Telelever front-wheel suspension – all the qualities of the previous system plus helpful modifications.

Conceived and designed strictly for road use and superior comfort, the Telelever comes with a fixed tube measuring 35 mm or 1.38´´ in diameter, as on the former model, since this is the best solution for a motorcycle of this character. In conjunction with the modified longitudinal arm of the R 1200 GS and suitable geometric adjustment, the result is a supreme combination offering a perfect balance of sporting and comfort-oriented spring action.

Like on the R 1200 GS, this maintenance-free system is designed to reduce brake dive to virtually zero, contributing, inter alia, to greater stability when applying the brakes while leaning over at an angle in bends.

Front-wheel spring travel is 120 mm or 4.72´´.

Rear-wheel guidance and suspension – the Evo-Paralever and TDD spring strut.

The lightweight drive shaft featuring the BMW Motorrad Paralever (Evo-Paralever) is hardly heavier than a conventional swinging arm with a drive chain. And apart from the modifications required for the wider tyres, this wheel guidance system has been carried over completely from the R 1200 GS, where this new design has already proven the significant progress it is able to offer: Despite lower weight, the entire unit is even stiffer than on the former model.

Placing the support bar for taking up forces on the rear wheel drive housing above the swinging arm helps to provide extra ground clearance, the 10 per cent reduction in weight versus the former model reducing unsprung masses accordingly. The bottom line for the rider is a smooth and sensitive response at all times plus load change reactions reduced to a minimum.

The new design of the rear wheel drive also comes in a particularly dynamic look thanks to the 50-millimetre (1.97-inch) hole drilled through the axle tube in the housing. A further advantage is the lifetime fluid filling, with no further need to change the transmission fluid for the entire life of the motorcycle. The rear central spring strut on the Paralever swinging arm incorporates travel-dependent damper technology referred to as TDD for short, ensuring a progressive increase in damper forces as a function of spring travel. The suspension therefore responds smoothly and comfortably to even the smallest bumps on the road, at the same time offering generous reserves on bad roads and tracks with grooves along the surface or a very uneven structure at the top.

This spring strut system was featured for the first time in 2002 on the R 1150 GS Adventure, with spring travel at the rear measuring 135 mm or 5.3´´.

As an option the new R 1200 RT will also be available with BMW Motorrad’s ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment).

Introduced as a production feature for the first time worldwide on the new K 1200 S, this system enables the rider to adjust the spring base and damper rate – the latter even while riding – conveniently at the touch of a button from the handlebar.

Wheels and tyres – light-alloy cast wheels in new five-spoke design.

The newly developed, extra-light cast aluminium wheels in almost filigree five-spoke design combine the advantage of easy care with superior strength and stiffness. The front wheel measures 3.5 x 17 inches, the rear wheel 5.5 x 17. Tyre dimensions are 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/55 ZR17 at the rear.

Brakes – EVO brake system with partly integrated ABS for safe and dependable deceleration.

The proven EVO brake system featuring BMW Motorrad Integral ABS fitted as standard offers supreme safety under all conditions. Maximum, easily controllable deceleration using just minimum brake power gives the rider additional safety especially when applying the brakes in an emergency. And to meet many customer requests, the new R 1200 RT comes exclusively with the partly integral ABS version for an even more active style of riding.

Diameter of the front brake discs is 320 millimetres or 12.6´´. To reduce unsprung masses and allow an even higher standard of brake precision, the diameter of the rear brake disc now measures 265 millimetres or 10.4´´, as opposed to 276 millimetres or 10.9´´ on the former model.
Woven steel cladding on the brake hoses and brake callipers stiffer than on the former model offer not only a slight decrease in weight, but also a more precisely defined, consistently stable brake pressure point.

For further information contact:
Alexander Corne
PR & Corporate Communications Manager
BMW Group Australia
Phone: 03 9264 4238
Fax: 03 9562 2799
Mobile: 0439 568 819
Email: alexander.corne@bmw.com.au