Test rode a 2010 RT today and here is my take...

[Roadwolf]

Stopped in at the dealer today and noticed that they had several new RTs in stock. One demo was available and the sales guy says, "Wanna take her out?"

 

Heck yeah! The demo was the graphic stripe version, which looked okay, but like the solid colors better. At first glance, it is basically my 06, but upon further examination, the details start to differentiate the two.

 

The complaints about the reservoirs on the handlebars seem to be overblown a bit (I myself were griping about the cheapness of them), I think they are fine, but a bit wobbly, mounted on rubber mounts, which at speed were fine.

 

The talk about the bottom end having more grunt is true, I could tell a difference.

 

This demo also was loaded, every option conceivable... radio was rather good.

 

However, while not a deal killer, I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE the new turn signals. For me, not intuitive like the current set up. In fact, I had a hard time finding the turn signal by feel with the compact control pod on the left. Plus, I know this is by habit, but I kept trying to cancel the turn signal with my right thumb, only to find no switch. Changing to be like the rest of the two-wheeled world and to finally shut up the Moto-Press naysayers who panned the BMW switch layout from the past 30 years.

 

Other than that, a nice upgrade. May look at one in about 3-4 years, which by that time, the new RT will be replaced with the R1300RT.

 

 

[NewBlue]

I went and looked at them today. They had a polar white (light baby blue) and a matt grey, I liked this color/finish. I didn't road test, no reason, it's nice but I have an 09 so there's no point. Agree with the reservoirs, actually not bad at all. If I didn't have an RT would I consider one, absolutely. Would I trade an 09 for one, nope.

[elmer]

Rode the 2010. Liked the transmission and the clutch. Longer travel in the clutch males it easier to put the bike in the friction zone. Hated the rurn signals. Gonna keep my 08n and try to wear it out first.

 

Elmer

[elmer]

Rode the 2010. Liked the transmission and the clutch. Longer travel in the clutch males it easier to put the bike in the friction zone. Hated the turn signals. Gonna keep my 08 and try to wear it out first.

 

Elmer

[kdoddrell]

Went and looked at the 2010 RT yesterday. Money burning a hole in my pocket and REALLY wanted to fall in love with it. But Oh no, the containers on the handle bars, but more than that, the look has gone all "naked" around the hand grips, and don't get the wobbly mounts at all.

 

It is beyond my thinking that the look is an improvement. Not neat and tidy at all!

 

And then the dealer told me it was because of safety requirements. What??

 

Oh well, guess the 06 is going to keep going until the next model upgrade.

[Joe_C]

I took a demo ride yesterday and have to agree with the others in this post that that the turn signals are awful. And it's not that I'm not familiar with that style (rode a Yamaha for 15 years before my current and first BMW), they are terrible. Yes, it has a little bit more torque at the low end but nothing that amazing. I love my RED 2005 even more -- especially the ride home on my Russel Day-Long seat.

[chaparral]

Wait til ya own a 06 650GS and a 05 RT1200. Ya get both kinds of turn signals for total ambiguity in one day. Keeps you on your toes.

[NewBlue]

I went and looked at them today. They had a polar white (light baby blue) and a matt grey, I liked this color/finish. I didn't road test, no reason, it's nice but I have an 09 so there's no point. Agree with the reservoirs, actually not bad at all. If I didn't have an RT would I consider one, absolutely. Would I trade an 09 for one, nope.

 

I think I'm incorrect on the polar white, forget the name of the color but it is a real light blue. (as in very light blue)

[SWB]

" .. reservoirs on the handlebars .."

 

I can't fathom why they would do that, i.e. opt for a clearly inferior design while retiring a better one. I guess that's one of those things in life I'll never know.

[LeftCoastMan]

" .. reservoirs on the handlebars .."

 

I can't fathom why they would do that, i.e. opt for a clearly inferior design while retiring a better one. I guess that's one of those things in life I'll never know.

 

My guess? Efficiencies of scale. Use as many interchangeable parts as possible. Reduce inventory costs. Increase leverage on component costs.

 

BMW car and motorcycle owners are highly conservative in design and function, but only a small group complain. Then the changes become standard, and that group complains about the next change.

 

I don't know if the new reservoirs are a "clearly inferior design." I'd like to see evidence of that. Nevertheless, I'm sure that BMW is not going to produce an inferior product, but if it improves their profit, they're going to do that.

[Semper_Fi]

I went from a 08 RT to an 09 GT with the new switchgear

 

After a day's ride it was over,not a big deal and they are just as easy to work with winter gloves as the orginal

 

The specimen cup reservoirs although not as cool as the integrated version are fine.

 

Aesthetics - ymmv

[AZRTRDR]

What I dislike the most is the heat control buttons for the grips & seats.

To me there is no tacit way to tell if they are on or not and I had trouble reading the LCD to tell.

[Dreyfus]

I bought a 2010 RT the first week of March. It's my first BMW. I came into the purchase convinced that I would buy the '09. However, IMO after riding both, there is no comparison. The engine upgrades to the 2010 are significant and very apparent. Perhaps this was a bigger deal for me coming off 6 years on an FZ1, but both the '09 and '10 RTs make up for lower HP in significant torque!. I love the 2010 RT!! It's going to be a sad Spring for the FZ1!!

 

Lawrence

[ully211]

was in my dealership two weekends ago, and our salesman told me he thought it was for "... weight" considerations.

 

YGTBSM....

[Joe_C]

What's for weight considerations -- the brake and clutch reservoirs? Is the windshield bracket marginal because it saved a few grams of weight? It's not a 50cc engine sitting between our legs. Once the mass gets cruising the drag is all the air resistance.

[Beech]

One of the posts was wondering about the rubber mounted reservoirs. There was a foaming issue on hard mounted units. I personally don't think it is a problem unless you ride constantly at high rpm's but there is a factory recall for the K bike series for this. I don't see how this could ever be trouble on a RT. I have a 2010 model and like it. I still hate the turn signal switches but they will never go back ( re admit they were wrong)Another thing I like is the heated grip/seat selection does not default to off when you turn off the bike. I had an 06 and this is a great bike. Superior engine by far. Now if I can just keep it running. It stalls and is going in for a check up tomorrow. I bet theree would be an after market for the switch supplier to come up with retro switch packs complete with stock connectors for the bikes! I would buy them. beech

[LeftCoastMan]

I wonder if they made the turn signal change in Europe too?

[Bradley_Gillie]

For those of you that have ridden the 2010 RT, did the new windshield shape make any difference?

[TwistyChristy]

Have put a couple hundred miles now on my 2010 RT (matte gray one) It took about 100 miles to get used to the turn signals, but once used to them, they don't bother me at all. Turning them off is easier with the push button. The reservoirs look silly, but am enjoying the comfort of the ride so much that I am forgiving of some of these details.

[CoarsegoldKid]

So what's the big deal with the turn signal controls? Is it that the left hand operates both the on and cancel of both signals? Did they remove the self-canceling feature?

My Ducati is left hand manual on and cancel. It just takes a little thought.

And yes I think all signal controls should be the same as in cars, right where you would expect them to be without thinking about it.

[outpost22]

Wait til ya own a 06 650GS and a 05 RT1200. Ya get both kinds of turn signals for total ambiguity in one day. Keeps you on your toes.

 

Yes it does. I find it easy to switch to either one now without any fuss. I do prefer the switch over the paddles though. Everything is right at one thumb tip.