Buying a R1200RT

[Steph.B]

Hey folks, new here. I’ll make this as short as I can. I decided to drink the cool aid and trade in my FJR for a 16 R12RT. I’ve bought good bikes in the days and have been very lucky, bought a few bad ones. Harley’s and made in Japan bikes I know very well and what to look for. Can’t say the same about the BMW. Bike has more miles than I’d like (42k) but it’s a sweetheart deal and properly maintained that barely broken in. My concern is there are no service records or history. The selling dealer claims to have done the 6k service and the drive shaft update. There is a dealer group that has multiple locations so I haven’t physically seen the bike yet. It’s being delivered this week to my local dealer and  will inspect next Saturday. From the pics the bike has been meticulously maintained cosmetically. Hope it has been mechanically maintained as well. What are some specifics to look for concerning this bike? 
TIA! 

[wbw6cos]

Welcome to the board.   That is a sweet looking ride.

 

I am not sure what all is involved when they claim to do an update.   In my opinion, about the only things to be concerned about is the final drive splines and the cam alignment / valves. Others may chime in on anything else, if any.   At 48 k miles, it will be due a major service that involves the aforementioned.   depending on your mechanical ability, you can view a few videos HERE or perhaps attend a gathering where @Boxflyer will be providing highly insightful tech demonstrations.   You can check your schedule to see if this next event is close enough for you in July or wait to FART in September, which has not been officially posted about yet; it is in the nearby Appalachian Region of the US.   Give Boxflyer a holler if you think you can attend.

 

Let us know when you get it.

 

Cheers!

[RandyShields]

That RT looks very nice.  Two comments: if maintenance was done by a dealer, you should be able to have it accessed via the VIN.  Also, troubled that I don't see cylinder guards and saddlebag guards on that bike; those should be the first aftermarket purchases you make to protect in the event of a tip over.

[Rtarm,02]

I didn't put cylinder head guards on mine, sorry I didn't

[Rtarm,02]

Damage to both, no speed roll overs. hit twice by cars when parked

[Rtarm,02]

What guards cover the scars?

[9Mary7]

1 hour ago, RandyShields said:

should be able to have it accessed via the VIN

Ask for a print out of the dealer service record.....They can and should provide that.

[Steph.B]

2 hours ago, wbw6cos said:

Welcome to the board.   That is a sweet looking ride.

 

I am not sure what all is involved when they claim to do an update.   In my opinion, about the only things to be concerned about is the final drive splines and the cam alignment / valves. Others may chime in on anything else, if any.   At 48 k miles, it will be due a major service that involves the aforementioned.   depending on your mechanical ability, you can view a few videos HERE or perhaps attend a gathering where @Boxflyer will be providing highly insightful tech demonstrations.   You can check your schedule to see if this next event is close enough for you in July or wait to FART in September, which has not been officially posted about yet; it is in the nearby Appalachian Region of the US.   Give Boxflyer a holler if you think you can attend.

 

Let us know when you get it.

 

Cheers!

Will do. And thank you for the links I’ll dig into them. 

[Steph.B]

2 hours ago, RandyShields said:

That RT looks very nice.  Two comments: if maintenance was done by a dealer, you should be able to have it accessed via the VIN.  Also, troubled that I don't see cylinder guards and saddlebag guards on that bike; those should be the first aftermarket purchases you make to protect in the event of a tip over.

With Harley as long as it was serviced at a HD dealer they can provide a full report. They told me at BMW they keep those internal so unless provided or know the dealer they have no access to them. I did find that odd 

[Steph.B]

44 minutes ago, 9Mary7 said:

Ask for a print out of the dealer service record.....They can and should provide that.

They offered the one they did, but told me that had no access to other dealers history as they are internal. So unless provided or know what dealer services the bike they couldn’t get access 

[Steph.B]

3 hours ago, wbw6cos said:

Welcome to the board.   That is a sweet looking ride.

 

I am not sure what all is involved when they claim to do an update.   In my opinion, about the only things to be concerned about is the final drive splines and the cam alignment / valves. Others may chime in on anything else, if any.   At 48 k miles, it will be due a major service that involves the aforementioned.   depending on your mechanical ability, you can view a few videos HERE or perhaps attend a gathering where @Boxflyer will be providing highly insightful tech demonstrations.   You can check your schedule to see if this next event is close enough for you in July or wait to FART in September, which has not been officially posted about yet; it is in the nearby Appalachian Region of the US.   Give Boxflyer a holler if you think you can attend.

 

Let us know when you get it.

 

Cheers!

Also they said it was a recall for the drive shaft. Was told the service department was closed Saturdays so it don’t know. Said he would send more specifics when they opened. 

[Steph.B]

1 hour ago, Rtarm,02 said:

Damage to both, no speed roll overs. hit twice by cars when parked

Sorry to hear that. I would be swinging on someone. Honestly one of the reasons I’ve held out so long. Hear it’s a great motor but a minor drop can cause major issues. Those are surely on my to-do list 

[Paul De]

The flat twin engine is petty robust and typically a drop while standing yields cosmetic damage to a valve cover if unguarded.  I've have seen a number of UJM in line 4 motors with busted engine cases in a drop, and the older design with the timing plate and alternator mounted to the ends of the crank shaft were particularly vulnerable in a drop, so I don't see the flat twin as particularly more vulnerable in a drop. A crash at speed can waste any motor design guards, or not.

 

I put the OEM guards on my Wethead as those are effective at guarding against a drop without messing with the esthetics.  I'm not a fan of the larger crash bars as to me it looks like a playground jungle gym got bolted to the bike. TETO.  Although, crash bars sure do make mounting highway pegs and aux lighting a breeze.  In either case a standstill drop with OEM engine guards, or aftermarket crash bars usually results with the bike stopping at about a 30 degree angle and not falling flat on its side where damage to the fairing, handle bars, levers, and even the gas tank could happen.

[Tohau]

The bike should qualify for a free final drive shaft replacement at 42,000 miles. Just search for the BMW service bulletin INFO337390 or watch this video for more details. BMW also released a new I-Level code upgrade K001-23-11-510 in November 2023. BMW will pay for both service actions. If the dealers refuses this work, call BMW North America and double-check it.

 

 

 

 

[Steph.B]

39 minutes ago, Tohau said:

The bike should qualify for a free final drive shaft replacement at 42,000 miles. Just search for the BMW service bulletin INFO337390 or watch this video for more details. BMW also released a new I-Level code upgrade K001-23-11-510 in November 2023. BMW will pay for both service actions. If the dealers refuses this work, call BMW North America and double-check it.

 

 

 

 

This is good stuff right here. Thank you. They said to have done an update/recall to the drive shaft but the service department where it is at was closed. Curious if this is what the meant. 

[Paul De]

 Scuffed but not broken including the operator is a win in crappy situation!  BMW prolly sells a lot of replacement valve covers, and any OEM BMW part is always pricey. Still cheaper than a hospital bill for busted body parts.

 

I'm sure they sold lots of replacement valve covers in the old days even if the R bike was never dropped or crashed. The old airhead bikes from the early 70's had the motor mounted lower in the frame and you could tell the go fast riders from the strictly touring riders by looking at the bottom of the valve covers on the intake side.  Had to ride it like you were a circus monkey in the saddle to keep the grinding to a minimum,  When the oilhead and newer models were introduced, the valve covers don't seem to hinder how far you want to bend the horizon anymore, but that may be a more a function of age related decreased testosterone in my case

 

 

 

 

 

[Scotto336]

I suggest that you call Max BMW service dept. if you are in the US.  They will tell you everything about the bike's service history.  Not sure if they have access to bike info outside of the US, but may be worth a try. 

[Hosstage]

I like the idea of engine guard bars to protect, rather than the cylinder taking a hit.

[RandyShields]

Lots of options out there, from bars to flush mounted, solid protectors. And yes, they protect against the nasty cosmetic damage from tip overs and crashes but, more importantly, from punctures, which can happen easily and which sideline your trip until you can repair the hole with JB Weld or a new cover. 

[Stresspuppy]

Welcome to the forum!

 

I have the Ilium bars front and rear and they work great for accidental drops (don't ask me how I know). I can't speak to how they work having it go over at any sort of speed (thankfully). But they do stick out a bit and are obvious, though I have gotten used to them and they are just part of the bike for me at this point.