BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I just placed a down-payment on a 2014 RT.  The dealer does have some buy back bikes and I was persuaded against the bike by the sales person.  After reading here that someone recommended grabbing one if available i am re considering.  it was an additional 1500-2000 savings and that is substantial.   
Is it not a big deal, as it is on the title that it was a buy back so i figure it may be an issue down the line at resale.

DavidCater, what did the dealer say was the reason for the buyback, the rear shock recall or something else? I'd assume having a mark like that on its title would certainly negatively impact its resale same as it would on a car, but if it's just for the known (and presumably fixed on your bike) shock issue it wouldn't worry me all that much. But then, this bike being many times more expensive than both my other bikes combined I have no intention of selling her for a long, long time!

For anyone still interested, I've had the bike for about a week and a half now and managed to put 175 miles on it thanks to a combination of stubbornness, the RT's awesome wind protection and comfort features in cold weather, and an innate resistance to cold thanks to my upbringing in Maine. Still loving the bike, getting used to how it rides now and loving how nimble it is, my heaviest bike by 200lbs but you'd never know it riding on it.

I have unfortunately had one problem pop up already, at least half the time when I try to start it the first press of the ignition will crank the engine but it won't turn over - the cylinders do fire, though they sound a little off in terms of timing. Letting off the switch for a second then hitting it a second time usually (but not always) results in the bike starting right up... Calling the dealer tomorrow to see what they have to say about that. I don't have an alarm on the bike, is there some sort of immobilizer on the bike even without it? Dealer never specified if the keys had chips in them or not.

Other than that, though, great ride! Snow in the forecast for tomorrow sadly, though a high of 51 forecast for Sunday so the season isn't over yet!

There is a chip in the key but that won't have anything to-do with your starting problem. If there is something amiss with that you get a warning on the dash and the bike stays dead.  Turn over always seems a bit slow when starting but they normally fire up quickly. Check your battery if you have a charger and its connection. Glad you like the bike.

Congrats on your new bmw! I bought an '11 r1200rt premium with 11,700 miles for 10k in excellent condition needing only new sneakers. I think I got a really good deal. I've had it for about a month and to be completely honest, I'm still undecided if I'm keeping it or not. I've never had or ridden a boxer before owning this one. I'm not adjusting to well to the top heavy feel and weird gyrations going in and coming out of corners. I have no idea what I could get for it as far as price. Ebay comparison's are all over the place. I'm leaning towards a '12 or '13 Ducati multistrada, used of course. Anybody else have these issues with the rt?

If I were you slowvet I would be checking tyre pressures and suspension settings.  Ive done thousands of miles on RTs and never had any weird gyrations.

Try dropping a gear (or 2) going into corner not under power but just enough on to keep bike steady, when on apex open it up make back end sit down.

Ive seen folk trying to get round a tight ish corner in 6th chugging away threpenny biting it cos theres no power left, if they had been in 3rd or 4th with a bit of power on it would have been a different ride.  You always need power cos that's what makes it stable.  Front brake makes it stand up, slight rear brake will take a bit of speed off and wont affect stability too much

Sorry if im miles off the problem (I aren't trying to be a smart arse) but all my rts have been very planted on corners in fact they would go round corners quicker than I had bottle for.

If you are riding like Ive pointed out then I would suggest its settings or theres a fault with suspension

I agree with Step.  Check your tyre pressures and tread wear. Cant agree braking make the sit up.  Telelever does the opposite and  you should be able to brake  into corners  and feel nothing, not that I'm recommending it.  Give it time and use the gearbox.

IMO, an RT ridden well, is a match for any other bike & rider on the public roads.

Have had no handling issues with either a 2007 or a 2010 bike.

Thanks for the input boys! The tires are worn, the front is cupped fairly moderate and the rear has a pretty significant flat spot where it's obvious the previous owner used the bike for straight line use only. I'm pretty sure these are the original tires. I haven't set the sag yet as the original owner is pretty close weight wise to myself. I will get new tires and go from there.

slowvet wrote: Thanks for the input boys! The tires are worn, the front is cupped fairly moderate and the rear has a pretty significant flat spot where it's obvious the previous owner used the bike for straight line use only. I'm pretty sure these are the original tires. I haven't set the sag yet as the original owner is pretty close weight wise to myself. I will get new tires and go from there.

With the mileage you have the bike is probably on its second set.  I never seemed to get much more than 5K out of a set before they went off.

RTman10 wrote: With the mileage you have the bike is probably on its second set.  I never seemed to get much more than 5K out of a set before they went off.

I got in touch with the original owner and he said those were the stock tires that came with the bike. He logged over 11,700 miles on them. Brought the bike in to BMW of Escondido last Friday and got paired with new Pilot Road 3 tires. Air pressure at 42-40 rear, front. What an incredible difference! Completely new feel.

11700 miles on one set of tyres, Christ.

RTman10 wrote: 11700 miles on one set of tyres, Christ.

Exactly.

stelyn wrote: Must have been running on the steel threads !!!    not

Looked more like a very abused wheelbarrow tire. Dead.