To RT or not RT, that is the question....

[nevil280659]

Hi Folks,
I'm looking at an 05 RT with 14.5k on the clock. Grips, Computer and (??) Stereo, no ESA. Looks in very good order with BMW service history up to 12k miles and there are MOT's to back up the mileage. Up privately for 6 Grand.

Now, heres the thing that's niggling me. (and the reason for this post) The bike was last serviced at 12600 miles in April 2009.

My questions revolve around the annual inspection, service schedule and fluid changes etc. Are there there are any issues connected with buying a bike that's essentially been standing still for ages? If I need to service immediately, then perhaps someone could offer a ball park figure for the work? I'm still tempted by the bike but if I'm looking at a massive service bill on the day I ride off on it, then this will have to be reflected in the asking price.

What would YOU do here - buy and service? buy and ride? Walk?

Any advice from the forum would be really handy

Cheers

Nev

 

[GFJ]

Hi.

I have an 05 RT which I have owned from 2k miles. Now on 19k.

If you are handy on the tools, it is an easy machine to maintain diy.

From what you describe, mechanically I wouldn't worry at all. Oil changes are every 6k or annual. They are relatively low spec engines and don't require high spec oil (10w40 semi is normal); I would just give it a change when you pick it up. If you can diy it then it won't cost you over £30 for oil and filter.

Gearbox oil is every 12k so should have been done, and I guess plugs etc may well have been done at the 12k service also. Final drive was supposedly sealed for life, though I have renewed that oil once, and will again at 24k.

Brake fluid is meant to be done every 2 years (front and rear circuits), and 4 years for the control circuit. Mine has been done once, and as it is not a diy job, hasn't been done since. That said, I will be getting it done when bike is on 24k. Everything still works well.

Re £6k, I haven't seen many with low miles going for much below, so it it looks tidy and not abused, I'd buy and enjoy.

Good luck!

 

[nevil280659]

Hi

Thanks for the info - I can do oil changes, filters plugs and change brake pads, just don't ask me to swap out a clutch (or for that matter, change the brake fluid!)

Cheers

Nev

 

[Myke Rocks]

I bought mine (2005) 32 months, with 10,500 on it.

And a full service history, At that point, the owner had spent over £1000 on servicing.
Rode it home from Isle of Wight to Northern Ireland.
Since then, mileage is now 37,000. It used a little oil till I twisted the tiger's tale a little, and then it stopped using oil. Even then, I never topped up between oil changes.
BMW invited me to purchase the extended warranty. Just give them around £350 a year plus 2 services a year at another £350, and I could have peace of mind.
I thought this charming offer did not make economic sense (Around a total of £1000 per annum for the deal does not appeal to me.)
I change the oil and filter every 6,000 (fully synthetic)
Change rear brake pads with tyre. (Use sintered) Standard brake pads will not last a full tyre.
That's it.
At 22,000, it started to miss. Changed Plugs. Problem vanished.
At 25,000, it quit around 10 miles from home. Changed fuel pump controller.
Other than that, nothing.
That's right, nothing else except occasional tyres and (once) front brake pads.
Gearbox oil - no. never looked at it. Final drive oil - no, never looked at it or checked it. Brake fluid - no - never changed it, Valve clearances - Never had the rocker covers off.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
(Watch for the naysayers butting in to tell me how I should have done all of the above and how they would never buy a bike I have owned, but remember, what they would have paid BMW in servicing costs over the last 5 years will now buy a bike such as mine and run it for a year.)

Great bike other than the terribly badly chosen gearbox ratios, with first much too high and 6th far too low.

Regrets on what I bought: only that I did not buy one with cruise control.

Myke

 

[Bluesticky1]

Myke, the cruise control isn't all that. Yes, I use it, but only when traffic is very light and I'm doing a long run on a motorway or roundabout free A-road (such as the A1).
If I'm riding during the day there is normally so much raffia that its more comfortable and reassuring to have control over the throttle myself.
As for the servicing, if I keep mine past it's warranty period I'll do all I can myself - saves a fortune.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Personally I wouldn't be without cruise control.
Horses for courses of course but for me cruise control not only helps on motorways but also means I can concentrate on the road in 30, 40 & 50 MPH limits without having to worry about my speed.

 

[JJH]

It's ok just try and get a few bob off it. I have a rt 06 with 75000 km on it no probs 1 fuel pump controler. I went to trade it in was told 4250€ on thanks

 

[nevil280659]

So - The general concensus seems to be that I shouldn't worry and go ahead and part with the cash?

What about the servo? (you've got me worried here) Are there any warning signs to look out for? Noises etc

I think I going to go ahead and do it, unless

1) Someone comes up with a solid reason not to

2) Someone comes up with another bike!! (c6k)

Cheers and please keep the tips coming!

Nev

 

[JJH]

Servos can go I've had no probs with mine if it goes ill just remove it. JJH
If you keep worrying you will never buy one and if you do you won't enjoy it. Just buy it ride it and have some fun. Jjh

 

[Bluesticky1]

Personally I wouldn't be without cruise control.
Horses for courses of course but for me cruise control not only helps on motorways but also means I can concentrate on the road in 30, 40 & 50 MPH limits without having to worry about my speed.

There is that, but I find if I'm in 2nd gear at 30 it surges too much and I'd rather have the control cos it feels unsettled. Just my personal preference.

I agree with you completely at 40 and 50 though, you make a sound point.

 

[nevil280659]

Servos can go I've had no probs with mine if it goes ill just remove it. JJH
If you keep worrying you will never buy one and if you do you won't enjoy it. Just buy it ride it and have some fun. Jjh

Amen!

 

[nevil280659]

And a full service history, At that point, the owner had spent over £1000 on servicing.
Rode it home from Isle of Wight to Northern Ireland.
Since then, mileage is now 37,000. It used a little oil till I twisted the tiger's tale a little, and then it stopped using oil. Even then, I never topped up between oil changes.
BMW invited me to purchase the extended warranty. Just give them around £350 a year plus 2 services a year at another £350, and I could have peace of mind.
I thought this charming offer did not make economic sense (Around a total of £1000 per annum for the deal does not appeal to me.)
I change the oil and filter every 6,000 (fully synthetic)
Change rear brake pads with tyre. (Use sintered) Standard brake pads will not last a full tyre.
That's it.
At 22,000, it started to miss. Changed Plugs. Problem vanished.
At 25,000, it quit around 10 miles from home. Changed fuel pump controller.
Other than that, nothing.
That's right, nothing else except occasional tyres and (once) front brake pads.
Gearbox oil - no. never looked at it. Final drive oil - no, never looked at it or checked it. Brake fluid - no - never changed it, Valve clearances - Never had the rocker covers off.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
(Watch for the naysayers butting in to tell me how I should have done all of the above and how they would never buy a bike I have owned, but remember, what they would have paid BMW in servicing costs over the last 5 years will now buy a bike such as mine and run it for a year.)

Great bike other than the terribly badly chosen gearbox ratios, with first much too high and 6th far too low.

Regrets on what I bought: only that I did not buy one with cruise control.

Myke

So - you thrash them and they stop using oil? OK!!!! I can work with that.

From what your saying - I'm worrying too much here, this bike will be fine and I'll love it....... It's just that I'm really keen not to end up with a lemon!

Thanks for the advice

Nev

 

[Bluesticky1]

So - you thrash them and they stop using oil? OK!!!! I can work with that.

From what your saying - I'm worrying too much here, this bike will be fine and I'll love it....... It's just that I'm really keen not to end up with a lemon!

Thanks for the advice

Nev

They're a great bike Nev, you'll love it.

 

[Myke Rocks]

More form Myke

Hi Folks,
I'm looking at an 05 RT with 14.5k on the clock. Grips, Computer and (??) Stereo, no ESA. Looks in very good order with BMW service history up to 12k miles and there are MOT's to back up the mileage. Up privately for 6 Grand.

Nev

I bought my 2005 bike on the Isle of Wight privately in March 2008 for the princely sum of £7000
Came with (Garmin) Satnav, ESA, Heated grips, but no computer and on radio.
Just to provide a price comparison.

Also, like the bike you are looking at, it has servo brakes. Love them, the only thing being I would prefer fully integrated like the 1150, but they never did them on the 1200.

Myke

 

[nevil280659]

That seems like a good price - all the 05 bikes I've looked at have been eithe 6k plus or have 30k+ miles on the clock.

Do you think that 6k for a 2 owner bike with 14.5k on the clock is about right or a bit steep - bear in mind theres no ESA, top case, cruise or heated seats. We've got grips, computer and (why I've no idea!) a stereo!

FSH and in very tidy condition - should I haggle ?

Nev

 

[slimpickings]

I would buy it and have it serviced

A full service fluids, the lot


After that you are sorted for next 12 months

 

[nevil280659]

Cheers, Slim!

 

[Jaycee]

Did you buy the bike Nev?

If not I have one for you : 2006 '56' RT SE