Which R1200RT - Help me decide!!

[dsajones]

I've already posted this on UKGSER and someone suggested this would be a better place - clue's in the title I guess - doh!!


[size=13px]I'm sure I'll end up with a split decision but any advice to help me decide between a couple of R1200RTs would be very welcome. Both bikes are for sale in dealers at the moment.[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]Bike 1 - 2011 R1200RT (non SE version). 15k miles. Excellent condition. I've ridden it and it's pretty perfect as far as I can make out. Right at the top end of what I was hoping to spend at £7,600 (that's after a bit of negotiation). Nice looking 2 tone colour scheme. I've got a £200 deposit on it and really need to say yes or no tomorrow.[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]Bike 2 - 2007 (57 plate) SE version with 49L top box. 10K miles. Apparently 2 wealthy owners neither of which has done much riding. Looks excellent in photos and I'm test riding tomorrow afternoon. I've checked and it doesn't have the servo brakes so right on the cusp of when the servo was dropped. Colour scheme is boring Silver. Priced at £6000 so closer to what I wanted to pay.[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]Just interested to hear if anyone can offer pros and cons based on the age of each. The 2007 is the beginning of a model revamp when Servo assist brakes were dropped and I believe the 2011 is also the start of a model revamp. It has the normal indicator switch so I also assume it has the new model engine as well. But I'm no expert!![/size]

[ds99]

I have just got a 2007 model (one of the first non-servo model)


i would go for the newer one as that's a "twin spark" model, which is supposed to be better

[guest2360]

Go for 2011.  The update, engine and trim was from 2010. The 2 tone paint was a £500 extra I believe.

[dsajones]

I have just got a 2007 model (one of the first non-servo model)


i would go for the newer one as that's a "twin spark" model, which is supposed to be better

Thanks.  Yes, I think I'm getting persuaded that the 2011 will be better.

[dsajones]

Go for 2011.  The update, engine and trim was from 2010. The 2 tone paint was a £500 extra I believe.

Thanks for the help.  I read something in an MCN review that indicated that the engine update in 2010 was a good one.  Think it's going to be the 2011

[richardbd]

Thanks for the help.  I read something in an MCN review that indicated that the engine update in 2010 was a good one.  Think it's going to be the 2011

told you this was the place to post!


;-)

[dsajones]

told you this was the place to post!


;-)

You certainly did

[Sullivj]

Go as new as you can - even if the 2011 is a bit of a financial stretch, it will be worth it.

[dsajones]

Go as new as you can - even if the 2011 is a bit of a financial stretch, it will be worth it.

Thanks.  Almost certainly will be going for it.

[T6pilot]

I've ridden a couple 2006-2007 RTs fine bikes
2011 is even more so, camhead motor is a great engine
WHATEVER YOU DO DONT RIDE A NEW ONE
Two of my friends with older RT's rode mine, both traded within a week

[David.]

Have owned a 2007 (Hexhead) & two (Camheads) 2010 & 2012, prefer the later TC model. The engine is crisper & styling sharper.

After riding the new LC, still prefer the TC.

[wethead]

I would get the one that does not have Metz tires

[guest2360]

I would get the one that does not have Metz tires
Why.

[wethead]

Metz have the reputation of showing chord when you least expected. Many reports of guys taking off with what seems lots of thread left, only to find themselves riding on the chord. Given the many times I heard this, I dumb the Metz with about 4k on my GT and dumb them again from my RT.


I don't particularly like the way they handled in the I-5 in the rain this Summer. I felt I was drifting on the water which scared the sheettatta me. It could have been oils in the road. But they left a bad taste on my mouth. BTW, I got friends who love Metz


When I wore about 4k out of them, I traded in for PR4, and the grip on water was exceptional in comparison--but like I said, these are seed-of-the-pants judgments.


I would like to see some empirical data on longevity and wet-grip from various tires.

[David.]

Metz have the reputation of showing chord when you least expected. Many reports of guys taking off with what seems lots of thread left, only to find themselves riding on the chord.

For the same reason, I stopped using Metzeler Z6's, now use Dunlop RoadSmarts (I) which have a tread pattern with TWI's in the centre of the tyre where the wear is at it's greatest & can be monitored.

I'm close to the TWI's, although they may become illegal, they won't be down to the chords with 1mm of known tread depth left.