NGC...Curious about the '14-'17 BMW R1200RT

[Sheepdog]

I have no plans to sell my Guzzi, but have been considering a late BMW R1200RT (a '16 or '17 most likely). Does anyone have any firsthand experience with this bike? Strengths and weaknesses? That DOHC with selective liquid cooling looks like the stuff...

[mauricedonini]

Hi Sheepdog,

I have a 2016 1200RT and have put more than 13,000 miles on it.  Love it!

Great for touring.  It's my third RT and by far the best one.

Check out this article.

http://bmwdean.com/r1200rtw.htm

[PJPR01]

I rented one last June, I believe it was a 2016 R1200RT for a 500 mile round trip run on PCH...excellent bike, quiet, smooth, a little vibey at 90 mph and above, but not bad at all.  Only issue i found is with the jugs being horizontal, you can't stretch your legs forward like you can on the Guzzi...

Nice sets of locking luggage, good radio, easy to learn controls and a variety of riding styles electronically adjusted.  It's a mile muncher for sure...if Guzzi's didn't exist, I wouldn't mind one of them.

[sturgeon]

The  biggest problem I've found with the LC engines (I have an R1200R) is that you can no longer use the tops of the jugs as glove driers.

I traded in an oil-head RT to get the R, zero regrets. Well, aside from the glove-drier issue. I'd have bought an LC RT, but I was looking to downsize in terms of weight. I toured a fair bit on the R last summer and I gotta say I don't miss the extra niceties of the RT.

[Sheepdog]

I read the Jeff Dean blog from bow to stern...it's one of the resources that got me interested in the bike to begin with. I have been studying what bikes are available and it seems that most of what I looked at were ridiculously heavy. The HD Road Glide, Honda F6B, Honda ST1300, BMW K1600, Moto Guzzi Cal 1400 Touring...all of them are porkers at 740 lbs plus. (KevM; if you're reading this I'm also not thrilled with the oil pump failures on the new HD Milwaukee 8 engines. I'm sure the Motor Company will fix them in time, but the Beemer engine has been doing great since 2013). I'm wanting a traveler with greater fuel capacity, good ergos, up-to-date safety features, and good braking/handling. I've reduced my choices to the MG Norge, Triumph Trophy 1200, the Yamaha FJR1200, and the WasserBoxer. Each has their strengths, but the consensus among the international Moto Press is that the Beemer is singularly superb (and only 604 lbs with 6.7 gallons of fuel). Cynic that I am, I don't trust journalists; so I thought I'd ask you folks.

[tiger_one]

I test rode the R1200RS 2016 past fall, very impressive.  Weighs about the same as my KTM 1190, and has great handling and hustle.  Doesn't have the above 6k rpm HP hit of the KTM, but still a nice ride with plenty of power and speed.

Great electronics, BMW adds the C-ABS and C-TC for 2017 and since it is software the 2016 can be flashed ($680 I hear).  Major upgrades to transmission for 2017.  The SA was really fun and worked best down shifting, up shifts were a little wanting, depending on speed and rpms.

[oldbike54]

The  biggest problem I've found with the LC engines (I have an R1200R) is that you can no longer use the tops of the jugs as glove driers.

I traded in an oil-head RT to get the R, zero regrets. Well, aside from the glove-drier issue. I'd have bought an LC RT, but I was looking to downsize in terms of weight. I toured a fair bit on the R last summer and I gotta say I don't miss the extra niceties of the RT.

  One of the best qualities of the airhead touring bikes was that no matter how wet your boots and lower legs got , a few minutes running in the dry would see everything nice and dry again 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

The HD Road Glide, Honda F6B, Honda ST1300, BMW K1600, Moto Guzzi Cal 1400 Touring...all of them are porkers at 740 lbs plus.  Each has their strengths, but the consensus among the international Moto Press is that the Beemer is singularly superb (and only 604 lbs with 6.7 gallons of fuel). Cynic that I am, I don't trust journalists; so I thought I'd ask you folks.

So as a follow up...the year before, I rented the K1600GT out in Cali as well for a different run up and down to Alice's restaurant, Santa Cruz, Ben Lomond and parts of PCH north to Pacifica and back, and I can tell you that it is SURPRISINGLY nimble and can dance in the twisties very easily.  It feels much lighter than the spec weight....however, the exceptionally smooth 6 cylinder engine is like a sewing machine...it's so smooth, no vibes at all, you may actually be bored by it.  If I had to choose between the two Bimmer's, I'd go with the R1200RT vs. the K1600 GT, BUT it all depends on what features you're looking for. 

[oldbike54]

 You car guys  Cars are bimmers , the motorbikes are bEEmers , sheesh 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

You car guys  Cars are bimmers , the motorbikes are bEEmers , sheesh 

 Dusty

Jawohl Mein Herr!

[oldbike54]

Jawohl Mein Herr!

 Just making sure you don't face the looks of derision at a bEEmer rally by referring to their motorbikes as bimmers , you've never been shunned properly until those BMW guys shun you 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

Ha ha...not to worry...I used to own a BMW K1100LT...so I was part of "them" for a while! 

Shunned or ignored...no worries!!!   It's all about the riding and the fun rallies!

[LowRyter]

I think the R1200 RT is perhaps my favorite Touring bike that I've ridden.  The new water cooled bike has more power than the previous RT and it's almost as fast as the 1600 without all the weight.  It handles really light and quick with the telelever front end, so you get a full on touring bike with luxury options but with the power and agility of a sport touring bike.  The only downsides are getting used to the lack of feel for the front suspension (I didn't ride long enough to get used to it) and the $24k price tag.

I also rode the RS and it's a sport touring bike with conventional fork without all the luxury touring features of the RT.  It's a nice ride but perhaps more conventional in the mix with the Norge, FJR, Bandit, Interceptor, Coucours, etc., etc.

For sure the water cooled boxers are much sportier and faster than their predecessors.  They are also lower to the ground so they are much easier to maneuver at slow speed for those us with average height.

[twowings]

Ok, so if I find myself wanting a sewing machine on wheels with all the lights and buttons of a dishwasher at the cost of a new car, I'll know where to go!

On second thought, just gimmee an old airhead...

[oldbike54]

Ok, so if I find myself wanting a sewing machine on wheels with all the lights and buttons of a dishwasher at the cost of a new car, I'll know where to go!

On second thought, just gimmee an old airhead...

 Yeah , but there are folks that call anyone who needs or even wants a fairing a big sissy

 Dusty

[twowings]

Let's see what they say after taking a bluejay in the chest at 65mph...

[oldbike54]

Let's see what they say after taking a bluejay in the chest at 65mph...

 Meh , a real tough guy would just shrug that off ...

 Dusty

[ohiorider]

Sheep ..... before throwing down several $$$$, I'd find a dealer that  would let you put on a day or two mileage before committing.  I've owned several BMWs, mostly K bikes, an oilhead, and my all time favorite, an R100GS. 

I only suggest this because the newer Beemers are very large bikes by comparison to their bikes of 20-25 years ago.

You seem to be the type of rider who likes Bonnevilles and lighter Guzzis, like your cruiser.

I'm just saying ....... before you commit, make sure you're into a big, full-faired bike.

Regards,

Bob

[Air-Cooled]

I had a R1200RT and I liked everything about it except the stock seat. Two hours into a ride it would become very uncomfortable. Yeah, I know:  spend another $1,000 for a better seat. Pretty pathetic for such a pricey bike to start.

[Sheepdog]

I nearly pulled the trigger on a K1200LT back in the nineties...and regretted that I couldn't make it happen. This will give me a newer and safer ride for my Touring golden years. It is actually about fifty pounds lighter than my Vintage and offers a similar seat height (and a range of adjustment). The panniers will hold a full face helmet. I think of it as a great way to continue riding a twin.

[charlie b]

The R1200RT was a bike I almost bought a couple years ago.  The one I was looking at already had a Russell seat on it and was comfy.  Did a ton of research based on the bevel box failure stories.

If you go for one then make sure to maintain the bevel box.  Just saw another post on ADV with a blown rear end (GS version).  Result of using car wash on the bike, water got in through the bellows.  He was lucky and BMW picked up some of the bill.  Most owners drop the rear gearbox and change fluid regularly (sound familiar?  :)  ) and check the bellows weekly.

[PeteS]

What is the story with normal maintenance on these bikes. I was turned off when I heard stories of needing a dealer to reset the computer after an oil change or brake bleed. Does this apply to the new twins?

Pete

[JeffOlson]

I have not yet ridden one, but I have gone to their website many times to "build" an R1200RT.

They look great, and I am interested. However, they are so expensive optioned-up that I would probably need to sell my BMW automobile before I could buy a new BMW motorcycle...

[cookiemech]

What is the story with normal maintenance on these bikes. I was turned off when I heard stories of needing a dealer to reset the computer after an oil change or brake bleed. Does this apply to the new twins?

Pete

I'm interested in the answer to this one as well. My Ducati Monster 1200 has an oil service light that must be reset by the dealer, and I'll never own another motorcycle with such a silly requirement (and yes, the damn thing will be ON as long as I own it; not gonna pay someone to do that after I perform the oil changes). That would not happen with an automobile (two of the cars at my house have oil service reminders, but it's easy to reset them).

[RiderAJ]

I had an oilhead 12RT a few years ago and loved it.  I did my Iron Butt Saddlesore on it absolutely effortlessly.  I look forward to riding the water-cooled Boxers - either in RT or GS guise, soon.

I agree with the comments about the stock seat.  I ditched mine for a Sargent and it perfectly fixed the only complaint I had about it.

One other factor in favor of the Beemer, in my opinion, is the dealership experience.  The dealerships I visited, including my "home" dealership, were fantastic.  They all took customer service to a new level and one I was not expecting.  Everyone was polite, courteous and the service departments really seemed to know their stuff.  YMMV, of course.  But I loved the loaner bikes they'd provide with a preset service appointment and the dealerships were a gathering place even if I had no other reason to be there. Just hang out, drink nice coffee, maybe watch a little college football on the big screen and BS about motorcycles.  This was a far cry from any other motorcycle dealership experience I'd had previously (and I've never frequented HD shops so perhaps the experience is similar there).  This is probably advisable from their end given that it ain't cheap to keep those bikes on the road....

[JeffOlson]

I have visited our local BMW motorcycle dealership. While it pales in comparison to our local BMW automobile dealer (Kuni BMW), they are very nice and upscale compared to other MC dealerships I have visited. I don't mind paying extra for a quality dealership experience (but that's just me).

When I take my Norge in for its 6,213.712-mile service, I will see if Moto International can provide me with a loaner Moto Guzzi...

[wildebube]

Maybe it's endemic to dealers in general, but my problem with BMW dealers was that EVERYTHING was so expensive.  At least during the warranty period (3 years, unlimited mileage back in the day, but somewhat less with the more recent ones), I would take my bikes to the dealer for all of the recommended service.  Even for something as basic as the 600 mile oil change and check, it was all but unheard of to get out the door for under $300.  And that was more than 10 years ago.  The 12K intervals were never under $600 and frequently were in the $800-1000 range.  Maybe I"m just a natural born cheapskate, but $600+ for a fluid change, new plugs, valve check/adjustment, and inspection of brake pads and such is just nuts.

[esmurrell]

Hey guys,

I think I'm somewhat qualified to respond to the OP.  I have a '12 Norge GT and a '14 R1200RT.  In a word, my keeper is the Norge and I'm selling my RT.  Why, the Norge has loads of character and I believe the RT is left wanting (certainly by comparison).  The RT is faster, more nimble but costs way more to own (I don't do ANY wrenching).  The Norge is fast enough, nimble enough yet makes you feel great with every mile you ride.  It regularly gets compliments and is rock solid reliable.  While my opinion is no more valuable than any others on this board, my qualification to respond are pretty good (this is a Guzzi board, right?).  While I'm not throwing any rocks at the RT, I believe there are bikes that provide a really solid ownership experience but of course that is based on why you are riding. For me it's all about the experience and character and that means a lot.

Eric

[sturgeon]

Self-service is not terribly difficult for the mechanically-inclined. You need either a dealer or an aftermarket device to reset the service reminders (or you can just leave them there; the thing won't stop working just because there's a reminder showing). Search for JVB Productions for a good service DVD.

Having said that, for the past several years I've been much more inclined to ride than I have been to wrench. I happily ride the hour to my local dealer for regular service. I drop it off first thing in the morning, he gives me a loaner with a full tank of gas, and I go visit family in the area, ride down to Lake Erie for fresh-caught perch for lunch, and wait for his text message to say that he's done. I figure that if I do my bit to keep him in business by supporting his service department, he'll still be there in 20 years, instead of folding like so many other dealers have because they can't make a go of it. Doesn't hurt that he only deals in BMW motorcycles, and runs a great service department.

[blackcat]

Let's see what they say after taking a bluejay in the chest at 65mph...

I was hit in the head by some kind of white bird in a big sweeper going about 65-70 mph on the Norge. It hurt and scared the shit out of me, so fairing or no fairing and all that....