BMW's R 1200 RT
Dave Durso

For most people, motorcycling is a warm weather sport. But BMW and its customers long ago embraced the possibilities, and the technology, for year round riding. This week, Dave Durso hits the road on BMW's latest long haul all-weather touring machine, the R 1200 RT. It's Two Wheelin' for all four seasons, as only BMW can build. – John Davis

It's November in the Northeast, and most motorcycle riders are putting their bikes away for the winter. But if you own a BMW touring bike like this R 1200 RT, the riding season is a long way from over.

Because like so many of BMW's touring models, the R 1200 RT is designed and equipped to ride well beyond the sunny days of summer, and even past the late fall chill.

It's also part of BMW's current design campaign that gives the brand's once very bland touring bike designs, a shot of edgy, modern style.

The fairing's dramatic mix of angles and curves is like no other touring bike, BMW or otherwise, on the road.

Under the eye-catching bodywork, the RT is basic BMW, if one can call a BMW basic.

The stout tubular steel frame is supported by BMW's unique single-shock/A-arm Telelever suspension up front, and in the rear BMW's Paralever single-shock with variable compression damping.

Optional is Electronic Suspension Adjustment, which can be set for tighter handling, a smoother ride, or a passenger and luggage.

Power comes from BMW's latest 1,170cc flat-twin engine that makes 110 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque. This air-and-oil-cooled single-cam twin revs higher and pulls harder than previous versions, but still delivers impressive refinement.

It also boasts a new 6-speed gearbox with shorter ratios, and reduced lever effort.

But while all that makes for fine warm weather riding, it's a host of other features that make the R 1200 RT an ideal cold weather companion.

Obviously, the wide fairing offers excellent wind protection. But the RT adds a standard electrically adjustable windscreen that delivers clean airflow past the rider's helmet when lowered, and a big pocket of still air when raised.

Warming up that quiet space are available heated hand grips and the even more effective optional heated seat, plus a power plug for electric clothing. It makes a tremendous comfort difference when the temperature really starts to drop.

And to help keep it all upright, the RT offers standard anti-lock brakes and optional electronic stability control that delivers critical extra grip on wet pavement and soggy leaves.

You can buy a car for the R 1200 RT's base price of $17,125, though not a BMW. Add in the electronic suspension, heated seat and hand-grips, and stability control, and you're looking at a total of $18,805.

But that buys you the ability to ride well beyond the traditional motorcycling season, and if you can actually ride a motorcycle for the same number of months that you're making payments on it, then a machine like the BMW R 1200 RT is both a great ride and a good deal, all year long.