considering R1150rt or R1200rt, owner advise please!!

[spmoto]

Title says it all. I / we are considering buying either an 1150 or 1200 rt. There are a few nice low miles bikes in my area that are priced quite reasonably. Would love to hear thoughts, negative and positive. As sweet as out 83 SPNT is it's not cutting it for any distance two-up duty anymore. Thanks!
Steve M

[bad Chad]

I understand they are over all good bikes, but I'd go for a Norge before I'd go BMW.

[spmoto]

I'd love to go with a Norge but Don't like the seating position. Too locked into one spot with little or no wiggle room.

[ohiorider]

You might want to ask this question on a BMW forum ...... either MOA or RA.

Bob

[sdcr]

I cannot speak to the 1150 or 1200 RT’s. But, I’ve been riding a 2000 R1100 RS for over 22 years. This is a single spark, 5 speed. Aside from a clutch replacement at 60K, not much has failed. I’ve maintain it regularly for all of its 93,000 miles.

The later 1150’s are six speeds, and IIRC, have dual spark heads. I’ve heard that the splines are not as robust on the 1150’s, but don’t have first hand experience with that.

Title says it all. I / we are considering buying either an 1150 or 1200 rt. There are a few nice low miles bikes in my area that are priced quite reasonably. Would love to hear thoughts, negative and positive. As sweet as out 83 SPNT is it's not cutting it for any distance two-up duty anymore. Thanks!
Steve M

[ohiorider]

I do recall that fuel delivery/fuel burn issues were remarkably improved on the dual plugged Oilheads.  I purchased a single plug per head  1995 R1100RS new, and was never happy with the bike's engine behavior in slow traffic.  Lots of surging.  A later Rockster I purchased in 2003 with dual plugged heads was far better, not only in slow speed traffic, but the dual plug Rockster pulled much better from lower rpm.  Granted, BMW may have improved the fueling software/firmware for the Rockster.

Bob

[LongRanger]

I’ve put lots of miles on various BMW’s and have never been let down. They are only as reliable as you choose to maintain them, like anything else.

That said, I briefly owned a 2008 RT and never bonded with it. It felt overly top heavy and the wind protection didn’t work for me (6’6”). I didn’t keep it for long.

But I now own a 2015 RT LC and think it’s brilliant. For me, a marked improvement over the 2008 with respect to overall comfort, handling, agility, suspension composure, and engine performance. It’s the best long-haul bike I’ve ever owned.

I also own a 2012 R1200R Classic with the “cam head” engine. Absolutely superb in every respect, and not one I will part with anytime soon.

If I were shopping for a used RT today, I would only consider a “cam head” (2010 or newer) or LC (2014 or newer). You can find either with low miles for under $10k. The 1150’s had servo-equipped brakes which you’d want to check out before you buy — they’re expensive to repair if the servos fail.

[Canuck750]

I rode a 2004 R1150RT for over 9 years. It never let me down, great brakes, comfortable, handled very well. It was comfortable two up, I am 5’-9” and had foot peg lowering blocks and 1” bar risers. Luggage capacity was decent for two. I put a Russel saddle on it and a wider and taller windshield. I added floor boards for the passenger. I could get about 460 km on a tank. It was very smooth at 80 to 90 mph. My only knock was the power was a bit disappointing having come off a Kawasaki Concourse 1000. I sold the R1150RT for a low mile K1600GTL. The big six hardly feels any heavier once it’s moving and for a passenger the K1600 is much more comfortable, according to the boss.

[spmoto]

Thanks Gents! As with any exploration of this sort, the more I learn the less I know. The bike I'm leaning toward is an '04 1150 rt, 30k miles, meticulously maintained by an enthusiastic BMW owner who could easily pass for a Guzzi guy. But, you've all given me good reason to slow down and do more research. Please keep the recommendations coming!
Steve M

[inditx]

Owned them both, go with either a 2008+hexhead RT or Camhead RT if you can swing it.
I have not owned an LC Beemer.
inditx

[Gusable]

If you get one do the “nushings” in the swingarm pivot area. Where the chunk bolts to swingarm.  Nylatron6 material instead of the 100.00 ea needle bearings.  A must!  Great bikes.  Oilhead engine one of my favs.  I’ve had two of them

[flower_king001]

Recently purchased a 05' 1200rt one owner/low miles.

Brakes are outstanding

Bike may feel a tad high for some

Super smooth on highway and handles very well on the twistys

No wind buffering with the electric shield

Much more sitting room compared to a Norge

Since owning I have done all the maintenace (brakes, sync TB's, valve adjust, fluids, filters) from front to rear and once you learn how to remove the tupperware it's a breeze. I also purchased a GS-911 so I can do all the diagnostics from Ted Porter's BMW:

https://www.beemershop.com/category/gs-911-diagnostic-tool-for-bmw-motorcycles-ted-porters-beemershop.html

I have the stock seat and Corbin as well and much prefer the Corbin. Raised the handlebars and bike already had lowered driver pegs from Suburban Machinery:

https://www.suburban-machinery.com/bmwindex.htm

I'm getting right around 42-44 mph

So what do I find bad? 4 Guzzi's sitting in the garage except for a few days on the Breva which I still find enjoyable.

Brian

[cookiemech]

Agree with what LongRanger said above.

I've had a number of BMWs, from airheads to early K bikes to an R1100RT oilhead to the 2015 R1200RT I have now (still have an airhead and two Ks). That R1200RT is head and shoulders above all the others in terms of power, braking, handling, and creature comforts. And the GS911 is essential if you do your own work (and if you don't, it'll be expensive!)

[Mike Tashjian]

I have a 04 1150RT and a 18 1200RT.  Both bikes can be fitted with accessories to make them fine rides.  That said my 02 Stone has lot more personality.  The BMW's require more in depth maintenance that if done at a dealer will affect total cost substantially.  In New York state I usually only get a few thousand miles a season on the bikes.  Keeping the bikes in the dry and heated garage makes them last for as long as you care to own them.  We do ride the BMW's on the long trips as they do soak up the miles quite well.  The Guzzi is fine for the short trips and bike nights and it still runs great. 

[Tkelly]

The brakes on the 1150 commonly fail and bmw parts are very expensive,checkout that issue.It happened to a friend and he was stranded with no brakes far from home.He opted to re-engineering the system rathe than pay 4 figures for factory parts.

[usedtobefast]

I looked into this recently ... and after reading a bunch I ended up looking for a 2011-2013 "cam head" ... and bought a 2011 R1200RT with 23K miles on it from the original owner.

Seems on the 1150 engines the splines on the transmission input shaft and the clutch may last 60K miles or they chew each other up in 15K-25K miles.  The real nasty scenario is if the splines on the transmission input shaft are damaged (if you catch it early enough it is just a new clutch kind of job, which is like a Guzzi, pull the motor apart from the transmission to fix it).  Then you gotta find a used good transmission or find a shaft somewhere and pull the transmission apart.  Plenty of "I put 90K on my bike and did nothing" stories and plenty of "mine was damaged at 25K" stories.  And no more new shafts, gotta track down a good used one.

On the early years 1200RT, many people were fine with their servo brakes, but many had issues.  One "easy" solution (if it fails) is to just eliminate it and run brake hoses from master to slave.  No more ABS, but brakes work fine like that for a low cost work around.

If you hear about the crazy fuel strip problems ... that is just to know how much fuel is in the bike ... so if it is not working, then you don't have a working fuel gauge and none of the mpg or miles to empty info is accurate.

Those are the biggies, there are more, but for me, it seemed by the 2011 model all the goofy (and expensive and pain in the butt) stuff was not a factor. 

As for riding it, not exactly an exciting bike.  But one time, about day 5 of a 7 day ride, at 5pm when I thought I was coming into a town for a hotel stay ... turned out the town was kind of crappy ... next town was 150 miles away, so no biggie, back on the road, cruise control on, and knock out another 150 miles.  That is one of the moments where I really "got" the bike.  It was like a no issue thing.  Most other bikes I would be so tired at the end of the day, to find out I have to ride another 150 miles would be a big shock, let down, pain in the butt, etc. 

[radguzzi]

Hey Steve,
The 2010BMW R1200RT that I had for just a year was an awesome platform.  None of the reported surging of the earlier R1150RTs. I had tried out one at Street Cycles prior to the Norge being introduced and did indeed experience the surging.
Luckily the Norge was released shortly after and I bought one in '07, rode that for 46K miles.

The 2010 RT had heated everything, seats, bars, electrically operated screen, ABS.  The ergos were great for me.

I found it a tad tall as I, like you am a bit short of leg.  I dropped it one time at a stop sign with a slight angle to the pavement with sand on it... scratched the right side case.  The head guards helped save the Hex Head covers.

The cruise was spot on and I really did like the 1200RT.  Six speed gearbox, handled very well,



Just to help out and give you one more to think about...or not.

Perhaps an earlier, RT100RT Airhead might fit. Probably hard to find a good, low Mile example though..

[JJ]

QUOTE:  ...considering R1150rt or R1200rt, owner advise please!!  

I have owned and ridden both models in my time...

Excellent sport touring bikes, but parts / routine maintenance though a BMW dealer can be expensive.

Never was left stranded by one. Very reliable / excellent brakes / handling / smooth power band...Thumbs up all around.   Be sure to get one that has all the updated maintenance records...

Look for one with about 10K-15K miles...should be well sorted by then.

[blu guzz]

I had a 1997 R1100RS and 2004 R1150RT.  I bought the RS with about 25,000 miles and it had very minimal surge.  One of the solutions was to swap the intake tubes for GS tubes and run 4418 (I think) plugs.  That calmed it down and I rode it to 50,000 miles with no issues at all.  I traded that on the new 2004.  2004 was the year they put in the dual plug head.  That engine ran perfectly smooth from day one.  I sold it at 39,000 miles and the only warranty issue was a windscreen motor that stopped.  I last heard from the buyer when he had mileage in the 90,000s on it and it was still working perfectly.  There were many accessories available for that bike at that time.  The seating was my biggest issue.  It had a stepped seat compared to the RS that had a flat seat and the space between the tank and rear of the seat was limited so the seat had better be perfect since there was no real movement fore to aft for the rider.  Other than that, it was great.  Good luck on your choice but remember, the 2004 is close to 20 years old now.

[Matt Story]

I have an 02 R1150RT that I am getting ready (me, psychologically) to sell.  I've had it for for about 12-14k miles and maybe 5 years.  No issues in that time except I had to replace the clutch slave right after I bought it.  I performed all the scheduled maintenance (per Haynes) after purchasing.  My son and I rode it from MI to CA in 2017 and I back last last summer.  Several 105deg days were endured without missing a beat.  This bike is outfitted with a Corbin, extra large factory bags, aftermarket radio.  It has about 52k on the clock now.  I wouldn`t hesitate riding it anywhere.  If you're interested IM me.  We can negotiate a deal.

Matt

[Matt Story]

Oh yeah, no surging issues experienced with mine.

[steven c]

I had a 97 RS , most comfortable bike I have owned even the stock seat worked great for me. My only issues was the clunky gear box and the off throttle abruptness. Very under rated bike.

[spmoto]

Thanks again everyone. Lots of food for thought, especially usedtobefast in the realm of technology. I'm beginning to think all the layers of gadgetry may just overwhelm this old blacksmith. I've never has a bike with ABS or cruise control or sound / communication system or navigation and I've never felt I was missing anything. Guzzi linked brakes, tank bag with a map and we've traveled all over. I've just been thinking that at our age a few more creature comforts would be  nice. We'll see. Not sure what to do.
Thanks again all!!
Steve

[flower_king001]

Thanks again everyone. Lots of food for thought, especially usedtobefast in the realm of technology. I'm beginning to think all the layers of gadgetry may just overwhelm this old blacksmith. I've never has a bike with ABS or cruise control or sound / communication system or navigation and I've never felt I was missing anything. Guzzi linked brakes, tank bag with a map and we've traveled all over. I've just been thinking that at our age a few more creature comforts would be  nice. We'll see. Not sure what to do.
Thanks again all!!
Steve

I never had cruise, heated seats, heated grips, ABS or an electric windshield but didn't know till now what I was missing.

I will also add that the wind protection on cold mornings is nice to have.

Best of luck! Brian

[LongRanger]

Coming off a Guzzi, the character of a big boxer with its longitudinal crankshaft will feel quite familiar, but for those who jump on an RT from riding an in-line four can be taken aback. The twin is an acquired taste, but one that most riders come to truly appreciate.

[spmoto]

Yeah Flower_king, I hear you. It would be nice to extend the riding season here in Maine with good weather protection and a charging system capable of supporting some heated grips and gear. I guess if cruise and all the other stuff comes with a bike and I never use it, who cares. Just wish they weren't quite so bulky and heavy. 650 -700 lbs is a lot of weight!

[Roebling3]

Unity, ME you say! Always enjoyed the big fall 'celebration' in Unity. Might the fellow with his Moose, trained to plow, for planting potatoes, be there? I trust they're doing well.

I used to ride a lot through winters, including C2C, Bunn Burner Golds and springtime racing @ Daytona, but I live in MA. In comparison Maine has far better roads; winter or summer; but imagining 500+ #'s of MC, especially 2 up, is a serious challenge - in my view.

I've ridden a lot of bmw's & MG's, plus several Suzuki. I came up with - 'If you want to arrive on time, with a smile, clean hands and ready to do it again; ride Japanese'. 

A second thought, from a close friend; Go ahead on!     Good fortune,  R3~

[LowRyter]

I've test ridden a few.  The LC bikes are quite bit better to ride, have a much better power curve and set up for folks of average height.  The downside is shim valve adjustment at 12k miles.   Then I looked at Goldwings but they keep higher resale and no new Japanese bikes are available right now. 

That new RT in black is really a nice looker, cost of ownership in unk.

[spmoto]

Thanks again. Good insight and expertise shared by all. BUT, at least in my case it's all moot. I rode 2 bikes this morning, an 04 1150 and the gents '15 1200. We rode for about 30 miles and stopped and swapped about half way. Both were very nice, very smooth, handled well with good power delivery etc. etc. But I just didn't like them. The riding posture is what really did it for me. I just don't like to be sitting bolt upright with my arms at my side. Same reason I don't care for ADV. bikes. Plus, as P 14 said the fairing is huge and you really are pretty much locked in a set position. It it fits you that's great, and obviously it fits lots of people just fine, but it's not for me. Fortunately I still have my old tried and true SP that still fits me well with a bit of forward lean, some weight on my thighs and not just my butt and low back, and a nice flat seat I can move around on. If only I could graft a nice modern suspension on it I'd be all set. I've taken that as far as I can with Marzocchi M1R forks on front and a pair of Ohlins on back (courtesy of Ben aka. Scout63). Who knows, maybe a trickle of the 1.3 infrastructure spending will happen on the rural roads of Maine and this suspension will be just fine. Anyone care to wager on that????
Steve m