1200 RT buying advice

[BobA]

Hello People

Firstly, let me just say a quick hello, as I've only just registered, so have never posted before.

My biking background is a mixture of old scooters, Italian sports bikes, a few trailies, but mainly Africa Twins. My BMW ownership has been a bit limited, starting years ago with an F650 which I hated, and a current project R60/7 which is lurking in the back of the garage.

So, to my first question...

I've had an itch for a BMW 1200 RT for some time now, but know very little about them. I'm looking for a reliable mile muncher, something I can use for a 150 round trip commute to work, that will survive London bike bays, is reliable and not too demanding service wise, and is capable of whisking me off to Europe a few times a year.

I'm a bit of a tight git, and very wary of buying a lemon, so what should I especially watch out for when buying one of these bikes? I've been looking at ex-Police bikes on eBay, wondering if they are worth a punt?

I've spoken to a couple of 1200 RT owners who heaped praise on their bikes, but bizarrely, two days ago I chatted to a Met bike cop in London who said he hated his bike, and said it was an unreliable piece of crap.

Your thoughts please

 

[Riktus]

Oh thats a wide question......

Cops here tend to love the handling but hate the engine (not sure why)
R1200RT is a good bike for what you describe but so are many others - getting one for not a lot of money is a bit difficult because they tend to hold their value pretty good - compared to the likes of a Yam FJR1300 or a Honda ST1300.
Comfy for high miles (only problem I have is long miles in hot weather when abroad (little to no air flow to keep you ventilated)
Everyone complains about the mirrors but a set of bar raisers do the trick of pusing your hand far enough up to stop the obscured view.
Fuel consumption is good (varies depending on use and "riding style" I get an average of 54mpg for mixture of fast A roads and motorways)
Pillion comfort is excellent
Luggage capacity is excellent (if you can get the mirrors through a tight gap the panniers will follow)
Engine I feel is a peach (DOHC version)
ESA can give a little trouble as documented on this site but everyone I know has been fine.
Tyre choice can make or break a good handling bike. I like BT023's but others will post their choices.

Best for me the bike is comfortable and "fits" me - I can just relax or give it the beans - depends on my mood.

You mention that you dont want to pay alot - dont rule out the R1150RT - that is an equally fantastic bike.

Rik

 

[BobA]

Thanks Rik.

Are there any particular recurring faults affecting the 1200RT?

And what are the definitive years for updates and changes?

The average age of the bikes I've been looking at are 2007 models.

Cheers


Bob

 

[Myke Rocks]

R1200rt problems

In my 6 year experience of owning one, the only fault I have ever had is the standard fuel pump controller failure.
It started to "miss" at 22,000 miles, so I replaced the spark plugs and this cured the problem.
Otherwise boringly reliable.
As other correspondant has said: Fabulous handling, even fully loaded.
Unless you are Merkin sized, bar risers/move backers are essential to stop getting sore back on long runs.

On to design faults as opposed to breakdowns.
Mainstand. After an R1100/R1150. An abortion. On 1100, I could put the bike on the stand without dismounting, and ride off it. Brilliant. Balance was perfect. The R1200 stand is too far back and messes up the balance of the bike. They cured it on the GS later models, but never did so on the RT models. It is so bad I never use the mainstand.

Gearbox. In BMW's fine tradition, the gearbox has the worst possible selection of ratios for touring. It is a 5 and a half speed close ratio box.
If you are into drag racing, it is truly magnificent.
If you are touring, it is a disaster.
First is so high, that if you stop on a hill with a passenger, you must "smoke" the clutch to get moving again.
Sixth is the half ratio. So close to fifth as to make little difference.Bike revs it's nuts off when it should be pulling low revs.
When you are riding, you have to make 2 downshifts where on a sensibly geared bike you would make one.
The gearbox was so bad they had to put different lower 1st in Police version.
They later offered the same box in Adventure Gs as an option which everyone took.
Fuel consumption: I have had an average of 52 since I bought it. ( Real life - riding fairly forcebly) If they fitted a proper gearbox, this would probably rise to near enough 58.

Myke

 

[stever1]

As for the policemans comment, do you know what he rode previously ?. if it was a police UJM, then a lot of police dont take to an RT. One of the reasons many feds dont like them is the fact that its oil cooled and they have to keep an eye on the temp if working in town. A police instructor who i know says he prefers the RT over the Yamaha police bike, but not in town just for this reason.
Another area of concern is tyres, personally i dont like BT21`s which is a tyre that is often usd on RT`s, it squares off too easily and gives little feedback.
Interestingly, when i have been in the company of a group of police riders several dont like the bike, but cant really give a good reason why. In fact 2 of them i know dont like rt`s but have 1200 GS for there own bike.
Finally, last year when i was helping out on a bikesafe workshop i followed a Police sergeant on a particular route and his own skill level was appaling, he was riding it like a pocket rocket, you just cant do it. His own bike is a Blade and he cannot convert his style of riding. Just remember they are not all good riders and use your own judgement when listening to them.
As for the bike you here all sorts of tales about it, but when you talk to owners they seem happy with them, so go get one and ENJOY.

 

[ebbo]

First gear did feel high until the remap, after that noticeably better

Go for condition over year and millage, any bike that's been neglected or ridden on salty roads will show in the condition, mine still looks quite new at 30k and it's an 06

Blag a test ride or two at the dealers, see what you think then

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Bit of a contradiction in terms, "I'm a bit of a tight git, and very wary of buying a lemon"

You are more likely to get a "Lemon" if you pay penuts, you tend to get what you pay for I find.

I had an early (March 05) 1200RT, for 5 years, no problems at all apart from cracks in rear disc carrier which I fixed myself, and a repaint of the timing chest, again done by myself and documented here;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136102

Personally I would steer clear of ex cop bikes, tend to find although fairly well maintained are a bit hammered, and there's the cost of civilianising it.


My own experience with the early 05 was great, it didn't suffer with fuel pump controller, ignition lock problems that later models did, if I were to buy another I would look for an early private owned 05 about 30k miles, should pay around 5kish I would think.

I will say these bikes will not tolerate neglect and poor maintainance, which I find are usually owned by those that cite all sorts of problems

 

[stonehenge]

I bought a new twin cam last year and it was brilliant (good reliability, handling, speed, economy etc etc), on the right tyres (search on my name for my tyre thread). However, I found it slightly boring and the weather protection, good in the UK, was too much for the South of France and I overheated on my last trip abroad (made me sick....). So I sold it for another GS, that is more me.

Also, I work with one of the Chaps who run the Wilts / Glous Blood Bikes, and there RT's are suffering (at one point all of them off the road) and they prefer their Pans.

 

[Budweiser]

Early days for me have only just purchased my first 1200 (a new one). So far I have no real issues at all. When people talk tyres I would say that could apply to any bike so not relevant IMO. If you don't get on with whats fitted, change them. I also own an 1150RT which I am selling. I wouldn't go there if you have the money for a 1200.

Rider Power showed the 12RT as a top bike in its category for a number of years so its not all doom and gloom. You get what you pay for so get on a couple and see how it works for you.

A great al round bike IMO

I owned a Pan for a number of years and that was also a great bike

 

[Riktus]

Thanks Rik.

Are there any particular recurring faults affecting the 1200RT?

And what are the definitive years for updates and changes?

The average age of the bikes I've been looking at are 2007 models.

Cheers


Bob

I have had mine (Jan 2011) since new and I have to say I spent the first 2 months thinking I had made a mistake (traded from a GS) BUT I have grown to love the bike and really cant fault it. Nothing has gone wrong and I am considering keeping it for a few more years yet.

Admitedly gearbox is a little "strange" at first but I can live with it and now I actually like it (kind of soft and forgiving) however I have had a coup,e of times where I have set off fully loaded on steep hills and the clutch has to be slipped.

The DOHC came out end of 2010 (I think) and it seems a little more spritely (I did ride 2 used bikes pre DOHC version and there didnt seem as much "rush" but this could have been more to do with the mileage on them.
Other thing that may focus you on the year of bike to buy is the colour - I wanted red or silver but neither available on later bikes.

I think the Radio is a gimick - but I would cos I havent got one - but when I meet an owner with one I would be interested to hear it a full chat??

The only thing that I have that worries me is the brake discs show signs of rust - tried to get them swapped under warranty but BMW are having none of it.

Things to look for:
Dont worry too much about tyres - buy one with shagged tyres and put modern rubber on - as already mentioned steer clear of BT021's they were crap! A squaring tyre on the front makes a "groaning" noise when cornering and a squaring rear makes you feel like it is going to tip you off in the nearest hedge...

Thoroughly check under the fairings - an RT takes a lot of looking after in the winter, it needs a good ACF50 prior to season and then a good thorough clean after winter. Anyone that has neglected it really makes them look scrappy. (I even stripped mine prior to first winter and painted waxoil underseal on all exposed metalwork after the dealer warned me they usually see pristine bikes from the outside but shitty looking machines under the skin come trade in time).

Check for scratches on panniers where boots catch when "getting your leg over" - helps if you get the missus to take her high heels off!!

Top Boxes that have been overloaded can crack the top rack plate - also some work loose over time but I beleive that new rubber pads can be bought.

Only other thing I have heard of - but not experienced - when fully loaded and with a pillion if you are in the twisties and using the brakes alot on hairpins the brake fluid can be easily boiled. I have never done this and I was with a group of bikers last year in Austria and Switzerland doing loads of hairpins there were 5 RT's in the group - not one experienced the problem.

Another thing to check is that the beam adjuster on the headlight is working - some lower the beam too far and it drops out of the thread - not too easy to rectify apparently. Also worth checking the light lense too - expensive to replace if stone chipped.

I have seen on mine a crack coming from one of the screw holes on the screen (std BMW one) but it has never got any bigger and I reckon it happened when I hit a pigeon on the motorway.

Hope that helps

Rik

 

[BobA]

Bit of a contradiction in terms, "I'm a bit of a tight git, and very wary of buying a lemon"

You are more likely to get a "Lemon" if you pay penuts, you tend to get what you pay for I find.

I had an early (March 05) 1200RT, for 5 years, no problems at all apart from cracks in rear disc carrier which I fixed myself, and a repaint of the timing chest, again done by myself and documented here;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136102

Personally I would steer clear of ex cop bikes, tend to find although fairly well maintained are a bit hammered, and there's the cost of civilianising it.

I hadn't intended to pay peanuts to be honest, but obviously I'd hate to pay over the top for the wrong bike because I'd neglected to do my research. In the past, I've stupidly rushed into purchasing or bidding on bikes only to be a bit disappointed, however, I've only ever lost money on two of the 18 bikes I've owned, so I guess I've been lucky!! I'm not scared of spinning a spanner or two, and doing my own servicing, but I suppose what I really want out of an RT is reliability and no attention seeking in the £ department!!

Getting back to the 1200 RT, and some of your comments have raised some more questions;

Ex police 2007 bikes seem plentiful, and to be honest were what I was looking at. I wasn't too bothered about it being a single seater as I never take my girly on the back, although what are the major issues of making one a civilian bike apart from removing the topbox and getting a bigger seat? Do they remove other important items (like pegs) or have different load ratings etc? Are there insurance issues?

I was actually looking at ex cop bikes being listed by Motorworks on eBay, as they offer some kind of warranty.

These are early days to be honest, as I do intend to finance the RT by selling off some other bikes (mainly Africa Twins) but I do want to soak up some info on the RT before I take the plunge.

Many Thanks, keep the info coming please

 

[stever1]

Looking at Motorworks website it shows a 55 plate 1200RT with 61000 on the clock BUT its up for only two and a half grand. It might be worth a look at if you dont want to spend lots of dosh, I dont think thats too much of a gamble. If you buy it and dont like it, move it on i would imagine you wont lose much on it

 

[Kritou]

The smudger is your man ......

..... he converted a plodder to civvy street

Myself, I wanted an R1200RTP and after a year of ownership am delighted with the '08 one I got with 20K on the clock

I specifically wanted the lower first gear and final drive for urban and Hardknott type riding, the top opening panniers and crash bars fore and aft - tho' I can see a small increase in fuel consumption compared with the standard machine

I have removed metres of "authority" wiring (plus the second battery) and having hacksawed a large opening in the base of the radio box there is plenty of convenient luggage space for touring

As previously said, bar risers make a big difference to distance riding - in fact I have installed TWO sets (see pic)

For commuting a set of Tucano Muffs are the perfect solution to cold wet hands on your secretary's tits. They do however block the oem mirrors; so the second solution is a set of £26 mirrors from HG for perfect rear view purving http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3264150#post3264150

Weather protection for your feet is not as good as the 1150RT but the gearbox and engine are significantly better imho

When viewing a 1200 do have a good look at the condition of the footpeg hangers as they can be prone to cracking of the powder coating and susequent corrosion of the alloy (I'm on my third recoat)