By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer
BMW R 1200 RT (K26) vs Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 (MY2006)
BMW R 1200 RT vs Moto Guzzi Norge 1200: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
You'll feel how differently these two pull the moment you open the throttle on the BMW R 1200 RT: it's already shoving from low revs. The Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 doesn't mind chugging in top gear from barely above idle. Then it pulls strongly, with a rorty bark.
So which one do you buy?
The R 1200 RT has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: R 1200 RT
The R 1200 RT is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Thank better suspension and a sportier chassis for that.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Slight edge: R 1200 RT
On a long day in the saddle, the R 1200 RT comes out a little ahead. The reason: more stability at speed and a smoother engine. Ride both before you decide.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: R 1200 RT
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the R 1200 RT pulls a nose in front. That comes from easier everyday riding and simpler maintenance. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: R 1200 RT
On running costs, the R 1200 RT edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
What makes each one tick
R 1200 RT
Behind the R 1200 RT's wide fairing, there's a calm pocket of still air even at highway speed. Potholes don't jolt the bars. The plush suspension swallows each hit long before it reaches the well-padded seat. The Telelever front end tips into bends on a nudge.
Norge 1200
On flowing roads at an easy pace, the Norge 1200 settles into its plush suspension while the fairing holds the wind back. A roll of the throttle brings lazy torque from the transverse V-twin, with the shaft drive soaking up its driveline reactions. That lurch doesn't reach the chassis. Its Brembo stoppers haul the heavy tourer down hard.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Norge 1200 has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.3 in (820 mm).
- The Norge 1200 has the lower wet weight: 542 lb (246 kg) vs 571 lb (259 kg).
- The R 1200 RT makes more peak power: 110 hp (81 kW) vs 90 hp (66 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Wrong job for both
As first bikes, both are a stretch. Starting smaller isn't a step down.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
R 1200 RT
What owners say
Strengths
- Robust and characterful boxer engine
- Impressive weather protection
- Surprisingly agile handling for a heavy tourer
Trade-offs
- Hefty weight at low speeds
- High cost of clutch and final drive repairs
- 2005-2006 servo brakes can be problematic
Norge 1200
What owners say
Strengths
- Solid braking package
- Supremely comfortable tourer
- Torquey and characterful V‑twin
Known problems to check before you buy
R 1200 RT
- Fuel pump flange cracking The fuel pump flange can crack over time, allowing fuel to seep past the seal. BMW revised the part; a cracked flange is usually replaced with the improved version.
- Servo brake unit failure (2005-2006) The servo pump in the ABS modulator can fail, especially if corrosion sets in. When it fails, residual braking performance is dangerously poor. Replacement of the complete unit is the usual remedy.
- Final drive bearing/spline wear The final drive can develop oil leaks or noisy bearings, and the drive shaft splines may wear or corrode. Regular inspection and fluid changes are recommended. Failures can lead to rear wheel lock-up in extreme cases.
- Fuel pump controller failure The original silver-coloured fuel pump controller is prone to corrosion and sudden failure, leaving the rider stranded. A revised black-coated unit is more durable.
Norge 1200
- Oil pump failure on early production A small batch of 2007 models built in winter 2006‑2007 had defective oil pumps, leading to sudden oil pressure loss and potential engine seizure. Bikes that survived past 35,000 miles are likely unaffected, but it remains a known weak spot.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| R 1200 RT | Norge 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 571 lb (259 kg) | 542 lb (246 kg) |
| R 1200 RT | Norge 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1170 cc | 1151 cc |
| Engine | Flat-twin (boxer) | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) | 90 hp (66 kW) |
| Torque | 89 lb-ft (120 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| R 1200 RT | Norge 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.6 US gal (25 L) | 6.1 US gal (23 L) |
| R 1200 RT | Norge 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Telelever | Telescopic |
| Wheelbase | 58.5 in (1485 mm) | 58.9 in (1495 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| R 1200 RT | Norge 1200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Option | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
