2016 BMW R 1200 RS Specifications

Name: 2016 BMW R 1200 RS
Brand: BMW

All-Round • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2016 BMW R 1200 RS Overview

BMW R 1200 RS is an all-round motorcycle. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 101 x 73 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2016 R 1200 RS tips the scales at 236 kg, carries an 18-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 820 mm and spans a 1,527 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 46.8 kg heavier than the average all-round motorcycle in our database. The full 2016 BMW R 1200 RS spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2016 BMW R 1200 RS compared with other bikes in the All-Round category

We checked the recorded figures for the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS against up to 381 bikes in the All-Round category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

Only 12 of the other 292 bikes in the All-Round category have a higher torque than the 125 Nm of the R 1200 RS.
With 236 kg, the R 1200 RS has the joint 61st heaviest wet weight of 381 bikes in the All-Round category, 25% above the category average of 189.2 kg.
Seat height of 820 mm is taller than that of 219 of the other 325 bikes in the All-Round category.
Narrowing the field to the 179 models within five model years of it, the torque of 125 Nm is higher than that of 164 of the other 178.

Versus the 2015 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2015 model: peak torque, wet weight and seat height all match.

2016 R 1200 RS - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the double disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
Large fuel range: An 18-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Tall seat height: At 820 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the R 1200 RS needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.

Valve clearance checks

With Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve gear, the R 1200 RS needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from double disc with floating discs and four-piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The R 1200 RS's suspension runs Telescopic Upside-Down fork at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The R 1200 RS uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine, the R 1200 RS's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

Handling the weight at a standstill

236 kg puts the R 1200 RS toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.

R 1200 RS - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2016 BMW R 1200 RS all-round, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 10 years old, this all-round is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1200 RS should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the R 1200 RS's two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the R 1200 RS needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

Valve clearance service

Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used R 1200 RS since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.

2016 BMW R 1200 RS - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS have?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS is powered by a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine.

How much does the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS weigh?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS weighs 236 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much torque does the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS produce?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS produces 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS has an 18-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 300-360 km between stops.

Is the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS suitable for shorter riders?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS has a seat height of 820 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.

What brakes does the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS have?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS uses double disc with floating discs and four-piston calipers at the front and single disc with floating disc and two-piston calipers at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2016 BMW R 1200 RS use?

The 2016 BMW R 1200 RS runs 120/70-17 front and 180/55-17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

BMW R 1200 RS Spec Evolution

The BMW R 1200 RS was produced across 4 model years (2015-2019). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2015	2016	2018	2019
Fuel Capacity	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	18.00 litres / 4.76 US gallons
Displacement (cc)	1170.00 cc	-	1170.00 cc	1170.0 cc
CO2	95.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	95.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	106.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	106.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Wheelbase	1,527 mm / 60.1 in.	1,527 mm / 60.1 in.	1,527 mm / 60.1 in.	1527 mm / 60.1 in.
Brakes - Front	Double disc. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.	Double disc. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.	Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers.	Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers.
Brakes - Rear	Single disc. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.	Single disc. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.	Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.	Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
Suspension - Front	Telescopic Upside-Down fork	Telescopic Upside-Down fork	Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, travel 140 mm, silver-anodized	Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, travel 140 mm, silver-anodized
Suspension - Rear	Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever	Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever	BMW Motorrad EVO Paralever	BMW Motorrad EVO Paralever

Key Specifications

Engine

Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke

Power

Not recorded

Torque

125.00 Nm (12.7 kgf-m or 92.2 ft.lbs) @ 6500 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

236.0 kg / 520.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity

18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons

Full 2016 BMW R 1200 RS Specifications

Comments Switchable ABS.

Colours Lupin Blue/Light Metallic Grey, Granite Grey Metallic Matte

Seat Height 820 mm / 32.3 in.

Wheelbase 1,527 mm / 60.1 in.

Height 1,273 mm / 50.1 in.

Length 2,202 mm / 86.7 in.

Width 925 mm / 36.4 in.

Dry Weight 198 kg / 436.5 lbs

Fuel Capacity 18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons

Wet Weight 236.0 kg / 520.3 lbs

Max Torque 125.00 Nm (12.7 kgf-m or 92.2 ft.lbs) @ 6500 Revolutions

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.6231 HP/kg

Engine Type Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke

Fuel Control Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)

Bore x Stroke (in,) 4.0 x 2.9 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 101.0 x 73.0 mm

CO2 95.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)

Fuel System Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection

Compression Ratio 12.5:1

Engine Lubrication Wet sump

Fuel Consumption 4.10 litres/100 km (24.4 km/l or 57.37 mpg)

Fuel Reserve 3.00 litres / 0.79 gallons

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Oil lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated

Final Drive Shaft drive (cardan)

Gearbox 6-speed

Primary Drive Constant mesh

Frame Type Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine

Suspension - Front Telescopic Upside-Down fork

Suspension - Rear Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Rake 27.7°

Trail 115 mm / 4.5 in.

Wheel Travel - Front 140 mm / 5.5 in.

Wheel Travel - Rear 140 mm / 5.5 in.

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 12.6 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 320 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 10.9 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 276 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.

Brakes - Rear Single disc. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.

Rims Cast aluminum wheels

Tyres - Front 120/70-17

Tyres - Rear 180/55-17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.