RT ot LT?

[Jerry in Monument]

I took my daughters with me today to the nearest, Colorado Springs, BMWMC dealer in hopes of test riding an RT.

 

Unfortuantely they sold the only one they had a couple of days ago.

 

So, I test rode an LT. They were nice enough to let me take a ride, then take each one of my daughters on a ride. This was their first time to ride on a motorcylce and they were nervous at first.

 

But they both wanted more at the end. YEAH!

 

I must say the 2008 LT is an impressive machine! Smooth, extremely comfortable, luxurious, powerful, and very nimble for a bike taht size. Very easy to ride while moving, but the usual 850+ lbs issues when trying to maneuver at low speed.

 

Biggest draw-back I saw was the price!

 

They won't have another RT for about two weeks so I'm still working the second job, picking up pennies and hoping for a miracle.

 

Can anyone out there with experience on both the RT & LT provide some insight as to the longer term pros & cons of each?

 

Chances are that due to the cost, I'm still looking at a previously owned bike and have really been concentrating on the RT, 2004 or earlier, with an affinity to the 1150.

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give an now thoroughly hooked Beemer fanatic!

[GordonB]

If anything, if you can spring for it, get a 1200, the improvements are amazing! I know a couple of riders that bought 1150's due to economics but then rode 1200's while on a tour with Eidelweiss and could not go back to their 1150's, sold them and bought 1200's!

[AZgman]

Jerry,

 

I had (at the same time) a 2003 LT and a 2003 R1150RT. I now have an R1200 RT. I loved the LT for 2 up comfort (more importantly, my WIFE loved the LT). I rode the RT From CT to AZ and back solo and found it more comfortable than the LT over a long distance, YMMV. The 1150 had HORRIBLE surging when I first got it, but a couple of careful tunings of valves and TB mostly cured that. However, the R1200 is the cat's ass! Kicks the LT and 1150 out of the stadium. I love this bike, but now my wife will not ride more than 300 miles a day with me due to the comfort of the seat and backrest compared to the LT. (note: some may find this as a positive...)

 

I hope this helps.

[ArthurKnowles]

There is no doubt that the LT is the better touring bike. My youngest daughter also loves the LT. Particulalry since I put armrests on it and BMW floorboards. I even bought an intercom set for her helmet. She has told me she is willing to try my RT, but always prefers the LT.

 

My wife also prefers the LT for long rides, but likes the RT for shorter trips of less than 2 hours or for curvy roads. She prefers the handling of the RT and the lower seating position for the local roads (a lot are quite twisty). But nothing beats the LT on the highway.

 

I bought both used. Saved enough on my '06 purchase to buy the RT outright. If you buy a used LT, I would not recommend one without some factory warrenty left on it. First because you can then buy an extedned warrenty to cover the myriad potential mechanical issues (all expensive on the LT) that might occur during the time you own the motorcycle. Secondly because that will give you some time to ride it and see if the are any issues that need to be addressesd by the warrenty. For me that meant about 3~4K in out of pocket repair cost I did not have to pay to get my radio replaced (had a one second pause/skip that turned out to be an amplifier going bad), rear brake rotor (squealed and BMW had a SB to repalce it), reverse gear (the switch was disconnected).

 

If I had to choose only one motorcyle, it would be the RT. But that's because the RT is the motorcyle I choose to ride every day and I don't ride long distance. Nor would I choose to ride it cross country either. I know other's do, but not me. I have too many physical pains (back mostly) that would not make the ride worth it.

 

But if you are in good physical shape and have no problems spending 8+ hours in the saddle, the RT can make a fine touring bike. It also excess at twisty roads. Better than the LT due to the higher ground clearance & weight. I really love the dual purpose (sport/touring) nature of the RT and the newer ones are so much bette than my R1100RT series in comfort and ammenities.

[Jerry in Monument]

Thank for the input.

 

I should have added that the primary use is going to be daily commuter, 110 miles round-trip.

 

I definitely want to be able to take the wife and daughters on short trips initially.

 

Am trying to talk my wife into learning to ride her own bike, but not sure whether that is going to happen. We'll take it one step at a time.

 

After yesterday's test ride, my daughters are VERY interested in bikes. Hopefully we can keep that thrill alive by my acquiring a bike soon.

 

After 20 years without, I'm Jonesin' bad.

[Jerry in Monument]

Other questions regarding these choices has to do with maintaining them.

 

Reading many, many posting on this forum and others gived the impression that overal the K bikes seem to have more maintenance issues than R bikes. Is this accurate or jsut referencing older K bikes?

 

Then the FD issues. It seems there are some potentially serious issues regarding either design or assembly of FD's, depending on year and/or model?

 

The last thing I need is to buy a bike for a daily commuter and then have it become something like an older Jaguar.

[cali_beemer]

If you buy an LT, definately get the extended warranty!!!!!!!!!! I have had 2 LT's not and 2 Rt's (both the 1100). When an LT breaks, its major money every time and they are prone to breaking in certain areas. The biggest weak point is the clutch, a 2k dollar job. Some LT owners I know fear going out of town in fear of this along with the final drive. The final drive is an issue with all BMW's, even the new style but the LT seems to have alot more than normal amounts, most likely from the added weight. The stereos ahve had issues which is insanely expensive to replace. The newer models like the 08 you looked at have had issues with the automatic centerstand and some complain of a wobble with the new steering geometry. Its alot of bike but you better have a wallet that can afford it. If I were to buy another LT I would go get a new Goldwing. Now, that being said the RT is alot more fun to ride solo than the LT. The RT will have enough luggage space but it wont be as smooth as an LT or have as good of a riding position. The barn door of an LT makes nice in cold weather but really sucks in the summer. The RT is a better all arounder if you ask me and the boxers may require more adjustments but its all alot easier to do in your own garage. For, I converted back from my LT and went back ot a oilhead but this time re-incarnated as a GS model. I have had no regrets as this bike has more than adequate wind protection, has handling cpabilities well beyond an RT, has all the luggage of an RT and just as comfortable riding position. BTW, I have ridden a 1150 and a 1200 and I found the 1200 boxer to be alot buzzier than a 1150. Call me strange but it was a turnoff.

[ArthurKnowles]

Well as a daily commuter and occasional 2-up riding, get the RT. If you buy a 1200, I know of one manufacturer that is planning on releasing a set of armrests for it that will fit the topcase. Don Muddleman (sp?) makes them for the LT and has a new mount in the works for the RT. Not sure if he'll be able to offer them for the 1150 series or not.

 

As for the maintenence issues, the LT has a standard inline 4 with shims for the camshaft instead of pushrods and roskers like the RT. That makes avalve adjustment a bit more complex. Getting to the other major components also requires a good amount of disassembly. That increases costs. Not a whole lof of difference when you look at the RT models either. Take a look at the rebuild thread in thie forum. To get to the major components requires similar disassembly.

 

You can do all the work on the LT if you can do all the work on the RT though. I suggest you stop by the BMWLT.Com forum and do a search (before posting specific questions) on the maintence cost and FD issues. Some years (mostly older ones I think from the late 90's to early 00's) had more failure rates. For the most part, I think the FD failure rate (4% is claimed) is blown way out of proportion. Any FD on any manufacturer model though is open to failure. Not just BMWs.

 

I'll say this much about the fear of a long ride on any BMW though ... if that is an issue for you then don't buy any of them. Get something with a chain or belt.

 

For myself, I'm happy with what I have and have no fear about long trips. In fact, I have one planned for next month. My wife and I are going to tour some of Az on the LT.

[Jerry in Monument]

ArthurKnowles & cali_beemer,

Thanks so much for the input, info and all.

 

I'm hopeful to get a ride soon on a RT and from what I've read, discussed and gathered feedback, I'm still leaning towards the RT.

 

Also have some ideas for some products for it. I've been in injection molding for 20 years, mainly the design & CNC programming side.

 

I have a couple of shops in mind that may be interested. More on that later, hopefully.

 

P.S. Found the link to Don Muddiman - http://www.eagle-i.us/