2016 BMW R 1200R Specifications

Name: 2016 BMW R 1200R
Brand: BMW

All-Round • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2016 BMW R 1200R Overview

For 2016, BMW offers the R 1200R as an all-round motorcycle. The 2016 BMW R 1200R is built around a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 101 x 73 mm. Out on the road, the R 1200R delivers 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2016 R 1200R tips the scales at 231 kg, carries an 18-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 790 mm and spans a 1,515 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 41.8 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 2016 BMW R 1200R spec sheet below.

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

Measured against other bikes in the All-Round category in our database (up to 381 models, one entry per model), the 2016 BMW R 1200R comes out as follows.

With 125 Nm, the R 1200R has the joint 13th highest torque of 293 bikes in the All-Round category, 115% above the category average of 58.2 Nm.
Wet weight of 231 kg is heavier than that of 302 of the other 380 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 1200R - 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

Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the R 1200R - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the R 1200R 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 1200R'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, floating discs 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 Telescopic Upside-Down fork; stanchion diameter 45 mm up front and Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut 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 1200R 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 consisting of front and rear sections, load bearing engine-gearbox unit 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 1200R's 231 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 1200R - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2016 BMW R 1200R 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 10 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 1200R settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R 1200R's two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With a 12.0:1 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 1200R'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 1200R'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.

2016 BMW R 1200R - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2016 BMW R 1200R have?

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

How much does the 2016 BMW R 1200R weigh?

The 2016 BMW R 1200R weighs 231 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

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

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

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

The 2016 BMW R 1200R 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 1200R suitable for shorter riders?

The 2016 BMW R 1200R has a seat height of 790 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2016 BMW R 1200R have?

The 2016 BMW R 1200R uses double disc with ABS, floating discs 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 2016 BMW R 1200R use?

The 2016 BMW R 1200R 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 1200R Spec Evolution

The BMW R 1200R was produced across 13 model years (2007-2019). 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	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Max Power	80 kW / 109 hp @ 7500 rpm	80 kW / 109 hp @ 7500 rpm	80 kW / 109 hp @ 7500 rpm	80 kW / 109 hp @ 7500 rpm	81 kW / 110 hp @ 7750 rpm	-	81 kW / 110 hp @ 7750 rpm	81 kW / 110 hp @ 7750 rpm	-	-	-	-	-
Wet Weight	-	223.0 kg / 491.6 lbs	223.0 kg / 491.6 lbs	223.0 kg / 491.6 lbs	223 kg / 492 lbs	223.0 kg / 491.6 lbs	223 kg / 492 lbs	223 kg / 492 lbs	231.0 kg / 509.3 lbs	231.0 kg / 509.3 lbs	232.0 kg / 511.5 lbs	232.0 kg / 511.5 lbs	232.0 kg / 511.5 lbs
Engine Detail	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	-	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Type	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke	Twin, four-stroke	Twin, four-stroke	Twin, four-stroke
Top Speed	219.6 km/h / 136 mph	219.6 km/h / 136 mph	219.6 km/h / 136 mph	219.6 km/h / 136 mph	220 km/h / 137 mph	-	220 km/h / 137 mph	220 km/h / 137 mph	-	-	-	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph
Seat Height	800 mm / 31.4 in	800 mm / 31.4 in	800 mm / 31.4 in	800 mm / 31.4 in	800mm / 31.5" (Standard, OE, OA, sport seat) 830mm / 32.7" (OE, OA, comfort seat, high) / 760mm / 29.9" (OE, OA, seat, low) / 750mm / 29.5" (OE, low slung)	800 mm / 31.5 in.	800mm / 31.5 in (Standard, OE, OA, sport seat) 830mm / 32.7 in (OE, OA, comfort seat, high) / 760mm / 29.9 in (OE, OA, seat, low) / 750mm / 29.5 in (OE, low slung)	800mm / 31.5 in (Standard, OE, OA, sport seat) 830mm / 32.7 in (OE, OA, comfort seat, high) / 760mm / 29.9 in (OE, OA, seat, low) / 750mm / 29.5 in (OE, low slung)	790 mm / 31.1 in.	790 mm / 31.1 in.	790 mm / 31.1 in.	790 mm / 31.1 in.	790 mm / 31.1 in.
Fuel Capacity	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18 Litres / 4.7 gal	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18 Litres / 4.7 US gal	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	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
CO2	-	-	-	95.1 CO	95.1 CO	95.1 CO	95.1 CO	95.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	90.5 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	90.5 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	-	115.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)	115.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)

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

231.0 kg / 509.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity

18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons

Full 2016 BMW R 1200R Specifications

Comments Switchable ABS.

Colours Cordoba Blue, Thunder Metallic Grey, Light White

Seat Height 790 mm / 31.1 in.

Wheelbase 1,515 mm / 59.6 in.

Height 1,300 mm / 51.2 in.

Length 2,165 mm / 85.2 in.

Width 906 mm / 35.7 in.

Fuel Capacity 18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons

Wet Weight 231.0 kg / 509.3 lbs

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

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

Fuel System Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection/BMS-K+ digital engine management with overrun fuel cut-off, twin spark ignition

Compression Ratio 12.0:1

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

Engine Lubrication Dry sump

Fuel Consumption 3.90 litres/100 km (25.6 km/l or 60.31 mpg)

Fuel Reserve 3.00 litres / 0.79 gallons

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated

Final Drive Shaft drive (cardan)

Gearbox 6-speed

Frame Type Two section frame consisting of front and rear sections, load bearing engine-gearbox unit

Suspension - Front Telescopic Upside-Down fork; stanchion diameter 45 mm

Suspension - Rear Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adjustable at handwheel

Rake 27.7°

Trail 126 mm / 4.9 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.) 10.4 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 265 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. 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.