BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hello
I'm a french guy, 50, father of 4, long time BMW fan.
I bought my first one when I was 24. A red R100RT1. Kept her nearly 15 years.
The last one is a RTLC 2014. After 5 years, I'm reaching 115 000 km.
I love this bike, and now comes the time to seek for the next one. R1250RT? K1600GTL?
Or maybe I gonna keep on going with my '14 toward 200 000 km.
If you come to visit South west of France, I live in the middle of the Saint-Emilion castles. I would be happy to accompanish you on a tour here :-)
Have a good day!!

Welcome to the forum and thank you for the invitation - maybe next year .....  8) .
I wouldn't change my R1200RT LC for a K1600GT (or anything else probably, but the 1250 does tempt me .....). 
My brother has had 1200s and 1600s, going from a 1200 to two 1600s and now back to a 1200.  When the R1250RT gets a TFT display, he will be looking to trade in the 1200.
If you don't mind the weight of the K1600, you can enjoy the huge power and smoothness, along with fuel economy which is almost as good as the 1200 !
Let us know when (if) you reach 200,000km with your RT .....  ;D

Hi I was in Bordeaux on Sunday night heading back to the UK from Cadiz. Though I wouldn't recommend the Premiere Classe in Pessac Bersol to anyone. Not even my dog! I'm also 51 (today!) and a father of 4! I would love a trip back to see the real nice bits of the area some time.


I am also very tempted by a K next year when it's time to change bikes. Though unless there's more legroom (anyone know?), I can't see any big advantages over the RT

MrCabbage wrote:
I am also very tempted by a K next year when it's time to change bikes. Though unless there's more legroom (anyone know?),I can't see any big advantages over the RT

Power - they are FAST !
Great exhaust note too.
And they now come with reverse .....

Soyez le bienvenu.  Vous vous debrouillez tres bien en Anglais!  J'ai passe par St. Emillion en 2011 sur une moto de location.  Je vais acheter un BMW (j'espere) en France l'ete de 2020 et, apres un voyage, la pose chez un bon ami a Avignon.  C'etait un motard de Paris qui j'ai rencontre sur la route en Allemagne en 1971, et je vais revenir chaque ete pour des aventures.  L'ete dernier, j'ai fait un tour des Etats-Unis de 10k miles (16k kilometres) sur ma R1200RT 2005 - completement sans problemes.  Si je me trouve pres de vous, peut-etre on peut prendre une verre!

Salut mec! Bienvenue!

I had a 2018 K1600GTL - superb machine, sounded great with the Akrapovic exhausts. You can bimble along in 5th gear at 30 mph and just open the throttle, to go. For a big heavy cruiser, it was a very fast and comfortable machine.
However, it is a heavy beast to manoeuvre at low speeds. I thought the reverse was just gimmick, but I soon found it invaluable, for turning around (car style) in tight spots. I have now traded it in for a new R1250RT, which is not as silky smooth, but just as fast out on the road. The big difference is low speed handling - the 1250 may be considered heavy by some, but it is ~80kg lighter than the GTL. I have not issues doing U-turns on the RT - with a K1600 it takes a bit of careful planning and three- (or five-) point turns are easier!
If you do go for a used K1600, make sure that it has had the transmission recall work done (warranty repair). Mine never gave me any trouble in 13,000 miles and the quickshifter was brilliant (not quite so good on the RT, but still useful).

Stay safe,

Old Foxy

Welcome my friend , i own a 2018 RTLE ,visited my local dealer to see the new 1250 , nothing really was evident for me to change , K1600 no way far to big and heavy to manoeuvre around the garage , looks like this might be my last bike only done 10,000 hope to do 100,000 !!!     

Thanks everybody!


@jackronner : un petit verre autour d'une bonne table, avec plaisir :-)