R1250RT Buying Advice - What to check for

[theloudbloke]

Hi All

I'm considering a R1250rt 21-24 model years, any advice or pointers on what to look for, potential pitfalls and things to avoid?

Options that are worth searching out and options not worth the trouble, plus any add on's that should be considered after purchase?

Any assistance gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

[Capt Sisko]

There was a recall issued about 18 months ago to replace the circlips that hold on the foot pegs on and for an update to the way the rear shock reported a problem. If you're buying from a BMW dealer these ought to have been done, or will at lease be picked up when they do their pre sale inspection, but if you're buying privately or from an independent dealer, best to ask. Also read up on the Cardan Shaft issues, it's all being sorted, but best to go in eyes open.

Mine is the older dials model so I'll leave it to those that have TFT screens & LED lights to offer their opinions on that, but there have been numerous software updates. Generally speaking the 1250 motor & chassis combination is pretty damned good and when you ask it for the sports side, it doesn't embarrass itself. Some say the seat could me more sumptuous, the screen a tad better or that it needs this or that, but others just ride it as it comes and are more than happy with it.

For my part I’ve fitted lowered footpegs & a taller screen which I found made a big difference, but then again, I’m Lanky, the one the other seven dwarfs don’t talk about. I wouldn't bother with having a radio again. I wear earplugs, a helmet, then there's wind, tyre, engine & exhaust noise all battering my ears, and BMW expect me to be able to hear two modestly sized speakers. Erm no.

I’ve had my bike for 3 years, done 30,000 miles on it and whilst not a big contributor, I do keep an eye several RT forums & FB pages and I can’t say that there are regular post complaining about the same issues time & time again. Sure you get the occasion yeah, that happened to me as well, but generally speaking RT's are reliable and their owners seem a happy bunch.

[theloudbloke]

Thanks, yes cardan shaft things I was aware about. Didn't know about the other recalls though, so good info.

[Capt Sisko]

In terms of accessories, a front mudguard extender is considered a must by most otherwise the front of the engine gets shot blasted with road spray. They still get mucky, but it's not half as bad.

A clear but hard plastic headlight protector is also considered sensible. It's not that the headlights are any more prone to damage than any other bike or car, it's because a the headlight unit is near enough £800 and you've got to dismantle most of the fairing to replace it. All in you'll not get any change from £1000 by the time you add in the labour and VAT. £50 spent on a headlight protector is good insurance.

Lots of people like their extra lights. Denali's (which is what I use) are expensive, but very good.

Tyres. Don't forget RT's are big old birds and need the heavier duty 'GT' version. It's worth checking what's fitted as some people save a few quid and use the standard tyre, it's a good haggling point if they have.
Tyre makes. So many of us use Michelin PR6 GT that you're considered a bit weird if you don't.

Keyless Ride. If the bike you’re looking at is KR, make sure you get the small plastic grey key with it as well. This is a sort of manual emergency key. Similarly if you do go for a KR bike it’s worth spending an extra £25 on a dumb key for opening the panniers, seat etc. Obviously there is a flick out metal key blade on the KR fob for that but having a dumb key saves the very much more expensive keyless fob from wear & tear.

[ausdango]

There was a recall issued about 18 months ago to replace the circlips that hold on the foot pegs on and for an update to the way the rear shock reported a problem. If you're buying from a BMW dealer these ought to have been done, or will at lease be picked up when they do their pre sale inspection, but if you're buying privately or from an independent dealer, best to ask. Also read up on the Cardan Shaft issues, it's all being sorted, but best to go in eyes open.

Mine is the older dials model so I'll leave it to those that have TFT screens & LED lights to offer their opinions on that, but there have been numerous software updates. Generally speaking the 1250 motor & chassis combination is pretty damned good and when you ask it for the sports side, it doesn't embarrass itself. Some say the seat could me more sumptuous, the screen a tad better or that it needs this or that, but others just ride it as it comes and are more than happy with it.

For my part I’ve fitted lowered footpegs & a taller screen which I found made a big difference, but then again, I’m Lanky, the one the other seven dwarfs don’t talk about. I wouldn't bother with having a radio again. I wear earplugs, a helmet, then there's wind, tyre, engine & exhaust noise all battering my ears, and BMW expect me to be able to hear two modestly sized speakers. Erm no.

I’ve had my bike for 3 years, done 30,000 miles on it and whilst not a big contributor, I do keep an eye several RT forums & FB pages and I can’t say that there are regular post complaining about the same issues time & time again. Sure you get the occasion yeah, that happened to me as well, but generally speaking RT's are reliable and their owners seem a happy bunch.

Hey Capt,
I have a 23 model and am considering the lower footpegs. I have Wunderlich in sight. Did you get these? And were you able to adjust lever heights to suit, without further purchases?.....would be grateful for you feedback on this.

[Capt Sisko]

Hi, The lowered foot pegs I fitted where Amazon Far East copies of the Wunderlich ones, right down to the instructions being a photocopy of the Wunderlich ones with what looked like a sticker over their name! I paid about £50 (UK) for them and four years later they're still perfectly good.

In terms of the new position they do push your feet a little wide, no problems with the LH side, I adjusted the gear lever a few turns and that was all I needed, however RH brake side just didn't feel quite right. My foot no longer fell naturally onto the brake lever. I assumed I'd just get used to it but I month or so later and I hadn't. Wunderlich do make a brake lever extender, but at £60 for a bit of aluminium that looks like it came from a door threshold strip, no thank you; so I fabricated my own from a strip of piece of commercial door threshold that I, erm, liberated from a skip.

A few other thoughts.
* Watch the Wunderlich video, it really is a good step by step guide. I even took my laptop into the garage and ran it as a set of step by step tutorial when I changed mine, however they do make reattaching the spring look really easily. Me I cursed & swore, a lot.
* Check you've got the right size Torx bit and a long enough extension to reach the bolt head behind the RH foot pegs. If I remember rightly it's a T47 which I didn't have in my tool box. Again Amazon to the rescue and I've never used it for anything else since!
* If the pins holding you foot pegs have never been taken of before there's a strong chance the pins will have seized up. Mine had and I've heard a few others saying the same. Some penetrating oil applied beforehand could be a wise precaution.

Good luck.

[ausdango]

Thanks for the in-depth reply - very much appreciated! Have a tip top day!