1200RT top speed

[Rogslater]

All of the fairing enclosure on my RT1200 I find are a mixed blessing. It does such a super job of keeping the cold and wet out but can get toasty in hot weather with heat from the oil cooler wafting in. Despite its apparent aerodynamic looks I suspect it has the wind penatration akin to a barn door. Fuel consumpsion rises very dramatically at higher speeds, blustery head winds can be felt like a airbrake.
The bike will cruise all day at 120mph on half thottle but it seems the power required to push the speed higher is disproportionate compared to a naked bike such as my R90S. The 1200 has a top speed of 130 while the 90S does 122 on 41% less power and the mid eighties R80 manages 115 with exactly half the power. All speeds are GPS as in each case the speedos are wildly optimistic. I suspect that my Aeroflow screen is no help with wind penatration but in all other respects I find it a big improvement over the stock screen
Out of curiosity, what top speeds do other owners find on their 1200RT's??

Roger Slater

[Polarbear]

Don't care:). BUT the fuel mileage drops as much as 20% above 4-5000 rpm's on this GSA. Its horrible on gas with the throotle opened up at speeds above 75-80. Above 80, I had better have deep pockets, for gas purchases! No issues at all accelerating from 80+, as the bike has plenty left over, but I don't. Your RT and its 130 is good for something, but what? I don't even hit the century mark very often, maybe once a year for some dumb reason:). The book says the GSA top end is around 120, I think. Good luck with your speed question:). Randy:thumb

[BMWDEAN]

I, also, do not care.

Perhaps I am too old, but I don't care what the top speed is. It has plenty of power to handle a full load at 5 over any legal speed in the U.S.

All I care about is that the fully loaded R1200RT can pass cars at highway speeds without difficulty. It does that just fine.

[marchyman]

The bike will cruise all day at 120mph on half thottle but it seems the power required to push the speed higher is disproportionate compared to a naked bike such as my R90S.

Makes sense. The coefficient of drag is likely much more on an RT with a barn door, uh aeroflow than an R90S. Power required to push the the RT through the air will thus be larger. I'm going to make up some numbers... Say maintaining 60 MPH requires 4 HP on the R90S but 10 HP on the R12RT due to its larger coefficient of drag. The power requirements increase by the cube of the velocity. Double your speed and you'll need 8 times the horsepower, or 32HP on the R90S but 80HP on the R12RT. The R90S still has half of its available HP left, the RT not so much.

I think I got those numbers right.

[rich223vt]

My Rider's Manual shows the top speed of my scoot as ">124 MPH".

Last month, I was riding on one of two lanes up here, when a chance to pass (finally!) an RV presented itself. I eased into the on-coming lane, got about 1/3 into the pass when traffic appeared on-coming. Should I hit the skids and hope the RV doesn't do the same? I decide to open the thottle 'cause I don't know what the RV driver is thinking. "Man! I must've done 80!", I thought.

I checked the GPS at home. Max speed for the trip: 126 MPH. What amazes me is the bike still had more to give!

Rubber Down.

[haughty]

the GPS is a remarkable piece of technology... UNfortunately the Radar detector wasnt hooked up at the time....

GPS = Accurate
Radar= Deadly accurate

Getting away with that childish testosterone - About 450.00 and a bad tick on my drivers record.

I hold back a whole lot more nowadays.. See avatar

[Semper_Fi]

The bike will cruise all day at 120mph on half thottle but it seems the power required to push the speed higher is disproportionate compared to a naked bike such as my R90S. The 1200 has a top speed of 130.......

:scratch

Cant do this math - 120 at half throttle, yet top speed is 130??

:lurk

[Greenwald]

All of the fairing enclosure on my RT1200 I find are a mixed blessing. It does such a super job of keeping the cold and wet out but can get toasty in hot weather with heat from the oil cooler wafting in. Despite its apparent aerodynamic looks I suspect it has the wind penatration akin to a barn door. Fuel consumpsion rises very dramatically at higher speeds, blustery head winds can be felt like a airbrake.
The bike will cruise all day at 120mph on half thottle but it seems the power required to push the speed higher is disproportionate compared to a naked bike such as my R90S. The 1200 has a top speed of 130 while the 90S does 122 on 41% less power and the mid eighties R80 manages 115 with exactly half the power. All speeds are GPS as in each case the speedos are wildly optimistic. I suspect that my Aeroflow screen is no help with wind penatration but in all other respects I find it a big improvement over the stock screen
Out of curiosity, what top speeds do other owners find on their 1200RT's??

Roger Slater

Unless you participate in Track Days or have used the Autobahn, you shouldn't even know your 'top speed.'

The R1200RT has sufficient power to keep up in heavy traffic, pass other motorists when warranted, and cruise at speeds that are legal, or if you so chose, 5-9 above what is posted. Remember: at 10+ over, you are fair game for almost all law enforcement officers across the nation - and yes, you can ask me why I know this!

Beyond that, 'pushing the envelope' is reserved for test pilots and professional racers - not average motorcyclists.

I understand your curiousity about 'max velocity' but suggest not trying for Warp One on the RT. The slightest problem at hyper-speeds (debris, tire failure, animals, road anomalies, LEO's, etc.) could ruin your day - literally!

As for mileage dropping off the faster you go, that is to be expected. There was a very good reason that during the Oil Embargo years in the '70's, 55 MPH was selected as the optimum highway speed - it was (and still is) the most fuel-efficient.

Go fast if you wish, but don't expect mileage (or me) to keep up with you in triple digits.

Your opinions are no less important than mine, but for me, the new RT seems to slice thru the wind quite nicely, gives me good mileage (after all, it's not a moped), and has all the zoom-factor (even two-up) I'll ever need to stay out of trouble, and enjoy the ride. :thumb

[rspennachio]

Out of curiosity, what top speeds do other owners find on their 1200RT's??

Whoooaa there now. You can't just throw out a sacred cow like that. You need to put a qualifier in there something like "what top speed do other owners find on their 1200RT's while riding on a closed course." That way you can avoid the tone:nono.

The last time I went for a top speed run ON A CLOSED COURSE I climbed pretty fast up to 120 mph. But from that speed to 130... I felt that there wasn't a whole lot more but I was still climbing. I started to run out of room so I backed down. This was all based on the speedo so factor in the error.

[Bob1100RTC]

I've seen a buck 20 in 4th "on a closed course". It felt like there was a lot more but I can't say for shure.

[Harrington]

This thread sure brings out the stuffy BMW owner in a lot of posters here. The OP asked a logical question and people act like he pooped in the Grey Poupon.

I've had numerous chances to ring out my RT but I really don't have the desire anymore. Cruising in the high 90s is about as fast as I'll go. It just sucks too much gas at higher speeds. I'd probably trade over to a GT if I planned on extensive high speed cruising. 140 might be blazing on a hexhead RT but it pales in comparison to a modern liter+ bike.

[kbasa]

On a long empty stretch in the desert, I saw 129 on the GPS with gear on the back seat. It still had more, but I didn't, even in the middle of nowhere.

It was stable and composed, but things were flying by pretty fast. :hide

[MPMARTY]

My RT and I break into triple digits regularly on my 25 mile trips into town. I've got a great radar detector and the local LEOs usually don't bother bikes unless they are creating a dangerous situation for other motorists. They seem to figure we are a self correcting problem. I find I'm riding faster recently due to the super sticky tires I put on last month. The bike is uber stable as long as I don't use the top case. I must admit however I've never been over 125 mph with it according to my Garmin. At that I have never felt the "pull" diminish at top speeds it just keeps on pulling. By the way that 55 mph crap doesn't work. My car gets (measured) 33mpg at a constant 80mph and drops to 27 at 55 mph. It has to do with gearing, turbo charging and drag / lift coefficients.

[rspennachio]

This thread sure brings out the stuffy BMW owner in a lot of posters here. The OP asked a logical question and people act like he pooped in the Grey Poupon.

I've had numerous chances to ring out my RT but I really don't have the desire anymore. Cruising in the high 90s is about as fast as I'll go. It just sucks too much gas at higher speeds. I'd probably trade over to a GT if I planned on extensive high speed cruising. 140 might be blazing on a hexhead RT but it pales in comparison to a modern liter+ bike.

+1 on the "stuffy Grey Poupon poopers" That is funny!

"140 might be blazing on a hexhead RT but it pales in comparison to a modern liter+ bike"

That's for sure!! I went out with a friend who has a 03 Yamaha R1, we were rolling at about 110 (on a private race track) I went to WOT, he dropped a gear, the front wheel came up and blew by like I was going backwards!

But, liter bikes can't raise and lower there wind screens...:evil

[LoneRanger]

I had mine up to 85 once. After totaling my Norge last October I am kind of gun shy now.

[TexanRT]

But, liter bikes can't raise and lower there wind screens...:evil

:laugh

[AKBeemer]

If one rides into triple digits on the highways, then one should know and agree to the following:

- If you get caught by a LEO, admit guilt, shut-up and pay your debt.

- If you kill yourself, then expect those that care for you to grieve for a short while before their grief turns to anger because you were such a knucklehead. Those that do not care for you will just dismiss you as and idiot that got what you deserved.

- If you hurt someone else, then expect to suffer the contempt of others and the full weight of the law.

I've been a knucklehead a few times, but I know the rules too.

[SPOKESMAN]

Drag rises as the square of speed, so it takes over twice as much energy to push an object a given distance at 80 mph as it does at 55. There are other factors involved in determining mpg, like powertrain losses and rolling resistance vs. speed, and while the Double Nickel may have been a political move, there was good science behind it. My truck gets about 21 mpg at 55 mph and about 13 at 80. There may be an occasional vehicle on the road that gets better mileage at 80 than it does at 55, but such vehicles are peculiar indeed.

Power required to overcome drag rises as the cube of speed. This means that a vehicle that requires 100 HP to go 100 mph will require 800 HP to go 200 MPH. This is why an RT will seem to lope along comfortably at 120 mph, but it hits a wall at about 130 mph.

RT's are far from the most slippery form out there, but I'd wager that their drag coefficient is lower than that of a naked bike, which as about as un-aerodynamic as you can get.

[marchyman]

RT's are far from the most slippery form out there, but I'd wager that their drag coefficient is lower than that of a naked bike, which as about as un-aerodynamic as you can get.

An RT with an Aeroflow windshield?

[Greenwald]

Drag rises as the square of speed, so it takes over twice as much energy to push an object a given distance at 80 mph as it does at 55. There are other factors involved in determining mpg, like powertrain losses and rolling resistance vs. speed, and while the Double Nickel may have been a political move, there was good science behind it. My truck gets about 21 mpg at 55 mph and about 13 at 80. There may be an occasional vehicle on the road that gets better mileage at 80 than it does at 55, but such vehicles are peculiar indeed.

Power required to overcome drag rises as the cube of speed. This means that a vehicle that requires 100 HP to go 100 mph will require 800 HP to go 200 MPH. This is why an RT will seem to lope along comfortably at 120 mph, but it hits a wall at about 130 mph.

RT's are far from the most slippery form out there, but I'd wager that their drag coefficient is lower than that of a naked bike, which as about as un-aerodynamic as you can get.

Actually, there were reams of "good science" that went into coming up with 55 mph. There will always be exceptions to any 'formula,' but it was a broad brush stroke that saved this nation an ocean of crude during some tough times with the Shieks.

Most pissing and moaning about the 'double-nickel years' had more to do with resisting authority....any authority, and simply wanting to go faster and get places quicker - pretty much the nation's attitude still today.

[SPOKESMAN]

I wasn't familiar with the Aeroflow shield, so I Googled up a photo. Looks pretty slippery to me. Just about any windshield will be more aero than none, because it eliminates the high pressure zone and turbulence caused by the windstream smacking the pocket formed by the rider's head, arms, shoulders and torso.

I've only had my '09 RT for about 5k miles, and I've only surpassed triple digits once, momentarily, just to see what it would be like (on a closed course, naturally). Two things struck me, well, three, if you count the slipstream. First, how quickly you get up there without all the urgent high-rev. buzziness of a Japanese four-banger, which I am used to. Second, how stable and relaxed the bike is at that speed.

I'll have to get way out of town on a long, wide, straight, flat, deserted road before I try to go any faster.

[Harrington]

If one rides MOTORCYCLESs on the highways, then one should know and agree to the following:

- If you get caught by a LEO, admit guilt, shut-up and pay your debt.

- If you kill yourself, then expect those that care for you to grieve for a short while before their grief turns to anger because you were such a knucklehead. Those that do not care for you will just dismiss you as and idiot that got what you deserved.

- If you hurt someone else, then expect to suffer the contempt of others and the full weight of the law.

I've been a knucklehead a few times, but I know the rules too.

fixed.....:usa

[kbasa]

[QUOTE=rspennachio;500756

But, liter bikes can't raise and lower there wind screens...:evil[/QUOTE]

Sure they can. They just raise and lower the whole bike at the same time. :ha

[glurkus]

2007 RT 123 MPH according to GPS and it seemed to have plenty more, but at that point I started getting back pressure from the windshield, pushing me forward into the tank.

@ 55 MPH, I get over 55 MPG. @ 80 MPH, I get around 46 MPG. Mileage goes down substantially in cold weather.

It really sucked having to drive 55 on roads that were designed to go 75 ++. That was the only time I ever felt the need to own a radar detector.

[TomfromMD]

IIRC, Motorcycle Consumer News measured the top speed of a 2005 R1200RT at 136 mph - I assume it was on a closed course.

Tom

[BLKB1RD]

At Bonneville at the BUB races in 07 I did the Run What You Brung (thanks BMW) the GPS said 132 over the 3 mile course. On the other side.. COME on guys.. JUST about all speed and I'm guessing most have found triple digits just because of passing and needing it and the RT will provide it when asked. I agree if you get caught, smile and thank the man for doing his job and frame the ticket as proof. BTW.. I know a lot more people who have dropped their bikes in the driveway NOT moving then ones that have crashed at high speeds

Tom Casey
(former 09 Rally Security Chair)
75 R75/6
06 R122RT

[1aretea]

Roger I'm with you. I asked the same question in oil heads about 6 months ago. I took a verbal beating, my 04-R1150RT does 122 mph @ 6000 rpm's it wouldn't pull any more. That was verified by my gps.

[TomfromMD]

At Bonneville at the BUB races in 07 I did the Run What You Brung (thanks BMW) the GPS said 132 over the 3 mile course.
Tom Casey
(former 09 Rally Security Chair)
75 R75/6
06 R122RT

I'm just curious Tom, was the true 132 at redline in 5th, or had you shifted to 6th?

BTW, on a deserted road in Texas back in 1977, I ran my '76 R75 up to top speed. The barn door Windjammer III probably didn't help but according to the tachometer, it reached 104 mph - with the speedo reading slightly over 125!

Enjoy both your bikes -I wish I still had the ol' /6 as a stablemate for the 1200.

Tom

[RTFlyer]

The speedo is absolutely ridiculously optimistic...

124 MPH by GPS. It seemed that there was much more available, but the math above makes complete sense to me as well. I still would guess that 140 wouldn't be out of the question.

I find it interesting that there is such a culture clash when subjects such as this are brought up. Assuming that we are all adults, who needs a lecture from people they don't even know? I ride within my limits and always do my best not to endanger others. I don't have a death wish, but if I die riding, flying, driving, etc...it's on me.

...so if you're riding with me and we crest a hill looking into a long valley on a sunny fall afternoon with no traffic in either direction, it's totally up to you what you choose to do. I'll wait for you at the next intersection.

[SPOKESMAN]

I just recently got my GPS installed, and I was curious to check it against the speedo on my '09, which read way fast according to my seat-of-the-pants estimation. I was surprised to see that the speedo read only about 2 mph high in the 75 mph neighborhood.

[BLKB1RD]

[QUOTE=TomfromMD;501587]I'm just curious Tom, was the true 132 at redline in 5th, or had you shifted to 6th?
I was in 6th gear and was told later that I should have stayed in 5th to maybe have gone faster. The /6 is being set up with a R90 fairing and is bright yellow. I plan to Mod the seat and bars once i put the tranny back in it

Tom Casey

[marchyman]

I just recently got my GPS installed, and I was curious to check it against the speedo on my '09, which read way fast according to my seat-of-the-pants estimation. I was surprised to see that the speedo read only about 2 mph high in the 75 mph neighborhood.

The speedo on my '05 GS reads less than 2 MPH high at all speeds when compared to my GPS. But this is the same GPS that has had me going 747 MPH down a local twisty road and at least once/trip insists that I've gone in excess of 150 MPH. Even with an external powered antenna the GPS does not like twisty roads lined with redwood trees. :bluduh

[Polarbear]

I laughed:). I guess I am! I don't care, was my first response, so be it....I wonder how fast BMW "wind tunnel" tested this new RT fairing(IF they did at all) and just how far they pushed it before parts started falling off the fairing, like the windscreen? Many have already complained about the shield brackets breaking loose. Larger custom shields(aftermarket ones) will even fail quicker at 130. Have any of you rocketships lost anything at speed? Bring on the "blue collar" bright yellow mustard for me, baby:), NO GreyPoop! Hehe, Randy :thumb

[SPOKESMAN]

The speedo on my '05 GS reads less than 2 MPH high at all speeds when compared to my GPS. But this is the same GPS that has had me going 747 MPH down a local twisty road and at least once/trip insists that I've gone in excess of 150 MPH. :bluduh

This must be on a downhill.

[DarrylRi]

The speedo on my '05 GS reads less than 2 MPH high at all speeds when compared to my GPS. But this is the same GPS that has had me going 747 MPH down a local twisty road and at least once/trip insists that I've gone in excess of 150 MPH. Even with an external powered antenna the GPS does not like twisty roads lined with redwood trees. :bluduh

Must've been a steep road. One might even say, precipitous!

[marchyman]

:wave Hi Darryl. I suspect 747 MPH exceeds terminal velocity for a hexhead GS. The road in question was 84 between Alice's and the Pescadero turn-off. Drop the leading 7 and you'll be close to my actual speed.

[Semper_Fi]

The speedo on my '05 GS reads less than 2 MPH high at all speeds when compared to my GPS. But this is the same GPS that has had me going 747 MPH down a local twisty road and at least once/trip insists that I've gone in excess of 150 MPH. Even with an external powered antenna the GPS does not like twisty roads lined with redwood trees. :bluduh

I have seen my gps record high erronoes readings and for me it usually happens at a railroad (commuter rail) bridge overpass.

It is not 100% of the time but I can get it to happen every once in a while

[wezul]

I'll tell you what, my '07 may not be the quickest out of the gate and it's doesn't have the highest top end, maybe. But it will run 90 - 100 all day and not bat an eyelash. When I want the comfy chair it's the RT, no question.

[rspennachio]

I'll tell you what, my '07 may not be the quickest out of the gate and it's doesn't have the highest top end, maybe. But it will run 90 - 100 all day and not bat an eyelash. When I want the comfy chair it's the RT, no question.

That is for sure!

One day I came to a stop light. In the middle was an HD deuce. on the other side of him was a new GSZXR1ZX... 600. The 600 left the hardest, the Deuce left the loudest. The deuce thought he had a good race untill I passes him after 30 feet. The 600 was smooth sailing along untill he saw "that bagger" right next to him. You can imagine his suprise when saw "that bagger" blip the front wheel off the ground and start pulling away:wave

Now back to earth... mine is a 1200 and he was on a 600. I know any new GSZXR1ZX 750 or bigger would spank the tires off mine but...

I am completly happy being right in the middle.

BMW RT for president!

[rspennachio]

I was surprised to see that the speedo read only about 2 mph high in the 75 mph neighborhood.

What in the world are you doing racing at 75 mph in a neighborhood where kids play?
[I'm just kidding SPOKESMAN, I intentionally took your statment out of context, just goofing around. Do you think anyone will take the bait?

Have any of you rocketships lost anything at speed?

While on my rocketship run as I neared top speed, I lost my nerve.

[TomfromMD]

[QUOTE=BLKB1RD;501690
I was in 6th gear and was told later that I should have stayed in 5th to maybe have gone faster.

Tom Casey[/QUOTE]

I'd question the person who told you that you could exceed a true 132 in 5th. Unless my excel formula is wrong, 132 in 5th = 8,000 RPM = redline. I accidentally hit 8 grand in 2nd once and the limiter kicked in like a brick wall.

Tom

[BLKB1RD]

I'd question the person who told you that you could exceed a true 132 in 5th. Unless my excel formula is wrong, 132 in 5th = 8,000 RPM = redline. I accidentally hit 8 grand in 2nd once and the limiter kicked in like a brick wall.

Tom

This info came from a tech at a BMW dealer, who told me that 6th was JUST a touring gear and HE felt that for the short throw pushing 5th would have been better. All I know is tha the salt is a bit scary ( but do able) I was focused on .. making my shifts and keeping what I needed to bring me home.. on two wheels AND it was such a RUSH

[Ctrod]

we are a self correcting problem.

:ha:ha:ha:ha:ha:ha

[beemergirl]

I've had her up to 126 GPS mph several times....throttle not open. Was hard to go faster....too much engine vibration for me. 126 is MY limit, not the bike's.

[jamesdunn]

There was a thread similar to this one recently. Brought out the fun police in droves! Part of owning and riding a bike is wringing 'er out now and again, if not all the way, at least somewhat above triple digits. Shoot, my ol' '78 RS sees those speeds now and again. From all I have read somewhere around 125-30 MPH is all the RT's will manage. Plenty fast. I have only seen 115 on my '94 RS, though it'll go faster. Takes a good long time to haul a bike down from triple digit territory.

[jamesdunn]

Roger I'm with you. I asked the same question in oil heads about 6 months ago. I took a verbal beating, my 04-R1150RT does 122 mph @ 6000 rpm's it wouldn't pull any more. That was verified by my gps.
Ah ha! This is the thread I referred to in the last post. This thread seems kinder and more gentle. The Fun Police were out big time on that thread.

[jimabmw]

All I know is my 2009RT is plenty fast enough to get you in trouble, about a month ago I was riding to see my mother in the hospital who has since past away from her battle with cancer. I was taking the back roads when a state police car came from behind and pulled me over he ask where I was going and told me he about wreaked the car trying to catch me, he told me it was posted 40mph and that I was doing over 70 and told me 30 over was automatic suspension, he must have been feeling good that night because he let me go with a verbal warning, thank you mister policeman. That was the first time in 15 years I was pulled over for speeding.

[Rogslater]

[QUOTE=KBasa;500725]On a long empty stretch in the desert, I saw 129 on the GPS with gear on the back seat. It still had more, but I didn't, even in the middle of nowhere.

It was stable and composed, but things were flying by pretty fast. :hide[/QUOTE

Hello Dave
It would seem that the concesus is that top speed on the 1200RT is 129 to 132mph My130mph was with both panniers loaded and a tank bag. I believe that the panniers knock off about three mph. Comments also support my belief that the body work is not conductive to air penatration. Anything past 120 requires a inordinate increase in power. I was on a two laner with line of sight that stretched to infinity in the northern NV desert at 5000 feet.
Like you, I refuse to falsify my account just to appease the holier than thou poltically correct mob. How interesting that any mention of realised top speed stirs up such a hornets nest. I really wonder at the logic of folk who allow themselves to be mesmerised by manufactures never ending, idiotic quest for ever increasing power and speed while denighing its existance???
Roger

[BuddingGeezer]

The Nov 2007 Motorcyclist mag had a sport tourer comparison. 128 GPS mph.

Ralph Sims

[dancogan]

June, 2005 Motorcycle Consumer News posts the top speed at 137.2 mph measured. Not sure if the bike had bags on or not, but that's a lot faster than I need!

[taran1900]

My 2005 RT will redline in top gear with the Cee Baily summer shield on. GPS says that's 145mph. The speedo said la-la land. Needle was past all the numbers. I've had it to 140mph with the trunk on but it is VERY unstable over 135 with the trunk. Stability is rock solid without the trunk to redline. My RT has just under 86 thousand miles. New with a few thousand the top speed was a GPS indicated 135mph. The miles have been good for the RT :thumb

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/taran1900/RT_86k.jpg

[antaeas]

"The R1200RT has sufficient power to keep up in heavy traffic, pass other motorists when warranted, and cruise at speeds that are legal, or if you so chose, 5-9 above what is posted. Remember: at 10+ over, you are fair game for almost all law enforcement officers across the nation..."

I agree, but have a story to add. One fine spring morning, as I rode my '05 R1200RT on one of our fine two-lane county roads, I came upon a manure spreader ahead of me in my lane being drawn by a tractor at about 20 m.p.h. As soon as I had a passing lane, I accelerated, just as the tractor turned right, off the roadway onto a field. By the time I shifted from 4th to 5th, the passing lane ended and there was a county sheriff's car parked facing the roadway. He lit me up and I pulled over, expecting the worst. I had given all my attention to my passing (there was no oncoming traffic) in the slick stuff on the roadway; I had not looked at my speedometer. The officer asked me if I knew what speed he had clocked me at, and I said I didn't know. He then said "90, which is 35 over the limit, but I know why you did that. I have to write something every time my radar reads that, but I've giving you a warning under the circumstances. I ride, too."

The R1200RT has all the power I need, and then some. I don't often go at top speed; other times that I have been caught speeding, it's at far lesser rates, usually in traps (e.g., State Highway 16 in Rio, WI). One story about being let off at +35 is all I want.

[SPOKESMAN]

Comments also support my belief that the body work is not conductive to air penatration. Anything past 120 requires a inordinate increase in power.

Roger

Power required to push any object through the air rises as the cube of velocity. This fact is independent of drag coefficient. Not saying that the RT bodywork is particularly aero. Just saying that the comments in this thread regarding RT terminal velocity do not support the case that it is not.

The most aerodynamic bike ever made will require about 59% more power to go 140 mph as it needs to go 120, same as an RT.

[mikeb921]

My 2005 RT will redline in top gear with the Cee Baily summer shield on. GPS says that's 145mph. The speedo said la-la land. Needle was past all the numbers.


You must have the best running R1200RT of all time. I would,ve bet real money a stockR12RT couldn't do 145mph.

Ride Safe
MB

[ghostrider1964]

Just got back from a trip to west Texas where one can see litterally 10 miles or more. I opened up on my GSA to 128 GPS indicated witha friend on his RT right beside me but unable to gain to pass. I would have thought the RT would have walked on by but he said that was all he had. We were both loaded, me with the big adventure Touratechs that are not aerodynamic at all. And yes, I know speed, raced several classes of bikes for years. My GSXR would go 172 GPS indicated. And NO I don't drive like that everyday! Have not a ticket in over a decade!:violin

[taran1900]

You must have the best running R1200RT of all time. I would,ve bet real money a stockR12RT couldn't do 145mph.

It is a very well running bike for sure. I've only managed the high speed run once to redline and it's not something I'd try with the trunk on. Major instability past 135 with trunk on. I've had several high mileage Beemers and all have gotten faster as they got older. But I've never had one get 10mph faster. It is kind of a freak bike but I'm sure there are other R1200RTs out there that will pull redline in top gear. The fact it's not the best thing to do for one's license in the USA is probably a big reason you don't hear about too many doing it. BTW, 145 is what the Zumo 550 said. How accurate that is I don't know. I do believe it is a lot more accurate than the speedo which was pointing to a spot where 155mph would have been.