BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Its now over 3 months and 2 ½, thousand miles since I changed from 2 to 3
wheels. A few of you have asked for my conclusions on the change over so
here goes. Firstly I appreciate that many here consider anything with more
than 2 wheels is the son of Satan and for those don’t bother reading further,
To start with and for the first few hundred miles I was nearly convinced Satan
was in it connected somewhere between the handlebars and the front
wheels. Then I learned how not to counter steer . At the same time I stopped
grabbing for the non existent brake and clutch levers and instinctively trying
to put a foot down as I stopped. I have now discovered it’s as fast as an RT in
all but top speed being limited to 125 mph apparently and definitely more
long legged. The seat is by far the most comfortable I have had on any bike
both for me and her on the back. We have yet to run out of storage stace.
Weather protection is amazing. Last week we rode from Shap to home down
the M6 a trip of over 160 miles in rain that was hurricane like. We must have
passed hundreds of trucks many side by side throwing curtains of spray out. It
wasn’t until we slowed down at a Service Area that anything got on us. The
trike itself has used no oil, mpg has settled down to 48 mpg and everything
works as it should with the exception of the radio which has limited reception.
It came with a Garmin 590 which has a few more functions than the BMW
Navigator but not such a good screen. It’s still 500 miles off its first service
which is free but service costs seem to be about the same as BMW and
insurance is about the same. So we are more than happy with the swap over
and are getting used to the constant requests for a photograph every time we stop.

Good to hear. When I spoke with your good lady at Fort William she was best pleased with the change.
Keep riding and keeping dry.
See you soon.

:enjoying:

Glad your enjoying your new beast.

Welcome back RTMan, sounds like you made the right choice for your needs.  I really like the styling of the Spyders, but I'm sticking with my RT as long as I'm still agile enough to handle it (Still in my early 50s!).  I will definitely consider the 3-wheeled option at some point down the road.

Cool machine, Glad you're enjoying it

RTman10 wrote: ..... Then I learned how not to counter steer .....

Thanks for the update / review - like a few others on here I'm fascinated with the idea of these Spyders and wonder what they would really be like (I'm scared to ask for a test ride because I might like it and they cost SO much !). I'm now intrigued by the comment on counter steer - are you saying you just had to learn to pull right to go right instead of pushing right to go right ?

Thanks a lot for posting this.  I joined this group not long before you added a wheel, but have appreciated your input on RT's of all flavors!  Glad it is working out for you [emoji106]


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A few observations on your many comments if I may.
I'm not sure if a Spyder should be considered an alternative to a motorcycle if or when a big tourer feels a bit too much.  They are big fast machines and take more effort to ride than a bike. Yes they are expensive but you get a lot for your money and the build quality is superb. In my case this extra effort lasted at least 1000 miles. 
Anyone who has never ridden 3 wheels will also have a nightmare ride on any test ride as they seem not to go where you point them. They do not ride anything like a motorcycle combination.  Because if this you need to know you want one  before you try and convince yourself all will be well in the end.  And for me it is.  I was fortunate enough to be given a pillion ride by an experienced owner before my test ride so I knew it was me not the beast.
As for counter steering.  I don't know.  It's something bikers do sub consciously and if you think about  it it normally doesn't work all that well.  Car drivers who buy one don't seem to have the same trouble .  For sure though out on the road you live a different existence to a biker. 

Welcome back RTMan.