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2016 BMW R 1200RT LC Overview
For 2016, BMW offers the R 1200RT LC as a sport touring motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC is built around a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer with balancer shaft, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Out on the road, the R 1200RT LC delivers 92 kW @ 7750 rpm of peak power and 125 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 2016 R 1200RT LC tips the scales at 274 kg, carries a 25-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 805 mm and spans a 1485 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 32.4 kg heavier than the average sport touring motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC spec sheet below.
2016 BMW R 1200RT LC compared with other bikes in the Sport touring category
Measured against other bikes in the Sport touring category in our database (up to 562 models, one entry per model), the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC comes out as follows.
- With 274 kg, the R 1200RT LC has the 80th heaviest wet weight of 446 bikes in the Sport touring category, 13% above the category average of 241.6 kg.
- Engine displacement of 1170 cc is larger than that of 451 of the other 561 bikes in the Sport touring category.
- Only 56 of the other 313 bikes in the Sport touring category have a higher torque than the 125 Nm of the R 1200RT LC.
- Narrowing the field to the 131 models within five model years of it, the wet weight of 274 kg is heavier than that of 92 of the other 130.
Versus the 2015 model
The figures we track are unchanged from the 2015 model: peak power, peak torque, wet weight, displacement and seat height all match.
2016 R 1200RT LC - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: Peak output on the R 1200RT LC is 92 kW @ 7750 rpm and 125 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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Large fuel range: With a 25-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
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Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the R 1200RT LC - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Air cooling on the R 1200RT LC keeps the mechanical layout simple, but heat management in slow traffic needs more attention than on a liquid-cooled bike - plan routes and gear accordingly in warmer conditions.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the R 1200RT LC comes from fuel injectionwith ride-by-wire throttle system. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston callipers 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 BMW Telelever, 37 mm central spring strut up front and Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW EVO 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 1200RT LC removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Continuous tubular steel bridge-type frame 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 1200RT LC's 274 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 1200RT LC - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC with its 1170 cc sport touring 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 sport touring 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 1200RT LC settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the R 1200RT LC's 1170 cc four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed boxer with balancer shaft, dohc, 4 valves per cylinder - 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 1200RT LC's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2016 BMW R 1200RT LC - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer with balancer shaft, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 1170 cc of displacement. It is air/liquid cooled.
How much does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC weigh?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC weighs 274 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC make?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC produces 92 kW @ 7750 rpm of power and 125 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC has a 25-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 416-500 km between stops.
Is the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC suitable for shorter riders?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC has a seat height of 805 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC uses 2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston callipers at the front and single 276mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC use?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC 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.
What gearbox does the 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC is fitted with a 6 Speed, constant-mesh gearbox with helical cut gears transmission.
BMW R 1200RT LC Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1200RT LC was produced across 5 model years (2014-2018). 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 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
| Mods from previous model |
First iteration of liquid-cooled strategic engine platform redesign |
Introduction of optional Keyless Ride parameters |
New paint and updated dynamic braking control options |
Gearbox judder damper adaptation and update to Euro 4 metric standards |
Final SOHC/DOHC 1170cc platform refinement ahead of ShiftCam architecture release |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer with balancer shaft, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power
92 kW / 125 hp @ 7750 rpm
Torque
125 Nm / 92 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal
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Full 2016 BMW R 1200RT LC Specifications
Year
2016
Make
BMW
Model
R 1200RT LC
Make Model
BMW R 1200RT LC
Seat Height
805 mm / 31.5 in - 825 mm / 32.5 in Variable seat heights available between 760mm / 29.9 in and 850mm / 33.5 in
Wheelbase
1485 mm / 58.5 in
Height
1416 mm / 55.7 in
Length
2222 mm / 87.5 in
Width
983 mm / 38.7 in
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal
Wet Weight
274 kg / 604 lbs
Stroke
73.0 mm
Displacement
1170 cc / 71.4 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer with balancer shaft, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
101 x 73 mm
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Cooling System
Air/Liquid cooled
Emissions
Euro 3
Exhaust management
Fully-controlled three-way catalytic converter
Fuel Induction
Electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle system, 52mm throttle valve Emission control Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter
Fuel Reserve
4 Litres / 1 US gal
Ignition
Digital engine management
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12 V / 16 Ah, maintenance-free
Chain Size
None (Shaft Drive)
Clutch
Multi-plate wet clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st 2.438 / 2nd 1.714 / 3rd 1.296 / 4th 1.059 / 5th 0.943 / 6th 0.848:1
Primary Drive Ratios
1.65
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed, constant-mesh gearbox with helical cut gears
Frame Type
Continuous tubular steel bridge-type frame
Suspension - Front
BMW Telelever, 37 mm central spring strut
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW EVO Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) via handwheel, rebound damping adjustable via handwheel
Steering Head Angle
63.6°
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
136 mm / 5.4 in
Alternator
Three-phase 540 W generator
Brakes - Front
2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston callipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 276mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral)
Rims - Front
3.50 x 17
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR17
Wheel Caster
116 mm / 4.6 in
Wheels
Cast aluminium wheels
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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