![]()
No images available
Tap to enlarge
![]()
2009 BMW R 1200RT Overview
BMW R 1200RT is a touring motorcycle, displacing 1170 cc. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer engine running SOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.0:1. Bore and stroke come in at 101 x 73 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 115 of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 200 km/h. On the road, the 2009 R 1200RT tips the scales at 204 kg, carries a 16-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 780 mm and spans a 1,485 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 105.2 kg lighter than the average touring motorcycle in our database. The full 2009 BMW R 1200RT spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2009 BMW R 1200RT compared with other bikes in the Touring category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2009 BMW R 1200RT against up to 465 bikes in the Touring category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 36 of the other 450 bikes in the Touring category have a lighter wet weight than the 204 kg of the R 1200RT.
- With 200 km/h, the R 1200RT has the joint 63rd highest top speed of 278 bikes in the Touring category, 21% above the category average of 166 km/h.
- Seat height of 780 mm is taller than that of 302 of the other 464 bikes in the Touring category.
- Narrowing the field to the 151 models within five model years of it, the wet weight of 204 kg is lighter than that of 147 of the other 150.
Versus the 2008 model
Compared with the 2008 model, wet weight fell from 259 kg to 204 kg (-55 kg), seat height came down from 820 mm to 780 mm (-40 mm) and top speed fell from 210 km/h to 200 km/h (-10 km/h). Displacement is unchanged.
2009 R 1200RT - Pros & Cons
Strengths
-
🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
-
🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the double disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
-
🛡️
ABS fitted: ABS comes fitted from the factory - one less thing to worry about in a sudden stop on a slippery surface.
-
⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
-
ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the R 1200RT - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the R 1200RT needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With SOHC valve gear, the R 1200RT needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from double disc with ABS - 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's suspension runs BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central spring strut at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1200RT 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 Two-section frame consisting of front and rear sections, load bearing engine-gearbox unit, the R 1200RT's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
R 1200RT - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2009 BMW R 1200RT with its 1170 cc touring, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping 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 17 years old, this touring is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1200RT should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the R 1200RT's 1170 cc two cylinder boxer like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.0:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1200RT 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.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used R 1200RT since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2009 BMW R 1200RT - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2009 BMW R 1200RT have?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT uses a Two cylinder boxer engine with 1170 cc of displacement.
What is the top speed of the 2009 BMW R 1200RT?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT has a factory-quoted top speed of 200 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2009 BMW R 1200RT weigh?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT weighs 204 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much torque does the 2009 BMW R 1200RT produce?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT produces 115 of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2009 BMW R 1200RT?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT has a 16-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 266-320 km between stops.
Is the 2009 BMW R 1200RT suitable for shorter riders?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT has a seat height of 780 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2009 BMW R 1200RT have?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT uses double disc with ABS at the front and single disc with ABS at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2009 BMW R 1200RT use?
The 2009 BMW R 1200RT 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 1200RT Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1200RT was produced across 14 model years (2005-2019). 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 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2018 |
2019 |
| Wet Weight |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
204.0 kg / 449.7 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
259 kg / 570.9 lbs |
274.0 kg / 604.1 lbs |
274.0 kg / 604.1 lbs |
274.0 kg / 604.1 lbs |
276.0 kg / 608.5 lbs |
276.0 kg / 608.5 lbs |
| Dry Weight |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 504.9 lbs |
182 kg / 401.2 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
229 kg / 485.0 lbs |
233.2 kg / 514.0 lbs |
233.2 kg / 514.0 lbs |
233.2 kg / 514.0 lbs |
- |
- |
| Engine Type |
- |
Twin, four-stroke |
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 |
Single cylinder, four-stroke |
Single cylinder, four-stroke |
Single cylinder, four-stroke |
Twin, four-stroke |
Twin, four-stroke |
| Top Speed |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
210 km/h / 130.5 mph |
201.2 km/h / 125.0 mph |
201.2 km/h / 125.0 mph |
201.2 km/h / 125.0 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
| Seat Height |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
780 mm / 30.7 in. |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
820 mm - 840 mm / 32.2 in - 33.0 in 780 mm - 800 mm / 30.7 - 31.4 in (special equipment low seat bench) |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
805 mm / 31.7 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
16.00 litres / 4.23 gallons |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
27 Liters / 7.1 US gal |
25.00 litres / 6.61 gallons |
25.00 litres / 6.61 gallons |
25.00 litres / 6.61 gallons |
25.00 litres / 6.61 gallons |
25.00 litres / 6.61 US gallons |
| Fuel Control |
- |
SOHC |
- |
SOHC |
SOHC |
SOHC |
DOHC |
DOHC |
DOHC |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
| Storage |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Saddle bags |
Saddle bags |
Saddle bags |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer
Top Speed
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph
Weight
204.0 kg / 449.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16.00 litres / 4.23 gallons
Advertisement
Full 2009 BMW R 1200RT Specifications
Colours
Biaritz blue, Sapphire black metallic, Titan silver
Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.)
32.3 inches
Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm)
820 mm
Seat Height
780 mm / 30.7 in.
Wheelbase
1,485 mm / 58.5 in.
Height
1,430 mm / 56.3 in.
Length
2,230 mm / 87.8 in.
Width
905 mm / 35.6 in.
Dry Weight
182 kg / 401.2 lbs
Fuel Capacity
16.00 litres / 4.23 gallons
Wet Weight
204.0 kg / 449.7 lbs
Stroke
4
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.0 x 2.9 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
101.0 x 73.0 mm
Displacement (cc)
1170.00 cc
Displacement (ci)
71.39 cubic inches
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer
Fuel Control
SOHC
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
Exhaust
Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-3
Fuel Reserve
2.00 litres / 0.53 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
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 35 mm, central spring strut
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Rake
26.2°
Trail
116 mm / 4.6 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
135 mm / 5.3 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
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. ABS
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.
Advertisement