Crossing to RT from Pan - possibly!

[Pottsie]

Hi


I have been riding all my life (now 54) and have had a range bikes, had an RT back when they were 100's in the 80's. Anyway, my last 6 bikes over last 15 or more years have been two 1100 Goldwings and 4 Pans (3 1100 and 1 1300).


The ST1300 is a great bike however there is something about the riding position and the front suspension that just doesn't sit right with me and so I am looking to change possible to join you chaps. I have a test ride on an 2005 bike on Tuesday and based on that, assuming that it doesn't feel to rough round the edges compared to a Pan I will then start my search in earnest.


Having started my search I can't quite bottom out what the difference is between RT  RT SE  RT LE and I think there was an MU somewhere. What does it all mean, what are the differences between the models and is it worth hanging out to find the top of the range one whichever that is.


Also, there seem to have been certain stages in the development - well I can't afford a new part water cooled one but would be looking around 2007 - 2010 depending on price and condition etc. So, are there any things I should be looking out for (good or bad) on both the bike I test ride on Tuesday and more generally the bike I intend to purchase.


Any info you can provide will help - I think I have made my mind up to accept the reduction in smoothness I an almost sure to feel from the motor but will hopefully gain something in the comfort stakes.


Thanks in advance


Martin

[Catfunt]

For what its worth, I came from Pans to the RT. If it were possible, I'd have the Pan engine in an RT. I recently test rode the Triumphy Trophy which was pretty good. For me, as a DIY maintenance fan, the key issue was ease of routine care. I went for a 2013 RT because it was well developed and 'most' of the bugs are ironed out. At the end of the day, its down to what you see as important. I'm happy...at the moment :-)

[guest2360]

I have owned most of them from 2005 onwards.  My opinion.  Avoid 2005 to end of 2006.  They have servo brakes and now being 10 years old are not worth the risk.
2007 to 2009 are all the same.  2010 to 2013 have the twin cam engine.  Just about the same power as the earlier ones and  even though things like the clocks look different they are not.  Insiders know the engine was a stop gap solution due to the long development time of  the present engine and  IMO not worth paying a premium for. SE LE etc obviously are different spec levels with the LE being the top. Previous owners might have fitted many other OEM extras even on top spec ones like top boxes, crash protection and comfort seats.    My best pre 2014 bike was a 2009 LE.  It only came in black and came complete with everything except an audio unit, even had a colour coded top box. 

[David.]

The R1200RT was introduced in 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R1200RT.

In 2010, there was a Model Update (MU),  the new model has the TC Engine & some minor styling changes.

Having had a 2007 SE,  the SE would have a higher spec. than a Standard Model e.g., Heated Grips & Seats, ESA was an optional extra at the time.

Like most things, later model 2010 SE's would have ESA as standard & cruise control etc.

Limited Edition (LE) Models are usually introduced at the end of a models runs, the 2009 model would probably have come with a colour coded top case.
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-new ... /6520.html

[David.]

Although I prefer the 2010 MU, with its' minor styling changes & TC Engine, perhaps like RTman10 a 2009 Fully Loaded LE may be worth looking at.

The BMW Approved Used Bike Website has come up with Five 2009 LE's.

Barrie Robson at York have two of them.
http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co.uk/b ... pXOTY2Mzk=
http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co.uk/b ... pXOTcwODI=

Allan Jeffries have one without a Top Box.
http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co.uk/b ... pXOTM0NDQ=

Benham Wolverhampton have one.
http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co.uk/b ... pXOTQ0NzY=

North Oxford have one.
http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co.uk/b ... pXOTcwOTE=

[Our Gee]

I do like "Catfunt's" description, "Most" of the Bugs are Ironed Out.

[Levisp]

I went the other way. I have a 2014 RT LC and 5 months ago bought a 4 year old ST1300 but kept the RT. I love both bikes and both are very different. To like the RT you need to like the boxer engine and gearbox which is so different than the Honda V4. My only suggestion would be to go and ride a RT and see if you gel with it. Go for a long test ride the longer the better and keep the engine spinning above 3000 rpm and it will be smooth. Try to ride it at 2000 rpm and it will feel like a tractor. You will probably find you need to change gear more often compared to the Pan.