2013 BMW R1200RT

The first BMW Boxer

BMW merged with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922, inheriting from them the Helios motorcycle and a small two-stroke motorized bicycle called the Flink. In 1923, BMW's first "across the frame" version of the boxer engine was designed by Friz and went into production. (First BMW car was 1928.) The R32 had a 486 cc (29.7 cubic inches) engine with 8.5 hp (6.3 kW) and a top speed of 59 to 62 mph.

1923 BMW R32

Pre 2005 "oil head" on left, the 2013 new water cooled

Hexhead

Airhead - 2 valves per cylinder, pushrod engine design, carbureted and transistorized ignition

Oilhead - 1995 (R1100 or R1150) 4 valves per cylinder, the cam was relocated into the head, while not eliminating the pushrods, they are still there but about 1-2 inches long, fuel injected, transistorized ignition

Hexhead - (R1200) 66 pounds lighter, 4 valves per cylinder, same valve train, fuel injected, addition of a balance shaft and that instead of the brass screws to adjust idle/tb sync, computerized stepper motors.

Wethead? - 2013 downdraft, gearbox engine housing, wet clutch, +15hp, +20lbs

Click on thumbnail below:

My number 35 2013 R 1200 RT - Last of the air/oil cooled Boxers.

Nov 23, 2012 4 miles

1170 cc 110 hp 89 ft-pounds

alternator 720 W Single dry plate clutch

Tyres, front 120/70 ZR 17 rear 180/55 ZR 17

Dry weight 514 lbs, Unladen weight, road ready, fully fuelled 580 lbs (61 pounds lighter then FJR, 187 pounds lighter than a K1600 GTL, 315 pounds lighter than a Goldwing)

Usable tank volume 6.6 gallons Reserve Approx. 1 gallon

1st decent ride, about 200 miles, with John T. Sunday Nov 24, he brought his K1300 GT.

Adding power for GPS and radar: Bike has connector under front fairing that takes a mating

REPAIR PLUG, 3-PIN - NO. 611656 with 3 leads out, 1 gnd, 1 instant off power, and the other 20 sec off power.

GPS is sitting up from the bars about 8" on a RAM mount

Connected twin cig lighter sockets to the power, and velcro'd them to the bike.

ZTechnik crash bars. High quality stuff. (Jan 26, 13)

Assume my 2013 R1200RT curve is about the same as this 2012 curve.

I am a little suspicious about the power dip on the 2012 at 5500 rpm, thinking that might have been the particular bike they used?

But anyhow, from 2200 up to 6500 rpm, there is no real difference, from 7000 rpm up, the new engine is clearly making more power.

I don't spend much time at those rev levels when I tour, but if it was a track bike, it would be a big difference.

My other BMW, 2011 335xi 320 hp 332 lb ft

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