RT Models since 1978

Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:11 am

Looking at all BMW Motorcycles produced since 1923, http://www.bmweducation.co.uk/public/up ... 191155.pdf,
the RT was first introduced in 1978.

Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:40 pm

Which RT's have you had or got & why?

2007 RT, 2010 RT (Twin Cam) & 2012 RT (Twin Cam) for me, (could only vote once for the TC).

Purchased the 2007 RT after owning a 2004 Honda VFR 800 VTEC, I was looking for something more comfortable & practical with a shaft drive.
Some of the guys I rode out with had RT's & they certainly weren't lacking anything when ridden in the right hands.

The 2010 RT (Twin Cam) was purchased after seeing one outside a Dealers in the sunshine, it was in Thunder Grey Metallic & looked great.
The sharper styling & new Twin Cam motor was also a factor in the choice, plus the 2007 bike had covered 39,000 miles.
Had recently retired & I was encouraged to treat myself, a good enough reason in itself.

After having a test ride on a 2014 LC, I preferred the outgoing Twin Cam model.
For this reason & the fact that the 2010 Bike had 38,000 miles on it, I bought a 2012 RT (Twin Cam) in Midnight Blue Metallic, with 3,000 miles on it.

Post by **Pope** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:21 pm

I've ridden/tested all the RT models from 1995 - on,  but only bought the latest LC model, as I always preferred the GS/GSA's (until now).

Post by **Levisp** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 5:01 pm

Thanks David for the BMW history good reference. I was once a sports bike nut but as I got older got more sensible. First BM for me was 08 GS. Loved that bike however fell out with her when I had 3 rear wheel bearings fail in 18K miles. While I had the bike rode various RT as loaners but some how could not quite get on with the vague from end. Really wanted the RT to handle like my GS but it didn't. Looking back it could have just been tyres. Anyway when the LC RT came out had to have another look and immediately fell for it. The engine is a gem especially now I've got more miles on it but its the handling that really got me. Really fun to ride. I would go as far to say that its the best bike I've owned. Lets hope the rear end is sorted !

Post by **Spencert231** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 5:51 pm

Never owned a BMW but always aspired to own a 1200RT or GS came within a gnats foreskin of getting the GSA 2014 but opted for "Arty" and I am not disappointed BMW 1200 RT LE

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:08 pm

I have had since 1997, 2 1100s, 1 1150 single spark, 1 1150 twin spark, 1 1200 servo brakes 2 1200s normal brakes and now the LC.  Each one has been better than the one before with the LC taking a giant leap forward. I had 3 years on the very dark K side on a 1600GTL and an Exclusive. Amazing bikes for sure but much more likely to kill or squash You. .

Post by **stelyn** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:26 pm

That's some  ` Beemer Bike History', RTman10    :whistle:

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:54 pm

stelyn wrote: That's some  ` Beemer Bike History', RTman10    :whistle:

You can never have too much of a good thing. 

Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:03 pm

Bingo, "A Full House", keep the Votes & Write-ups coming in.

Post by **David.** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 8:48 am

Some Model History from Wikipedia:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R1200RT

Post by **kerdoman** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:10 pm

Had a 2002 R1150RT for a couple of years and am now in negotiations for a 2005 R1200RT (chopping in my 1100 Pan owned for the last 10 yrs).

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:43 pm

The stats are very surprising, 37 years of RT production but 30% of those in the survey are less than 12 month old.

Post by **Budman** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:44 pm

My first was a 1997. After going 8300 miles out west I wanted a sixth gear and cruise control. Sold that bike and got an LT because the wife liked the ride of the LT. Took the LT to Alaska, great ride but the bike was way top heavy.
Sold the LT and bought a 2010 RT. Was very happy till I heard about the GTL. Thought I had to have one. Kept the GTL for a while but it just didn't make me happy. Great bike, fast as heck, handled great on Barber Motorsports Track two up but it just wasn't me. Sold it and bought a 2012 and thought that would be it. That bike had a couple of gremlins that I couldn't seem to overcome. My dealer in Charlotte and I came to some odds about service and it became clear that I needed a change.
I drove to Asheville NC and found a dealership that was all about customer service and was run by guys who are riders and enthusiasts not just salesmen. They gave me a great deal on my trade in and what I thought was a great deal on my 2014 RT. My 2014 is not a recall bike and came from BMW with the new shock (according to the dealer). My vin # tells me it was manufactured on Wednesday July 23, 2014. I'm hoping that this is my last one for a while. So far Im very pleased. Looking forward to taking it back out west for a 6500 ride with Ann this summer. This fall Ill go back to Barber for Vintage Bike Days and take the bike on the track.   

   

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:29 pm

The shock recall was on 6 June 2014.  All bikes sold or in dealerships on that date had their shocks returned to the manufacturer, modified and put back on the same bike.  If yours was built in July you have no worries as it would have been fitted with the modified shock in the factory .

Post by **weston** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:46 am

Budman wrote: My first was a 1997. After going 8300 miles out west I wanted a sixth gear and cruise control. Sold that bike and got an LT because the wife liked the ride of the LT. Took the LT to Alaska, great ride but the bike was way top heavy.
Sold the LT and bought a 2010 RT. Was very happy till I heard about the GTL. Thought I had to have one. Kept the GTL for a while but it just didn't make me happy. Great bike, fast as heck, handled great on Barber Motorsports Track two up but it just wasn't me. Sold it and bought a 2012 and thought that would be it. That bike had a couple of gremlins that I couldn't seem to overcome. My dealer in Charlotte and I came to some odds about service and it became clear that I needed a change.
I drove to Asheville NC and found a dealership that was all about customer service and was run by guys who are riders and enthusiasts not just salesmen. They gave me a great deal on my trade in and what I thought was a great deal on my 2014 RT. My 2014 is not a recall bike and came from BMW with the new shock (according to the dealer). My vin # tells me it was manufactured on Wednesday July 23, 2014. I'm hoping that this is my last one for a while. So far Im very pleased. Looking forward to taking it back out west for a 6500 ride with Ann this summer. This fall Ill go back to Barber for Vintage Bike Days and take the bike on the track.

Budman,

My Beemer history is somewhat parallel, except I may have started a little earlier.  My first was a 1975 R75/6, followed by a 1978 R100RS, followed 2 years later by an R100RT -- my first RT.  After that I swung over to the K bike realm with a K100, but returned to the twin world when BMW announced their Last Edition models so I got another RS.
When the 1150 RT appeared that was for me a must have, and I've had several other RTs over the ensuing years, interrupted by an LT (like you, bought primarily for the comfort of my wife, but sold after 20,000 miles for the same reasons you mentioned), and then a K1600GT before returning to the RTW.
It was a revelation of sorts to me one day in the 80s to realize that one didn't have to have only one bike, so over time I acquired a slew of other bikes including several Moro Guzzis, Ducatis, KTMs and MV Agusta. I even had a Buell which I put another 20,00 miles on. But I've continuously traded rather than simply accumulated motorcycles.
Altogether, I guess it's obvious that I'm not a collector -- I like to ride my bikes, and I've done a ton of riding in my time. But now that I'm closing in on 80 (yikes!), it seems I'm destined to end my riding days on the RTW.  That said, I still have a Ducati Diavel and a Guzzi LeMans in the garage next to the RTW, and they both get some exercise every now and then.

Oh, and I forgot to mention my son has an HP4....seems he got the motorcycle gene!

Best,
Weston   

 

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RT Models since 1978

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