Matte Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Does anyone know anything about or have experience with the factory low suspension option for the R1200RT. I understand that it has been available since March 08 on RT, R, and GS models for and extra $150. Seat height using the low seat is now advertised as 29.5". Besides losing the ESA, what are the other downsides of this option? Matte
Lawman Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Welcome to the board.... You may find some of us to be friendly. Someone posted earlier that cruise control is not available on that model..
Matte Posted July 10, 2008 Author Posted July 10, 2008 Thanks. I heard that too and then had my dealer here in San Diego check further and he believes that cruise control does come with LS, but definitely not ESA. He also found that BMW is not making any more RTs with this option in 2008.
Don_Eilenberger Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 You may want to check that the centerstand is available for the low-suspension model. I have heard rumors (no facts) that it is not..
pairowheels Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 I understand that the ESA and heated seat option are not available on the low option bike, but all other options should be available. I have an 07 RT with works low shocks and was able to keep the heated seats. Steering is a little quicker with low shocks.
Bud Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 Does anyone know anything about or have experience with the factory low suspension option for the R1200RT. I understand that it has been available since March 08 on RT, R, and GS models for and extra $150. Seat height using the low seat is now advertised as 29.5". Besides losing the ESA, what are the other downsides of this option? Matte Welcome to the forum and I can see, by the pun, that you will fit right in here. Let us know how the new "low rider" is and of course, pics are required.
bt2 Posted July 11, 2008 Posted July 11, 2008 Welcome to the board.... You may find some of us to be friendly. Someone posted earlier that cruise control is not available on that model.. I posted that a few months ago when I seriously considered getting a factory lowered RT. My previous bike was a factory lowered 650GS. Salesman clearly told me that you don't get ESA and cruise control on the factory lowered bike. Cruise control was an important option for me. The other reason I decided against the lowered option is the lower ground clearance (was an issue on the lowered F650 when riding two-up or when taking sharp turns or going over speed bumps). I went with the standard RT with lowered seat set at the lowest height (30.1 inch), had more than a half inch shaved off the seat, and optionally wear thicker soled boots (adds another 3/4 inch). The salesman also mentioned that the bike can be expected to settle about a half inch lower after a few thousand miles of use, so that should help a little more. So far I am happy with the choice, but I have to say that I pay more attention to the road camber/conditions whenever I come to a stop. When riding on familiar routes (e.g. the daily commute) I wear my comfortable BMW contour boots (almost no lift from sole) but when I venture into unfamiliar territory I wear my Red Wing boots which feel a bit bulky, less comfortable for walking, but add at least half a inch of height so I can handle surprises (when coming to a stop) on unfamiliar roads and stop-n-go traffic. I have also lowered the footpegs to account for the lowered seat and that helps.
Dave_in_TX Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 Welcome to the board.... You may find some of us to be friendly. Someone posted earlier that cruise control is not available on that model.. I posted that a few months ago when I seriously considered getting a factory lowered RT. My previous bike was a factory lowered 650GS. Salesman clearly told me that you don't get ESA and cruise control on the factory lowered bike. Cruise control was an important option for me. The other reason I decided against the lowered option is the lower ground clearance (was an issue on the lowered F650 when riding two-up or when taking sharp turns or going over speed bumps). I went with the standard RT with lowered seat set at the lowest height (30.1 inch), had more than a half inch shaved off the seat, and optionally wear thicker soled boots (adds another 3/4 inch). The salesman also mentioned that the bike can be expected to settle about a half inch lower after a few thousand miles of use, so that should help a little more. So far I am happy with the choice, but I have to say that I pay more attention to the road camber/conditions whenever I come to a stop. When riding on familiar routes (e.g. the daily commute) I wear my comfortable BMW contour boots (almost no lift from sole) but when I venture into unfamiliar territory I wear my Red Wing boots which feel a bit bulky, less comfortable for walking, but add at least half a inch of height so I can handle surprises (when coming to a stop) on unfamiliar roads and stop-n-go traffic. I have also lowered the footpegs to account for the lowered seat and that helps. Do I understand corectly that you shaved a half inch of the OEM low seat? It doesn't seem like there would be much left to sit on. An unmodified low seat is already very thin.
bt2 Posted July 12, 2008 Posted July 12, 2008 Do I understand corectly that you shaved a half inch of the OEM low seat? It doesn't seem like there would be much left to sit on. An unmodified low seat is already very thin. Yes, half inch off of the OEM low seat. You are right there is not much left there but it ain't that bad. Went on a day trip and didn't find that seat to be a problem. If it proves to be too thin for a long distance trip, I can always pad it with a sheep skin or cushion 'cos I can afford to have a higher seat for a long distance trip. The guy who worked on it filled it with gel, so it is not as uncomfortable as simply shaving foam off of the stock seat.
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