Moving up to a R1200RT ?

[kiwiaudio]

Before I try to find one to test ride, can someone tell me if any of the idiosyncratic mannerisms, that are the subject of my love/hate relationship with my old '98 R1100RT, are addressed with the 1200RT ? I can only afford to move up to an 05 thru 07, so that figures into my question. I've heard the 1200 is a giant leap up from the 1100, but in what way did it impress you?

 

Specific TADT love/hate issues that all of you that have been there can relate to:

 

Starter motor engagement - will it or won't it make that awful noise this time ? (yes i've lubed the throwout )

 

Transmission and engine noises of all kinds !

 

Clutch/input shaft rattle in neutral !

 

Extreme slop in the shaftdrive excarcebated by the complete lack of anything resembling smoothness in the engine/tranny. I've taken to pulling in the clutch in low gears rather than rolling off the throttle, which is akin to throwing out an anchor !!

 

I'm going to stop before there is way more hate than love

[Full Speed]

Hi Kiwi,

 

I just got my '05 RT two weeks ago, and I have experienced none of those flaws. Though, it only has 10K miles on it. It sounds like those issues could arise in most any model with extreme use. No machine is bulletproof, though I am confident that I have the right bike for giving the odometer a work out.

 

While I've never ridden an 11, I read that the RT12 is considerably lighter, with significantly more power.

 

I have very little to complain about. I suppose if I were really forced to nitpick then I'd mention my servo brakes being a little noisy at a stop, though they work excellent. If you don't like the R1200RT, then you probably don't like motorcycles.

[dirtrider]

Afternoon kiwiaudio

 

You are really going to have to ride one for yourself. What’s quiet to me might be objectionable to you (I wear ear plugs)

 

The 1200 hexhead is still a large bore 2 cylinder so the power pulses are not as smooth as the 3-4-or 6 cylinder. Much better that the older 1100/1150 but still a large 2 cylinder with a non spring center dry clutch. It does have a balance shaft for some rocking couple harshness reduction.

 

When hot you will still hear some trans neutral rattle.

 

The engine is somewhat quieter than any of my 1100’s but you are still sitting right over an open air/oil cooled harsh firing pulse 2 cylinder engine with lots of internal chains & non hydraulic valve train.

 

Still some slop in the drive train as the trans is a sliding shift collar affair with no syncros & loose fitting dogs. Not as bad as the 1150 6 speed but to me not as quiet as the early “O” ring 1100 5 speed.

 

The 1200 is light years ahead or the older oilheads in throttle control & engine power but it isn’t a GoldWing as far as power smoothness & low RPM high gear roll out.

 

The 1200RT is a nice bike as far as ridabilty goes, brakes are good, tire wear decent, fairly decent air management. Best BMW 2 cylinder I have owned, but still not perfect.

 

[David13]

Well, I would say if you don't like the R1200RT, then you don't like tractors.

After some absence I put a few good miles in all types of road on 2, a 2008 and a 2011.

About the only real difference was that the newer one, a demo, and not for sale yet, had a lower idle, which caused it to sound very much like stalling unless I brought the idle up with the throttle.

On the 08 I think the idle was set a tad higher, so it did want to vibrate me off the bike at the stoplight, but it didn't stall.

The vibration. I suppose tractor is a poor comparison as I have driven a few tractors, far smoother than these 2 RTs.

The transmission. Clank. Only I mean a big loud clank. I've driven trucks with quieter gear boxes.

The clutch, twang. Like a huge sling shot.

The suspension. Any horse I ever rode seemed to have a better appreciation of the surface of the earth.

In all fairness, cranking up the bike to about 80, the vibration did reduce to a moderate chatter, kind of like a vibrator chair, set on low setting.

The sun shines on all the dash, and none of it can be seen.

The wind does not seem to affect the bike, at all.

Anyway I put the deposit on the 08 and went back today to finalize the details. And I should pick it up within the next week or so, at most.

dc

[Deek]

Afternoon kiwiaudio

 

You are really going to have to ride one for yourself. What’s quiet to me might be objectionable to you (I wear ear plugs)

 

The 1200 hexhead is still a large bore 2 cylinder so the power pulses are not as smooth as the 3-4-or 6 cylinder. Much better that the older 1100/1150 but still a large 2 cylinder with a non spring center dry clutch. It does have a balance shaft for some rocking couple harshness reduction.

 

When hot you will still hear some trans neutral rattle.

 

The engine is somewhat quieter than any of my 1100’s but you are still sitting right over an open air/oil cooled harsh firing pulse 2 cylinder engine with lots of internal chains & non hydraulic valve train.

 

Still some slop in the drive train as the trans is a sliding shift collar affair with no syncros & loose fitting dogs. Not as bad as the 1150 6 speed but to me not as quiet as the early “O” ring 1100 5 speed.

 

The 1200 is light years ahead or the older oilheads in throttle control & engine power but it isn’t a GoldWing as far as power smoothness & low RPM high gear roll out.

 

The 1200RT is a nice bike as far as ridabilty goes, brakes are good, tire wear decent, fairly decent air management. Best BMW 2 cylinder I have owned, but still not perfect.

 

An excellent write-up I think.

[Jerry in Monument]

Anyway I put the deposit on the 08 and went back today to finalize the details. And I should pick it up within the next week or so, at most.

dc

 

Wow. Since you're in CA, do you have to go through a background check and waiting period to buy a motorcycle?

 

In April I bought my '96 RT and the whole affair including test ride took 1 hour 45 minutes and I was on my way home on my bike; bought it from BMW of Denver.

[Sweendog]

I've test ridden an '10 RT, and compared to my current '99 RT I would say that the newer bike 'feels' bigger when you sit down on it; however that feeling goes away once you're moving. (It was really pretty magical.) It seemed to be smoother once under way than the '99; however both bikes are really good.

 

I didn't notice significant noise (other than the alarmingly loud "KLUNK!-you're-now-in-first-gear transmission, which seemed to be present in both bikes.

 

Take w/a grain of salt, I only had one test ride on the '10, and I've only had the '99 for a few months. =)

[David13]

I do. Like after I committed I had to see the psychiatrist to see if I was crazy or what.

But I also have to find something to do with the bike I now have and that's still up in the air.

And I wanted a better price. And it's about 75 miles away, so I can't walk back and forth.

And I have about 100 other commitments at the moment, such as things to do, so a four hour trip to get a new bike when I have a perfectly good bike is not a top priority.

Etc.

dc

 

Oh, yes, and they were very indignant about whether they wanted to sell the bike to someone like me at all, so that took time to resolve.

 

 

[VinnyR11]

I went from an 1100 to 1200 and mine never really did impress me, at least as far as leaps and bounds above the R11. The new bike handled the twisties and irregular surfaces even better than the R11, which I thought already did a great job for such a large bike.

 

Although the bike was lighter it felt bigger, and for me that feeling never went away. Too tall (I had the standard height suspension) and too wide, although I'm not sure if it actually measured wider. I also liked the looks of the older bike better.

 

As far as your noises, clunks, etc., that may be more due to miles than bike.

[kiwiaudio]

Hmmm, thanks for your replies guys. Sounds like i might not be gaining a whole lot with this move. Besides, my 98 is not an inanimate object you know ! Every time i think about selling it, the damn thing puts in its best performance of the year! The next ride though she will act and ride like a 5 gallon bucket of bolts - whats up with that ?

 

I never use earplugs and I'm in the market for a full face helmet, so if i find a quiet one that may mask my noise sensitivity ......... maybe I'll give it a while yet. I have too much time invested in the old girl to be making rash decisions. But having said that, I'm surely going to test ride a 1200 when I'm in Columbus next week !

[Dan M]

I think you'll find the difference from the 1100 to the 1200 to be substantial.

Like the 1100 & 1150 handling is very good for a big bike but the motor is noticeably smoother and more powerful. Passing is much easier on the 1200, especially 2 up.

[longjohn]

 

I didn't notice significant noise (other than the alarmingly loud "KLUNK!-you're-now-in-first-gear transmission, which seemed to be present in both bikes.

 

Take w/a grain of salt, I only had one test ride on the '10, and I've only had the '99 for a few months. =)

You probably already know this but if you're stopped and in neutral and want to get into first gear without the klunk, pull in the clutch, depress the shift lever until you feel some resistance, then depress it the rest of the way. 1-2-3, easy.

[David13]

Clunky transmission. With 3200 miles on the bike. BMW's are just notorious for clunky noisy transmissions.

The other major problem, just riding back from Riverside, every single car I came upon, ... slowed down. They can't tell the RT from the RT-P.

Another problem. On the 800, the cars all drive fast around it. On the RT, all the cars are going real slow.

That won't look good to a cop.

On the 800 I could never go on the freeway with my visor open 1/2 inch.

On the RT I rode all the way back, 75 miles, and didn't realize the visor was open 1/2 inch.

That adjustable shield works nice.

dc