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2018 BMW R 1200RT LC Overview
BMW R 1200RT LC is a sport touring motorcycle, displacing 1170 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer with balancer shaft, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine. On the performance side, it delivers 92 kW @ 7750 rpm of peak power and 125 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. On the road, the 2018 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 26.1 kg heavier than the average sport touring motorcycle in our database. The full 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2018 R 1200RT LC - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 92 kW @ 7750 rpm and 125 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque on tap, the R 1200RT LC is no slouch for its class.
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Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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Large fuel range: A 25-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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Low-maintenance final drive: Running Shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the R 1200RT LC - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the R 1200RT LC relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injectionwith ride-by-wire throttle system on the R 1200RT LC needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 320mm Discs, 4 piston callipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1200RT LC's suspension runs BMW Telelever, 37 mm central spring strut at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW EVO Paralever; WAD strut. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1200RT LC 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 Continuous tubular steel bridge-type frame, the R 1200RT LC'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
274 kg puts the R 1200RT LC 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 1200RT LC - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1200RT LC should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a R 1200RT LC's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1200RT LC 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.
2018 BMW R 1200RT LC - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC weigh?
The 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC weighs 274 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC make?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC use?
The 2018 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 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC have?
The 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC is fitted with a 6 Speed, constant-mesh gearbox with helical cut gears transmission.
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
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Fuel Capacity
25 Litres / 6.6 US gal
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Full 2018 BMW R 1200RT LC Specifications
Year
201
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
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
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
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
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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