strod
Registered user
I appear to have put a deposit down on a very nearly new, only very slightly used (not got to 1st service), 2014 R1200RT LE with Dynamic Pack and a top box. This could turn out to be interesting....
What have I done???
- Thread starter strod
- Start date
Huh, the last owner didn't think much of it, obviously....
Jealous? Me, jealous?
All right then, just a bit.*
Enjoy!
* As in quite a lot, actually
Let us know how you get on with it.
Jealous? Me, jealous?
All right then, just a bit.*
Enjoy!
* As in quite a lot, actually
Let us know how you get on with it.
Deleted account 220427001
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WOW GO FOR IT 
Good for you!
Strange how things happen sometimes
I once went into a Honda dealers for a clutch lever for my CRF and bought a 1200 GS with only a 1000 miles on it that someone had traded for a new Blade
Enjoy the new bike
Strange how things happen sometimes
I once went into a Honda dealers for a clutch lever for my CRF and bought a 1200 GS with only a 1000 miles on it that someone had traded for a new Blade
Enjoy the new bike
strod
Registered user
I stumbled across this opportunity by accident, thought it a good excuse for Domestic Management and I to do some decent trips together, especially since the boy goes to university soon and we sold our camper van a few months back. Going to view the bike today, if all is well, I will be significantly poorer but in possession of a shiny new toy! 
Deleted account 260111001
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Good luck with new purchase and easy on the logic of why you needed it,
Peter Pan
Registered user
There were 3 of those on the BMW Motorrad trip to Seville over Easter. They can certainly hustle!
Hope you enjoy it.
Hope you enjoy it.
strod
Registered user
Well, having now put over 300 miles on the clock, on both major and minor road types, I'm quite impressed. This RT is pretty agile for a barge of bike, country lanes are still pretty fun, and the engine is much stronger and smoother than the last couple of GSA's I had a while back. Never really seen the point of cruise control on a bike, but I'm now converted. Carries it's weight really well, whether on road at low speeds or manhandling it out the garage and turning it round on the drive. May need to invest in the high seat option though, the standard seat (in H position) is just a little cramped for me in terms of leg bend. My bloody Shoei Neotec doesn't fit in top box due to shell size (tantalisingly close, but no cigar), maybe an excuse for another bash hat...
Enjoy the new bike! I had a test ride yesterday and was amazed, I tried the new GSA as well but there's no comparison. I thought the RT was a better bike, more fun to ride and very easy even at low speed. One day I may consider it after my TC GSA. I do very little green laning and, let's be honest, the RT is much better as pure road bike.
Interesting comments. Been thinking this could be my next bike as I feel I need a change when I get the next one. How do they steer ? I really like the way you can chuck a GS around tighter corners. What are they like on mountain roads/ hairpins, etc ?
I have not had a go yet, just wondering about the wet clutch, is it a lot smoother pulling away, fully loaded on a steep hill? Glad to get rid of clutch that smell, that you sometime get, when you have to slip it.
We will more than likely change, but probably next year, as we should have saved up for it by then. Gutted they did not offer the all singing adaptive headlight, I mean I could have done with having to shell out another £1K
We will more than likely change, but probably next year, as we should have saved up for it by then. Gutted they did not offer the all singing adaptive headlight, I mean I could have done with having to shell out another £1K
DC
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The New RT is great on tight twisty roads , fully loaded on the hills is no problem either...I have the Hill start feature on the bike and this is where it excels..Ive just had a two day trip around the Lake district and there are some steep hills there ..this was two up with luggage.
The Hardknott pass is a real tight "road" with steep hills ...no issues at all for me on this one ....i do know what your saying though with the weight on a hill, as on my previous RT id be slipping the clutch to get a decent pull away ...
Interesting... I test rode one on the regular seat setup on the low? (Are there 3 heights per seat?) position, I also found it too low. Dealer then reversed the hinge to high and it was better, but maybe a tad low still... Don't know... I ended up keeping my order with the regular seat as it seemed a bit of a faff to change the spec... But I am having second thoughts... Maybe because the last bmw I rode until 09 was a taller GS... But then I also had an older brick k1200gt which was fine from memory (comfort was the only fine thing abt that bike to be brutally honest)... Anyway..
How tall are you if I can ask? I m 6'4...
strod
Registered user
The 3 seats, standard, low and high, each have 2 height options based on the reversible L/H bracket adjustment (seat heights are on the motorrad site in RT tech spec). I'm circa 6'3, so not quite as tall, but going to get a price for the high seat and will give it a try if not completely mad.
I had a ride on the new RT last weekend. I did around 100 miles on it and loved it. It is a real step forward over the previous generation RT (which I have). My thoughts in addition to what has already been said are
- By the time you spec it up (LE with dynamic pack etc) it is a lot more money than the previous top spec RT, but I suppose that's the economic recovery for you...
- the engine is beautifully matched to the chassis, and has much more mid range grunt for roll on acceleration than the air cooled version.
- the new instrument display is hard to read in direct sunlight and some of the text is rather small for the more optically challenged.
- The BMW satnav does work ok, but looks cheap and plasticky, is fiddly to use, has small text and writing, but I suppose I will have to use it as BMW have made it almost impossible to fit my TomTom.
- the pannier Central locking feature is the best addition.
- the standard seat is still as hard and uncomfortable as the previous bike
- didn't have a bike with rider gear assist pro or whatever it is called and would be interested in any feedback from someone who has ridden with this.
- I also rode a K16GT on the same 100 mile route and whilst the GT has a very powerful and smooth engine, the overall package is not as good in terms of handling, aesthetics, riding position and ergonomics. It also doesn't have the character of the RT that I find puts a grin on your face.
So, I would absolutely love a new RT but I am only 14 months into my previous one on the BMW never never so I think I will have to wait as I suspect I am underwater on the finance at the moment, but it will get them to do the sums.
Puggy.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
- By the time you spec it up (LE with dynamic pack etc) it is a lot more money than the previous top spec RT, but I suppose that's the economic recovery for you...
- the engine is beautifully matched to the chassis, and has much more mid range grunt for roll on acceleration than the air cooled version.
- the new instrument display is hard to read in direct sunlight and some of the text is rather small for the more optically challenged.
- The BMW satnav does work ok, but looks cheap and plasticky, is fiddly to use, has small text and writing, but I suppose I will have to use it as BMW have made it almost impossible to fit my TomTom.
- the pannier Central locking feature is the best addition.
- the standard seat is still as hard and uncomfortable as the previous bike
- didn't have a bike with rider gear assist pro or whatever it is called and would be interested in any feedback from someone who has ridden with this.
- I also rode a K16GT on the same 100 mile route and whilst the GT has a very powerful and smooth engine, the overall package is not as good in terms of handling, aesthetics, riding position and ergonomics. It also doesn't have the character of the RT that I find puts a grin on your face.
So, I would absolutely love a new RT but I am only 14 months into my previous one on the BMW never never so I think I will have to wait as I suspect I am underwater on the finance at the moment, but it will get them to do the sums.
Puggy.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Heres my 2 penneth worth, I took a fully specced RT out on Monay and did about 150 miles. I was impressed by the extra power which was available all through the rev range. 
It felt a little smaller than my 2012 RT, which is good as I'm a tiddler at 1.75mtrs and it feels more agile and easier to use in the twisty bits.
The noise level around the helmet seems a little bit less. This is presumably due to the fairing.
Overall, there is certainly a good level of improvement over the older model.
HOWEVER, now for the negatives, Firstly, why on earth due you need central locking on a bike ?.
Same thing with the so called quick shifter, I can do just as well on my own bike.
3 power modes - why, I suspect most riders will select dynamic and leave it there.
too fussy instrument binnacle, it takes time to sort all the info out. But the speedo is better, clearer dial, easier to pick out the kph speeds.
fairing pockets, good if you smoke as a fag packet is all you will get in it, mine has what I call a dustbin in the fairing, I can get loads of stuff in it.
Cost of topbox , ridiculous
suspension didn't feel any better than my ESA.
I suspect that if I was looking at buying one now I would buy a basic one and add ESA.
So, a cracking bike BUT its good to know that mine is the ultimate model, before it all went mad with unnecessary electronic gadgets.
It felt a little smaller than my 2012 RT, which is good as I'm a tiddler at 1.75mtrs and it feels more agile and easier to use in the twisty bits.
The noise level around the helmet seems a little bit less. This is presumably due to the fairing.
Overall, there is certainly a good level of improvement over the older model.
HOWEVER, now for the negatives, Firstly, why on earth due you need central locking on a bike ?.
Same thing with the so called quick shifter, I can do just as well on my own bike.
3 power modes - why, I suspect most riders will select dynamic and leave it there.
too fussy instrument binnacle, it takes time to sort all the info out. But the speedo is better, clearer dial, easier to pick out the kph speeds.
fairing pockets, good if you smoke as a fag packet is all you will get in it, mine has what I call a dustbin in the fairing, I can get loads of stuff in it.
Cost of topbox , ridiculous
suspension didn't feel any better than my ESA.
I suspect that if I was looking at buying one now I would buy a basic one and add ESA.
So, a cracking bike BUT its good to know that mine is the ultimate model, before it all went mad with unnecessary electronic gadgets.
HOWEVER, now for the negatives, Firstly, why on earth due you need central locking on a bike ?.
I like the central locking as I am forever walking around the top box, 2 panniers and the cubby hole thing locking and unlocking them, and inevitably leaving my keys dangling out of the lock...
Interesting what you say about the gear shift thing - you reckon not worth it?
What I can't get my head around is what possible use is an alarm is on a bike. The last person anyone called the police when they heard a car/bike alarm ringing was 13th June 1984 in Tescos car park in Slough, and since then humans have adapted to filter the noise or just get annoyed by them. They flatten your battery if you leave the bike for more than a week. Inevitably the fob fails and then you can't get the immobiliser switched off whilst standing in the pissing rain in the dark at a petrol station 100 miles outside St Malo rushing to catch the ferry home. My brother had his VFR nicked by some blokes who loaded it into the van with the alarm ringing away, 5pm in central London in a crowded street and no-one thought anything suspicious was happening... The most useless invention ever fitted to a motorbike. And what about the 10% discount on the insurance? Pah! £30 a year. Fat deal... not worth the aggro. Just buy a bloody great padlock and chain.
However if you want to order a new RT without the alarm but with the other tricks, you have to play a merry dance around the options list which is not financially viable.
Agree about the alarm, disagree about central locking. Personally, I would probably still walk around the bike checking everything was locked even if I had central locking as I wouldn't trust the electriccery . As to the quick shift, I found it no smoother than my own ultra silky smooth gear changes up or down the box, and yes I can do it with or without the clutch. Do I need faster gearchanges that are rougher than I can do - no.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike (well I would as I ride the ultimate iteration of the RT ) but just to much to go wrong. Its like BMW are trying to turn it into a 2 wheel car.
Would I buy one ?. YES, but in its simplest form and not yet, i'll keep mine for a while longer thank you. Now for the strange thought of the day
HAVE BMW MADE THE RT TO MUCH LIKE THE K1600 - DISCUSS.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike (well I would as I ride the ultimate iteration of the RT ) but just to much to go wrong. Its like BMW are trying to turn it into a 2 wheel car.
Would I buy one ?. YES, but in its simplest form and not yet, i'll keep mine for a while longer thank you. Now for the strange thought of the day
HAVE BMW MADE THE RT TO MUCH LIKE THE K1600 - DISCUSS.
I had a ride on the K16 and found it strangely lacking and un-engaging. It is a superb bike with a great engine (though i prefer my motorbike based on 1930s tractor technology), but it has a very clunky gearbox which makes it very tiring to ride smoothly. I also think the styling is really naff: the brushed aluminium effect plastic, overly fussy dashboard looks tacky and the awful plastic "6" stuck on the end of the engine block had me reaching for it to see if I could pick it off. Probably intended for the US market.
When I got back from the test ride, the dealer said "I've got loads second hand and can do you a cracking deal on a new one"...nuff said. Also, apparently there is a new model in 18 months.
