2018 BMW R 1200 RS Specifications

Name: 2018 BMW R 1200 RS
Brand: BMW

All-Round • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2018 BMW R 1200 RS Overview

For 2018, BMW offers the R 1200 RS as an all-round motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS is built around a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 101 x 73 mm. Out on the road, the R 1200 RS delivers 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2018 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 47 kg heavier than the average all-round motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2018 BMW R 1200 RS spec sheet below.

2018 BMW R 1200 RS compared with other bikes in the All-Round category

Measured against other bikes in the All-Round category in our database (up to 497 models, one entry per model), the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS comes out as follows.

With 125 Nm, the R 1200 RS has the joint 13th highest torque of 293 bikes in the All-Round category, 115% above the category average of 58.2 Nm.
Engine displacement of 1170 cc is larger than that of 450 of the other 496 bikes in the All-Round category.
Only 59 of the other 380 bikes in the All-Round category have a heavier wet weight than the 236 kg of the R 1200 RS.
Narrowing the field to the 182 models within five model years of it, the torque of 125 Nm is higher than that of 163 of the other 181.

Versus the 2016 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2016 model: peak torque, wet weight and seat height all match.

2018 R 1200 RS - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Strong front braking: The double disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
ABS fitted: With ABS on board, hard braking on a damp or gravelly surface is far less likely to end in a locked wheel.
Large fuel range: With an 18-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Tall seat height: An 820 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the R 1200 RS comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)-equipped engines like the R 1200 RS's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Double disc with ABS and four-piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, travel 140 mm, silver-anodized up front and BMW Motorrad EVO Paralever at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Shaft final drive on the R 1200 RS removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.

Frame & chassis check

The Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The R 1200 RS's 236 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

R 1200 RS - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS with its 1170 cc all-round should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage 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 8 years old, this all-round is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R 1200 RS settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R 1200 RS's 1170 cc two cylinder boxer, four-stroke - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the R 1200 RS's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if an R 1200 RS's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2018 BMW R 1200 RS - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS have?

The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS uses a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine with 1170 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS weigh?

The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS weighs 236 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much torque does the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS produce?

The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS produces 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS?

The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200 RS suitable for shorter riders?

The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200 RS have?

The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS uses double disc with ABS and four-piston calipers at the front and single disc with ABS, floating disc and two-piston calipers at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2018 BMW R 1200 RS use?

The 2018 BMW R 1200 RS runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 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 2018 BMW R 1200 RS Specifications

Comments Switchable ABS.

Colours Light Grey Metallic/Magellan Grey Metallic Matt

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.

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

CO2 106.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)

Displacement (cc) 1170.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 71.39 cubic inches

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

Fuel System Injection. Digital engine management with electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio 12.5:1

Emissions Closed-?loop 3-?way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-?4

Engine Lubrication Wet sump

Exhaust Chrome

Fuel Consumption 4.60 litres/100 km (21.7 km/l or 51.13 mpg)

Fuel Reserve 3.00 litres / 0.79 gallons

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Wet eight-disc clutch with anti-hopping function, hyrdaulically operated

Final Drive Shaft drive (cardan)

Gearbox 6-speed

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

Suspension - Front Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, travel 140 mm, silver-anodized

Suspension - Rear BMW Motorrad EVO 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. ABS. Four-piston calipers.

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

Rims Cast aluminium

Tyres - Front 120/70-ZR17

Tyres - Rear 180/55-ZR17

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