Buying a BMW R1150RT or R1200RT

[Rob Hilding]

Did a search and didn't find much except that quite a few people here have, or have had one of these......

The wife has expressed interest in more two-up riding and getting a Bimmer

I have little experience with either of these models, but they both seem to fit the bill (prices obviously favor the 1150)

Opinions and caveats sought to help us decide, please???

[MadDuck]

You'll probably like either one, a lot.  Wish I could my wife on the back of the R1100S, but nooooooooo......... 

[MikeZ]

Might be worth looking around in the ADV forum.
Lots of BMW owners over there

[carbmon]

They come up on the Two Wheeled Texans "For Sale/Wanted" forum occasionally.

[zooom]

1150 will be cheaper...

if you don't have a spouse...look at an RT-P !!

[BlackdogGS]

2007-up 1200RT.  More power and no servo brakes. 

[Rob Hilding]

2007-up 1200RT.  More power and no servo brakes. 

Always good to have a reason to spend more

Thanks for the tips

[Speeddog]

I rode a R1200RT at a demo day at BMW Ventura, 2-up with Binky.

Felt a little slow, heavy and boaty.
The odd BMW switchgear was annoying, though that would fade with more seat time.
Just too big and slushy for my taste.

I'd go for a K1200.

BTW, BMW Ventura is very friendly with test rides, stop by and ask.
Binky and I rode in once, just to look at the bikes, and the sales guy offered up a test ride.
we didn't even have to hint to get it.

[Rob Hilding]

Thanks for the tip, Nick!

I should ride both and decide - good excuse to ride over there this weekend.

I checked their website, and they have both R1200RT and K1200LT in 2008 model year.

The K is 50# heavier but has 42 more HP

[ducpainter]

Thanks for the tip, Nick!

I should ride both and decide - good excuse to ride over there this weekend.

I checked their website, and they have both R1200RT and K1200LT in 2008 model year.

The K is 50# heavier but has 42 more HP

A close friend traded his K model the first time he went in for service and a rear tire.

You might check on the service costs.

[SDRider]

How about a Multistrada 1200?

[Rob Hilding]

How about a Multistrada 1200?

I think it would be great but wife wants cushy (and if possible heated) seat , backrest, etc.

[Devil Duc]

Try this link out: http://bmwdean.com/r1200rt.htm

I got an '07 RT this summer and found a few differences over the model years while shopping around.  My higher priorities were maintenance and reliability.  There is a ton of internet inspired lack of confidence in the final drives on these bikes.  But you know how it is, all bad news and no good news on the internet so it sounds worse than it really is.  I don't know too much about the pre-2005 models.  IIRC (and anyone please correct me if i'm wrong) '05 and -06 had servo assisted brakes and sealed final drives.  '07 went to a single drain/fill plug on rear of the final drives to change the ~180mL of oil and dropped the servo assisted brakes. '08 added a fill plug on the top of the FD along with a drain plug on the bottom (finally). '10 changes included moving from an eccentric valve adjustment to shims with no increase in mileage for valve checks.

I love mine so far after putting on a couple thousand miles and a few 500-600 mile trips.  They feel a little top heavy with a full tank (7gal) at a stop, but I feel as though that ponderous tippy feeling goes away as soon as the clutch is let out.  Like it drops a 100 lbs as soon as the wheels are rolling.

So many options to choose from for available accessories too.  Loving the heated grips on those cool rainy morning of late summer.  Havent had to use the heated seats yet.  Cruise control is SUHweet, as is the adjustable screen.  Cons-  sounds like a tractor under a load, looks like a UFO.  Pros- pulls like a tractor at any RPM, ~55 or 60 mpg on the highway, ~45mpg in town.

Any other ?'s just let me know, I think we shopped for one for almost 2 years.  Decent used ones are pretty rare in these parts so I was picky, but left me lots of time to research.  Oh - and +1 on riding them, +1 on the ADV forum.  Good luck!

[Rob Hilding]

Thanks!! ^^

Just what I was looking for.

I just read on ADVrider about a NHSTA inquiry into FD failures - but 145 complaints in 12 years doesn't seem like
a pandemic to me

[mightys4]

I had an R1150RT, nice bike, had to have the seat reconfigured, they are uncomfortable from the get go, great long distance bike, funny, like someone else said... sounds like a tractor (was dissapointing).

Its a big bike really, at the time seemed like a PITA to roll out of the garage to go for a ride, where the S4R is just jump on and go... One thing I can tell you I miss though...  having 7 gallons of gas on board, I'm sick of stopping for gas!  But the Duc just sounds so goooooooood!

Never had a single issue with the BMW, nothing.  Rock solid and I had an 05 with the sealed drive, was reliable as taxes.  If I did a BMW again though, I agree, I'd be looking at the K bikes.