Civilian riding an ex RT-P, more or less road rage etc?

[1960apache]

I know it may be an odd topic, but I have seen quite a few almost new RT-P's on the market, Black, Black/White, Blue, all White, and since I am having serious withdrawal symptoms since I have cut back on riding so much due to riding safety reasons.

I am curious to hear from people riding these bikes, do you seem to get less aggressive drivers, lane splitting haters, less people cutting you off or pulling in front of you?

I had an 03 Blue/White Zebra, K1200RS, and thinking back, I did get all kinds of reactions from other riders, cars, etc. The main thing that sticks out, is I don't remember having any bad experiences, probably the worst would be when I was in the left lane, and cars in front of me would suddenly slow down to the speed limit, but take forever to get out of my way and merge to the right!

Anyway, just thinking, plus I kind of like the narrow bags for lane splitting, and I figure at least I would probably be past other drivers before they could cause any problems when they figure out it is not an LE, or, it could go the other way and they get angry because they got their blood pressure up for no reason and then do what?

Chime in?

[upflying]

Most drivers fall for the deception and tend to drive like a cop is around when my black and white -P was present. That often means they slow and carefully signal lane changes. It's fun watching seat belts being flipped on and cell phones disappearing. A few drivers know the difference and will actually go out of their way to annoy me with aggressive and illegal driving behavior. Maybe they think I am a "wannabe" cop and are trying to bait me into taking some action. Little do they know.

As a courtesy, I usually ride my -P 5 mph faster than prevailing speeds just avoid holding traffic up behind me. I also try ride my bike professionally and as legal as possible to avoid contributing to negative public opinion and negative stereotypes of LEOs.

I have since painted my -P all gray to avoid the nonsense I mentioned.

[Mister Tee]

I didn't have a -P but nevertheless occasionally people DID mistake it for one. I've had other people tell me it's difficult to tell them apart in the rear view mirror.

[AllenW]

Don't have much of a riding season here in Minn, so we don't see many LEO on bikes, mostly funeral and parade work for them.

Most of them on Harleys anyway.

 

Years back my step dad have a plain jane black Crown Vic and it was almost fun to drive, people drove pretty slow around that car usually..

 

Al

[notacop]

I loved mine. Used to cause consternation with the squids on the mountain roads. I used to get the rescue team trucks and Forest service folks pulling over to let me bye. Used to get waves from fellow Black and White bike riders, real officers and other. Lots of people in cars do react to the B&W and give way. Very useful on mountain roads. In states where BMW motors were less prevalent, I was ignored like any other motorcyclist.

[kmac]

I get people slowing down and moving right all of the time and my bike is light green, Glacier Green actually. People in Ca. are used to the molded in mirrors and medium sized windshields and the headlight shapes of BMW RtP models which are the same as regular RT models.

 

I get people hanging up phones, and clicking seat belts, especially at night, but even in broad daylight.

[rgraham]

Most drivers fall for the deception and tend to drive like a cop is around when my black and white -P was present. That often means they slow and carefully signal lane changes. It's fun watching seat belts being flipped on and cell phones disappearing. A few drivers know the difference and will actually go out of their way to annoy me with aggressive and illegal driving behavior. Maybe they think I am a "wannabe" cop and are trying to bait me into taking some action. Little do they know.

As a courtesy, I usually ride my -P 5 mph faster than prevailing speeds just avoid holding traffic up behind me. I also try ride my bike professionally and as legal as possible to avoid contributing to negative public opinion and negative stereotypes of LEOs.

I have since painted my -P all gray to avoid the nonsense I mentioned.

 

All the same as above, including the +5MPH. I have never had anyone seemingly goad me into a reaction via reckless driving however. Riding my other motorcycles is noticeably more dangerous on the freeway, as some people just don't care about motorcycle enthusiasts in general. Tail gating, pulling out in front of you, cutting you off...etc., just doesn't happen much riding the RTP. They still will do it, but not anywhere near as much as on my other bikes. I don't care if people think I'm a wanabe. I just say yes, I'm a wanabe safe as I can when riding.

[JOHNNYWISHBONE]

unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp

[upflying]

True they have little resale value, that's about the going rate for one now. Cheap thrills is about the only reason to buy one. But since you asked, I used mine for an escort business.

[1960apache]

Most drivers fall for the deception and tend to drive like a cop is around when my black and white -P was present. That often means they slow and carefully signal lane changes. It's fun watching seat belts being flipped on and cell phones disappearing. A few drivers know the difference and will actually go out of their way to annoy me with aggressive and illegal driving behavior. Maybe they think I am a "wannabe" cop and are trying to bait me into taking some action. Little do they know.

As a courtesy, I usually ride my -P 5 mph faster than prevailing speeds just avoid holding traffic up behind me. I also try ride my bike professionally and as legal as possible to avoid contributing to negative public opinion and negative stereotypes of LEOs.

I have since painted my -P all gray to avoid the nonsense I mentioned.

 

All the same as above, including the +5MPH. I have never had anyone seemingly goad me into a reaction via reckless driving however. Riding my other motorcycles is noticeably more dangerous on the freeway, as some people just don't care about motorcycle enthusiasts in general. Tail gating, pulling out in front of you, cutting you off...etc., just doesn't happen much riding the RTP. They still will do it, but not anywhere near as much as on my other bikes. I don't care if people think I'm a wanabe. I just say yes, I'm a wanabe safe as I can when riding.

 

I guess I am not too normal, so that is the main reason! haha! Actually the main thing that has my interest are the crash bars, narrow bags, and trunk, since this would just be a one up bike, and I hate the way a tail/topcase looks on bikes! And, I just think the all Black is a great looking bike!

 

OK, seriously, that was what I wanted to know! I can't imagine what would be going through the mind of someone taunting what could be an off duty LEO? I guess that goes to show what society has come to and how ignorant people have become, I guess a human life must be an easy target when they are on a 600lb, vulnerable 2 wheel vehicle!

 

Anyway, I guess one of the main reasons I have cut back on riding and taken up other activities are some of what is mentioned above. It's not what I can predict, but what I can't predict, which is the other guy.

[kmac]

True they have little resale value, that's about the going rate for one now. Cheap thrills is about the only reason to buy one. But since you asked, I used mine for an escort business.

 

Escort business? You can't even take a date on a RT-P, they don't have a back seat. And i don't even know where you would sleep with them on it...

 

[cali_beemer]

I have ridden an RT-P and I am amazed at how many people get out of your way. As for safety, I would amlost think some of the reactions made being on an RT-P a bit less safe. People can freek out when they see it and become alot less predictable. On a side note, I followed a car into the gas station on my 04 RT. I stopped to get gas and the lady pulled up to me and said she thought I was a cop pulling her over....LOL...

[bmwsit]

unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp

 

Fans for the oil coolers, dual batteries, crash bars, no rear seat, different style front seat.

[cali_beemer]

unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp

 

+1.....the only item that the CHP bikes have that I have wanted for a long time is on my civilian version. The precision calibrated speedometer. I am guessing the original owner of my bike(a cop) had it swapped out. I have checked my speedometer at every 10mph mark from 0-100 and the speedometer is right there at what my GPS indicates +/- 1mph. I have never had a BMW come close to that on the past. I love it! but every other item on a cop bike is useless for civilian riding.

[tallman]

We sold and maintained BMW police bikes to 5 different entities.

 

We also sold older RT-P's on occasion.

Buyers usually wanted the different look having seen the bikes in use and relating to the image or styling.

Some were new to the BMW world and liked the crash bars as a feature.

A couple were going to use the bikes for escort duty.

One was a firefighter who converted it to a fire dept. tribute bike.

Another was a National Guard member who painted his to resemble a bomber from WWII using bomber grey and a figure on the front with a scrolling name.

One bought an RT-P as a gift for his father to be presented after a complete restoration.

Some were going to always ride solo and loved the set up of the RT-P.

Plenty of stories about the bikes and how each person related to the design and appearance.

 

When I test rode the bikes I found that people either saw the bike and drove stupidly or didn't see the bike and drove stupidly, until they saw the bike and then freaked.

Best wishes.

[notacop]

"unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp"

 

Well because it was a well maintained 1100RT with the P qualities. Great solo platform. Big comfy seat. I got the big bag lids and opened up the radio box so it was a good sized trunk without sticking up in the air.

I paid $5900 for it. I rode 62K miles and only replaced the alt belt and the HES. Cheap ride! Some folks repaint them and the kinda blend in like any other bike. I liked the B&W. It is an elegant paint scheme, like a Yellow/Black GS.

Until if falls over or gets out of sorts on uneven surfaces it was good. About blew out my back picking it up once and sprained my wrist hanging on keeping it up right another time. Heavy POS!

[essman]

I did buy mine for $2500 and it was a no-brainer. Ride a BMW-RT with bars and bags all the heavy-duty stuff for that price. They are well maintained by the CHP and it gave me very good service for the money. I did find that I had to be even more careful riding it, as people did even more unexpected things than normal (though I guess one should assume nothing and nothing is normal when you are riding) like lock up the brakes when a traffic light turned yellow if you were behind them. It was interesting in the canyons--the reaction from other bikes and cars around you, though I sometimes worried that someone might lock-up and slide off the road trying to slow down. The lower gearing of R-final drive was a nice feature, though it knocked the MPG down a bit. I really liked the bike, but replaced it with a newer 2006RT, which I like even better.

[Froggy]

True they have little resale value, that's about the going rate for one now. Cheap thrills is about the only reason to buy one. But since you asked, I used mine for an escort business.

[AllenW]

Just curious, how was it geared lower, tranny or final drive and did it effect low speed handling for the better?

tia

Al

 

 

I did buy mine for $2500 and it was a no-brainer. Ride a BMW-RT with bars and bags all the heavy-duty stuff for that price. They are well maintained by the CHP and it gave me very good service for the money. I did find that I had to be even more careful riding it, as people did even more unexpected things than normal (though I guess one should assume nothing and nothing is normal when you are riding) like lock up the brakes when a traffic light turned yellow if you were behind them. It was interesting in the canyons--the reaction from other bikes and cars around you, though I sometimes worried that someone might lock-up and slide off the road trying to slow down. The lower gearing of R-final drive was a nice feature, though it knocked the MPG down a bit. I really liked the bike, but replaced it with a newer 2006RT, which I like even better.

[TheGreatGazoo]

A R1100RTP has a 31-11 rear drive gears (2.81 ratio) verses the stock R1100RT 32-11 rear drive gears (2.91 ratio). Both use the same transmission ratios so this should make the RTP accelerate slightly slower than the stock RT but have a slightly 3% higher top speed or lower engine rpms at the same speed.I Painted my RTP a light blue because I had enough of people thinking I was a officer and slowing down In front of me, or flagging me down at minor traffic accidents and getting pissed that I was not A officer.I got the RTP because it was a good value for what it is.It allowed me to add lights to it easily on the crash bars and light mounts.I also did not feel bad about changing it's color as I would have if it had cost me a lot more money to buy.

[notacop]

Either it has the GS rear end or the trans. Doesn't matter anyway. I never bothered to max red line mine but the one time I juiced to scoot past a slug out of Mesquite, the GPS said I got up to 103. Quite quickly and effortlessly. My mileage averaged about as good as any RT 'cept for the new 1200's Got 60mpg in Colorado once.

Low speed handling. Depends on your sense of balance and talent. Motor officers can do remarkable low speed maneuvers but, I've watched them fall down break mirror too.

[ratfink]

If you ever have to trailer your bike the crash bars make for easy tie down points.

 

You can start and idle the bike while on the sidestand.

 

Upgraded suspension, although it will probably be severely worn.

 

Locking sidestand lets you park on a downhill slope.

 

You can jumpstart your own bike.

 

Extra switches and fuseblock make adding and controlling accesories very easy.

 

Your $2500.00 bike will get more attention than a $30k chopper.

 

A couple times I have come upon speed traps at worrisome velocity.

The squad car began to move but then stopped and stayed put. Is that an advantage?

 

Around here OSP runs dark blue bikes, WSP has some that are all black. County sheriffs bikes are usually all green or green and white, most any RT could be easily mistaken as a police bike.

 

 

 

[essman]

I had my 1150RTP at the same time that I had an 1100RT, and my experience was that the at the same speed, the RT-P ran at higher rpm and it got slightly lower mpg. This was while taking an all day ride with a friend, he was on my RT-P and I was on the RT and we were comparing notes. It also seemed that the RT-P as significantly quicker off the line---of course it also had a larger motor. I had been told that the "1150R" final drive was used on the RT-P to give it that quicker acceleration for chasing down perps---but I'm no expert.

[SuperG]

As far as fuel mileage and quicker accel. goes, dealers can program police spec fuel management to the r1200 bikes,

May not all agencies do that to their P bikes.

[mikecrml]

I paid $2100 for my '04 RTP with 60K and could not be happier. My wife said" No more black Ducati's or Harleys- I want you to be visable to the cage drivers" It is my favorite bike out of the 6 I have. I have a 15 mile comute and it is the best. Get on the highway- 85 is the sweet spot and everyone gets out of the way! Testing on a track showed 125mph as max- fine for what I use it for. And the radio box holds a 12 pack! I'll never get rid of it- way too much fun for the price.

[Pat Buzzard]

WHERE!!! Are you guys finding $2500 or less RTPs!?!!

[BULLman]

unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp

 

+1.....the only item that the CHP bikes have that I have wanted for a long time is on my civilian version. The precision calibrated speedometer. I am guessing the original owner of my bike(a cop) had it swapped out. I have checked my speedometer at every 10mph mark from 0-100 and the speedometer is right there at what my GPS indicates +/- 1mph. I have never had a BMW come close to that on the past. I love it! but every other item on a cop bike is useless for civilian riding.

My RT-P's speedometer was off Or, it could of been my GPS I loved the radio box for storage, I used the crash bars more than once (tip overs in parking lots), now the tranmission....

 

that's another story

[cali_beemer]

unless one got an RT-P for less than $2500.00, why in the world would any normal person want one? just curious. jp

 

+1.....the only item that the CHP bikes have that I have wanted for a long time is on my civilian version. The precision calibrated speedometer. I am guessing the original owner of my bike(a cop) had it swapped out. I have checked my speedometer at every 10mph mark from 0-100 and the speedometer is right there at what my GPS indicates +/- 1mph. I have never had a BMW come close to that on the past. I love it! but every other item on a cop bike is useless for civilian riding.

My RT-P's speedometer was off Or, it could of been my GPS I loved the radio box for storage, I used the crash bars more than once (tip overs in parking lots), now the tranmission....

 

that's another story

 

I am not sure all RT-P's got the precision calibrated speedometer. Her ein California, the CHP requested this change shortly after starting with the BMW. They had to change many of them out and all units in the futute came with them. I love being able to look down at the speedometer and know my exact speed. I was shocked when I went to go check it. after putting the GPS onthe bike, I decided to check to see how far off the speedo was. I was shocked when I saw it was dead nuts on. every other motorcycle I have had, including non BMW's have always been off by 10%.

[cali_beemer]

I paid $2100 for my '04 RTP with 60K and could not be happier.

 

That is an incredible deal for an 04'. Congrats on the steal.

[Pat Buzzard]

Again where can I get one that cheap??? I'd love to get my wife a beemer!

[pbbeck]

Here in LA, my black-and-white RTP was a mixed blessing. When the freeway was stopped dead or moving slow, people would get out of my way thinking I was a cop. I really enjoyed that. The flip side... when traffic was flowing at the usual 75-80 mph, I'd have to be really mindful of cars slamming on their brakes in front of me trying to get down to the legal limit. On several occasions, I had motorists pull over on surface streets thinking they were being pulled over.

 

Once I get yelled at by a CHP officer as he came out of a sandwich shop I was parked in front of. He asked for my ID and lectured me on how I can't ride a black-and-white bike. A call to his supervisor straightened him out. He apologized and let me go.

[upflying]

You need to make a copy of 27605 CVC and put it next to your bike registration and insurance. That's what I do when I encounter LEO's who aren't aware of the black and white exemption regarding motorcycles.

 

27605. No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle painted in

the manner described in Section 40800 to resemble a motor vehicle

used by a peace officer or traffic officer on duty for the primary

purpose of enforcing the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with

Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000)

pursuant to Section 40800.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles which

are painted one solid color or to vehicles first registered on or

before January 1, 1979. These provisions shall not apply to vehicles

which are any of the following:

(a) Owned by vehicle manufacturers or dealers.

(b) Used by law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of the

provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division

11 (commencing with Section 21000).

© Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively

for movie or television production and display signs stating "movie

car" prominently on the doors.

(d) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively

for funeral escort purposes.

(e) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.

 

 

[Glenn Reed]

You need to make a copy of 27605 CVC and put it next to your bike registration and insurance. That's what I do when I encounter LEO's who aren't aware of the black and white exemption regarding motorcycles.

 

(e) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.

 

 

I am guessing that it is section (e) which is the most important here, no insignia?

[James Clark]

You need to make a copy of 27605 CVC and put it next to your bike registration and insurance. That's what I do when I encounter LEO's who aren't aware of the black and white exemption regarding motorcycles.

 

27605. No person shall own or operate a motor vehicle painted in

the manner described in Section 40800 to resemble a motor vehicle

used by a peace officer or traffic officer on duty for the primary

purpose of enforcing the provisions of Division 10 (commencing with

Section 20000) or Division 11 (commencing with Section 21000)

pursuant to Section 40800.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles which

are painted one solid color or to vehicles first registered on or

before January 1, 1979. These provisions shall not apply to vehicles

which are any of the following:

(a) Owned by vehicle manufacturers or dealers.

(b) Used by law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of the

provisions of Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000) or Division

11 (commencing with Section 21000).

© Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively

for movie or television production and display signs stating "movie

car" prominently on the doors.

(d) Owned by persons or companies who use the vehicles exclusively

for funeral escort purposes.

(e) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.

 

 

I thought you weren't supposed to argue with a cop on the side of the road???

 

What happened to "sign the ticket, hire a lawyer, waste a couple days days in court so someone can get their overtime, and let the system work"?

[tallman]

You need to make a copy of 27605 CVC and put it next to your bike registration and insurance. That's what I do when I encounter LEO's who aren't aware of the black and white exemption regarding motorcycles.

 

(e) Motorcycles, as defined in Section 400, without insignia.

 

 

I am guessing that it is section (e) which is the most important here, no insignia?

 

Yes.

The fun part is removing them.

Sometimes that went smoothly w/out issues involving the paint.

Sometimes not so smoothly.

 

I have city lids I planned on using one day but getting the TPD stuff off left them messy so on some others I just

left the PD stuff and hung it in the garage.

Eventually got rid of all my surplus RT-P stuff like lights and bars.

[essman]

I bought mine for $2500 from a guy near Sacramento who buys a lot of the from the CHP and resells them. It was a couple years ago and it was a 2002 with 100K (not a smokin' $2100 for a 60K bike deal) and it gave me two years of excellent service, I made a few mods and traded it for a 1992 R100GS that I sold for $3200 a week later---actually, after riding it, I sort of regret selling the GS. It was my first airhead and I liked it.

[Pat Buzzard]

That is outstanding. Does this guy have a website?

[Rick vW]

I love the solo seat, narrow bags and the 2 tone BW on mine. RTP's are great! ... But beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course!

[upflying]

I sense a common theme in this thread. It's riders who want to experience the BMW excellence at a cheapskate and skinflint investment. Added benefits are cheap registration and insurance at very little if any depreciation. You also own a piece of history.

My thoughts exactly.

[leikam]

Here in LA, my black-and-white RTP was a mixed blessing. When the freeway was stopped dead or moving slow, people would get out of my way thinking I was a cop. I really enjoyed that. The flip side... when traffic was flowing at the usual 75-80 mph, I'd have to be really mindful of cars slamming on their brakes in front of me trying to get down to the legal limit. On several occasions, I had motorists pull over on surface streets thinking they were being pulled over.

 

I had the same mixed experience riding an RT-P. It certainly got noticed but that wasn't always a good thing.

[Pat Buzzard]

I sense a common theme in this thread. It's riders who want to experience the BMW excellence at a cheapskate and skinflint investment. Added benefits are cheap registration and insurance at very little if any depreciation. You also own a piece of history.

My thoughts exactly.

 

I'm not sure whether to be insulted or agree with you. While I was able to finally get ahold of a R1100RT, I initially was considering an RTP because of it's affordability. In today's economy there are many like myself who want the experience of riding an excellent, fine turned machine such as a beemer, but lack the expendable income to afford a brand new 1200RT. I don't think I'd say "Skinflint," or "Cheapskate." Those words carry a rather negative connotation which I don't think is necessarily warranted in this situation. If it is a choice between riding a used RTP or not riding at all, I think it is an easy decision. We should embrace all riders regardless of how blessed their finances may be.

[rolling18]

As a newbee to Motorcycling/ and 1200RT.. mine is light silver, w/ matching modular helmet, matching jacket..

reflective blue and black striping on the sides

(looks cool? sporty?) and these large reflective panels on the rear cases. It's cool because it's the BMW color scheme..BMW police??

 

I love that it stands out and demands attention, along with the Remus exhaust system

 

I was getting on I-84 and had to rapidly increase to get with traffic.. the dude in front of me actually SLOWED DOWN when I was behind him, and pulled off onto the shoulder! (guilty of "something??? hmmm.")

 

Maybe he thought I had an "escort" service

[ryan_a1982]

I think having tripple HID headlights and Motolights down low get peoples attention. I frequently find people slowing and moving out of my way. I bet they think I could be a LEO because the lights are so bright they probably think my blue bike is black.

 

I also like having the bright yellow coat but get annoyed at the comments that are made toward it.

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

I also like having the bright yellow coat but get annoyed at the comments that are made toward it.

 

I get 'em too with my FG mesh. I ask them if they happen to have fresh batteries for it.

[sundaeman]

Me three on the gear comments. The Mrs. and my son call me the bumble bee.

 

Around here (DC/MD/NoVA) there are only a handful of BMWs in LEO use (a few 650s and 11xxs). Maryland use to run 11xxRTPs painted like their cruisers, but went back to Harley a year or so ago. I generally get the same treatment as everyone else.

 

My LEO friends and a few others I may have discussed rate of travel with have never given me grief about the bikes color scheme.

 

I was wearing hi-viz on my RTP, with 3 rear brake lamps and still got hit about a year ago... I love the crash bars (and Motoport).