What do you use.

[EasyRider]

With all the tech you can get and have on the R12RT LE & SE, what ones would you say you use in order of how often you use them.
I am trying to work out if its worth paying the extra. As in my book if you dont use it, it now worth having.

Also which one of these is better value. A basic 2015/15 SE with 21k for £7,100 (no top box) or a top spec 2019/69 LE with 16k for £10,200 (no Hill Start Control).



2015 SE

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2019 LE

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[Steve398]

It’s worth taking into consideration that there was a modification to the drive in 2017, so it may be better to be looking at bikes after that date.

I have a 2018 1200RT with the normal box of toys, some of which I didn’t think I would use but do…
Hill Assistance, invaluable when 2-up touring and having to stop on an incline.
Cruise Control
TPMS
Headlight Pro, giving you Angel Eyes = my normal riding mode with the (optional) accessory lights
Dynamic mode - not really, normal road does everything I need
Topbox don’t like ‘em!
Satnav prep although I use a Tomtom 550 over the very expensive Garmin.
Heated seat/grips
There’s also comfort packs and whatever but no real idea what they are so…

[EasyRider]

I've found another one that could be on the cards.
It's a 2018/18 R1200rt with 6563 miles on it. price is £9790
Is the BMW 2 year warranty woth paying the extra for.

https://www.vertumotorcycles.com/used-m ... rt-le-abs/

[Stu]

I've found another one that could be on the cards.
It's a 2018/18 R1200rt with 6563 miles on it. price is £9790
Is the BMW 2 year warranty woth paying the extra for.

https://www.vertumotorcycles.com/used-m ... rt-le-abs/

I would chose that one over the 10200 one

lower miles and newer

top box can be had cheap enough

[Capt Sisko]

My '18 R1250RT LE was an ex demonstrator and as such had every boxed ticked. Some things like cornering ABS I've never used or ever want to be put in the position that I 'need' to use them, but it's there, ready to pounce if the occasion arises. Things like the Pro lights, well they're just part of the bike. I'm sure standard lights are equally as good, but some of the other like Cruise Control are an absolute godsend on long trips.

So, in no particular order.
Don't pay any extra for a radio, it just ain't worth it.
EAS, different modes etc are worthwhile IF your loads vary from day to day, but I'm told normal/ road or whatever still does the job just fine.
Heated grips we all love, but that's nowt until you've tried a heated seat. Whether it's a combination of the fairing & screen blowing the worst of the cold air past you and the heating, but the heated seat does seem to warm your body core far more that the relatively small contact patch would suggest it would.
TPM - Good for notifying you if you've got a puncture, but don't rely on it for the actual pressure of your tyres.
1250 motor, I'm not sure the extra BHP is significant, but the torque is.
Keyless ride, okay, but we've survived without it so far.
Hill Start assist. Actually really rather good as you can do a two feet on the floor mini stretch of the limbs at traffic light stop with the bike stable underneath you.
If you're tall and raise the seat the OEM screen can be a tad short.
Ditto footpegs can be a tad high if you've got long legs. A pair of far east copies of a well known German brand from Amazon made a big difference to me.

Lastly don't forget that with a 1300RT on the way, the 1200 is soon to be two generations old. That doesn't stop them being dammed good bikes, but don't forget that in a couple of years time that 15 plate bike you're looking will be ten years old and with possibly 30k plus on clock. That will affect it's value should you chose to trade in. For the moment the 1250 will retain it's value far better.

Really lastly, I've done 12,000 mile on my R1250RT LE in 18months including 2x Iron Butt SS1000s and numerous Ride to Eat meets in silly places. Trust me when I say they're worth every penny.

[Steve398]

Additions following the Capt’s post:

Keyless - I like it but I’m truly awful with keys, however they’re something that has been known to cause occasional problems for some riders. If you lose the fob it’ll cost you over £100 for a new one.

Radio - Absolutely not don’t have/want one.

Lowered foot-pegs - I’ve got long legs and bought mine from Amazon at a fraction of Wunderlich prices.

Handlebar risers - Helps with U-turns and my shoulder problems. Ilium rather than Wunderlich.

Screens - I’ve tried a lot, but it’s what particularly suits YOU. The standard screen’s not bad but the Werks Quiet Ride was (for me, solo and 2-up) the very best, but whoa they’re pricey! Imported from the USA

Seats: Sargent seats fit me, always pre-owned.

Finally, headlight protector - essential! A new headlight is into four figures!!!

The bike is very comfortable and able for our Greek 2-up tours as well as a solo play on a sunny day!

[Stu]

Radio - Absolutely not don’t have/want one.

I have

totally useless

[EasyRider]

We use intercomms. and all i hear anyway is

[Stu]

Yup same here

[Steve398]

I frequently get this type of conversation, especially on steep, winding, mountain roads -

Wife, gazing across a steep valley
“Look at that view!”

Me, trying to see where the road’s going
“If I do, we’ll join it!”

[TJRL]

Radio /MP3 player? - Essential to have sounds on the move!

Also works a treat playing Rock at full volume in traffic, like parting the waters from the bible.

"Loud pipes save lives"? - No, they just annoy everyone
Loud music, now that does save lives

PS if you have trouble with a lack of volume on the motorway, try a larger screen. I am 6'4" and without a taller screen the wind noise does drown out the sounds.

Hill assist, such a simple idea and yet so useful.