Which R1200RT - Help me decide!!

dsajones

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I'm sure I'll end up with a split decision but any advice to help me decide between a couple of R1200RTs would be very welcome. Both bikes are for sale in dealers at the moment.

Bike 1 - 2011 R1200RT (non SE version). 15k miles. Excellent condition. I've ridden it and it's pretty perfect as far as I can make out. Right at the top end of what I was hoping to spend at £7,600 (that's after a bit of negotiation). Nice looking 2 tone colour scheme. I've got a £200 deposit on it and really need to say yes or no tomorrow.

Bike 2 - 2007 (57 plate) SE version with 49L top box. 10K miles. Apparently 2 wealthy owners neither of which has done much riding. Looks excellent in photos and I'm test riding tomorrow afternoon. I've checked and it doesn't have the servo brakes so right on the cusp of when the servo was dropped. Colour scheme is boring Silver. Priced at £6000 so closer to what I wanted to pay.

Just interested to hear if anyone can offer pros and cons based on the age of each. The 2007 is the beginning of a model revamp when Servo assist brakes were dropped and I believe the 2011 is also the start of a model revamp. It has the normal indicator switch so I also assume it has the new model engine as well. But I'm no expert!!
 
dsajones said:
I'm sure I'll end up with a split decision but any advice to help me decide between a couple of R1200RTs would be very welcome. Both bikes are for sale in dealers at the moment.

Bike 1 - 2011 R1200RT (non SE version). 15k miles. Excellent condition. I've ridden it and it's pretty perfect as far as I can make out. Right at the top end of what I was hoping to spend at £7,600 (that's after a bit of negotiation). Nice looking 2 tone colour scheme. I've got a £200 deposit on it and really need to say yes or no tomorrow.

Bike 2 - 2007 (57 plate) SE version with 49L top box. 10K miles. Apparently 2 wealthy owners neither of which has done much riding. Looks excellent in photos and I'm test riding tomorrow afternoon. I've checked and it doesn't have the servo brakes so right on the cusp of when the servo was dropped. Colour scheme is boring Silver. Priced at £6000 so closer to what I wanted to pay.

Just interested to hear if anyone can offer pros and cons based on the age of each. The 2007 is the beginning of a model revamp when Servo assist brakes were dropped and I believe the 2011 is also the start of a model revamp. It has the normal indicator switch so I also assume it has the new model engine as well. But I'm no expert!!
Click to expand...

Isn't there something funny about servo brakes on the 2007 models?

You need to get on the RT forum and ask RTMan10 and DaygloDavid...

https://1200rt.com/index.php?action=unread
 
Early bikes (2005/2006) had electric servo assisted brakes, the 2011 won't them. Bloody awful idea. Later ABS ditched the servo and is much more reliable. They changed in 2007 so it may well be non servo'd but worth checking!
 
DaveCly said:
The 2011 one without a doubt!
Click to expand...

+ 1 on that. You'll get the twin cam engine, much better than the 2007 model (which will be two engine generations behind)

Having said that, your 2011 bike sounds pricey to me! I take it you're buying it from a BMW dealer? (if you're not, that's deffo too much money!). Especially considering that its a non-SE model (blimey, I would have thought 90-95% of RT's sold would be SE's).
 
Rode a 2009 rt back to back with a 2010 gs, i know there is a weight difference but the rt was dull - would like to try a newer one.... Good luck with your choice!
 
Decompressing said:
+ 1 on that. You'll get the twin cam engine, much better than the 2007 model (which will be two engine generations behind)

Having said that, your 2011 bike sounds pricey to me! I take it you're buying it from a BMW dealer? (if you're not, that's deffo too much money!). Especially considering that its a non-SE model (blimey, I would have thought 90-95% of RT's sold would be SE's).
Click to expand...

No, not a BMW dealer. Mainstream Honda dealer. I also thought it was a bit pricey but looking at similar bikes around the country they all seem to be in the £7-8k region. Although it's not an SE it's still got the ASC, ESA, cruise control, heated seats, heated grips etc. Not really sure what else the SE has. Plus I've been offered a good PX on my 2003 R1150RT. Right at the top of book price. So overall I'm OK with the deal.
 
RJT_Berlin said:
Rode a 2009 rt back to back with a 2010 gs, i know there is a weight difference but the rt was dull - would like to try a newer one.... Good luck with your choice!
Click to expand...

I've test ridden a GS and a few other similar bikes but I keep coming back to full-on tourers as being my favourite.
 
Flipfly said:
Early bikes (2005/2006) had electric servo assisted brakes, the 2011 won't them. Bloody awful idea. Later ABS ditched the servo and is much more reliable. They changed in 2007 so it may well be non servo'd but worth checking!
Click to expand...

I checked this morning and it definitely doesn't have the electric servo. That's the main reason I'm getting rid of my R1150RT in favour of the 1200. I've had it since February and I just can't get on with those brakes!!
 
If you buy the 2007, you'll be regretting that you didn't buy the 2011 and not vice versa.
 
RJT_Berlin said:
Rode a 2009 rt back to back with a 2010 gs, i know there is a weight difference but the rt was dull - would like to try a newer one.... Good luck with your choice!
Click to expand...

I rode a 2012 RT back-to-back with my 2009 GS and loved it - it was a good 15mph faster on the top end on the autobahn, more economical and better handling two-up and fully loaded....but not as much fun solo and it made me feel 10 years older.. I rarely ride solo as I can't get SWMBO off the back, so I did enjoy owning one for two years.

The TC engine is nicer than the earlier 1200 engine, so worth the extra IMHO
 
For £1600 you are coming from a 07 to a 2011. I'd say your getting a good deal. Just 1 thing - in a BMW dealership they would be putting a 1 year guarantee on it. JJH
 

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Q plate said:
Tried to send you a p.m but this is my dad's 57 plate currently for sale located in Birmingham just in case it's of any interest

Look at this on eBay* http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152183964903

Regards AL
Click to expand...

Thanks Al. Looks a very nice bike. I've decided to go the dealer route so I don't have the hassle of trying to sell mine and also to get a warranty. But thanks for pointing it out to me.
 
Tried to send you a pm, but your messages turned off

Marty
 
sven said:
I rode a 2012 RT back-to-back with my 2009 GS and loved it - it was a good 15mph faster on the top end on the autobahn, more economical and better handling two-up and fully loaded....but not as much fun solo and it made me feel 10 years older.. I rarely ride solo as I can't get SWMBO off the back, so I did enjoy owning one for two years.

The TC engine is nicer than the earlier 1200 engine, so worth the extra IMHO
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Yes, the twin cam is certainly a factor for me.
 
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