BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi there! New to the BMW scene (pursuing a purchase) and already own a Bimmer (97 Dinan S/C S3M3),but not new to the ST world. Currently riding an '05 Honda ST1300 - and really like it, but I'm 5'7", 130, 29/30 inseam - and the top heavy ST gets pretty sketchy for low speed and static weight management with full panniers and top box, and especially with my even smaller wife on back. I'd like to secure: Lower center of gravity (if not lighter overall),cruise control, ABS, Traction Control. This is more a safety move for us than anything else. So far, I'm looking at 2008-2015 R1200RT's (Low seat mandatory) - and am simply hoping a few forum members would be willing to give a relatively concise overview of the truly notable differences in that range as it relates to cost of ownership and achilles heels; options that are worthy, and those that are more trouble than they are worth...., etc. Mileage range concerns are also good to know. I know that cooling system methods and valvetrain configs vary in that year range - and there are probably pro's and con's to each. I am comfortable investing in a late model pre-owned bike (w/WARRANTY) if that will result in the least number of surprises. I know that newish w/warranty is a "safety net" for only so long..... I am a maintenance stickler and treat every vehicle I own like a garage queen - so lack of DIY maintenance never occurs - but there are probably things that I wouldn't or simply can't take on by myself with respect to repairs - so that is where advice like "every X model / X generation bike is going to fail in this way at around X miles and that will likely cost you X to fix". I know not everyone has a crystal ball - but I'm hoping for a overall few summaries that might keep me from having to read the entire forum to glean a 15k foot understanding. Thanks in advance for your help! (Also - forgot to mention, but the HEAT of the ST in TX is simply bad. It's probably, therefore, one of the BEST cold weather bikes around, especially with the OEM deflector kit in place - but in my 2 wheel world, COLD riding is the exception vs. the rule. I'd rather be cold when it's cold, that hot when it's hot.) AND - it's for sale (30K and simply perfect) - so spread the word, if you know an interested party. Message me and we can explore more.... ;-)

Find a dealer and test ride both types that are in your age range.  Some of us prefer the latest (from 2014) onwards and others the earlier 2005 to 2013.  2014 with a low seat is a little lower but not much but is a bit heavier. It's also considerably quicker.
Have fun deciding.

Firstly avoid the pre-2007 models that have the servo assisted brakes.


I think you will be deciding on the "Hexhead" (2005-2009), "Twin cam" (2010-2013) or "water cooled" (2014-now) versions (I think these dates are correct??)


From reading forums the Twin Cam seems to get better reviews than the Hexhead, but the jury is still out on if the Water Cooled model is better than the Twin Cam?

ds99 wrote: Firstly avoid the pre-2007 models that have the servo assisted brakes.


I think you will be deciding on the "Hexhead" (2005-2009),"Twin cam" (2010-2013) or "water cooled" (2014-now) versions (I think these dates are correct??)


From reading forums the Twin Cam seems to get better reviews than the Hexhead, but the jury is still out on if the Water Cooled model is better than the Twin Cam?

Ride them both, I ride a 2010 RTP for blood biking and own a 2014 RT for pleasure. Both are great bikes, I would be happy with a TC as my only bike, but I love the RT LC.

I'm 5'6" with similar inseam and took delivery of my 2016 RT back in January.  Although I test rode one with the standard seat, I did have difficulty trying to back the bike up so I went with the low seat.  I can flat-foot the RT in this configuration and don't have any trouble backing it up while straddling the seat.  I also have no trouble with a passenger on the back, even though that raises the bike up a little (offset when your passenger hops on).  I may be among the minority but I don't find the seat uncomfortable at all, even though it has less padding than the standard height seat.  The bike handles like a dream, slow or fast.  Balance is excellent with the low CG you get with the boxer config.  My bike has most of the bells and whistles (keyless, power locks, alarm, shift assist) and I'm very glad I got it that way.  I did go with a Shad top box though to save a few bucks. 

The RT isn't going to be as silky smooth as the V4 you enjoy in your Honda ... I've got a 96 Magna in my stable and you just can't beat that for smooth.  However, the RT is more than acceptable (the boxer does grow on you). 

 

My 2 cents ? - go for a 2013 TC (last of the air cooled). ESA not essential.
The low seat in the lower position should be ok for you but, if not, there are replacement suspension units which will make it a real lowboy (at a cost).
You mention concerns about range - I used to get 250 miles before stopping for fuel and it would probably have done 300 miles to empty. 58mpg ?
There are plenty of these bikes on the market so take your time and get as many test rides as you can. They take a little getting used to but they're great bikes !

gogs01 wrote: ...ESA not essential...

...in the same way that shoes aren't essential if you've only ever worn clogs.

richardbd wrote: ...in the same way that shoes aren't essential if you've only ever worn clogs.

Plenty people still wearing clogs and happy with them .....  ;D

I liked the idea of ESA but didn't find it particularly beneficial. 
I'm not anti-gadget, I loved the cruise control, heated grips, satnav, communicator, TPMS - even the heated seats once in a while, but I'm pretty sure I would have got along fine without the ESA.

An RT with no ESA.  Nasty.  Bet there's not many of those around.

gogs01 wrote: My 2 cents ? - go for a 2013 TC (last of the air cooled). ESA not essential.
The low seat in the lower position should be ok for you but, if not, there are replacement suspension units which will make it a real lowboy (at a cost).
You mention concerns about range - I used to get 250 miles before stopping for fuel and it would probably have done 300 miles to empty. 58mpg ?
There are plenty of these bikes on the market so take your time and get as many test rides as you can. They take a little getting used to but they're great bikes !

What I was trying to say by "mileage range" was if there was a range of accumulated mileage during which XYZ really needs to be done (maintenance / preventive measures / etc... ). i.e. - "don't by an air cooled model with 30K on it if they have no proof / records of oil changes to back it up". If there is danger in buying any of these models beyond, lets say, 30-40K - that's the kind of thing I was curious about. I'd way rather have a higher mileage machine that I know was maintained by (or beyond) the book, than one with half the miles and no records. - Thanks!

Definitely nothing wrong with the pre LC bike if you steer clear of 2005 and 6 models.
But.  Now been out of production since 2013, missing different engine modes, hill start, Pro shift, active ESA, 15 bhp, mirrors that work.
The only similarity is they are both shaft driven boxer twins.

Having had both hex head and twin cam GSs and now an RTlc i'm happy that the lc motor is the better of the three, performance wise. Reliability wise, only time will tell.

Same height and inseam as you but heavier. We test rode the '12 RT and hated it and ended up going a different route (Harley). Came back this year and test rode the RT LC and loved it. We were shocked. I originally bought the low seat and could flat-foot that fine but I ended up trading the low seat for the standard in the end. The standard in low position I'm comfortable on the balls of my feet when fully seated and if stretch my feet down in kind of a semi-standing position I can flat foot easily. I never feel uncomfortable on the bike even with my small wife but I also came from a 900 pound Harley so the 600 pound RT felt like a scooter it was so light. Funny how everything is relative.


As for what's needed and not, obviously that's a personal thing. We don't tour so we did not need a tour box or a GPS and got neither. I did a a little tour pack for a few things and partly to give the wife something to alleviate the feeling I was going to launch her off the back of the bike every time I get on the throttle. We got the keyless feature and that's nice. Did not get the power locking and don't seem to miss them. Three items I didn't care much about that I ended up liking quite a bit was the stereo, heated grips/seats and especially the gear shift assist pro. Also love the cruise control but once I got used to the thinner grips I find I rarely use it anyway. Still nice to have.


As for items that 'needed' to be changed out or added, didn't like the stock windshield so replaced that right away. Also added an extended front fender. I did put on some grip puppies to get a larger grip but cut them off immediately as they made my hands go numb. I ended up acclimating to and actually preferring the stock thinner grips. Go figure.


Gas mileage is excellent. I can go 300 miles if I'm on the highway and still have a little in the tank but not much. The bike is very quick compared to my last two rides - Harley's that were slow and ponderous. I've been impressed with every aspect of this bike. We love it. We are riding longer distances and duration's with greater comfort. The bike is fast enough to be fun and exciting without being too powerful to get into trouble with. Can't say enough good things about it.

I would definitely get one with cruise control, heated grips and heated seat.


I use these items much much more than I ever thought I would, especially the cruise control.