BUY New or Keep Old

[Paul In Australia]

Quandry here Guys and Gals. I have a 2008 RT with lots of little farkles that make it great to ride. I tend to ride longish trips at least twice a year and longer day trips. Litlle or nothing in town.

The bike has 95K kms ( 60 k miles) on it and is coming up to its fifth birthday.

 

In the last 3 months I have had the crown bearings go and now yesterday the FPC. A year ago the rear Shock dropped all its oil so i replaced both shocks with Wilbers

Thats probably fair enough considering use.

The bike was in the 4 years basically a sole rider but in the last year the partner has taken to day pillioning ( not long trips).

 

I was toying with the idea of a 1200GS ( new wet head about to be released here in Australia) but in the last few days , especially since yesterdays breakdown, I wonder whether another RT would not be the go.

 

The question is considering the 2008 RT 's mileage, the virtually no problems except the ones above, the fact I will continue to do long trips 90% on tarmac, should I:

 

1. keep the 2008 model and ride through issues that might come up like clutch replacement, seals wearing out etc

 

2. Change over to a 2013 RT ( maybe last of the cam head ones and reasonably sorted out mechanically).

 

I would really appreciate comments from people who have a strong mechanical knowledge of the 1200's especially the RT.

 

My mechanical abilities cater more to knowledge than practical implementation. I will probably always use a qualified mechanic for majors and restrict myself to oil changes and lubes.

 

Just not sure what to expect with the 2008 getting up there in mileage and a few recent expenses. Not sure whether going to a 2013 RT means a big difference in product performance or little annoying things that are fixed now.

 

best regards

paul

 

[Ponch]

Consider what your choices are: R1200RT, Triumph Trophy, C14, FJR and ST1300, if you want to stick with a sport tourer. If not, there are a lot more choices. Test ride and see which one you like best.

[w2ge]

FYI, Triumph Trophy really looks nice.. but replacement parts and training are sparse, so far. Some unhappy owners on a Trophy forum...

 

http://www.triumphrat.net/trophy-1200-triple/

 

First year teething issues...

 

One guy rode 131 miles (1 day) then his alternator quit and no replacement for 3+ weeks. Triumph offered him a $44 jacket for his "trouble".

 

[racer7]

My 08RT has only about 40K miles and had had no issues so far except the fpc other than wear parts like pads, battery, etc

 

Total miles on your bike are not so high. I tend to think of the RT as a 160K km or 100K miles bike (at least) so I'd probably keep it.

Especially if its fully farkled to your taste, there a bunch of bucks and time to get to that point with a new one that's not all that different than what you own. The older I get, the less I want the project work that goes with farkling new machines but you may still be in your "I need another project" phase...

 

For sure the 13 has addressed (but sometimes only partially) the re common foibles of the 08. But for any individual bike, some of the problems can come from how well it was assembled and whether the parts have all been made correctly. The new bkes have issues with switch failures, paint peeling off reservoir covers, etc etc that are new, also though things like a better fpc, better fuel pump flange fitting, fuel float address issues on the 08,

 

If you gotta have new, go for it, but don't bet it will be trouble free- that's always a crap shoot..

[Alfred02]

Hi Paul

Sounds like you fixed what is most likely to go wrong anyway.

If it was me...

I would hold onto it and wait until the new Wethead is out.

Then have a ride on it and choose between the bikes on the market then.

Give it a year for the to get the 1st year gremlins out and we are talking 3 years from now, unless you then decide to go for the Trophy which should have their teasing problems sorted by then.

 

[Guest Kakugo]

Paul, as my bike is piling up miles very fast I have been giving the thing some thought as well.

Like you I have already replaced a crown bearing. I carry around a spare FPC and the tools to change it.

Next up in line are the front brake discs. Fair enough, they need to be replaced at some point on any bike.

And given I have to practice uphill starts almost every day I wonder how long it will be before the clutch starts slipping... at that point I'll probably have the gearbox inspected to see if all's fine in there. Cheaper dropping it out at BMW than buying the tools needed and I trust the local dealer's head of maintenance.

 

Given the number of RT's sold worldwide and the mileage they are piling up I think all the major issues have been covered at this point.

 

Camhead... the Camhead does everything the Hexhead does a tad better. However in my opinion the performance difference (be it comfort, engine performances etc) is not that marked as to justify the money I would need to fork out to get a Camhead, even when taking a clutch change and gearbox inspection/rebuild into account. High mileage bikes aren't worth that much money, except to their owners.

 

Waterhead... personally I have never liked the ordinary GS. It's a great bike but does exactly zero for me. I am more of a GS-A/RT person. Judging by what I heard the new water-cooled bikes appear to be that leap forward that could justify the price. However they carry so much "bleeding edge" tech it would be unthinkable for me to buy them during the first two production years, especially considering BMW is wont to introduce small upgrades during the production run which end up making later model years so much more refined. There are strong rumors the new GS-A will be introduced at the Milan bike show this fall, while the new RT seems to be stuck in a limbo, but it will be definitely be available in 2015.

That's fine, I don't feel like changing my RT before that date and hopefully beyond.

 

[philbytx]

IMHO - Keep it mate

As others have said, you've done most of the R&R "heavy lifting" and the bike should easily see you to 160Km plus.

Just factor in a clutch replacement and that should be about it for you for the next couple of years at least... !

 

 

[Quinn]

I consider repairs and farkles as being just additional payments on the bike. When I've have a major expense like a clutch or new shocks, I just remember that I haven't made a payment for several years and if I'd bought a new one, I'd have been making those payments every month. So it's always cheaper to keep my old bike going than flee to troubles I know not of. Also, after plunking down the big bucks for something like shocks, I want to keep the old bike so I can suck the goodie out of the new to feel like I got my money's worth. Otherwise it's like remodeling your kitchen to sell your house so someone else can cook in it.

 

All that said, I've got over 100k on my '04 and I'm going into heat thinking about a new bike. The lighter weight and cruise control are good excuses for me, but it's really just lust. Nothing wrong with my bike and I dread having to re-farkle a new one. In a year or two the balance will tip to the lust side and I'll pull the trigger. Until then I may have to make another payment or two.

 

 

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[SWB]

I've been toying with a similar decision on my 2005 RT, which is a bit older than yours and has just under 70K miles. I tentatively planned on replacing it about now, when I originally purchased it. I even put down a fairly serious bid on a 2012 RT this past weekend, but wasn't too upset when bidding went over my top bid amount. (I also passed on a 2011 RT with 5K miles at $14,800 earlier this winter. There always seems to be a "steal" of a bike deal each winter, and that was probably it.)

 

I don't really expect a lot of problems between now and 100K miles, which could be 2-3 years at the rate I've been riding. Only failure has been an alternator at about 60K mi. I tuned up the bike a couple of months back, put on new tires, and it almost felt like a new bike.

 

I think the deciding factor for me is that fact that most of my riding is local. If I were taking on a serious ride (1000 mile plus away from base) and/or taking my wife, I'd have concerns about my BMW's reliability. SOMETHING will probably break on a 7 year old, 70K mile bike over the next three years, and more than likely will sideline the bike. I can fix it, but I don't know how much more of that kind of work I want to do. For now, though, my bike was paid for the day I bought it for $8K at 42K miles in 2008, and it's cost effective to keep riding it (like, almost "free" ).

 

So, if I start doing some cross country riding, I'll probably pony up for a late model used bike. Maybe next winter. 'Til then, I'm standing pat with what I have.

 

Good luck on your decision.

 

Scott

[tallman]

60,000 is low mileage, IMO.

 

Keep it.

 

Start making payments to yourself equal to bike payment if you sold/traded.

 

You'll have a repair fund or nice down payment in a year or two.

 

By then any issues with new models will be known and you may just find yourself w/a good running RT, cash on hand, and no need to change.

 

If however, your concern about mechanical issues, having a pillion, leading to a problem is a big concern, do what gives you peace of mind.

Best wishes.

[Selden]

...Keep it.

 

Start making payments to yourself equal to bike payment if you sold/traded.

 

You'll have a repair fund or nice down payment in a year or two.

 

By then any issues with new models will be known and you may just find yourself w/a good running RT, cash on hand, and no need to change.

 

If however, your concern about mechanical issues, having a pillion, leading to a problem is a big concern, do what gives you peace of mind.

Best wishes.

Perfect advice on all points. "It's paid for" is huge in my book. At 60,000km, yours is just getting broken in, and presumably you have already farkled it to your satisfaction.

 

I had been lusting after a GS for years, especially after the switch to the camhead engine, but avoided a tests ride because I was afraid I would be tempted. After a demo ride a few months ago, the GS didn't light my fire, but each rider is different, and you won't know until take a test ride.

 

Re waterhead vs late model camhead, I would choose the latter hands down because BMW has such an iffy reputation for engineering/quality control issues with new designs, and the waterhead is the biggest change since they introduced the oilhead engines 20 years ago — especially with the drivetrain, which moves the clutch to the front of the engine, and the swingarm to the other side.

[Paul In Australia]

Thanks guys

You have given me quite a bit to think about. It certainly is an interesting proposition.

I have just found a new factory trained independant tech, so i might spend a few dollars and get him to give the bike the once over an opinion as well.

 

I am now leaning, after your advice, to keeping it a while anod see what happens.

Knowing me, that probably means i could wind up with two bikes again.

Regards

Paul

[Selden]

Knowing me, that probably means i could wind up with two bikes again.

Which is not unlike have two wives or two girl friends: they both need care and feeding.

[GRB60]

....but it's a good problem to have, for the most part.

 

[Paul In Australia]

I have had four.

Dont need to do that again .lol

 

[Dave_in_TX]

I agree with several others that 60k miles isn't that much. I had an 07 RT that I put 140k miles on before trading in in on a 2011 RT. Most of my problems with the 07 were in the first 48k miles (sticking brake caliper, leaking transmission oil seals, etc.). The remaining 90k miles were almost trouble free. At around 100k, the switch in the clutch lever, that lets you start the bike in gear when the clutch is in, needed replacement And around 135k, the fuel pump outlet was starting to show the small cracks that several others have encountered. The 07 was still running well when I traded it in.

[elkroeger]

Ah, get rid of it. It just so happens that I'm in the market for an 08RT....

 

Actually, my philosophy is to ride it until the repairs and breakdowns become obtuse. I can put up with a mechanical failure now and then. But sooner or later it gets tiresome. Spend the extra dough on gas until you're sick of doing repairs.

[Old Sport]

As far as the GS goes how tall are you. they are pretty tall bikes.

[taters]

If you have deep pockets buy another rt. I got tired of all the repairs on my 04 rt.

I gave it to my friend. Bought a tiger 800. A new rt with all the bells n whistles ,tax,tags setup ,fees and you are fast approaching 25k. If they were super reliable I would buy an rt again. But they are not. I would feel real foolish spending 25k with all their reliability issues.

[Paul In Australia]

Ok guys the GS idea is dead. Now being " enticed" by a 2012 RT.

 

Will let u know where we go.

Thanks for the ideas.

Regards