Big mistake...R1200RT!

jbim

Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
32
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
I made a big mistake today. I went to a BMW dealership and test rode a R1200RT. I fell in love with the handling. Much nimbler than the ST. You can easily feel the lesser weight. Two quirks: the gear shift is not easily accessible under the engine head. The turn signals on each side and the cancel on the right side need some getting used to. Other than that, I could get used to this bike.

The one huge difference in favor of the ST is the engine, much more smooth (actually the RT is not smooth at all) and the power. No surge on the RT however.

So, here's my question to you guys: what do you think I would miss the most of the ST if I traded for an RT (obviously, other than the members of this amazing forum, the best IMHO all hobbies combined)?

Thank you for any feedback.

Cheers
 
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jbim said:
I made a big mistake today. I went to a BMW dealership and test rode a R1200RT. I fell in love with the handling. Much nimbler than the ST. You can easily feel the lesser weight. Two quirks: the gear shift is not easily accessible under the engine head. The turn signals on each side and the cancel on the right side need some getting used to. Other than that, I could get used to this bike.

The one huge difference in favor of the ST is the engine, much more smooth (actually the RT is not smooth at all) and the power. No surge on the RT however.

So, here's my question to you guys: what do you think I would miss the most if I traded for an RT (obviously, other than the members of this amazing forum, the best IMHO all hobbies combined)?

Thank you for any feedback.

Cheers
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The MONEY I spent on maintenance!:p:
 
I like the RT. I have several BMW-riding friends in the area, and I've been able to do a few short ride comparisons.

I like the torque/HP of the ST. It scoots better than the RT off the line and in passing situations.
I think the handling is comparable, maybe a slight edge to the RT. A rider can get VERY aggressive with a ST if they are so inclined.
I like the price of the ST relative to the RT. Same goes for maintenance.
I like the looks of the RT. I'm not that thrilled with the ST's look.

In the end, it's all about what makes you happy. Best of luck, whatever you decide ;)
 
I have heard really good things about that bike. My last 2 bikes were BMW's, but the four cylinder ones.

What you will miss the most is not having to take your bike to the dealer for those maintenance intervals. BMW's can be expensive to own compared to a Honda.

Other than that, maybe the acceleration of the Honda. This v-4 is a great engine!:)

Why not have both? Bamarider does...
 
I ran into an RT rider on my recent cross country trip. He was riding with his wife, and they both said they were going to have to get a new seat, that the stock seat was just not going to work out. While that is not uncommon, it is something to be aware of.
 
hehe, I haven't made the mistake of riding the RT yet. I am afraid that I'd find the ergonomics better since it is a bit more upright and the ST is hard for me to get quite like I'd like it (as in JUST RIGHT). I perceive the ST will be more reliable though, and that is a big factor. I would only get an 07 RTif it was me since I don't want the servo assist. I am not willing to pay for maintenance on a BMW unless I can do most of it myself, so I'd have to see about that too. Price is the main kicker since I got a great deal on a used 04 ABS ST that seems to feel like new to me and know I'd have to put in at least $8-9000 more to get the RT. All I perceive I'd get out of it would be a newer bike, more insurance cost, possibly more maintenance and expense, maybe better ergonomics, not as good engine. Decisions, Decisions.

JDP
 
I test rode the RT before buying my ST1300. I liked the RT better but I didn't like it $5,000 better which was the OTD difference in price. I've bought a bunch of farkles for the ST to make it just the way I want it and I still have not burned through that $5k difference.

The RT is a sweet bike though, no doubt about it, and certainly has the edge on the ST when it comes to weight and handling.
 
Look around and see how few dealers there are out there. I've owned 5 BMW's both airhead and oilhead boxers - all great bikes!

Lack of dealers is why I switched
 
You might miss your $$$. Check STN beemer sub forums, seems not only will the rear end give out on you, so might the clutch. And appearently the clutch is a NON-DIY. It's two pices and the case has to come apart.

I really like Beemers, But I will never own one.

Tom de
 
My Best Friend has an 05 RT and I an 05 ST...
We've switched a couple of times...

Its a beautiful well put together motorcycle. They both have the strong sides. We STers usually insert our biases because of obviously where our home is..
The same way BMW's fans will do as well..

To me its not that much slower than the ST..Not by much..The engine displacement is smaller however the much lighter weight makes up a lot with regards to the engine size. We've been side by side and punched it and I'm not pulling away by much.

I think he paid 16 OTD at the end of the model year and I paid 13 for mine. The price difference is not that much when you consider all the things that I have purchased to improved things that simply are not needed on his bike...

Seat, bar risers, (His has ABS, mnes does not)..heated grips, I needed a better windshield, he does not, He has cruise, etc...

Yes the 2 things I do not like are the vibrations..which ANY bike compared to the ST is going to feel like a woman's helper:eek:: and the mirrors...your vision is 40% gloves and handlebars..

It is though a very nice bike..the maintenance more often and more expensive, again compared to the ST, ANY bike will likely need more maintenance..

Agreed on the dealer network...
 
Motorcycle = "motor" + "cycle".

"Motor" is the first part, and no bike I've ridden has a motor I like better for the kind of riding I do than the ST1300. The newest RT I rode was an 1150. It's best quality was handling. It's lighter than the ST so that's no surprise, but the ST handles superbly so it's like comparing Granny Smith apples and Red Delicious apples.

The RT's shortcomings which doomed it for my consideration were the coarse motor and clunky shifter. I don't understand the appeal. Putting the $$ aside, I'd buy the ST (and did) because it's smooth and refined.

Ride what you like, man...you only go around once! I can't imagine anyone here would disown you for choosing an RT.
 
Bones said:
Motorcycle = "motor" + "cycle".

Ride what you like, man...you only go around once! I can't imagine anyone here would disown you for choosing an RT.
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+100

:poPoST1:
:03biker:
:policeST:
:biker:
:06biker:
:04biker:
:ggw1:
:cbcgw1:
: bgw1:
:chop1:
:sbs1:
:bannana
 
Your dilema reminds me of my ex-wife. Initally she looked great and handled very well. Ergonomics were spot on. Maintenance cost were low. She had all the right words and all the right moves. Then it all went south!

Maintenance cost soared! And after a few years the newer models started looking so good. I won't go into the details but it cost me a fortune when I decided to turn her loose!

Just the other day, I was in a Beemer store and sitting there was a yellow and black K1200S! WOW! It was everything my ST is not! I just had to have her! Older and wiser now, I decided to look into it before I said "I do". By the time the wedding was over, I would have propped down around $18,000 before I carried her in the door of my home. Apparently, everything I've heard about the maintenance cost of the Beemers is true! Found out also, that the fancy automatic suspension, although highly recommended is a potentially costly item; e.g. Rear shock alone cost approx. $2,000 to replace and usually runs out of juice around 30,000 miles (that's two years for me!!)

So, I came home dejected to my dirty ST and my little VFR sitting faithfully just waiting for me to play with them and it hit me. I've got the best of both worlds at a combined cost of less than what that one georgeous bike would cost me. My ST has been faithful, never let me down. Cleaned up she is beautiful. She's a little on the heavy side but, ... so am I !! I just don't think I could have it any better. I'll let some other poor sucker be bedazzled by the K's beauty and let him soak his money to keep her happy. I'm hanging with my two ladies.

Good luck, bro in whatever decision you make.

Sam
 
NCSam said:
My ST has been faithful, never let me down. (well once it did, after Tor worked on it) :crackup
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Heyyyyy, watch it....


Hmmm, interesting...., do you think it is a psychological thing...a "head growing too big thing"..a "I AM RIDING A BEEMER" thing? Why would you pay 10 grand more for a bike if the improvements are marginal? Beats the hell out of me....Anyhu, hope you're doing good, Sam..:D ..
 
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You are going to miss the power, I went on a long ride with a friend who rides one, in passing situations I smoked him, in the twistys I was pushing to keep up with him, I was scraping hard parts left and right. One thing the new BMW's are not as reliable as they used to be, I know of one ex BMW rider who would take a final drive unit with him on long rides.I'll keep th ST.
 
Maintenance between the 2 bikes, pretty much washes out. Yes, the RT has to be serviced every 6k miles, currently about 250 bucks a pop at the dealer.

BUT, in my case, the RT returnes 10-12 mpg more than my ST. It consistently gives me 55-58 mpg. Using my last long tour as a guide, I save 250 dollars for every 8k I ride the RT instead of the ST. The other factor is tires. Again, only speaking in MY situation, the RT's rubber go over 15k miles before I have to change out. The ST's Z6 come in about 12k.

But yes, the Honda is less trouble to maintain. My 1300 has almost 50k miles and has yet to have the valve covers off. Only tires, oil changes, and one coolant flush.

The 1100 series BMW did have final train issues, but so far the 1200 has been good, but not a lot high mileage 1200 RTs around yet.

The RTs transmission is much improved, but still NOTHING shifts like a Honda.

The RT with its upright seating position, excellent aerodynamics, handling, and vast array of touring extras, make it a hard bike to beat. Honda should take note. The V4 is the ST's edge. It makes a lot of power all across the band. The RT has good power, but the bike seems to get "busy" around 100 mph, where as the Honda is just getting to cruising speed.

The RT is just a lot of fun to ride in the twisties, and cruises very well on the open road at anything below 100. The ability to set the suspension on the fly at the press of button, gives the rider the optimal suspension position on any kind of road. Gonna be in the mountains? Hit the button, firm up the pre load and dampening for leaning. Heading back to the interstate? Hit the button again, and go to comfort, bring the windshield up for the quietest ride in motorcycling, and set the cruise.

Those things come at a price. I love riding the Honda, every bit as good as bike as the RT, but it NEEDS those options to complete the package. I don't think the Honda cockpit can ever get as quiet as the RT's, but its not like the ST's is noisy. But it definately needs cruise control, ESA, a good heated seat, and a 6th gear. And I'd pay whatever to have that stuff on my Honda.
 
Re: Big mistake - R1200RT!

jbim said:
I made a big mistake today. I went to a BMW dealership and test rode a R1200RT. I fell in love with the handling. Much nimbler than the ST. You can easily feel the lesser weight. Two quirks: the gear shift is not easily accessible under the engine head. The turn signals on each side and the cancel on the right side need some getting used to. Other than that, I could get used to this bike.

The one huge difference in favor of the ST is the engine, much more smooth (actually the RT is not smooth at all) and the power. No surge on the RT however.

So, here's my question to you guys: what do you think I would miss the most of the ST if I traded for an RT (obviously, other than the members of this amazing forum, the best IMHO all hobbies combined)?

Thank you for any feedback.

Cheers
Click to expand...


I've tried several BMWs and I actually liked the older R1150RT better than the new 1200RT,,, but if I was going to spend that kind of money on a SportTouring machine I would go with the new K1200GT, styled much like the RT, even lighter, has the new transverse inline 4, smooth, fast, sweet machine. But still expensive for maintenance unless you can do most of your own.
 
Be happy and ride what you feel is best for you but here's my comment from someone who owns both a Honda and a BMW.

(originally posted at thread - Tagsport Pimped my Ride)

I pained over to buy an RT or an ST for the better part of a year. Only after doing the math on both the purchase price and the maintenance costs for both did I take a test ride on the RT and then the ST. Both are very nice bikes and quality and performance for both are well proven however the smoothness and ever present power of the ST1300 made my decision fairly easy, ST1300. This is my preference base on the personal appeal of the ST over the RT not to mention I kept $$$ in my pocket on the sticker price and even more on the maintenance. My ST is a fraction of the cost it would have been to maintain the RT and remain under BMW's warranty protection.

I have both an ST1300 and a BMW GS so the bikes are not comparable however my experience with my dealer's service and attitudes might be of value. I'm lucky to have both BMW and Honda within 15 minutes of home. Both Honda shops are friendly, courteous, flexible and professional while BMW are certainly professional but not at the same level of customer service. I would say the difference is that Honda wants to service both the customer and the bike while BMW seem to feel they are there to service the bike and the customer is there to pay the premiums on the invoice. Neither are really better or worse, just different.

I have a few friends with BMW's which explains my plate :D One "RT friend" has ridden my ST1300 a couple times has hinted to swap bikes for a few miles while on a couple trips. "No thanks", I've said, and then gave the throttle a twist with a smile.

An other buddy really wants to test ride the ST and I've offered to let him take mine for spin but he declines. He knows he has a preference for the ST over his own RT! Problem for him is his wife also rides a BMW and so I think there's perhaps some "brand dependency" in his garage.

Maybe my comments will help you in making a decision, then again, maybe not. If you do decide on the RT, enjoy it and be sure to read my plate when I pass you. ;)

Cheers,
 
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