2016 BMW R 1200R Specifications

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 a 18-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 790 mm and spans a 1,515 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 23.5 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 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.
  • Large fuel range: With a 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 drive (cardan) 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. ABS. Floating discs. 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 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. 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 a R 1200R's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. 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 a 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 power does the 2016 BMW R 1200R make?
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 a 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. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. at the front and Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. 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, two-stroke Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke Two cylinder boxer, two-stroke Two cylinder boxer, two-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 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) 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 published by manufacturer

Torque

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

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

231.0 kg / 509.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity

18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons

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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
Fuel Control Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)
Engine Type Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
CO2 90.5 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Bore x Stroke (mm) 101.0 x 73.0 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,) 4.0 x 2.9 inches
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.

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