Boxer beat
Remember the old days when BMW flat twins were quirky, but bulletproof lumps, designed for pushing policemen, beards, pipes and slippers? Things couldn’t be more different now with the RT’s engine evolving into graceful sophistication. Sure, the boxer still isn’t as refined as a conventionally laidout three, four or six-cylinder motor and there’s a fair bit of vibration on a closed throttle above 4000rpm, but it growls and bellows like a race bike one minute and whispers along the next, depending on your mood. A wide, beefy spread of power lets you pull cleanly from as little as 2000rpm in top (35-40mph), cruise on the motorway at 3500rpm and give sportsbikes the hurry-up when you keep the revs on the boil.