2012 R1200RT Road Test

[CVA-42]

The 2012 R1200RT is on the cover of the September 2012 edition of Rider magazine and there's a full road test inside. They heap praise on every aspect covered and offer not one criticism or negative word about the bike. Not one.

[cali_beemer]

Because, it's a darn near perfect motorcycle! Ok, the seat still $ucks!

 

Pat

 

+1

[dirtrider]

The 2012 R1200RT is on the cover of the September 2012 edition of Rider magazine and there's a full road test inside. They heap praise on every aspect covered and offer not one criticism or negative word about the bike. Not one.

 

Afternoon CVA-42

 

Unfortunately the same thing can be said for about every bike RIDER magazine tests.

 

Rider magazine is regularly available for $12.00 a year & sometimes even lower per year on special pricing.

 

This means that Rider magazine is supported mainly by it's advertisers, therefore they never bite the hand that feeds them.

 

You want to read a fair ( & impartial) motorcycle test then you need to subscribe to a magazine that doesn't accept advertising money from the companies & products that they write tests on (like motorcycle consumer news).

 

[upflying]

Hasn't the 1200RT been in production for 7 going on 8 years? It was dad gum perfect in 2005 too.

I'm waiting for the 1250 RT to come out, then Ill buy a 1200 RT for cheap.

[outpost22]

The 2012 R1200RT is on the cover of the September 2012 edition of Rider magazine and there's a full road test inside. They heap praise on every aspect covered and offer not one criticism or negative word about the bike. Not one.

 

Afternoon CVA-42

 

Unfortunately the same thing can be said for about every bike RIDER magazine tests.

 

Rider magazine is regularly available for $12.00 a year & sometimes even lower per year on special pricing.

 

This means that Rider magazine is supported mainly by it's advertisers, therefore they never bite the hand that feeds them.

 

You want to read a fair ( & impartial) motorcycle test then you need to subscribe to a magazine that doesn't accept advertising money from the companies & products that they write tests on (like motorcycle consumer news).

 

 

+1

 

They often read like the manufacturer supplied the article.

[CVA-42]

There's no doubt that MCN is more objective in it's product testing because it doesn't accept advertising money. That's the quality that I've always liked best about it and what makes it stand out from the pack. That said, not accepting advertising money does not necessarily make it always correct. It just frees it up to express its opinions. Just sayin'.

 

I still find the Rider test of the RT to be noteworthy in that not one negative word was offered. In spite of the fact that they do accept advertising money, the major mags can still be critical in their evaluations, albeit admittedly not to the same extent that MCN is. Both MCN and the major mags will sometimes "damn with faint praise" kind of like a bad fitness report in the military which can often be the kiss of death. As for expressing outright criticism, Rider also tested the 2012 Triumph Explorer in the same issue as the 1200RT. Here are some quotes:

 

"...there's some vagueness between the twist grip and rear wheel that takes a little getting used to."

 

"Clearly evident...is some abruptness in on/off throttle response."

 

"Despite my best efforts it was often difficult to hold a steady speed and avoid bump-induced throttle inputs."

 

"...having to root around in the setup menu to turn off the ABS or traction control is a hassle."

 

"...it could actually be less safe if a rider feels it's too troublesome to turn off the ABS when riding off-road."

 

"...it would be well-served to have similar ABS and TC buttons right on the handlebar, visible reminders that are easy to use."

 

"Yes, you can ride the Explorer offroad, but you must do so carefully..."

 

"...a bike of this caliber should be dialed-in straight from the factory."

 

Maybe these are not major issues or maybe they would be in particular situations. But Rider apparently thought they were important enough to be noted. I've read a lot of critical evaluations of BMWs in the past in more than one publication. The brakes, the switchgear, the suspension, the speed, the maintenance, the expense. Whatever. Rider's eval of the RT for whatever reasons may not have been as pure as MCN might have done but I'm still impressed and I still take it as good news.

 

 

[GordonB]

Well, I just took delivery of a 2012 RT to replace my 2007 and love every bit of it!