Thinking about replacing my 2012 RT with a 2023 RT

[VaR1200RT]

I am thinking about replacing my 2012 RT with a 2023 RT.

 

I know it will be a big improvement with the tech.

 

Any thing I should be aware of or concerned about?

 

I do have a couple of questions.

Do you use the GPS on the TFT or do you run an separate GPS (i have a garmin XT)

Battery tender, do you use a lead off the battery or can  need a new Optimate 4 canbus to charge thur the BMW port.

Do you run your heated gear from the BMW power port?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[Daveyator]

The gps is cumbersome although I try to use it. Mine has a lead off the battery. The charge cradle doesn’t like iPhones so you have to plug it in. Can’t answer about heated gear. I’m actually selling mine.

[Mellow]

The integrated ride connected app/gps stuff is crap in my opinion.  My zumo xt works great, keep using that.  The TFT dash is still awesome regardless of the features related to the app.

[VaR1200RT]

Thanks for the information.

I may have to try and figure out where to mount the GPS.

[Mellow]

I currently use the Telferizer option but there are some amazon stem mount options.

 

https://www.telferizer.com/bmw/

 

 

Prior to that, I used just a ram ball mount on the left you'll see where my radar detector is mounted, the right side has a similar one for the gps.

 

 

You could also get the GS mirror mounts

[DBULL]

Do you velcro your remote controllers for the heated gear on top of brake reservoir?   

 

 

[Mellow]

1 minute ago, DBULL said:

Do you velcro your remote controllers for the heated gear on top of brake reservoir?   

 

 

Yes but I just 3m dual lock and the black cord the controller has I look around the cables first just in case it pops off... it never has.

[DBULL]

Nice.  I have clipped my two controllers to the end of the tank bag which has worked so far-yours looks easier.   

Thanks

[Hati]

If you have a Pixel phone, the navigation will work flowless. After using an iPhone 12 P/M and a cheap Android, went out and bought a Pixel 6A. The hype is true. It works as intended. If you don't need the extra functionality of a dedicated GPS such as the XT or XT 2, the Pixel solution will work extremely well. Plan with MyRouteApp, share the gpx file with the Connected app and go. Can even be done without a computer.

 

Having said that, don't sell the your XT until you test it with your gear.

 

The battery has the negative terminal readily accessible, the positive has a convenient stud available to connect to. Don't bother with Canbus chargers. A good charger direct to battery works better.

 

Heated gear connectivity is not that good through the two power connectors available unless you just run gloves or something small. From memory the two sockets COMBINED give you 11 Amps or something like that. I rewired the rear one direct to battery via a fuse so Mrs. Hati can use her heated jacket and pants at the same time and I have a new connector up front for my gear as well as a Givi USB 3 port system. We don't get that much cold down here but for the odd day or three of single digit (in Celsius) ride days, it works well.

 

If you did your own service work on that lovely camhead, you will get nostalgic and have regrets regarding simplicity. Currently the service manual in any form is a Unicorn, most of the specialised tools are too, but Boxflyer has YT videos and a tool kit available now for Americans that will easily cover all your servicing needs. If you don't work on your bike, just ride and enjoy. It is a great machine.

[Troppo]

5 hours ago, Mellow said:

The integrated ride connected app/gps stuff is crap in my opinion.  My zumo xt works great, keep using that.  The TFT dash is still awesome regardless of the features related to the app.

 

Exactly.

 

Great bike.  I had a 2015 1200 - the difference is noticeable.

[Bernie]

I don’t what problems you guys have, but my Connected Ride App works great for the last 8K miles.

I create my routes in BaseCamp, by Garmin like I have for the last 20+ years. Then I export them to my iCloud account and import them into by BMW Connected Ride App on my iPhone 7 and use them. 

I get turn by turn directions. It records my rides and I can save and export them.

After exporting them, I can import them into BaseCamp and view them.

I have never tried to create a route on the App. I did save a few Favorites into the App and I can select a Favorite and it will give me directions to it.

[Troppo]

I use the mirror mounts and also the Wunderlich mount that replaces the LH (or RH) handlebar bolt.

 

A RAM ball and arm gets the GPS in the middle, just under the main display.

 

 

[Janky59]

OP: Do you run your heated gear from the BMW power port?

I have an ‘18 RT FWIW, I run a Warm & Safe full jacket liner and gloves full blast from the forward RH plug alone. Always worked, no issues.

 

[profbodryak]

10 hours ago, VaR1200RT said:

Thanks for the information.

I may have to try and figure out where to mount the GPS.

https://www.bmwsporttouring.com/topic/107604-garmin-prep-on-a-2021-2023-r1250rt/

[Troppo]

It is a real pity that the BMW nav isn't fully integrated into the can bus like on the previous RT and the current/previous GS.

 

On those bikes, you can use the nav to monitor all kinds of bike functions when you don't need it to navigate.

 

The TFT/nav integration is a backward step.

[Hati]

3 hours ago, Janky59 said:

I have an ‘18 RT FWIW, I run a Warm & Safe full jacket liner and gloves full blast from the forward RH plug alone. Always worked, no issues.

 

From '21 on the aggregate current output changed. 

[Mellow]

10 hours ago, Bernie said:

I don’t what problems you guys have, but my Connected Ride App works great for the last 8K miles.

I create my routes in BaseCamp, by Garmin like I have for the last 20+ years. Then I export them to my iCloud account and import them into by BMW Connected Ride App on my iPhone 7 and use them. 

I get turn by turn directions. It records my rides and I can save and export them.

After exporting them, I can import them into BaseCamp and view them.

I have never tried to create a route on the App. I did save a few Favorites into the App and I can select a Favorite and it will give me directions to it.

I'm sure you're bike probably has a very, if not most, current software version so they could have worked out the initial bugs that were happening when the '21 first hit the market and that initial version.. I still have that factory loaded version as I'd have to take a day off to get mine updated as they don't do it on Saturdays, I also can't program my 1-2-3-4 buttons due to that initial version, however I don't have a need for the buttons to be programed.

 

That being said even if my software was up to date I'd keep the XT... You get weather alerts and radar and many things just work better in my opinion...

[VaR1200RT]

Thanks for all the replies.  I do or did all my own maintenance to my Camhead.  Very easy.

I have heard that some of the new I-phones (13-15) sometimes don't connect or have issues.

I think I will pick up the new bike on Friday.

[Bob H.]

On 3/5/2024 at 12:20 PM, VaR1200RT said:

Thanks for the information.

I may have to try and figure out where to mount the GPS.

I use my NAV VI or XT on my 2021RT and will use the same when I get my 2024RT. This is a NAV VI car mount system .

[RT_Jim]

I did exactly what you're thinking about - upgraded from a 12 to a 23. LOVE the upgrades! 

 

I tried using the built in navigation but it didn't fit my needs

  Doesn't work well with a multipoint route

  the app MUST be 'in focus'  so if you get a phone call or try asking Google a question, navigation stops

  Features weren't as good as the standalone GPS

 

I performed a 'mushroomectomy' to remove the satellite radio antenna and mount my GPS there (search this forum and you'll find the details on what & how I did this)

 

I ran a Battery Tender connector from the battery (battery connectors on one end, SAE on the other end) for my heated gear. I'm looking at removing the passenger cigarette lighter socket and replacing it with a weatherproof SAE connector - a little cleaner and I can still plug in my Battery Tender or heated gear. 

 

 Enjoy but be careful of the throttle - it really snaps in the power much faster than you're expecting! 

 

Jim

 

[Little_Brit]

On 3/5/2024 at 5:20 PM, VaR1200RT said:

Thanks for the information.

I may have to try and figure out where to mount the GPS.

There's a company 3DAM that make a neat adaptor that mounts on the deck of the dashboard, putting the satnav directly above the TFT and centrally positioned.  I've just mounted my own Nav V on a cheats copy of it! Mine mounts slightly further towards the front than the 3ADM version.

[RT_Jim]

Derek - 

I forgot to mention one big caution about mounting your GPS right above the TFT.... the interference! 

 

Many people, myself included, found the TFT causes a huge interference with the GPS. I checked the satellite accuracy and found it to be about 400 FEET originally. I then added a 'blocker panel' and the accuracy went to 10 feet - what is considered normal. So before you start doing any big rides, you might want to check your accuracy and see if you need one of these 'blockers'. 

 

Jim

 

 

[Mellow]

I didn't personally care for the gps being above the TFT.. I like the line-of-sight option however, there are many times I need to touch the screen and it's a big reach so I'd have to pull over which is a pain and can cause issues.  But, again, love the line of sight option.

[VaR1200RT]

Derek   Do you have the XM antenna up there with the GPS?

 

Thanks

[VaR1200RT]

I did purchase the 2023.  Wow, what a different machine.  It is night and day between my 2012 and the 2023.  The engine is awesome. 

The only thing I am concerned about is how comfortable the seat will be.  I had a Russel Day long seat on my older bike.  There is alot of electronics on this bike to figure out.

Looking forward to some rides.

[Bernie]

2 hours ago, VaR1200RT said:

I did purchase the 2023.  Wow, what a different machine.  It is night and day between my 2012 and the 2023.  The engine is awesome. 

The only thing I am concerned about is how comfortable the seat will be.  I had a Russel Day long seat on my older bike.  There is alot of electronics on this bike to figure out.

Looking forward to some rides.

Congrats on your new bike. Give the seat a few miles, you be surprised how easy your butt will get used to the seat.

I used to have a Sargent seat on my 2007 and 2000, but never changed the one on my 2018 and the 23 is just as comfortable.

 

[CruisinCruzan]

Agree with a previous post or about getting a Pixel phone. Bought a ‘21 RT and went through all of the early TFT pain. I have used BC from the very beginning and it met all of my needs. After reading as much as I could stand and getting the updates I purchased a used Pixel and it now meets all of my needs. When I stop for gas it reconnects almost immediately when I take off, I don’t get drop outs, etc. I have even migrated away from BC as my primary platform (when riding my RT) and now use the MyRoute app largely so that I do not have to take my computer on trips if I want to make new routes on the fly. I’ve never been a fan of creating routes on Nav VI, which has never had any of the ghosting or other issues and I still use it on my other bikes. I wish that they had just incorporated the garmin platform into the TFT but it works well enough for me that I have no need for the additional GPS. As others have stated YMMV but I think it’s worthwhile to give it a try with just the TFT. You could always add the additional GPS if needed. You will thoroughly enjoy the RT.

[Mellow]

1 minute ago, CruisinCruzan said:

Agree with a previous post or about getting a Pixel phone. Bought a ‘21 RT and went through all of the early TFT pain. I have used BC from the very beginning and it met all of my needs. After reading as much as I could stand and getting the updates I purchased a used Pixel and it now meets all of my needs. When I stop for gas it reconnects almost immediately when I take off, I don’t get drop outs, etc. I have even migrated away from BC as my primary platform (when riding my RT) and now use the MyRoute app largely so that I do not have to take my computer on trips if I want to make new routes on the fly. I’ve never been a fan of creating routes on Nav VI, which has never had any of the ghosting or other issues and I still use it on my other bikes. I wish that they had just incorporated the garmin platform into the TFT but it works well enough for me that I have no need for the additional GPS. As others have stated YMMV but I think it’s worthwhile to give it a try with just the TFT. You could always add the additional GPS if needed. You will thoroughly enjoy the RT.

Have you had the bike software updated?  I have the original version so just curious if the pixel phone would help with older bike-software versions?  I still think I prefer my zumo - especially for weather radar.

[CruisinCruzan]

Don't remember what software version was on the bike when I bought the pixel.

[lkraus]

On 3/6/2024 at 1:49 AM, Hati said:

From '21 on the aggregate current output changed. 

What is the limit now?

[dirtrider]

14 minutes ago, lkraus said:

What is the limit now?

Morning Larry 

 

Big increase, I think they bumped the total for all sockets from the old 10 amps to the new 12 amps.  

[Little_Brit]

On 3/5/2024 at 3:48 PM, Daveyator said:

The gps is cumbersome although I try to use it. Mine has a lead off the battery. The charge cradle doesn’t like iPhones so you have to plug it in. Can’t answer about heated gear. I’m actually selling mine.

I agree about the "cumbersome" GPS system!  I've just installed a mount for my Nav V to overcome my anxiety about those shortcomings.

 

I've seen several comments on social media and you-tube stating that the phone compartment won't charge an iPhone.  Initially I thought so too as mine wasn't charging either.  I removed the Sketch case first to maybe get the induction loops closer but that didn't work.  Then I thought maybe the induction loops are not correctly aligned so I turned the phone around and inserted it bottom first (screen up) and it worked.  I then refitted the Sketch case and tried with that in place and it still works provided it goes in bottom first.  So that problem is resolved for me but the issue regarding needing a screen touch to complete the Wi-Fi connection appears to be un-resolvable, grrr.

 

In spite of these issues I love the bike, it is delightfully comfortable, quick, agile and frugal with the fuel.  And with reservations I love the tech on the bike too. 

[Little_Brit]

On 3/10/2024 at 8:20 PM, RT_Jim said:

Derek - 

I forgot to mention one big caution about mounting your GPS right above the TFT.... the interference! 

 

Many people, myself included, found the TFT causes a huge interference with the GPS. I checked the satellite accuracy and found it to be about 400 FEET originally. I then added a 'blocker panel' and the accuracy went to 10 feet - what is considered normal. So before you start doing any big rides, you might want to check your accuracy and see if you need one of these 'blockers'. 

 

Jim

 

 

Hi Jim,

 

With my Nav V set up it seems to be okay. The face of the Nav V is about an inch further towards the front of the bike from the face of the TFT.  Whether that separation is enough I don't know.  The rides I've done so far in open country haven't thrown up any issues but a major city or mountains might do, time will tell and if needs be I will install some form of "blocker".  I will say that I was impressed with the level of screening in the harness to the mount (it's an old Garmin Zumo unit from about 2005).

 

Derek   

[Little_Brit]

On 3/11/2024 at 1:48 PM, VaR1200RT said:

Derek   Do you have the XM antenna up there with the GPS?

 

Thanks

Hi Charles,

 

In short no.  As far as I understand it the XM stuff is a USA thing and not used in Europe but I'm happy to be proved wrong on that.  I do have the DAB radio and speakers installed but to be honest they're rubbish.  I get far better audio quality by using my Senna intercom (and not annoying everyone else when I ride by)  and the internet radio or Spotify on my iPhone via the bike's Bluetooth connection provides a great choice of audio options.

 

Derek