Test ride - brand new 2014 R1200RT
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:48 pm
Well, coming from more than 200’km on a Honda ST1100, then 100’Km on a 1200LT and then 45’om a 1600GTL – I have been thinking of getting back to a “smaller” bike again.
Had the possibility to take 3 hour tour on a brand new RT, with all possible factory mounted options.
First – sitting on it – I felt getting back to the ST100 – sitting on a bike not in it.
The seat, dash and handlebars felt normal and well placed.
Handling in low speed was very impressive, butch better than the GTL.
Getting out of town – I immediately felt the vibrations, and sound of the bike.
Much more sound from the exhaust, in fact too much for me.
And talking about the vibrations – well – I don’t say I could not get used to it, but it was far more than I hoped for.
On the highway – 100-120km/h – it handled very well – easy to ride, mirrors was perfect – and overall weary pleased to ride.
On smaller roads – I was able to find some small really curved roads – and the bike was handling surprisingly well.
I more than ones – finding me having 10-30 km/h more than I thought I had, and the bike was handling weary well.
In fact – don’t know what will touch ground first – cylinders/bags or feet’s – but was positive surprised .
The power of the engine is more than I need – and overtaking was no issue – and more than inaf to get a nice feeling out of the curves.
BUT – vibrations – and more vibrations.
There was a little room between 2500 and 3500rpm where I could find myself thinking that I could cope with it, but as I was throttling up – I was telling my selves – nop – this is not for me.
Transmission is one of the best I have ever tried, and same with the brakes. Steering very precise – and gave a nice feeling on the curved roads.
The end of story is that I made a decision – boxer engines are not for me – I could not find myself riding this bike with this engine – hour after hour – as I often dos.
Everything else except the motoric and for me irritating vibrations was and is excellent. This is a weary nice bike, and if I could handle the vibrations – I would swap the K1600 into the 1200RT.
After entering my K1600GTL on the way home again – with all its klink/klunk from the transmission – I felt like going from a noisy/vibrating well handling sports car – and into a limousine.
I will stick to my K1600 until BMW is coming with the K1600LT one day ;D
STeinar
Well, coming from more than 200’km on a Honda ST1100, then 100’Km on a 1200LT and then 45’om a 1600GTL – I have been thinking of getting back to a “smaller” bike again.
Had the possibility to take 3 hour tour on a brand new RT, with all possible factory mounted options.
First – sitting on it – I felt getting back to the ST100 – sitting on a bike not in it.
The seat, dash and handlebars felt normal and well placed.
Handling in low speed was very impressive, butch better than the GTL.
Getting out of town – I immediately felt the vibrations, and sound of the bike.
Much more sound from the exhaust, in fact too much for me.
And talking about the vibrations – well – I don’t say I could not get used to it, but it was far more than I hoped for.
On the highway – 100-120km/h – it handled very well – easy to ride, mirrors was perfect – and overall weary pleased to ride.
On smaller roads – I was able to find some small really curved roads – and the bike was handling surprisingly well.
I more than ones – finding me having 10-30 km/h more than I thought I had, and the bike was handling weary well.
In fact – don’t know what will touch ground first – cylinders/bags or feet’s – but was positive surprised .
The power of the engine is more than I need – and overtaking was no issue – and more than inaf to get a nice feeling out of the curves.
BUT – vibrations – and more vibrations.
There was a little room between 2500 and 3500rpm where I could find myself thinking that I could cope with it, but as I was throttling up – I was telling my selves – nop – this is not for me.
Transmission is one of the best I have ever tried, and same with the brakes. Steering very precise – and gave a nice feeling on the curved roads.
The end of story is that I made a decision – boxer engines are not for me – I could not find myself riding this bike with this engine – hour after hour – as I often dos.
Everything else except the motoric and for me irritating vibrations was and is excellent. This is a weary nice bike, and if I could handle the vibrations – I would swap the K1600 into the 1200RT.
After entering my K1600GTL on the way home again – with all its klink/klunk from the transmission – I felt like going from a noisy/vibrating well handling sports car – and into a limousine.
I will stick to my K1600 until BMW is coming with the K1600LT one day ;D
STeinar