1996 Bmw R1100rt
CW RIDING IMPRESSION
1996 BMW R1100RT
WUNDER-BOXER: FULLY FAIRED AND READY FOR THE ROAD
NEWS FLASH, DIRECT FROM GERMANY'S BAYERISCHE: Motoren Werke: The classic R100RT, that charming, broad-band tourer, will be discontinued at the end of the year. In its place is a stunning new motorcycle, the swoopy R1100RT.
"The R11RT is a complete update of the R100RT," said a BMW spokesman at the bike's U.S. press launch in Whitefish, Montana. "Virtually everything has been rethought." Fourth of the new-generation Boxers, the R1100RT comes standard with a wind-tunnel-developed, full-cover age fairing, touring ergonomics and locking hard luggage. It also carries a whopping retail price of $15,990, making it
the most expensive Beemer ever. By comparison, the “old” R100RT costs $10,290.
Fuel-injection, anti-lock brakes, a three-way catalytic converter and an electrically adjustable windshield are among the standard features, as are a height-adjustable seat, heated grips, a pair of 12-volt accessory outlets and a two-speaker, AM/FM cassette radio. BMW’s innovative Telelever front end-basically a swingarm hinged off the engine cases just above the cylinders-works in conjunction with the company’s Paralever rear suspension, which all but eliminates drivesliaft-induced chassis jacking.
The RT is powered by the same 1085cc, eight-valve opposed-Twin found in the RI 100RS, RI 100GS and RI 100R, tuned-like the sport-oriented RS-to deliver a claimed 90 horsepower and 69 foot-pounds of torque at the crankshaft. (Our ’93 RI 100RS testbike made 80 horsepower and 65 foot-pounds of torque at the rear wheel.)
Manufactured from recyclable plastic, the RT’s five-piece fairing was designed with ease of maintenance in mind. As such, the oil-level sight glass is visible through the left panel, the valve covers unbolt with the fairing still in place and the air filter is easily accessed by removing the seat. There’s a full complement of easy-to-read gauges, warning lights and a liquid-crystal display that relays oil temperature, fuel level and gear position. A digital clock is also included.
Lifted from the Kl 100LT, the distortion-free windscreen adjusts over a 6.1-inch range from a flat, aerodynamic position to nearly vertical via a switch on the left handlebar. Seat height, easily altered without tools, varies from 30.7 inches to 32.3 inches. The gear selector is also adjustable by fiddling with an Allen-head screw located just aft of the left footpeg.
Hot or cold, the fuel-injected RT fires immediately without cough or sputter. It idles quietly, revs quickly and makes impressive, usable power. Like the RS, the RT passes through its heaviest vibration at 4000 rpm (80 mph in
fifth), tingling the handlebars, rubbercovered footpegs and thickly padded seat, though this low-frequency throb bing is less annoying than the buzzing of some modern Fours. The large mir rors remain fuzz-free right up to the bike's I 32-mph indicated top speed. The bike's five-speed transmission caused some concern. Sourced from the K series, the tranny remains notchy
and noisy and is occasionally unwilling to shift from neutral to first at a complete stop. Though hardly ruinous, it certainly dulls one’s impression of an otherwise line motorcycle.
' Steering is wonderfully light, particularly for a 563-pound motorcycle with a 6.5-gallon gas tank. You can t slam the RT sportbike-like into corners, but negotiating a series of tight esses requires less effort than you might expect. The Telelever system is wonderfully compliant, too. Watching the damper-tube scrapers dance over minor pavement irregularities, you question how the iront end will soak up major hits. Fabulously. Kudos also to the rear Paralever setup.
Brakes-dual 12.0-inch floating rotors and four-piston Brembo calipers up front, a single, 11.2-inch fixed disc and two-piston floating caliper at the rear-are top shelf, too, with excellent stopping power and sensitivity.
. The AM/FM cassette radio, hidden behind a door on the fairing’s left side, may be a good marketing move, but the small, dash-mounted speakers offer poor sound quality. At speed, you can barely hear anything, even at maximum vol-
ume. “It’s not the first time we’ve had complaints about the quality of our speakers,” confided a spokesman. Also, volume is not rpm-regulated, which means either toying with the bar-mounted volume control in-town or blasting car drivers and pedestrians. Optional equipment includes a large top box that attaches to the rear rack and provides a passenger backrest, inner liners for the hard luggage and an expandable tankbag. An anti-theft warning system is also available.
BMW North America hopes to sell 1400 Rl lOORTs in the U.S. next year. If it is successful, the RT will surpass the Rl 100RS as the company’s best-selling motorcycle. The RT’s main competition, Honda’s STI 100, will have several changes for ’96, including slightly revised bodywork and the C'BRlOOO’s linked brake system. BMW isn’t worried, claiming that the ST 1100 wasn’t really a factor during the RT’s design and development process. “The Rl 100RT is our version of a full-on tourer, said a BMW spokesman. “We just put more emphasis on handling and agility and the ability to ride a variety of roads.” -Matthew Miles
