Used R1200RT buying advise needed

[RAINEY]

Hello All

I'm new to the forum but not motorcycles. I am thinking about purchasing a used R1200RT. One is a 2005 with about 60K miles and said to be well maintained and the other is a 2006 with 24K miles. If they have both been maintained well do I have anything out of the normal wear and tear to worry about? I know over all these are reliable bikes but I just don't want to buy one and spent another $1000 repairing something.

 

Thanks,

Jason

[Guest Kakugo]

Hi and welcome.

 

If you can afford it, buy a 2007, for no other reason BMW did away with the whizzy servo-assisted brakes on that model year. Not only they are expensive to fix if they fail, but some people don't like the feel of them.

Apart from that the only two major areas of concern are the fuel system and the final drive.

You'll find all sorts of horror stories regarding FD failures but bear in mind for every bike with some sort of failure there are ten or more completely trouble free.

The fuel system is, in my opinion, the worst designed part of the bike. Early fuel pump controllers were very failure-prone. They were later upgraded (old units are silver, new units are powder-coated black) so check if you bike has been upgraded. The part is relatively cheap and the swap takes minutes.

Fuel pump flanges are plastic and prone to cracking, There are some cheap DIY fixes if you don't want to splurge for a new fuel pump. BMW recently introduced a revised fuel pump to fix the issue but it's big $$$ if you are out of warranty.

The much maligned fuel strip appears to be a local issue, meaning failures are related to fuel quality in various areas. Some areas get no more than the expected (low) rate of failure and other get tens of cases.

But again, there are many bikes out there with high mileages and not a single fuel system issue to date.

 

All in all don't be put off by these issues: these are very well made bikes built with premium materials and if properly kept will give you many many (s)miles.

[RAINEY]

Thank you for the reply.

[hopz]

I want to say that the Whizzy brakes are nothing to avoid. If you like either the '05 or the '06 and the "karma" of one or the other fits... then go for it.

 

I ride an '05 and find the brakes great. Think "power brakes". If you like the idea of stopping then there is nothing more efficient and controlled. The computer applies the proper forces balanced between the front and rear correctly. Yes, there is a short learning curve (a few miles only) but nothing any reasonable person should be concerned about.

 

What to look or look-out for? I would ask for maintenance records, and look to see if they are believable. Things like dealer receipts or absent those, receipts for oil/filters/brake fluids etc. See if the dates follow the life of the bike. Absent continuous records you might want to see or hear a good story. An overly clean and well buffed-up bike always concerns me. Sounds odd but putting lipstick on a pig does not change the fact it is a pig. Normal wear and tear is no big thing for these bikes and in fact may be a positive.

 

Regarding the whizzy brakes look for some evidence that the brake flushes have been done. This can be done by the owner or at the dealers/shop. I do mine and know they have been done correctly.

 

Look at the rear end hardware. Does the rear wheel have any play in the 9 to 3 direction or the 12 to 6 direction. Take your shop gloves with you to look at the bike and grab the wheel and see if there any play in the rear wheel in those directions. 1mm is acceptable. More is a walk-away.

 

Other than those essentials you just want to see a clean and well maintained bike. Receipts and records are great. There should be a good battery in there. Tires should be in good shape. Everything must work.

 

I prefer a bike with no modifications, funny stickers or odd-ball indications. I like clean bikes but they do not have to be pristine if the basics are OK. Take the seat off and look around the hardware under there. Look for either all original things- easy to spot. If Accessories have been added- look to see if the wiring or modifications are competently done... no hack jobs are acceptable- to me. At this age having replaced shocks is acceptable and possibly a good sign. A conscientious previous owner is a good thing- not a problem.

 

It will be a rare bike not to have a low or zero speed drop, so a scuff or two on the valve covers is not a big deal. If there is major damage there you might hope to see no leaks under the valve covers. Most likely there will be valve cover protectors... many variants are possible, but if the protectors are pristine and obviously new, then you might want to see what's underneath, or at least hear the story.

 

Obvious things like oil leaks are generally not acceptable. These bikes should be dry. A little evidence of oil-moisture near the drain plug or oil filter might mean a recent service was done.

 

The mileage on the older bike is not really an issue if there is evidence that some competent caring previous owner is present, but... a 60K mile bike with no history might be a cause for questions or second looks.

 

Good luck and let us hear how it goes.

[Kritou]

Have a look for any breakdown of the powder coating on the sharp edges of the footpeg hangers and factor in any recoating you may have to have done into the asking price

 

The lower part of the front engine cover can also suffer in a similar manner. Once again it's not a walk away scenario but if present will have to be attended to in due course

 

There has been some discussion here about the life of shock absorbers after 30k miles and options available - might be worth a search

 

My first 05 R1200RT had 46k miles on it and was swapped for a 07 RTP with 18k - the three items mentioned above have figured on both bikes

[w2ge]

Have a look for any breakdown of the powder coating on the sharp edges of the footpeg hangers and factor in any recoating you may have to have done into the asking price

 

The lower part of the front engine cover can also suffer in a similar manner. Once again it's not a walk away scenario but if present will have to be attended to in due course

 

Isn't that purely cosmetic?

[John in VA]

I want to say that the Whizzy brakes are nothing to avoid. If you like either the '05 or the '06 and the "karma" of one or the other fits... then go for it.

Good luck and let us hear how it goes.

 

+1

 

Nothing about the brakes on an 05 or 06 that makes them less or more effective than brakes on any other year. Mine work great -- extremely powerful with excellent feel. I wouldn't avoid an 05 or 06 on brakes.

 

That said, 60k on any bike is a fair amount of mileage. Make sure it's been maintained well.

[RAINEY]

I ended up purchasing a new 2012 R1200RT. Loving it.

 

Thanks to all who replied

 

Jason