Thinking about getting a R1200RT

[Boxerdad]

Well my 96 1100RT is fast approaching 110K, and while I know it has many more miles left in it I've long been weary of the pull to the right.

 

I'm considering getting on a 1200RT. Can anyone lend their advice on 1200RTs? For instance I'd like a radio, but is the 1200 sound system of good quality...or at least better than my 1100RT? I won't buy a new one, are there any problems with any particular model years?

 

Anything else you can think of would be helpful. And by the way......does it pull to the right...or left?

 

John

[Guest Kakugo]

Hexhead: the later the bike, the better. Servo brakes were gone in 2007, 2008 saw a few small upgrades to ESA shocks, FD etc.

Sadly the radio is, at least for me, near on useless at anything over 55mph. Considering the highway speed limit here is 75 mph, I did away with it. Judging by demo bike, the Camhead radio is much better at highway speeds than the old model but I'll leave the final word to those with more experience in this regard.

 

Finally: my bike (2009 Hexhead) doesn't pull right or left. It goes straight like it's supposed to.

[SPX]

Well my 96 1100RT is fast approaching 110K, and while I know it has many more miles left in it I've long been weary of the pull to the right.

 

I'm considering getting on a 1200RT. Can anyone lend their advice on 1200RTs? For instance I'd like a radio, but is the 1200 sound system of good quality...or at least better than my 1100RT? I won't buy a new one, are there any problems with any particular model years?

 

Anything else you can think of would be helpful. And by the way......does it pull to the right...or left?

 

John

 

I own a 2011 R1200RT. The radio is fine, even at highway speeds, IF I am wearing earplugs. Without earplugs, I find the radio to be of limited value.

[mneblett]

Interesting on the pull to the right -- I had a '99 R11RT which pulled to the right; required moving the swingarm to the right 2 mm to get it to go straight.

 

My '09 and '12 R12RTs rode/ride straight as an arrow (unlike my K16's (pull to the left -- part of the reason I moved back to the RT).

 

2010 is the change from the hexhead to the overhead cam camhead engines, new radio controller ring on the left handgrip, Bluetooth capability (if you have the BMW Bluetooth headset, the ring controls headset volume). I never use the bike's speakers, only the headset. Sounds fine. The system works well with an iPod/iPhone as well.

 

2008 (09?) drain plug/fill plug added to final drive ;vent added about the same time).

 

2007 new Integral brake system (no longer power assisted).

 

2011 failing fuel strips eliminated and replaced with a float mechansim.

 

In sum: the later the model the better.

[kmac]

I just demoed a 2012 R1200RT and man was that a nice bike. I do not like the hand controls for the electronics and the seat was still not my favorite but other than that I loved the bike. I wish I could afford one.

[George S.]

Only two things about the new RT that are not fantastic. The seat, which no kidding, IS a torture device, and the redone turn signal switch. I can't signal a left turn without taking my hand off the left handgrip. My thumb just ain't long enough.

[kmac]

The turnsignal switch was part of the controls thing I did not like. For me it was more about the big wheel that controls the the computer stuff being awkeward and in the way of the turnsignal switch.

 

Power, handleing, ride, were all great and a HUGE improvement over my relic.

[ully211]

Have had the radio on an "02 RT (60K miles) and now my '09 RT (33K miles).

 

Have loved the radio on BOTH bikes, and that includes riding 75+ mph. '09 includes the AUX input for an MP3/IPOD.

 

Just my .02 ...

[blackyam]

... the redone turn signal switch. I can't signal a left turn without taking my hand off the left handgrip. My thumb just ain't long enough.

 

Hi. I felt that way too when I first got my 2010 RT, but now I'm comfortable enough to activate and deactivate the indicators even with the clutch lever pulled in. YMMV.

 

---John.