Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

~@@~ [i3[ljJl!i!l {XJ fJ fJ @@{XJ {XJ@ff](fJ[B7J@{l Features ~Pne • New 1130cc air- and oil-cooled, four-valve-per-cylinder boxer motor • Bosch Motronic MA2.4 fuel injection • Twin. forward-facing oil coolers in attractive housings pull air through and away from the rider • Stainless-steel high-rise exhaust system • Three-way catalytic converter • New six-speed transmission • New hydraulic clutch • Low maintenance shaft final drive QUllllz • • • • • • Available ABS Telelever front suspension w/ rebound dampening Paralever rear suspension w/ rebound dampening Engine used as a stressed member Sporty new 3.50x17 and 5.0x17 in. cast-alloy rims New wider 170/60ZR·17 rear tire 'lMll1II~'1ll 1HI1I~ Attractive new styling Updated ABS Solid handling Accessory plug 'IMiIIII~'1ll 1/'iI1I~ BMW has been a pioneer in motorcycle ABS for years, and the natural progression of technology is taking its course. BMW's new Integral ABS starts with the basic braking hardware. The first component group is the EVO braking hardware, which consists of a pair of new 315mm rotors up front, mated to new four-piston calipers and brake pads with a new sintered-metal material. Out back is a twin-piston caliper and 272mm disc. The second component is the actual Integral ABS system (standard on the RT and optional on the Roadster) which is an electrohydraulic system as opposed to a hydrauUc system. The electrohydraulic set-up allows the computer to monitor front-to-rear loads to fmd the perfect balance between the two wheels. It can also determine different weight swings caused by passengers. fuel load, and luggage. There are two systems that BMW makes; the partially integrated system is available on the sportier Roadster, and the fully integrated system that comes standard on the Touring models. The Partially integrated system allows the rear pedal to activate the rear brake only, while the front lever activates both the front and rear brakes. The Fully integrated system allows the front lever or the rear pedal to activate both the front and rear brakes in a linked system. The most important component of the system is the ABS circuitry. The computer monitors everything from the actual pulsing of the fluid to self-diagnostics. It also eliminates the pulsing feel at the lever. The most noticeable fea- ture of the system has to be the electromechanical powerbrake booster, which is claimed to reduce lever effort by 50 percent. The advancements in the ABS'S speed allowed BMW to use the booster without the risk of locking the wheels. The entire system has been refined enough over the years to cut its weight from 24.5 pounds (on the 1988 KIOORS) to 9.61 pounds (on the new 2002 bikes). Fully Integrated System Power-brake booster takes some getting used to Transmission is still a bit notchy BIIWIIUIlll Ume A real fun sport-touring bike with a great new look, and a new, more-powerful motor. ~@@~ {fJU!iJr!1l [X] fJ fJ @@rxJf1 5j[IJ@ Partially Integrated System Features ~~!M • New 1130cc air and oil cooled, four valve per cyUnder boxer motor • New higher-compression pistons (11.3:1) • Bosch Motronic MA2.4 fuel injection • Twin exhaust system helps motor breath • Three-way catalytic converter • New 6-speed transmission • New hydraulic clutch • Low-maintenance shaft final drive CllnJillllll!lll • • • • Standard Integral ABS Telelever front suspension w/ rebound dampening Paralever rear suspension w/ rebound dampening Sporty new 3.50x17 and 5.0x17 in. cast-alloy fivespoke rims • New wider 170/60ZR-17 rear tire 'lMll1II~'1ll 1HI1I~ Attractive new fairing, and headUght design with fog lights Updated ABS Adjustable seat height Twin accessory plugs 'mIIII~'1ll MII~ Power-brake boost takes some getting used to Fully integrated ABS scares us (learn to brake)! Transmission is still a bit notchy I!oWIlDUIlll Ume Great twin-cylinder touring bike, with all the options you really need, and some you don't. Great wind protection, and creature comforts. near Fredericksburg and, after a hearty hot meal, and a billion cups of Joe, I was ready to go. The cool thing was that I now got to switch to the R1150RT Touring bike with the huge windscreen. I have never been so excited to ride a touring bike. I plugged my (loaned) electric vest in, cranked the heated grips to the Burn setting, and was in a state of pure nirvana. I really enjoyed the second half of the ride. The big RT was a real blast to carve through the big sweepers, and my entire body was enveloped in a pocket of warmth provided by the huge windscreen, which I cranked to the vertical position (it's UST PRICE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE , ..$16,290 1130cc Air/oil-cooled, horizontally opposed twin BORE X STROKE 101mm x 70.5mm COMPRESSION RATIO 11.3: I CAiRBURETION Electronic fuel injection IGNITION Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY 6.6 gal. WHEELBASE ..........••............58.5 in. 27.2/ 120mm RAKE/TRAIL 30.7/31.5/32.2 In. SEAT HBGHT FRONT WHEEL .3.50 x 17 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70-17 REAR WHEEL .5.00 x 17 in. REAR TIRE 170/60-17 FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.72 in REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.31 in. FRONT BRAKE ..lntegral Antilock, dual 315mm discs REAR BRAKE .Integral Antilock, 272mm disc FINAL DRIVE Shaft 579 Ibs. CLAIMED DRY WBGHT USTPRICE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE $9999/$12,190 1130cc Air/oil-cooled, horizontally opposed twin 10 I mm x 70.5mm BORE x STROKE COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1 CARBURETION Electronic fuel injection IGNITION Bosch Motronic 2.4 TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SySTEM ....•.............Electric FUEL CAPACITY . .5.4 gal. WHEELBASE 58.3 in. RAKE/TRAIL 27/1 25mm SEAT HEIGHT _•....30.3-31.5 in. FRONT WHEEL .3.50 x 17 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70- 17 REAR WHEEL .5.00 x 17 REAR TIRE 170/60-17 FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.70 in REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.30 in. Dual315mm discs, FRONT BRAKE Four-Piston Calipers/Integral ABS REAR BRAKE .. .272mm Disc, Twin-Piston CaUper FINAL DRIVE Shaft CLAIMED DRY WBGHT 525 Ibs. adjustable). The ride back was much of the same type of roads, but I was really taking a liking to the RT. It obviously weighs more than the Roadster (about 50 pounds more), so the power delivery isn't as impressive - despite the additional horsepower provided by the higher-compression pistons - but the nice spread of torque is placed perfectly for touring. The addition of a sixth gear on both bikes was much-needed. BMW considers the sixth gear an overdrive, which is very accurate because the ratio jump feels much larger than a traditional six-speed would offer. It does require a downshift to get either bike back into the power for a pass, especially on the Touring model, but it's no big deal. The suspension was very compliant, and felt perfectly damped even for sport touring. I was very impressed with how much lean angle was attainable by the big RT and, in the big sweepers, nothing dragged at all. I honestly believe that Motorcycle Online's Calvin Kim and I avoided a speeding ticket because we both happened to be on the RT Touring bikes. We got pulled over in the town of Blanco for speeding through a school zone, and our excuse (not being familiar with the area, and being distracted as we tried to read the direccue I ... tions on our route sheet) actually worked. We were both given a written warning, which is cool because I'm almost positive there isn't such a thing in California. The warning also saved a visit to the local magistrate, which would have meant paying the fine on the spot. The officer and his boss (who simply stopped to chat about the bikes), were totally cool, which we didn't expect, because we were pretty sure that Blanco doesn't see a lot of people of Asian decent (Calvin), or with 10 pounds of metal in their ears (me). The look of the RT no doubt helped as well, as it has a kind of "mature rider" look to it - little did they know. eN n ... _ s • APRIL 25,2001 11

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