Do I need to worry?

[knapdog]

I recently bought a 2015 R1200RT LE with 3000 miles.
It's in very good condition, as you would expect, and I'm pleased with my purchase. I have previously owned a 2011 RT which I sold after a year and the present bike is better. I tend to sell every 18 months or so and have been through a few.
I also have, apart from my Honda cubs, a 2014 Honda cbf1000 mk2 which is brilliant and I'm about to very reluctantly sell it.
The question is, whilst I know exactly what it is that I have bought in the RT, I am already having doubts whether I will keep it beyond the warranty Sept 2017.
I have doubts about BMW reliability and may well get out and sell next summer, even though I love the bike.
My Honda cbf1000 is bombproof and I'm in a quandary. I could, of course, take out extended warranty.
Any objective thoughts to alleviate my concerns?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I think you're probably a bit of a natural worrier.
Get the extended warranty.

 

[Edmund Kean]

I've not ridden the LC RT; care to let me/us how you conclude it's better than your old 2011 RT.

Thanks...

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Sell it your never going to be happy with it

 

[busy builder]

Just ride it

my 2014 model is brilliant

 

[polecat]

Interesting about the reliability comment. I've had numerous BMWs over the years and done thousands of miles on them. Never been let down once.

 

[jonnie comet]

You're a worrier.....You can't help it, that's the way you are....

Sell the Beemer.....run the Honda......You sort of knew that didn't you ??.....

 

[Reggie P]

Funny thread !
Ride it , if they were such a reliability concerns they wouldn't have such firm residuals .
People love RT's!

 

[kennyc]

I recently bought a 2015 R1200RT LE with 3000 miles.
It's in very good condition, as you would expect, and I'm pleased with my purchase. I have previously owned a 2011 RT which I sold after a year and the present bike is better. I tend to sell every 18 months or so and have been through a few.
I also have, apart from my Honda cubs, a 2014 Honda cbf1000 mk2 which is brilliant and I'm about to very reluctantly sell it.
The question is, whilst I know exactly what it is that I have bought in the RT, I am already having doubts whether I will keep it beyond the warranty Sept 2017.
I have doubts about BMW reliability and may well get out and sell next summer, even though I love the bike.
My Honda cbf1000 is bombproof and I'm in a quandary. I could, of course, take out extended warranty.
Any objective thoughts to alleviate my concerns?

yup you just blew a shed load of depreciation

 

[DC]

Ride it ,enjoy it ...your a born worrier

 

[Deleted account 260111001]

Sell it to me for a third of its market value, as I'll be taking all that stress off you, better still, I'll just ride it on your behalf and will be responsible for removing all that stress, from you.

I won't charge a fee, and will even put my own fuel in, I'll give you regular ride reports and even take the odd snap.

Failing that, I'll go back to my 2014 with 17,000 miles and just ride. (Oh and I'll be taking extended warranty in October)

 

[Monty]

I have had a few minor glitches with my RT but certainly not enough to make me want to sell. It suits me and my needs / riding style better than any other bike I have owned, so I will probably just get the extended warranty in September when it is 2 years old.

Assuming you do keep it and get the extended warranty, what are you actually worried about? Potentially being inconvenienced on the side of the road with a breakdown? Something going wrong that is not covered by goodwill or warranty? Ultimately, if you are that worried then you will probably not enjoy it and you are better off selling.

The only time I have needed recovering when using the bike abroad was once in Bavaria (on my Super Ten), when I ended up in a rental car for 2 very rainy days and got to explore Munich and drink beer. I also had a puncture on my RT a couple of months ago when out on a Sunday bimble, but got recovered to the dealer where it was due to be serviced the following week, got a free taxi 80 miles home and the bike delivered back to me for free after the service / tyre replacement. So both times a negative became a handy positive.

Have a good day,

Matt

 

[Karlread]

I had doubts when I swapped from my 2006 RT to a new bike, only problem I have had is corrosion. The new bike is light years ahead of the old one. Either keep it and be happy with it or get rid of it thinking "what if" all of the time. You can of course purchase the extended warranty, it can be cheaper if you opt for no BMW assistance (should you have a Carole Nash policy) and a higher excess if you wish.
Only you can decide, I was in a real quandary and no amount of advice helped as it always conflicted. Suggest you get a piece of paper, write down pros of keeping the bike on one side and cons on the other. Better still, do a long weekend on it and then decide....

 

[casbar]

If I read it right, you are looking at selling next year. If that is the case it's a bit early to make a decision now. If its still in warranty, any issues will be fixed, so don't worry. Mine is a 2014 and everything is still ok. I just bought the extended warranty when my manufactures one real out in June.

 

[knapdog]

Thanks for your replies. Maybe I should have entitled the thread "Do I need to be concerned? "
I only kept my previous Rt for about 1000 miles. I bought it for £8999 and sold it for £9000 making a profit of £1.
As far as selling this one, with Dynamic package and audio and losing a shed load on depreciation, I doubt it. I paid £12200 and would probably make a small profit on it if it went.
Within a week of selling my previous RT, the buyer wanted his money back as it wouldn't start. He took it to the dealers who charged him hundreds of pounds for a new starter motor. They fixed it and within a hundred yards of leaving the dealer it broke down again. The bike had been faultless in the short time I had it.
It's a fact that their reliability doesn't compare with the top japanese bikes but I also believe that the RT is the best tourer there is, which is why I've gone back to one.
I love the ride. I'm getting 53mpg out of it so far and the weather protection is second to none.
The gears are a little slicker than the previous model and I prefer the looks.
You are all right in insinuating that I've still got a very soft spot for Honda. I have found them utterly reliable and I repeat, my Honda cbf1000 mk2 is probably the best bike I've had overall but not in comparison to the RT for the comfort of touring.
Many of you are right in making the comments you have made but I ain't no worrier but I have a right to be concerned over the reliability of BMW. I believe that along with H-D they have more problems than others, according to surveys, and things can get very expensive out of warranty.
There is a Yamaha dealership nearby who now refuse to take BMW bikes in part exchange. At least that is what the salesman told me when I went down to test a FJR1300.
With the bike under warranty, what actually is it that I'm worried about? Well I suppose it would be the annoyance and inconvenience more than anything.
I intend to keep the beemer until at least the end of warranty Sept 2017.
Anyone know the price of extended warranty?

 

[casbar]

Your not a worrier, but asking about extended warranty costs a year before you need it - lol. Mine cost me about £360 with rescue and a small excess.

 

[mrjim130]

Sell soon as you can, use the money to get a Pan European. Honda reliability being so much better, you should have no worries.

 

[knapdog]

Sell soon as you can, use the money to get a Pan European. Honda reliability being so much better, you should have no worries.

That of course is a consideration.
As a biker who mentions the Pan European as an option you will know that as far as weight and gizmos, the RT is a better option.
The Pan , again, is an extremely reliable machine but now ancient and I've tried it but prefer the RT.

 

[Steptoe]

A main dealers perfect customer.. They must love seeing you coming through the door.

 

[knapdog]

I've just realised that I've joined the RT section of a GS forum.
Now I've got nothing against the bike. It's the best of it's kind out there. Excellent for what it was designed to do.
What makes me chuckle is the GS commuters riding through Cardiff city centre on their bikes, possibly (meaning probably ), never taking their machines off tarmac, togged up in their BMW safari/desert/tropical gear. Oh dear me, but apologies, I'm swerving off topic.
Went for a ride today in mucky conditions on some roads. I gave it a good wash and have noticed some paint bubbling on the shaft drive.