grading soon and the RT is to a contender, however I would be interested to see a review of the FJR1300 from Yamaha?

Love your reviews! I went from a 2015 GSA to 2017 GS Rallye and just sold looking for a RT. I'm contemplating a 2015 vs 2018, but am slightly concerned with your comment of the vibration and handlebar vibes on this 2015. Now that this review is a bit older I'm wondering if someone can answer if the 2018 (with judder dampner lol) eliminated these "vibrations"? Thank you!

So glad You got to ride one and review it, I have had one since October, but coming from a Pan, don't have a problem filtering, especially with the Panniers Off! Love it! Keep the Vids coming! Helps while away the winter months!

TheMissendenFlyer thanks for your Reviews, I've just subscribed and have enjoyed every review I've seen so far! I'm located in Nova Scotia and planning to purchase a R1200RT this spring. Looks like the perfect bike for doing some long distance trips in Canada and the US. I was planning on a GS, but the wife wasn't as eager on that choice. One test ride had both her and myself convinced that the RT is the best choice for us. Keep up the good work!

I'm pondering one of these as I am running my Honda ST1100 ever further into the ground, one of the RT's seems almost anorexic compared to the Honda, I commute on the ST filtering almost all the way to work, no prob.

What is the road fund for this bike?

I've had the 2011 model now for 6 months and absolutely love this machine. As you say it has a bit of an old man stigma about it, but I can honestly say it doesn't feel like an old man's bike, it goes like stink and is so comfortable. When cruising along on my CBR600 at 70 I know I am are doing it, but the RT is ready to get going at that, you just don't feel any of the buffering of the open bikes. Horses for courses but I love this bike.

You can filter on this you just have to learn🤢🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

As a commuter (200km daily) now driving a GS adventure, I wonder if the mirror position is not a problem. I filter a lot in Brussels centre after miles of highway and it seems to me the mirrors are at the same hight as the cars. That must limit filtering capability no?

Great review. I too struggled with the GS vs RT question having just come from a Honda ST machine. In the end I opted for a GS which I haven't regret. During the test ride my wife asked "the RT is a beautiful bike but which one would you feel better about dropping!" She rides a 700GS. No bias there!! I predict I will eventually end up on an RT but not for the foreseeable future. Love the ruggedness of the GS! The perfect all around machine.

Once again another great review. After several thousands miles on my RT the only thing I don't like is I have found the saddle bags are very easy to scratch and expensive to repair. Mine have been damaged twice, once when I parked it to close to the garage wall and once when it was scraped in a parking garage. The longest ride I have done stopping only for fuel, food and bathroom is from Mukilteo, WA to Dallas, Texas 1937 miles to my destination. Never found an issue in parking lots or at slow speeds, however each person has a different perception.

Very nice, what a beast that would be to tour on. The radio killed me, I'm glad you put that in the video haha.

What a great review, a bike that I may be interested in myself later , I think you really got used to it very well, as a different riding style is obviously needed according to your commentary, seat height it looks fairly low, I think you can get it down to760mm at the lowest setting ? how does it compare too the GS, as we are similar in height. anyway hope you have a great Christmas and happy new year, and look forward too many more great videos in 2016, Regards, Colin.

Having owned both a 14 GS and an 18 RT, I loved both, They ride different. The rt is more stable when coming to a stop. The GS feels more planted, on city streets at slower speeds. If you like to go fast the rt is way better. I had bmw top boxes on both too, I liked both of them but the one touch locking is nice. I changed my own tires on the gs, but the rt is still on the original pr4s I don`t want to scratch my wheels up a least the first time.

Another great clip, I've always loved the RT's I've never ridden one but I can see why the police use them.

Absolutely wonderful unit. Great radio though overpriced! Beautifully balanced, great presence especially with the DRL hoops.

As usual, best bike reviews - and wittiest - come from the UK! Thx

So 145 mph about10 faster than I’ve managed to get my 05

Great review! I have one of these, and drive in traffic daily, filtering most of the time. It is not such a wide bike, but if you're used to a GS, it may feel like it, what with all the Tupperware around you. Interestingly, mine went in for some small repairs the other day, and they gave me a GS as a loan bike. Also felt strange for me in the beginning - different handlebar position, lower footpegs etc. I can understand why people wax lyrical about the GS. But I still prefer my RT - amazing for touring, which we do regularly.

Even from video the bike not only looks cool but sounds and handles nice Perfect video BMW bikes are simply top class

Thanks for the review, very helpful. I’m looking for a new bike, it will be the last one I buy so I want to make the right decision. I want it for touring and have been looking at the RT but I notice that many of the tour videos are on the GS which looks great and might give a little more flexibility to take to the occasional track. I was interested in your comment that you'd consider the RT after you’d had enough of the GS. Can you tell me what it is about the GS that means you’re not ready to consider the RT yet (excluding the cost). Thanks.

I just bought a 2015 with Over 6,000 miles! Rode it from Austin Texas to Las Vegas. It goes ok at 120mph. Odd that it isn't as fast as my 1996 K1100 LT. I found fifth and sixth to be lacking and need to shift down to forth to get decent power, unlike my K where I never had to downshift. Maybe it needs a couple more cylinders?

Once again an excellent video - makes me miss home! Many Thanks! Come ride SC!

Just bought 2012 R1200RT and have an issue with heated seat controls. Can't see how to turn off heated seat today, especially rear seat wife was saying was too warm...

The RT is the bike 90% of GS owners sould've bought.

The width difference between the GS 953 mm and RT 985 mm is 32 mm only. For traffic filtering.

I have been on the fence for months as to whether to go for the GS or the RT. I finally made a decision and it was partially due to this video. I bought a 2017 r1200 rt last weekend. It is one sweet machine. I purchased the optional top case and I've decided to leave that on and add the side cases as needed. Love this bike.

Ejoyed your review, still a great bike. I had the 1100 1995 model back in 1995, so comfortable, did 740 miles in 12 hours crossing Europe, no aches or pain. The handling out of this world, glad they still use the wishbone suspension on the front.

Nice big bike, definitely worth a test, although it would feel like I'm submitting to middle-age!. But.....lets get serious. When are we going to see the Panigale in action???

For me, I like to be able to look at my bike. I couldn't look at this for too long. Yuk! I think I'd prefer the fjr1300.

I'm thinking about getting panniers & a rear rack for my 2016 R 1200 R , for the price of them I could probably trade for an RT along with some money , now I find myself looking at RT videos which I thought I would never do as they wouldn't have been my kind of bike over the years , I'm not ready to trade up yet as my bike is just 1 year old and would probably lose too much on a trade in anyway in the first year also I wouldn't want a seat any higher than on mine I think my standard seat is 790 mm , I'm like you I could live without a stereo system on a bike & I see by leaving off that option alone would save a lot of money , when I bought mine last year I left off the keyless option as I prefer the keyed version , this could also be done for the RT ,I'd like to hear your thoughts on having an RT for just every day daily runs & twisty back roads etc as that what I use mine mostly for !!!

I think I’m right in saying the panniers are about the same width as the bars so gives you a good idea what gaps you can get through. I filter on the Edinburgh bypass, it’s possible but it’s not easy. The fact it’s so easy to ride slowly offsets the width. It has a hell of lot of road presence so car drivers notice you more. They are lovely bikes. The only issue some have is the cramped riding position. I put lowered pegs on which helped but would prefer more room so I could get a 90 degree angle at my knees. I struggle after a while.

yes was thinking of buying one to haul coal !! lol. used to own a gtr 1400 was a lovely bike plenty of power but too heavy. I find the explorer much more flickable through the bends.

Great review! Definitely a bike for my wish list! Thanks for the review.

Went back in the archives for this one. Thinking about adding a used RT to the stable.

Great review, as always TMF. Cheers

RS next? :-) Im on the same GS as you, and am half thinking of the RS, be good to see what other GS owners would think about the difference. Gonna test drive one in the spring I reckon.

V useful, I’m shifting from a Honda Rune cruiser to a touring bike and the RT is rising up the desirability list, it’s either this or a Honda Pan European!

Wide as a car? Really Ever ride a GSA with hard bags? Most guys I know who want to lane split take tha side bags off anyway

I rode the Multistrada DVT, R1200GS-W and R1200RT (all 2016 inc electronic suspensions) back-to-back at the weekend, for about 15 miles each time, on the same roads/circuit. All were great, but it surprised me that I thought the RT was the best handling and most comfortable. I got off and used the 'magic carpet' ride expression too. It was like first class airline travel. In the States, filtering is illegal (except CA), and there's plenty of long straights and great weather temperature variation, so its a good choice over here. Maybe my next bike too! :-D

Hi Andy Pete here! after all the bikes you have ridden to press! which two inc looks and toys on the bike would you like to have for yourself ???

TMF. Do you still feel this is a replacement for your GS, if and when you decide to do so? If not, what is your next choice? You test a lot of bikes and I'm trying to remember if there has been another bike that you'd consider over the RT as a replacement of the GS.

Nice. Find an RT in white, wear a white lid and I suspect town lane-splitting starts to become a tad easier :-P

6 weeks and 2000km into ownership, and I continue to be amazed with how the RT contently exceeds expectations, especially handling at speed. Still waiting for Givi to supply the top box mount allowing me to use my old 46l Monokey unit as was not prepared to shell out CA$1500 for the OEM item. With this I'll be able to store the panniers at home unless heading on an extended trip and reduce the girth (my wife's first comment was 'man, has she got a big butt!'). I'm still mulling over getting the Navigator 5, but was disappointed to discover the extended information you've praised on the GS is (apparently) not provided on the RT (are there any other owners who can comment on this?). Despite the excellent dashboard and colour display, I wish more than one information category could be displayed simultaneously- personally I like to see tyre pressure and outside temperature, and not have to keep switching. The speedo is clear (kph only for Canada), but no mph - oddly the digital readout is only kph too - just how hard can it be to make the digital display switchable, BMW?) So as soon as I had south of the border, I have to rely on the GPS. The fuel consumption is a very unexpected bonus - up tp 4.4l/100km (64mpg imperial/ 53mpg US) which is only marginally worse than my previous 700GS. Contrast this to my son's XR which seems pretty consistent at 7.5l/100km, and that would explain his 'range anxiety' when on an extended route with me. When purchasing any BMW, the ‘factory options’ are remarkably good value when contrasted with the accessories such as top-boxes, exhausts. As mine was a BMW Canada factory demo, all the option boxes were ticked, some of which I may have not specified if buying new. However, I view the keyless ride / central locking as quite outstanding, and even the radio has been used in traffic (used to view a radio as in the same category as ashtray…)

I have a 2012. Basically the same except the 2015 has slightly more HP. 125 vs 110. but mine gets up and goes like stink! :)

I decided to move from the new GS Adventure to the new RT. Had it for just over 2 weeks now. So far, I'm really impressed with it. Very quickly get used to the size of the front fairing and change in seating position. Compared to GSA it's quicker in lower gears, smoother on the throttle response with very little jerking and the quick shifter is smoother, engine sounds less noisy probably due to fairing coverage and turns very capably. Once you retrain yourself from slow manoeuvring the GSA it also becomes easy at slow turning too. Front wheel doesn't leave the road like it did around tight fast bends like it did on the GSA.

4.01 min. to 4.59 min. you did hold bike on gear .That not excuses. I would not buy from you this bike even love millage.Sorry.

Not bad, not bad at all... as oil tankers go ;-)

I have a R1150RT and use it as my daily. You have to pick and choose when it comes to filtering. For my daily commute I've taken the panniers off and just run with the top box, which has made it a lot easier.

My favourite amongst the BMW offerings. Decent looking headlight cluster, too. Interesting comparison with gadgetsandwheels review, he having recently replaced his 1200 GS Adventure with a 2016 RT.

By virtue of price and availability, as motorcycles become more inaccessible these older reviews become even more relevant. Oh, and spoiler alert Andy . . . you end up with a Goldwing.

Great review! I also have the 2015 model, in Ebony Black, complete with all the available options. The combination of the BMW Navigator 5, Sena, a compatible smartphone and this motorcycle is just perfection.

Nice review dude. I haven't ridden the RT yet but I will next year, I think it's a great bike though. Not enough people try BMW but when they do they are always surprised.

Just loooove my 2014 RT LC as a daily commuter. I ride about 3.000km a month on it and despite its size and dimensions, filtering on highways and the Ring around Brussels go very smoothly! Even in the city center, it's still quite ok for me. Wouldn't trade it for any other bike! (except maybe for a new R1250RT... :-))

Fantastic review of the R1200RT ! I have a 2012 , which I picked up a year and a half ago with only about 14K miles on it, and am in love with the machine. The one you have probably has the low seat option and/or optional lowered suspension. I had a standard seat, and even at 5'9" with a 31 1/2" inseam could not flat foot it. You did a great job of representing this BMW for what it is for prospective buyers.

Nice review! It would be interesting to hear what you tink of the K1600GT, maybe an idea for a future review? The engine on that thing should be incredible, probably doesn't have the vibrations of the R1200RT.

I predict next video: "Hi kids it's the MF here, you'll notice I'm on my new R1200RT. After much deliberation I traded my GS and bought this one.............." :) Regards, Jon.

Nice review! Quality made in Bavaria ;-) Have you heard about the BMW G 310 R ? I fell in love with this bike - (it has only 300cc but i think it would be great for small rides in town)

Going to view a 2016 model tomorrow...looking forward to it

Got a q for the british people,with an rt can you get past the barriers in a car park with this bike or is it impossible?🤟

I swapped from water-cooled R1200GS to new R1200RT in March ....... Brilliant bike, I run with the 28L top box without panniers, and filtering is on par with GS.

I'm seriously thinking of getting one of these. I have an F800ST and an Ultra Classic now ( both belt drive:). I'm wondering if this would give me the long ride comfort of the Ultra with something approaching the "twisty" fun of the F800. I'm 5'7", so big bikes are a real PIA, but there are no good "short guy", comfortable, touring bikes.

People talk about the weight but as far as I know its only around 540 pounds. That is not very heavy for a 1200 cc bike built for touring. I know of sport bikes as heavy as that. My Goldwing is 920 pounds dry. Don't feel too bad about the weight of the BMW.

Just watched your top5 Fjr things video. If you had to choose between the RT and Fjr which one ? Just I’m 6’2 and 110kgs living in Western Australia so thinking more touring then GS..

Just bought an ex-police 63 plate R1200RT and was worrying at how big it felt. Massively reassured by this video! Thanks so much for doing it

Interesting how they swapped sides with the swing arm and exhaust muffler on the later RT's... I wonder why they did that?

i liked your video

I suppose this is a lot more comfortable than GS so if you are looking forward to do touring why would you get a GS? Looks maybe? :)

I've watched all your vids, but came back to this one a bunch of times. Well after a test ride I was flipping hooked. As I needed a 2-up machine with comfort for the pillion Vs. the new GS which I also rode and loved, but 2-up lends its self to the big RT, not the GS for me. It's kinda like my Ducati ST4S which still has a safe place in my garage, maybe 60-70 lbs more than the Duc. But the Duc is much more sport focussed. Funny but the new R-RT and my 2002 Ducati ST4S both have about the same power to weight ratio so the acceleration is about the same, which I like for this big old comfy cruiser... The RT is much less frumpy than my old K1200LT which is a true beast! Once anyone gets used to the new R1200RT they will be surprised how this thing loves to rail through many corners that intimidate some sportbikes. Thanks again for your review!

After watching this I certainly think a visit to my local BMW dealer is needed.. Looks like a fantastic bike. Maybe time to trade the ole Kawasaki in....

Hate the bloody radio really hate the radio but zI could snip that out🛶

TMF, you may remember that I sold my 2003 R1150RT to get a 2015 R1200GS. I believe I made the right choice for me: I am 6'4" with 36" inseam. I believe the new RT was made more friendly to shorter riders. My legs felt a bit cramped on my RT. I have more leg room on the GS, and have the "tall seat" on it. I'm happy with my choice of the GS. The Vario cases don't hold much, so I take a couple of duffel bags on long road trips. The mirrors on the GS allow for wider bags to be carried. I'm sure the new RT is a fine bike.

Do you still feel that you’d replace your GS with an RT as you said in this video three years ago? Let me ask you this way: If you had to choose a BMW R1200, other than a GS, which would you choose? I’ve been looking at GSAs, GSs, and Rs. Now considering RTs. Yes, I’m all over the place.

I prefer the looks of the gs ,,more versatile

I heard somewhere 800 quid for the top box ,,,, talk about extortion