Hey, Jim! I used to go to school in Dynamic Denton back in the day. I worked at the Record-Chronicle for a while after that. It was a great town.
There is no fan behind the oil cooler on the R1200R, and looking at mine, I don't see that there is room for one, either. Since I haven't had any really hot weather experience with mine, I don't know if this bike gets unusually hot, but history tells me Beemers are slightly cooler running than other twins.
There is no cooling fan, and no need for one even in hot weather. Exactly the same engine as in the R1200RT and R1200ST, neither have a cooling problem, the R1200 series run cooler than the Oilheads, in fact the oil cooler on the R1200R is larger than the ST, RT and even the higher power R1200S. The R1200R oil cooler will be used on the San Jose BMW R1200S race bikes.
The R1100RT and R1150RT police bikes have a fan and you can buy the parts from any dealer to add to any non-police version of the RT. When I worked at a BMW dealership I sold the assmebly of parts to a rider in the DC area who later reprted back to me that it made a big difference in temps as he sweated out the commute along the beltway. I haven't checked on the R1200RT but I would assume the heat generated by a police model would indicate some help with temperature control.
As for the R1200R and the more typical use it would live with, I don't think it is necessary. The old airheads were hotter running and there were no reports I'm aware of that indicates problems in traffic, in deserts, etc. The airhead valve seat destruction was due to cheap materials combined with new fuels that the factory had not prepared for.
Still, a small fan from a cpu with a manual switch and temperature guage would be an interesting experiment. I'd be interested in performing a proper run of tests over the coming months if you would provide the bike. Clean, with fresh rubber.
My 2000 R1100RT ran quite hite in NYC summer traffic. Living in the area, I couldn't really avoid the traffic unless I traveled at like 3am - and then construction would get you most times.
When I first got the bike I almost overheated on the Long Island Expressway in December in 45 degree (F) weather. That was when it was new. 30k miles and 6 years later summer traffic was still a concern, though it never overheated.
I have an R12R on order and am hoping the lack of fairing will give the engine more breating room. This isn't why I bought the bike but is the justification I used to stay with a boxer rather than switch to a K.
" Still, a small fan from a cpu with a manual switch and temperature guage would be an interesting experiment. I'd be interested in performing a proper run of tests over the coming months if you would provide the bike. Clean, with fresh rubber" How generous! Yet it would be a cheap enough experiment.
Mark
I ride year round in Phoenix, Arizona. Yes, you can even find me sitting in traffic in triple digits during the peak of the summer. I like the heat. Anyway, I run synthetic oil to help reduce the effects of sitting in traffic when the temps are in the triple digits. I have had no problems at all with high temps and my 1150R. If you're concerned, just switch to synthetic oil and just ride.