BMW R1200RT SE - Mossy Rides

 

Each time I ride BMW's brilliant R1200RT I'm reluctant to be parted from it - especially at this time of year. Even when the temperatures are fridge-like cold, or it's raining stair-rods, the German bike cossets you in so much comfort and civility you're almost oblivious to the depressing wintery conditions and happy to keep rolling on. It's not a perfect story mind you, and there are some annoying little quirks that can taint life on board at times. But as they're offset so much by the tourer's numerous virtues, we'll leave mentioning those until later.

 

One of those qualities is the way the bike generates such enthusiasm to ride it and stay in its seat for long periods. Clawing down the sidestand at any journey's end often brings feelings of disappointment from the pleasure having to stop. As I write this it's cold and miserable outside, the roads are still damp and slippery from overnight rain. With the low sun unable to to dry them, things won't improve. But if I needed to get somewhere by bike, even if it was hundreds of miles away, there'd be no hesitation in choosing the

BMW

right now.

 

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Part of 1200's attraction is the fact that it's loaded with lots of equipment to make life so much more practical, comfortable, convenient, and even entertaining. We had the SE version of the bike which comes fitted as standard with features like heated seats and grips, on board computer, cruise control, and electronic suspension adjustment amongst others. With other useful additional factory-fitted options such as the CD/radio player, tyre pressure monitors and traction control also included, there isn't much else you'd need to feel right at home on the RT.

 

In saying that, it can take a little while to be at ease with the bike to that degree. The RT is big and tall enough to appear daunting at first. And even though the seat is adjustable, even in its lowest setting it's still not possible for me and my 32" inside-leg measurement to get both feet flat on the floor. Most of the time that's not a problem, but trying to back out of a downhill-sloped parking space, requires care and patience. Just pushing the bike around your garage can be a bit of a task.