Now That It's Broken In.....

[moshe_levy]

Only a few miles until my 2009 RT is officially broken in, which is enough time to formulate some comparison while my former 2004 is still fresh in my mind:

 

2009

 

+ Engine - pulls strong, very smooth, more soulful sound than before (though still not exactly a passion-inducing engine note)

 

+ Handling - lighter, seemingly more surefooted

 

+ Windshield - incredibly quiet compared to stock 2004 shield, and almost as good protection as the former Aeroflow, which was barn-door sized. The bike as a whole is less sensitive to cross-winds and delivers excellent protection from wind blast.

 

+ Brakes - no power assist. This alone is worth the price of admission.

 

+ Lighting - stock headlight puts out a better, farther reaching pattern

 

+ Added Fuel Capacity

 

+ Trip Computer and ESA are fun to play with

 

+ 49L Trunk - cavernous compared to the old bike's 33L topcase.

2004

 

+ System Cases - not painted, so they wear like iron. Also, they have cargo nets in the case AND the lid - new model only has the net in the case

 

+ Styling - subjective, sure, but the only model is curvy and feminine where the new one is angular and more masculine. I like the old one. And I like the R1100 styling better still.

 

That's it? Yes, for now, it is. With 600 miles under my belt, I've managed to fall deep in love with the new steed, and it is, to me, an improvement in almost every way over the older design. Both are fine machines, but here's to progress!

 

Stopped by the dealer yesterday and saw my 2004 was in fact sold and being picked up that day by the lucky new owner. Whoever he or she is, I hope it brings as much enjoyment as it did for me!

 

-MKL

[moshe_levy]

Why was everything underlined? Sorry about that!

 

-MKL

[T__]

MKL, no mention of the trans gearing differences? Do you find the 1200 trans gearing is more useful than the 1150 in the 5th & 6th gear ranges?

 

Twisty

 

[moshe_levy]

AHHHHHH, good point!

 

It's a tradeoff. The newer bike is running about 500rpm higher in 6th than the old, so it's a working a little harder at the typical 80-85 cruise up the NJTP.

 

But the upside is, at 50-60, it's not running as high as it used to in 5th.

 

Overall, I'd say the gearing change is positive and welcome. he trans itself "snicks" into gear and is less clunky than before.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention all this.

 

-MKL

[johnlt]

"Now That It's Broken In ...." I'm happy to inform you that 600 miles is NOT broken in. 6000 miles is NOT broken in. After 10-15K you'll notice even more improvement in power and smoothness.

[Paul Mihalka]

My real experience (no bs) is that current boxers are more or less broken in at around 20K miles, fully broken in at around 50K, and then they stay the same I don't for how long. At close to 200K the motors don't show signs of wear yet - and that on mostly Castrol GTX (another oil thread?)

[moshe_levy]

Guys-

 

Yes, I did not mean literally broken in, but past the 600 mile initial "run in" as the manual calls it. I wanted to give my thoughts while the old bike was fresh in my head. Putting 50,000 miles on this new one might take awhile, and by then my memory of the 2004 would be faded....

 

-MKL

[cali_beemer]

Not sure what fuel economy is like for you but my 05 i had with 13k miles, i was able to achieve 55mpg on the freeway with a mix of using the cruise control. I have never got nearly that high on an oilhead, even my 1100RT never came close.

[EddyQ]

"Now That It's Broken In ...." I'm happy to inform you that 600 miles is NOT broken in. 6000 miles is NOT broken in. After 10-15K you'll notice even more improvement in power and smoothness.

 

My RT has 12.5Kmi and you are right about the power. The front end lifted on me(slightly)the other day unexpectedly. I think it use to take a little more effort.

[lvnvbiker]

Going from under 10k to 34k on my RT I will agree that as the miles climb the bike gets better, and now on my GSA pushing 50k the front lofts pretty easy when it hits the pipe leaving the apex of corners. They, like us and wiskey, get better with age.

 

 

[Albert]

My 06 is a chick magnet. I really hadn't expected that.

[boatzo]

Moshe,

 

Thanks for the comparison, very interesting.

 

Paul, I now have 101k miles on the rt and it has never run better. I consider it now fully broken in

[outpost22]

My 06 is a c hick magnet. I really hadn't expected that.

 

Don't they make a mess on the seat?

[BFish]

moshe..stop all this comparison stuff. i luv my fast silver 2004 RT that fits me like a glove.

 

you know how hard it is to not test drive a new 1200RT?

 

[Dick Rothermel]

I would have to agree with Paul's assessment on broken in. My 07 has 62,000 miles and simply runs smooth and happy as a Singer! (that's a sewing machine for you youngsters!) Dick

[Paul Mihalka]

I would have to agree with Paul's assessment on broken in. My 07 has 62,000 miles and simply runs smooth and happy as a Singer! (that's a sewing machine for you youngsters!) Dick

 

Sorry, it runs like a Pfaff! That's a German sewing machine. We had one at home when I was a kid and already I did the oiling and maintenance on it

[Paul In Australia]

My 06 is a chick magnet. I really hadn't expected that.

Hi Albert

You really do have to stop smoking that stuff. It will rot your brain man.

have fun

regards

Paul

[Paul Mihalka]

My 06 is a chick magnet. I really hadn't expected that.

Until they see you?

[twilmotte]

Moshe,

Excuse my ignorance, but when you say, "+ Brakes - no power assist. This alone is worth the price of admission." Do you mean that the brakes are not so damned sensitive at low speeds? I'm confused on this one. I appreciate your observations on old vs. new -- I'm about to buy a low mileage 2008 R1200RT and put my 2004 up for sale.

 

 

[cali_beemer]

Moshe,

Excuse my ignorance, but when you say, "+ Brakes - no power assist. This alone is worth the price of admission." Do you mean that the brakes are not so damned sensitive at low speeds? I'm confused on this one. I appreciate your observations on old vs. new -- I'm about to buy a low mileage 2008 R1200RT and put my 2004 up for sale.

 

 

I dont understand the dislike by some for the servo brakes. As for being sensetive at low speed, am I the only one that knows how to control a brake lever. I am on my 5th or 6th bmw with servo brakes and I havent had any problems with it or its sesitivity. I definatly wouldnt be making it a priority to not have it on a bike..

[moshe_levy]

Tom-

 

The newer RTs do not have fully linked, power assisted brakes as your '04 does. While it is apparently a matter of personal preference, overall I believe the overwhelming consensus is that the natural, linear feel of the non-power assisted brakes (and the elimination of the fully-linked setup) makes for a much nicer setup. Of all the things I hated about my 2004, the power assisted fully linked brake system was far and away my biggest complaint.

 

-MKL