RT TWIN CAM

[The smudger]

Now ive had a hankering for a twin cam RT for a while. I have a 1200GSA but its a tad too tall for me, although i like it i cant be arsed to muck about with low seats etc..

I have an 1100RT, have had an 1150 and a couple of 1200's but never ridden a twin cam. Anyone on here got one can fill me in with the details, such as how do they compare with the previous one etc, etc.

Thanks, Smudge.

 

[ghost-rider]

Ive last week just swapped from a tc gsa to a tc rt and all I can say is, id wish id done it sooner, I loved me gsa dont get me wrong, but I just got fed up with all the bullshit that goes with ownin a gs, dont get me wrong its the individuals choice to get sucked into it, but whether you like it or not, we all do! As for the engines, spot on mate, iv rode an 1150rt, 1200(sc) me gsa tc and now this, now I know its probably neglible the difrence between the the single and the twin cam, but in my oppinion the twin cam is more grunty imo when you open up the taps! And as for the finish of the two bikes, iv only had ir a week, but the difrence between the gs and the rt is massive imo, little touches like mudsling type hugger, fitted standard!, bmw rear splash guard for the bottom of the number plate ok optional extra, but fully adjustable and looks factory, I dont know whether its because mine is one of the last rt's or they were all like it, but frame finish, engine block finish just seems so much better, dare I say "harder" finish than the gs, imo the rt just seems a much better factory finished bike overall, but at the same time they are two difrent bikes, and if I could afford it id still have both!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[Riktus]

The RT twin cam is a fantastic bike - although I have just gone the other way (just got a GSA Triple Black) I would still say the RT TC was the best bike I ever owned for real everyday stuff. People in the club that I regularly ride with used to be amazed that she would do everything their adventure bikes would do (admittedly they were not off roaders).

You will find the engine smooth and responsive and you will find hitting a motorway at 70 / 80 mph makes you think there is plenty left in reserve - whereas the DSA can soon feel a little breathless. Then just press the button to position the screen up a bit and sit back and relax.

A road tramping - very smooth and really what the RT is all about turns well (with good tyres) and stops well. Plenty of oomph even fully loaded with luggage. I personally never liked the slow speed handling with a passenger but you didnt know you had got anybody on the open road.

B roads and smaller - good controlled bike and the odd time you are better to turn the traction control off if you are on loose stuff because it cuts throttle response so becomes a bit jerky.

Also fuel economy is well up in the 50's where the GSA would have been late 40's

Whats not so good.....
Tyre choice - keep an eye on here for reviews there are good and bad tyres for handling and mileage....
Gear change - not as smooth and precise as the GSA - it seems a bit "remote"
Weight - you only notice it when you ride other bikes as well
Back ache - you really do need bar risers
Seat is good until you get to hot climate and then a Seargent is far superior
Cleaning is easy at first until you do a deep clean every year (and it needs it) to get to the rustworthy parts under the panels.

Rik

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

The RT twin cam is a fantastic bike - although I have just gone the other way (just got a GSA Triple Black) I would still say the RT TC was the best bike I ever owned for real everyday stuff. People in the club that I regularly ride with used to be amazed that she would do everything their adventure bikes would do (admittedly they were not off roaders).

You will find the engine smooth and responsive and you will find hitting a motorway at 70 / 80 mph makes you think there is plenty left in reserve - whereas the DSA can soon feel a little breathless. Then just press the button to position the screen up a bit and sit back and relax.

A road tramping - very smooth and really what the RT is all about turns well (with good tyres) and stops well. Plenty of oomph even fully loaded with luggage. I personally never liked the slow speed handling with a passenger but you didnt know you had got anybody on the open road.

B roads and smaller - good controlled bike and the odd time you are better to turn the traction control off if you are on loose stuff because it cuts throttle response so becomes a bit jerky.

Also fuel economy is well up in the 50's where the GSA would have been late 40's

Whats not so good.....
Tyre choice - keep an eye on here for reviews there are good and bad tyres for handling and mileage....
Gear change - not as smooth and precise as the GSA - it seems a bit "remote"
Weight - you only notice it when you ride other bikes as well
Back ache - you really do need bar risers
Seat is good until you get to hot climate and then a Seargent is far superior
Cleaning is easy at first until you do a deep clean every year (and it needs it) to get to the rustworthy parts under the panels.

Rik

Pretty much snap, with the exception of bar risers.
I had a Sargeant seat on my RT and it was absolutely fantastic. I could ride for 10 hours a day and get off feeling far more comfortable than I have on any other bike/car journey of the same time.

Make no bones about the RT is one sorted bike.
I must admit to being a little bit jealous, despite having just swapped mine for a shiny new GSA.

 

[Our Gee]

Changed my 2008 1200RT for a Twin Cam a couple of months ago. I had owned the my old RT for about 4 years and 31,000 miles. I was very satisfied with that bike and my only reason for changing was that the bike's trade in value was rapidly decreasing. I haven't had much chance to get many miles under the wheels of the Twin Cam what with family comittments and the onset of crappy weather. However, with my limited experience of about 700 miles I would say that apart from what "seems" like a bit more peppy engine (which could be down to the more snarly exhaust note !!) my old bike was better in every other respect. All points are IMHO of course but here goes. Gear change action was better on my old bike. The Twin Cam switchgear is a ergonomic disaster and having rode many Jap bikes with this style of switchgear it's not that I am a dyed in the wool BMW Twin Paddle fan, it's just that the present layout is a very poor example of the breed. (On my second ride out the Right cluster fell apart !!). The Dash layout on the older bike could never have been described as good but BMW have managed to make it worse on the Twin Cam. The main two dials ie Rev Counter and Speedo and not at all clear and the center display is difficult to read at a glance. My Skoda Yeti cluster is of the same overall dimensions and brilliantly clear being white on black. The Twin Cam suspension seems harder to me and where as I used to run on Normal setting with the old bike I find this too hard on the Twin Cam and now run on Comfort. A few things which could have been taken care of with the introduction of the Twin Cam have been missed such as the flooding of the Fuel Pump Controller recess every time the bike is washed or left out in the rain. I can't really see just why the Twin Cam was introduced for what turns out to be about a three year production run when the W.C. engine must have already been on the drawing board. Still, it's a nice bike, does a good job and for me the only Tourer which ticks all of the boxes.

 

[sven]

I had a 2009 model GS MU and rode a Twincam GSA and thought the engine was better in all respects - smoother, better gear change and more grunt. It'd pull a gear higher everywhere and overtook much easier in top.

However, it wasn't the quantum leap over the old engine that the WC is compared to the TC.

As for firm suspension, I find it perfect in Normal most of the time, use Comfort only on bumpy back roads and generally Sport when loaded up with luggage or scratching on fast twisty roads. I hate soggily suspended bikes like the non-ESA GS and the GSA unless it's in Sports setting.

I'd agree on the dials and switchgear. I like Japanese style switchgear, but only if it has a positive action.

 

[The smudger]

Have bought a really nice 2010 RT twin cam, 5k mls, in Ostra Grey with everything but a radio. I'll be collecting it probably this coming week, photos up then….

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

 

[Kritou]

Have bought a really nice 2010 RT twin cam, 5k mls, in Ostra Grey with everything but a radio. I'll be collecting it probably this coming week, photos up then….

Should have stuck with the RTP

 

[The smudger]

Should have stuck with the RTP

I know tony, I've sort of done a full circle!

 

[The smudger]

Here it is, there are panniers of course, and a colour coded 49ltr top box...












The front engine cover is mint. The bolts however are rusty, I have a set of S/S ones to fit come the spring. There is a very slight bit of paint flake off the engine at the lower part of the front of the barrels, I'll remove the fairings (I have to whip them off anyway to fit the engine protector kit), scrape off the paint locally and paint just that bit.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. It was the best one i had looked at, all the 2010 ones (in my price range) were really grotty, this was the best one by far. It's done just 5000 miles, and has a FBMWSH. I have stuck a BMW wty on it and have smothered it in FS365. I only really rode it back when I collected it and it felt really nice and crisp, just like a new bike!!!!

Roll on the Spring!!!!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Nice one Steve

 

[SMcGirr]

where's the tax disc ?

 

[ghost-rider]

nice one mate, I do like that ostra grey, I nearly bought an ostra one when I got mine a month back, but I went with fluid grey instead,.......the faster colour

what you reckon to the cymarc front engine protector, worth it or not???, I was gonna fit one, aswell as a mudsling front mudguard extender, I got the mudguard extender first from nippy, and now its on, it looks like such a good piece of kit, I dunno whether to bother with the cymarc protector

 

[GORILA]

I have a Cymarc on my newly bought R12OORT. Every so often, I hear the odd loud ping, from some flying gravel bouncing off the Cymarc. It brings a smile to me every time and I marvel at my wisdom in investing in one. Well worth it, buy one!!!!!!!!!
Now that I've got this off my chest I'll have to rejoin the rest of the household and keep up with the Christmas TV programs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The smudger]

nice one mate, I do like that ostra grey, I nearly bought an ostra one when I got mine a month back, but I went with fluid grey instead,.......the faster colour

what you reckon to the cymarc front engine protector, worth it or not???, I was gonna fit one, aswell as a mudsling front mudguard extender, I got the mudguard extender first from nippy, and now its on, it looks like such a good piece of kit, I dunno whether to bother with the cymarc protector

Definitely get one. The paint is so thin on the front cover you could shoot peas through it.....

I love it, the Matt paint tales a bit of caring for but it looks lovely, I would have liked one with a radio but the few I found in this colour with the rad option were really 'edgy'. Ostra is definitely the fastest colour......

 

[The smudger]

where's the tax disc ?

It had one of those awful tin ones that fit under the front mudguard screw, looked a right bodge...

I've just fitted one of those Securi-disc ones, the one where you put the disc in a sticky round cover then another clear round cover over it, and fitted it inside the screen. They are a bit of an anti theft device, only in so far as if someone steals it, then tries to take out the disc to change the reg etc the sticky bit destroys the disc rendering it useless.

Check them on eBay, here's the No 251249486642

I think they look a lot 'neater' anyway.

 

[The smudger]

where's the tax disc ?

Here it is...





And heres the ebay link.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251249486642?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649


Cheers,

Smudger.

 

[The smudger]

THATS THE NAV BRACKET ON THEN..

Just been out and fitted up the Nav bracket.





Looks quite neat I think, better than the earlier version that fixes to the bar mounts...






Needs more blinging i'd say.....

 

[Soft Lad]

I just fitted the satnav arm and then fitted a RAM Garmin holder and Iphone holder and BMW were nice enough to wire both in to the plug on the frame so they work when I start the bike.



And I think you need one of these to help quench your thirst next summer on those long rides. Nice Christmas pressie from the inlaws.