BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:04 am**

Is there anyway to visually spot  TC version from the single cam air cooled.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:17 am**

Plug cover on the cylinder head is different.  Vertical on the TC , horizontal on the other.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:56 am**

Lots of differences, some more subtle than the obvious like RTman10's suggestion. Handlebars have 4 bolts on Hexhead, 3 bolts on Twincam. Handlebar switches and levers on the Hexhead are substantially engineered whereas those on the Twincam are flimsy plastic rubbish and may require replacing at 6000 miles or every 12 months (whichever comes first). Apart from very early production Twincams which had the same"cast finish" forks as the Hexhead, later models have the GS style" machined" fork legs. Fairing panels are different.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 8:02 am**

The oil filler cap moved from the left cylinder (looking froward) to the right.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 8:44 am**

Excellent. Thanks Guys

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 8:46 am**

Our Gee wrote: Lots of differences, some more subtle than the obvious like RTman10's suggestion. Handlebars have 4 bolts on Hexhead, 3 bolts on Twincam. Handlebar switches and levers on the Hexhead are substantially engineered whereas those on the Twincam are flimsy plastic rubbish and may require replacing at 6000 miles or every 12 months (whichever comes first). Apart from very early production Twincams which had the same"cast finish" forks as the Hexhead, later models have the GS style" machined" fork legs. Fairing panels are different.

Is there an after market upgrade option for the "flimsy plastic rubbish" switches?

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 9:56 am**

I had a twin Cam GS and the switches were the older design having the separate indicator cancel switch. That was a 2010. Nice engine and without the added complication of water cooling.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:18 am**

It would be impossible  to go back to the old style switchgear as they were non Canbus types. I'm sure nobody makes an alternative type.  There was something like 5 or 6 different changes to the switches over about 5 years even at one stage a different supplier.  These days they are relatively reliable.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:21 am**

Mike wrote: ..... Is there an after market upgrade option for the "flimsy plastic rubbish" switches? .....

Buy a liquid cooled model ! :not:
But seriously, having had a 2007, a 2010 twin cam and a 2013 twin cam, the change in switch gear for 2010 was a real backward step in terms of quality - I lost track of the number of replacements I had in three years - but the quality did improve over the years. My 2013 didn't have any switch gear replaced in three years / 34,000 miles (although I was treating them with WD40 after every wash or ride in the rain).
If you're trying to decide between a good 2010 single cam and a fair 2010 twin cam at the same price I would advise going for the single cam - if you can live with the three switch indicators ! ;D

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 3:21 pm**

Also different clocks on the TC and from approx 2011 onwards the crappy fuel strip was replaced with the reliable float type. Final drives are also more robust and easier to change the fluid on later oil heads.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 3:39 pm**

fatnfast wrote: Also different clocks on the TC and from approx 2011 onwards the crappy fuel strip was replaced with the reliable float type. Final drives are also more robust and easier to change the fluid on later oil heads.

Would you believe the same instrument cluster with a cover on it.

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:16 pm**

The TC has different background colour to make it easier to read and the addition of the sun visor, so not the same.

2010-13 clocks less sun shield:

Re: R1200RT TC
2005-09 clocks:

Re: R1200RT TC

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:43 pm**

It's exactly the same size and configuration.  Not sure about the colour as most of its hidden under the plastic cover. 
Thing to remember is the TC was a stop gap model due to the long development time of the LC motor.  Engine is just a tuned down HP and except for the switchgear nearly all the other changes were cosmetic with one bit reintroduced from the 1150. Not a bad stop gap though. 

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:31 pm**

RTman10 wrote: It's exactly the same size and configuration.  Not sure about the colour as most of its hidden under the plastic cover. 
Thing to remember is the TC was a stop gap model due to the long development time of the LC motor.  Engine is just a tuned down HP and except for the switchgear nearly all the other changes were cosmetic with one bit reintroduced from the 1150. Not a bad stop gap though.

What do you mean by "[size=2px]Engine is just a tuned down HP" ?[/size]

Posted: **Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:53 pm**

It started life in the Megamoto at about 135bhp. 