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New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:01 pm
by gogs01
I've been coming around slowly to the realisation that my much loved R1200RT LC is becoming too much of a struggle for me to push or paddle around.
Other bikes I have considered have included Versys 650, NC750X, KTM 790,Tiger 900GT and Yamaha Tracers and, recently, F900RX.
I had a test ride on a fairly low spec F900RX and liked it. I found the standard seat very hard and the rear brake pedal lit the brake light with the nearest touch but required a long push to operate the brake. These issues aside I was quite taken with the lightness and agility of the bike, including when I tried pushing it up into my garage, which is a struggle for me with the RT these days.
After extensive negotiation with the BMW salesman I have now finalised a spec and price for a F900RX TE and I'm hoping to pick up my new bike on the 1st of September.
At some point after that I will have a top box for sale. That's the top spec box with backrest and high level brake light, which now costs new £1050. Somebody could get a bargain !
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:36 pm
by hammo
Good luck my friend keep us informed about your topbox!!!!!!
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:16 am
by austin1964
Did you find the ergonomics of the F900XR OK?Did you get the BMW offer of £1000 or £500 top up on part ex, is this applied to a bike supplied in September?
Is a delivery delay due to the engine coming from outside Germany or just a choice of delivery date?
Roughly what should we hold out for with a BMW dealership:-)
Lots to choose from around this size of bike, I would like to test ride the F900XR and the following at least
Ducati Multistrada 950s
Triumph 900Moto Guzzi v85tt
I am in the same situation having to admit I need a lighter bike
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:28 am
by hammo
I purchased my RTLE for the sole purpose of touring , before that i owned the Yamaha Tracer , i would definately recommend one , great light to manoeuvre bike excellant throttle response as well , i was also looking to test a KTM another light model , well the world is yours if you have the cash plenty to choose from on e-bay good luck .
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:59 am
by austin1964
Now that's a idea, keep the RT and sneak another bike in the garage :silence:
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:41 am
by gogs01
austin1964 wrote:
Did you find the ergonomics of the F900XR OK?
I was completely comfortable for 130 miles - apart from the hard seat.
Did you get the BMW offer of £1000 or £500 top up on part ex, is this applied to a bike supplied in September?
I was quite happy with the deal I negotiated. I got more than I was expecting in P/ex and got another little sweetener which sealed the deal for me.
Is a delivery delay due to the engine coming from outside Germany or just a choice of delivery date?
Roughly what should we hold out for with a BMW dealership:-)
The bike will have to be built to my spec and August is a holiday month at the factory, so I'll be surprised if the bike is here for the 1st of September
Lots to choose from around this size of bike, I would like to test ride the F900XR and the following at least
Ducati Multistrada 950s
Triumph 900Moto Guzzi v85tt
I tried the Multistrada 950S and came away underwhelmed - I don't know why. The others have high "adventure" exhausts and, for some bizarre reason, I can't bring myself to buy a bike which will finish up with asymmetric panniers
I am in the same situation having to admit I need a lighter bike
Well, lots of people recommend the Tracer 900GT. It comes with much smaller panniers and you shouldn't fit a top box, so I didn't give it serious consideration, but it's light and fast if that's what you're looking for. But not significantly lighter than the F900XR ..... ;D
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:36 pm
by austin1964
Thanks
I will test ride a few bikes F900XR maybe a S1000XR for a laugh, don't like the look of the R1250RS and colours rubbish (depreciation is supposed to be high as well).
Triumph 900 still on list!
Will take out a Ducati Multistrada 950s and the 1260 GT as well...too much choice. One down side is they aren't shaft driven!
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 1:52 am
by emlevy
I’ve got a ‘13 F800GT sharing the garage with my RT. Fun bike. Light, agile, 90 hp, 470 lbs, belt, factory panniers and top case, ABS, ESA, 70 mpg. Once the RT becomes too much, the F-GT will become the alpha-male.
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:50 am
by gogs01
emlevy wrote:
I’ve got a ‘13 F800GT sharing the garage with my RT. Fun bike. Light, agile, 90 hp, 470 lbs, belt, factory panniers and top case, ABS, ESA, 70 mpg. Once the RT becomes too much, the F-GT will become the alpha-male.
I liked the F800GT. The belt drive would be good on long trips, and I hope I can get close to 70 mpg with the 900 !
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 7:25 am
by beemerboy9
austin1964 wrote:
One down side is they aren't shaft driven!
Just fit an automatic chain oiler - Scottoiler or similar. I rarely need to adjust the chain.
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 5:47 pm
by bandytales
beemerboy9 wrote:
Just fit an automatic chain oiler - Scottoiler or similar. I rarely need to adjust the chain.
Man, I HATE external chains.
If they put it in a chain case like the HONDA 50, the MZ or some of the old British Iron, id be pretty content with a chain though (aprt from the noise - although even that is attenuated somewhat if the chain case is designed well).
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 6:22 pm
by TJRL
emlevy wrote:
I've got a ‘13 F800GT sharing the garage with my RT. Fun bike. Light, agile, 90 hp, 470 lbs, belt, factory panniers and top case, ABS, ESA, 70 mpg. Once the RT becomes too much, the F-GT will become the alpha-male.
Me too!!
Back in early 2015 I had an RT on order and a 3 month wait for it to arrive. In a moment of weakness I took a test ride on a Jan 2014 F800GT demo bike and the lack of weight and "flickability" made be buy it on the spot. :alas:
5 years (and 2x RTs) later I still have the GT, I just cannot seem to let it go. I only do about 1,000 miles a year on it versus 8-9,000 on the RT and at 6 years old it is probally not worth anything on the secondhand market so I just keep hanging on to it.
Re: New BMW - not an RT
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:01 pm
by TJRL
bandytales wrote:
Man, I HATE external chains.
If they put it in a chain case like the HONDA 50, the MZ or some of the old British Iron, id be pretty content with a chain though (aprt from the noise - although even that is attenuated somewhat if the chain case is designed well).
Another "me too" on that.
My first bike was a Honda C90 which like the mentioned C50 had an enclosed chain a great little bike it was too (but no street cred at all). :alas:
Then in 1993 I was trying to decide bewteen a new K75RT or a Norton like the Police had. I wanted to buy british but the Norton had a chain and the RT had ABS. I went to the Norton factory to discuss these issues and they put my mind at rest on the chain as theirs was enclsoed in a rubber sleeve filled with oil and warrantied for 50k miles. They said they were looking at ABS but could not offer it yet.
Long story short I got the RT and discovered the joys of not having an external chain. ^-^ I hate external chains and will never have one again.