2016 BMW R1200RS - FIRST RIDE

There are better touring bikes in BMW's lineup, and better sportbikes, so we have to ask: Is there still a huge market for a traditional twin-cylinder sport-touring machine? BMW thinks so. After all, it invented the class with the original 1973 R90S. Buyers will be the judge, but for sure the brand-new 2016 R1200RS is the sportiest BMW to ever wear the RS badge. It even flirts with the performance territory once occupied by the HP2 Sport, the most athletic production Boxer ever made. But where exactly does the R1200RS fit in?

If you look at BMW's website, the new RS is in the Sport column with the likes of the S1000RR and K1300S, while the R1200RT gets filed under Touring. And the new S1000XR, along with the R1200GS, is categorized as an Adventure bike. Outside the BMW family, the RS's natural competitors include Honda's Interceptor, Kawasaki's Concours 14, and the Yamaha FJR1300.

Our press ride for the 2016 BMW R1200RS took place in Ontario, Canada, around Muskoka Lakes, a day after riding the new S1000XR. Like the rest of the R line, the new RS gets the latest version of the air- and liquid-cooled 1170cc DOHC twin. BMW claims 125 horsepower at 7,750 rpm, and 92 pound-feet of peak torque at 6,500. According to BMW, the RS gets a slight bump in torque at lower revs compared to the rest of the family.

On a riding route made up primarily of country lanes, a bit of highway, and some fast flowing secondary roads, the RS felt right at home. Power from the revised twin feels good in this fairly lightweight application (the RS tips the scales at a claimed 519 lb., ready to ride with fuel); the only flat-twin in BMW’s lineup that weighs less is the 508-lb. R1200R. Throttle response is good, and there’s plenty of bottom-end and midrange torque. The engine’s torque-rich nature invites you to pick a gear and just leave it there for long sections of road.

Standard riding modes include Rain and Road, while the optional Ride Modes Pro adds Dynamic and customizable User modes. The Ride Modes Pro also upgrades Automatic Stability Control to Dynamic Traction Control, which is significant because that includes a lean-angle sensor that allows the TC to take into account your bank angle before intervening.

My RS was equipped with the Touring package (see pricing below), Keyless Ride, and GPS. Optional Gear Shift Assist Pro made shifting pretty slick. Because of the huge torque hit in the lower gears, I still prefer to give the clutch a slight dip in the first couple of upshifts to smooth it out, but, after that, the system works beautifully in allowing clutchless shifts, up or down. In Road, fueling and throttle response are good, while Rain offers a much softer delivery. A quick downshift now and again to pass cars allowed excellent acceleration, but most of the time the Boxer engine’s torque allowed good roll-on performance without toeing the shifter.

One item that stands out on the RS is the new instrument cluster. It is by far the best I’ve seen on a BMW. The hybrid analog/digital layout offers all the info you could ever want, and it can be customized into different views. And anybody in the over-40 crowd might be able to read the display (quite unlike the small type on the S1000RR’s dash, which I probably couldn’t have read 10 years ago!).

The beauty of the new RS is its unflappable chassis and its diesel-like engine. This bike never tires of connecting long sweepers together in a graceful and totally relaxed manner. A must-have option is the Dynamic-ESA suspension; having the ability to alter the ride characteristics at the press of a button is pure luxury.

The roads around Ontario were the perfect place to sample ESA’s scope: At times, I spent a fairly long time on smooth secondary roads and highway, and then would make a turn and be on a pot-holed backroad with lots of cold patch. All the while, the RS suspension would instantly change personalities to deal with the conditions. Why suffer through the crappy part of your ride, when a magic carpet ride is just a button press away?

So, what do you give up by choosing an RS over an RT? More importantly, what do you gain? For starters, you lose the protection afforded by the RT’s huge fairing. But that stated, the RS’s manually adjustable windscreen provided quite a bit of protection and clean airflow with minimal buffeting. What you gain is a considerably lighter machine, which allows a far more aggressive pace, if that’s what you seek. And with accessory side cases, top case, and center stand, the RS can tackle all but the longest journeys. I also must state that with the standard 32.3-inch seat height, the footpeg-to-seat relationship is fairly sporty compared to the RT (with legs bent back to rearset footpegs), so the RS does not offer the all-day comfort of an RT, GT or GTL. Of course, BMW offers a taller 33.1-in. seat height, plus two lower options: 29.9 and 31.1. Handlebar placement was just about perfect for my 5-foot-11 frame.

So, back to the original question: Is there room for the Boxer-powered RS in BMW’s lineup? Yes. It’s an enjoyable motorcycle for those sporty but not frantic rides. And of course, if there is one thing we’ve learned over the years about Boxer fans, it’s that they are a diehard bunch that will likely gravitate toward the RS like Canadian mosquitos to this California boy’s skin.

BASE PRICE: $14,950

Package Options:

Style Package $425

Only w/color Granite Grey Metallic Matte

Grey frame

Gold calipers

Stainless tank cover

Engine spoiler

Standard Package: $16,025

GPS preparation

Chrome exhaust

Heated grips

Cruise control

Saddlebag mounts

Premium Package: $17,770

Keyless ride

Gear Shift Assist Pro

Comfort package

Chrome exhaust

Heated grips

Tire-pressure monitor (TPM)

Touring Package

Dynamic ESA

On Board Computer Pro

GPS preparation

Cruise control

Centerstand

Luggage rack saddlebag mounts

Individual Options:

Dynamic ESA/Gold fork $950

Keyless Ride $295

Gear Shift Assist Pro $475

Ride Modes Pro $350

Sport Seat (33.1 in.) $0

GPS preparation $205

Chrome exhaust $150

Heated grips $250

TPM (Tire-pressure monitor) $250

Cruise control $350

Anti-theft alarm $395

Centerstand $175

Luggage rack $175

Saddlebag mounts $120

Comfort passenger seat $0