It takes a pretty special machine to unseat the BMW K1600GT as Cycle World’s best sport-touring bike, but that’s exactly what the new wasserboxer-powered BMW R1200RT is. It’s not just the fact that the RT uses a flat-twin, BMW’s spiritual core, but also that this swift and comfortable machine is about 130 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, which makes it easier to maneuver in your garage or on Mulholland. Yet the R1200RT, with its saddlebags, optional top case, and excellent fairing, is still very much a great long-distance pack mule, boasting electronic ride modes and Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension that adapt the bike to any condition. Score one for the purists.
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Cockpit view.
Instrument panel.
Static shot #1
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