Advice to purchase an R1200RT 2008-2014

[florin30th]

Hi guys
I never have had an R1200RT and start looking now around to get as many info as I can. I am looking to purchase one between 2008-2014 with around 20k on dash or less. The price will reflect the specs and condition of the bike off course. I consider to buy from private as well if recommended.  Obviously you guys have them for a while and I hope you can advise.
What to look  for when I purchase it?
Can you recommend any decent dealer/garage that can offer a good quality, price, warranty etc? Or to recommend someone that want to sell it?
I am based in Northampton UK.

[ds99]

if you can afford it, get a "twin cam" model 2010-2013. i think they offer the best value


you should be able to get one for £6-8k


eg


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-R1200RT-SE/253471065050


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-R-1200-RT-SE-2011-11-Matt-Grey-FbmwSH-Heated-Grips-Heated-Seats-Cruise/332577227438


i would avoid ex-police/DVLA models. you can identify them as they usually don't have a 'proper' top box, and they have slim side panniers.


i have a 2007 model, which is great, but the general consensus is the 2010-2013 twincam models have better performance


you can identify twincam models as the cylinder heads look like this

[Oldbrook]

Hi you will pay a bit more from a BMW dealer but you do get a 2 year warrenty and break down cover for piece of mind. Dave

[bandytales]

Hi guys
I never have had an R1200RT and start looking now around to get as many info as I can. I am looking to purchase one between 2008-2014 with around 20k on dash or less. The price will reflect the specs and condition of the bike off course. I consider to buy from private as well if recommended.  Obviously you guys have them for a while and I hope you can advise.
What to look  for when I purchase it?
Can you recommend any decent dealer/garage that can offer a good quality, price, warranty etc? Or to recommend someone that want to sell it?
I am based in Northampton UK.

What is your budget?

[gogs01]

From my personal experience of owning four R1200RTs :

1. They get better model by model
2. They get better through the model run.

Therefore, my advice would be to look at the date of manufacture and not the date of registration.  So, look for a bike manufactured in the middle of 2013 (the last of the air cooled bikes) or one manufactured in the middle of 2009 (the last of the single cam engines).  Your budget will decide which suits you.


Having said that, any R1200RT can be a good buy if it has been cherished (all recall work done, dealer serviced etc) - and I wouldn't be too concerned about mileage - they really do get better as the miles mount !

[ds99]

re: miles


if you are looking at bikes in the 40,000-60,000 bracket then check to see if the clutch has been replaced, as they tend to go around that time

[bandytales]

What? I don't think so, unless they have been a city bike or abused. I, and many others are up to 130000 miles with life still left in the clutches.

[T6pilot]

As others have said with each year bikes have gotten better, 14 with water boxer engine is a darn nice bike, next down would be a 11-13, your budget is the determining factor. I would avoid any year that has servo brakes, it’s a $$$$ cost maintenance item

[Rhun]

Highly recommend the twincam. Mines a 2010 SE and has been bullet proof so far, starts and runs in all conditions I've thrown at it. Carries massive amounts of luggage, me and my Mrs without complaints.
Only thing I've had to add is a Sargent seat and a fender extender. It comes pretty tricked out from factory.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[panaray]

*as with virtually everyone in this forum, I highly recommend the RT*


I purchased my MY11 (low) this past summer with less than 4000 miles on the odometer for less than $10k US from a nearby dealer.  The low version was important for inseam-challenged rider like me, but for others, the lack of ESA may be a deal killer. 


It came fully loaded with radio, cruise control and top box.  My wife really likes it compared to my previous bike (all sport bikes).  I put on 8000 miles within 4 months.  With its adjustable wind screen, I am able to cover many, many more miles.


If you like to do your own maintenance, you really can't beat horizontal twins.  The valve adjustments intervals are reasonable, and when you do check/adjust it's the easiest bike I've owned to do this, especially compared to modern-day Ducati 4 valve superbikes!