Parking my new RT in public places

[BeamerRider]

Hey all, I'm new here and this is my first post in what I believe will be an exciting forum to learn new things. I'm just getting back into biking after a hiatus so long it should be considered I have literally no experience. I did ride a Yammy 650 back in the mid '70's but that's it. My family's grown and now I'm gonna treat myself and get back into the biking thing with a new R12RT. Being new again, one of the big questions I have is about parking etiquette for public places as I plan to ride my new beamer more than just road trips. Maybe even errands. Being concerned about security primarily (I will have an alarm on the bike)but also about the proper do's and don'ts of motorcyclying I'd like to get some tips from you guys (and gals) about where to and not to park when I go places around town and on the road and any other related tips you can offer. (I tried to do a search on this but lacking for time right now and wasn't very effective). Thanks for your help and looking forward to learning and sharing more in the future.

[David13]

I think the more important thing than parking is rider education. There are 100 or 1000 risks that you must be able to watch for, regularly.

That can only come with education and learning from the mistakes of others.

Parking, just use proper spaces and all. Don't park on the sidewalk, a hill, in the street, or anywhere they can directly run into your bike. Don't park in deep, where they can't see the bike.

Usually people don't bother a parked bike. They only try to kill you once you get moving.

dc

[upflying]

Fortunately you didn't choose a sport bike or HD so the theft factor is low.

Try to avoid parking where the bike interferes with the mix of pedestrian movement.

Find nooks and crannies at the end of parking lot aisles. Do not park in the cross-hatched areas of disabled spaces. When choosing a spot, consider what a cage driver would think of your bike being parked there. If it's offensive and "in your face", expect vandalism or having the bike kicked over. Many lots have motorcycle spaces, use them. Although you have a right to the space, avoid parking in a space designed for a cage. That could provoke the spark needed for parking lot rage.

Do not park in front of bar where loud piped, ape hangered Harley's park.

 

[Penforhire]

I don't worry about anything but being hit by another car. Our RT's are not attractive to thieves, near as I can tell.

 

One thing I do is park at the rear of as spot so a driver looking for an open spot will not blindly swing into my rear end (hidden by adjacent parked cars/trucks). I combine this with parking just off-center so another motorcycle can easily park staggered ahead in the same spot, as a courtesy.

 

I almost always leave it in gear, even on level ground, and use the side stand. That makes it a little less likely to get pushed forward, off the stand, accidentally.

 

I avoid douche behaviors like parking on the sidewalk next to the front doors of a business. If a lot is completely packed AND they provided no m/c specific parking only then do I consider a non-marked nook or ordinary lane end-hatched area (I agree on not hindering any handicap access).

[Peter Parts]

Gawd, I've spent 45 years considering this topic as an urban biker. First, upflying is right, BMW are not big targets for stealing. Main issue is damage and, speaking for my local scene, I rarely lock the bike on streets, prefering a steering angle the aids stability rather than deters theft.

 

Prolly most important factor is to live where helmets are the norm. Otherwise, any jerk can make off with your machine. And where folks are well-behaved. OK... we can't all live in Toronto.

 

Getting serious, the essential issue is being able to see things through the eyes of car drivers. Never park where they will have any challenge in getting in or out of adjoining spaces and being able to see your machine, preferring to be in front of cars rather than behind.

 

Anyway, that's the idea.

 

Ben

middle of a big rain cloud - web weather radar is my first stop.

 

 

 

 

[SuperG]

It does not matter where you park "bad luck" or some drunk women will find you soon or later.

 

 

youtube video.

 

LINKY ---->

[markgoodrich]

I just park in a parking space. I have an alarm. I have no idea where the fob is, or how to arm it. Sometimes I remember to lock the steering. I treat it just like my car.

 

I do take the gps off most the time, at motels, although my unit is so old I doubt anyone would steal it.

 

Don't obsess about this issue, any more than you would your other vehicles.

 

 

[apirkle]

I picked up a cover for my new-to-me R1150RT. Nelson-Rigg XL size fit well; not sure if sizing would be the same for your R12RT.

 

My main reason for getting the cover was to protect the bike, particularly plastics, from the brutal Texas sun since I'm commuting to work on it. I've found that I like having the bike covered if I'm going to be parked for a while - say, going in for dinner. It's just another deterrent to people from messing with the bike, particularly drunks etc who might want to sit on it.

[Bill_Walker]

One basic thing you may have forgotten: don't park head-in in a downward sloping space. The RT is a heavy bitch to pull out by hand.

[Quinn]

One basic thing you may have forgotten: don't park head-in in a downward sloping space. The RT is a heavy bitch to pull out by hand.

 

Let me add to this from my experience. If in doubt about level, back into the parking space; that way it won't matter if you've guessed wrong. also, if parking in a sloping space, point your nose uphill so the bike doesn't lean too far over to stand back up easily. And leave it in first gear so it can't roll backwards and tip over.

 

I try to park where I can see the bike if I'm stopped for lunch; if not possible, then where the drivethrough window can see it. Just as long as somebody is watching it, I feel safe enough to leave the tank bag, gps, and helmet on the bike. If unsure, I've got room in my side case for the tankbag and gps and can carry my helmet with me.

 

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[KDeline]

I don't think I have ever read on this forum, MOA, or ADV rider of a BMW getting stolen.

[upflying]

I don't think I have ever read on this forum, MOA, or ADV rider of a BMW getting stolen.

I recall one story on the forum a few years ago. A member from Santa Clara or there abouts. He heard and saw the suspect ride off with it from his home driveway. Recovered a few days later, all beat up and abused. Insurance totaled it.

[BeamerRider]

I think the more important thing than parking is rider education. There are 100 or 1000 risks that you must be able to watch for, regularly. dc

 

Thanks David. Although I've had the motorcycle designation on my drivers license all these years, I took the basic course to refamiliarize myself last week. I can well recommend Awesome Cycles here in Houston, TX as a great place to take a course both for your license qualification and just for regular 'ol getting used to it again. They do a great job. Thanks to everyone else who has been generous with a lot of good tips. It seems just about everyone agrees basically about the way to do it. It's just one of the areas I'm giving thought to as I get ready to get back on two wheels. I've found the cycle insurance I want and need to get health insurance just in case. After that, just need to decide if I want to buy new or used. Would buy used but BMW has such an attractive offer for financing a new one, it's hard to pass up. Anyway, if anyone has any more tips for me to consider as I take this step, including but not limited to parking, I'll be glad to hear them. Thanks for all your help in getting ready.

[Quinn]

Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough is an excellent book to read; some people re-read it every year as a refresher for the start of riding season.

 

My previous bike was also a Yamaha 650 from the 70's. I too a break for about 17 years before getting back in with an RT. I chose the RT because of the neutral sitting position and its ability to do what I envisioned doing as a re-born rider. That said, it would have made more sense to have started with a smaller bike for a year or two and then moved up. Compared to the 650, the RT was a top-heavy pig at slow speeds, hard to back out of the garage, and had a too tall first gear and grabby brakes. But I took it real easy and survived. Spent the first weeks just riding around the cul de sacs in the neighborhood learning how to stop, start, and turn all over again while balanced atop the big cow.

 

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[Mister Tee]

If I can find a safe, non-car parking space I'll park my bike there. Otherwise, I leave enough room in the stall so another bike can park there.

[Mark Mayo]

I second the suggestion to be careful of the RT's weight when selecting a parking space. I like level ground first and then pick from there. I have heard about and experienced tough times when an RT starts to lean too far. You might be buff but the RT is 600 pounds and if it starts leaning too far it will go down. Stay focused until the kickstand is fully engaged. Load it with gear like my RT in the photo and it only gets more difficult.

Thank goodness we are usually under power moving forward!

 

 

 

[Codeman]

The only things I can add is be careful of heavy oilspots in frequently used spaces. They can be slick. And check local parking laws on head in and sidewalk parking. I know a lot parking enforcement guys in my neck of the woods who actively seek out bikes to ticket for non head in parking and sidewalk parking even if the bike isn't blocking.