BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I generally like to keep the RPMs low when cruising around, in between 2000 and 3000 rpms.
Where do you feel lugging the engine is, under 3000? under 2000?

I tend to go between 2 to 5k riding steadily (gear dependant) and 5 to 7k making progress, I short shift and make full use of the torque with an an engine that makes not so much power but loads of torque. Each to there own though.

I ride similar to above

Generally I like to keep it above 3k but very seldom exceed 7k.

I find under 3k feels strained especially on the higher 3 gears. 3.5 to 4.5 seems to be the sweet spot unless a decent dollop of power is required. Rarely above 6k rpm.

I try to keep the engine above 3000rpm. The torque curve below that is better than most engines, but does not allow for quick maneuvering without a downshift. While a downshift does not take much time, I sometimes find that a quick blip of the throttle will allow me to avoid traffic issues.
Lugging the engine under 2500rpms seems to put undue stress on it.
When I actually look at the tachometer, I find that most of my riding is done between 4-7K rpms.

On the Bikesafe day I did, the ROSPA instructor advised to keep the engine in the middle third of the rev range, it's more responsive then.

Glenn wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:11 pm On the Bikesafe day I did, the ROSPA instructor advised to keep the engine in the middle third of the rev range, it's more responsive then.

This is true to a point. But it all depends on the engine. It's OK like a tourer, but wrong on a sports bike. They are better, more up the rev range.

Doctor T wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 12:52 pm This is true to a point. But it all depends on the engine. It's OK like a tourer, but wrong on a sports bike. They are better, more up the rev range.

And that's one of the reasons I particularly like my 1250RT, it pulls like the Queen Mary. Compare the two torque curves below, (both back wheel on an independant dyno, so real world figures); one from a R1250RT and one from the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+, both sold as sports touring bikes. Yes the Suzuki eventually has a nice curve to it, but it's down on an RT and doesn't get going until 3,000 rpm. Similarly with the BHP curve. One shall we say is definately sportier than the other, but do you want to be shifting gear all the time just in case. No, I'd rather have the low down torque please.

I did the same Bikesafe day as Glenn and my instructor also said about keeping revs higher, but I agrued saying my RT produced something like 40% more torque, it produces it a lot lower down the rev range than his bike does, that BMW have very kindly given me a little arrow to suggest when to change gear, that makes it a feature of the bike. Kind of diffult to argue against that and he didn't.

I’ll add the chart for we lowly 1200 owners too…

Just to add to the what do you consider lugging debate. Given the Wales is my backyard and I'm pretty used the 20mph zones and my 1250 will quite happily sit in 3rd gear at 20mph and equally happily to accelorate cleanly from there if called do so. It'll also sit at 20 in 4th, but that IS starting to feel a tad too low, but it will do it, albeit under protest, 3rd is better. From memory 3rd and 20mph is about 1750rpm. 4th, I can't remember, but it's got to be dropping it close to 1500 or so rpm.

I comfortably cruise below 3k, but I don't like to accelerate hard from so low revs.
My 1200 wakes up above 3.5k and is fun to ride above 4k where the quick shifter works better too.

To answer your question, I wouldn't "lugg it" or ride it below 2.5k.

Before buying an RT I test rode a 1200 locally, I stalled it 3 times which was strange as I’ve ridden quite a few bikes since the age of 6yrs. Once underway it felt okay though, I felt the revs needed to be kept above 3k though to be smooth. I think there must of been an issue with that particular bike.
When I picked up my 1250 I didn’t notice any stalling tendencies, as time went on and doing my own servicing etc it’s a pretty good engine ( being rattly when hot at idle aside).
On the flat it’s smooth low down the revs and as long as you don’t give it a large handful from 2k it doesn’t lug at all. If I’m honest I rarely look at the rpms, but like every bike I’ve owned the higher the rpms the more vibes are felt through the bars, I’m probably susceptible to that.

Was feeling down this morning so went around the block, I thought I’d take notice of the tacho and I’m using between 2k and 4k revs, I did have a wee scuttle on the way back and I’d forgotten how quick these RTs feel.