Buying a 2005 R1200RT advice

[Brownj22]

Thank you for adding me. I’m looking to buy a 2005 RT with 40,000 miles. It’s had the ABS removed and has nearly full service history. Any advice for things to look out for before I view it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

[Elkinell]

Hiya, which end is the service history missing? I'm no expert but if the initial history is missing that would be worse for me than if the later history wasn't done by BMW. Not everyone wants to pay dealer servicing costs on an older bike and that's fine as long as its still been serviced somewhere else. I'm not that knowledgeable about the early bikes but there's quite a few here who are so you'll get some good advice.

[Brownj22]

Thanks for your reply. It’s the later part of the 40,000 miles that is slightly less and been done at a local garage. The first half at least is all BMW.

[Elkinell]

I would be fine with buying it but that's me. There are a lot of things you can service yourself if you have the talent and inclination. If it's got past 40 thou I'd like to think it was good for another 40.

[Doctor T]

My 07 has done 68 thou miles without fault. Mine has full BMW fsh until the last 2 services by me

[Brownj22]

Thanks all. Anything in particular to look out for on these generations of RT?

[Doctor T]

Only the ABS, which you said has been disconnected. Check sideward play in the rear wheel. Mostly make sure all the electrics work. Go by your instict.

[alexvtr]

Make sure the clutch isn't slipping or acting funny.
It's a huge job to change a clutch on a 2005-2013 RT.

Also, if the bike had its ABS module removed, I would expect the price to reflect that significantly.
I've ridden bike without ABS for decades and survived just fine.
But given the choice, I now prefer by bikes to have this safety feature.

[Doctor T]

My 07 abs has been defunct for over 5 years going by the service history. My last accident on a bike was due to not being able to stop fast enough. I rear ended a car. Sure Abs is a fantastic system for cars but growing up with my first bike in the late 70s with none of this trickery, i prefer to be in control of the bike and not the bike in control of me. The same goes for anti-wheelie control. If you can't or don't know how to use your throttle properly you shouldn't be riding

[simbo]

My 07 abs has been defunct for over 5 years going by the service history. My last accident on a bike was due to not being able to stop fast enough. I rear ended a car. Sure Abs is a fantastic system for cars but growing up with my first bike in the late 70s with none of this trickery, i prefer to be in control of the bike and not the bike in control of me. The same goes for anti-wheelie control. If you can't or don't know how to use your throttle properly you shouldn't be riding

Tell us more about rear ending a car and being in control of a bike with none of this trickery.

[Brownj22]

Thank you all for your advice. Looking at another one tomorrow, again with the ABS removed. Clutch and rear wheel play noted, thank you.