RT Vs. R

[Crm]

Hello I'm new to the board but have been lurking for several months.
I'd like to share my thoughts on the amazing differences and I think improvements between the RT and the R.
I traded a 2005 RT for an 08 R. I wanted to shed the additional weight of the RT to enable easier loading on the back of our motorhome.
I was expecting basically the same bike with the obvious lack of wind protection.
Well I have been pleasantly surprised with the changes that I have noticed.
1. Transmission: Sfifts much smoother not at all notchy like the RT.
2. Brakes: I was a fan of the power brakes as I also had them on a 2002 LT, but these new brakes are just as powerful with no whining from the servo.
3.Low speed throttle response: The RT and LT were both extremely touchy at low speeds when coming off the throttle and back on. The R is much improved in this area.
4. No more plastic rattles: This never bothered me much with the LT or RT but the lack of any rattles when travelling over bumps or railroad tracks is nice. The R feels so solid.
5. Gearing: This could be due to less weight but the RT seemed to take way too much throttle when starting off. The R reminds me of my 1998 Valkyrie, nice.
6. Negatives? Not much to complain about. I do miss the fairing and electric windshield but I expected that going in.
As has been mentioned here many times the 1200R is a fun to ride bike.

[DrD]

As has been mentioned here many times the 1200R is a fun to ride bike.

Amen to that, brother!!

[Dr Grabow]

Since the R1200RT came out in 2005, I assume you meant that and not a late-model R1150RT.
Anyway, that's good to hear because as much as I like my R1200R, I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't have gotten an RT instead. Don't get me wrong, the R is a great bike, but when you add the hard bags, top case, luggage rack, an aftermarket windscreen, and all the other doodads that I and others are adding, don't you basically just have a wannabe RT? I don't know. I did test ride an RT for about 3 miles a year ago and it just didn't seem to have any character at all, whereas like so many others, I bought the R right after the test ride. Anyone else owned an R1200RT and can maybe elaborate on the differences between it and a fully decked out R?

[tobes]

I checked out the RT's before getting the R. Nice, but thought they were too heavy. Plus the R has the option of being bare bones, light, fast, and fun in the twisties or being loaded up to tour - the RT doesn't. I had a R1200ST as a loaner for a day a couple weeks ago. It was nice on the freeway but acceleration was lacking and it too was heavy when trying to flip it back and forth on the canyon roads. The R is the better choice for those who want options.

[Lost Rider]

I've never ridden an RT, and probably won't for another 25 years or so, but on a R.....

I can go from this




To this in a matter of an hours...



And I wouldn't try this:



Or cross this:



And I sure wouldn't want to pick up an RT when doing this:



Not to knock what is a great "touring only" bike as I see it, but I prefer options.


R1200R = Swiss Army Knife of Motorcycle IMHO

[eisen]

My 07 RT lasted only 7000km before going back to the dealer.

The RT (sand beige) was IMHO stunning to look at, yet for me it was a let down on the road. I found the following:
1) Gearbox was hesitant and had quite a few false neutrals
2) Slow acceleration, especially when 2-up
3) Top-heavy low speed handling
5) Ergonomics not comfortable for my size and shape
6) Even with Ohlins (front & rear), i was never comfortable or confident with the bikes handling and road manners
7) Most importantly, the S/O did not like being a passenger on the RT. She could never get comfortable, the distorted sound that reached her from the front speakers annoyed the hell out of her and the Cee Baileys screen could not protect her from the wind pressure and terrible noise.

Here is a pic of me and the RT:


Saying that, the RT has many, many followers and i can understand why. It is beautifully made and the handling is very stable, if not fun.
The brakes were fantastic and at speed, it was nimble for such a heavy bike.
I think it is just a case of me and the bike not "bonding" which is a shame, as i really tried to.
The RT has a new home and a great owner (he has been riding RT's for years)
It was replaced with an LT - the supreme superyahct of all road bikes

The R12R is totally different. Light, fast as i need and with luggage, holds as many clothes and (shoes!) as the RT did. I don't miss the screen at all and in order to replace the 'missing' stereo, i installed a cardo rider Q2 in my helmet http://www.cardowireless.com/Q2
The R never feels top heavy when filtering (unlike the RT), even when fully loaded.
The S/O was a passenger on the R for a 7 hour journey and the only complaint she made was about eating a late lunch

It is interesting that the R is not just an RT "without the clothing" (or as some would say, a "poor mans" RT... ).
It is an unbelievably different machine & in many ways more capable, comfortable and diverse than its heavyweight brother.

Enjoy your ride!

[MJB]

I somehow thought that the 3 "R" bikes had the same engine, final drive and suspension.
They are just fitted up different...

1200R, our bikes are the "Naked" look, stripped down..
1200RT is fitted up more for touring; with faring, bags, heated seats est.
1200GS was fitted up for Adventure Riding; higher off the ground, knobby tires, bigger tank est.

The engines are all the same, and the final drive is the same?

[MJB]

I somehow thought that the 3 "R" bikes had the same engine, final drive and suspension.
They are just fitted up different...

1200R, our bikes are the "Naked" look, stripped down..
1200RT is fitted up more for touring; with faring, bags, heated seats est.
1200GS was fitted up for Adventure Riding; higher off the ground, knobby tires, bigger tank est.

The engines are all the same, and the final drive is the same?

[famousperson]

R1200R = Swiss Army Knife of Motorcycle IMHO

I love it!

[deilenberger]

My 07 RT lasted only 7000km before going back to the dealer.

snippage..

The brakes were fantastic and at speed, it was nimble for such a heavy bike.

Does this remind anyone else of "light on her feet for a fat girl.."??

That was my feeling on the test rides I've done on the RT - fat girl. Too much bulk for not enough reason. I imagine the protection is nice mid-winter, but I manage on my R12R.. I didn't like: not being able to see where the front wheel is ending up when I stopped; or where my feet would end up. I owned a K100RT - and it was the least liked of the BMWs I've owned.

Naked is good, naked with options to add protection when needed is better - sorta like the cheerleader who you can dress up to take to a dance - and not suffer the comments of "light on her feet for a fat girl.."

BTW - warmed up enough in NJ to go to the smallest Cee-Bailey screen (16") - wonderful. Turbulence is mostly gone. Have nice air hitting my face (and bugs hitting my faceshield!) Thank Dog spring has sprung..!

[deilenberger]

I somehow thought that the 3 "R" bikes had the same engine, final drive and suspension.
They are just fitted up different...

1200R, our bikes are the "Naked" look, stripped down..
1200RT is fitted up more for touring; with faring, bags, heated seats est.
1200GS was fitted up for Adventure Riding; higher off the ground, knobby tires, bigger tank est.

The engines are all the same, and the final drive is the same?

Actually - not so. IIRC the RT has an even lower rear ratio (meaning lower RPM for given speed) and until this year (2008) - the GS had a detuned engine. Combine that with the difference in weight and suspension (RT = heavier bike, different suspension; GS = off-road-pretender, different taller suspension) and they are considerably different.

[Crm]

[quote][/quote].It is interesting that the R is not just an RT "without the clothing" (or as some would say, a "poor mans" RT... ).
It is an unbelievably different machine & in many ways more capable, comfortable and diverse than its heavyweight brother.

This is what I was trying to say in my original post.
IT still feels like 1st gear is lower... Is this due to weight have they altered the gear ratio?

[eisen]

It is interesting that the R is not just an RT "without the clothing" (or as some would say, a "poor mans" RT... ).
It is an unbelievably different machine & in many ways more capable, comfortable and diverse than its heavyweight brother.

This is what I was trying to say in my original post.
IT still feels like 1st gear is lower... Is this due to weight have they altered the gear ratio?

I'm not sure if its the gear ratio or weight (i'm useless with all the technical stuff...)
All i can say is that taking off in 1st gear with the RT was tricky, to say the least.

Even with the LT which weighs twice as much, i can launch (2-up + luggage) with around 1000rpm on the tacho. Smooth as butter
I know the inline 4 is totally different from the boxer, etc - but that does not excuse the "touring" RT from being so difficult to launch.

[MJB]

I somehow thought that the 3 "R" bikes had the same engine, final drive and suspension.
They are just fitted up different...

1200R, our bikes are the "Naked" look, stripped down..
1200RT is fitted up more for touring; with faring, bags, heated seats est.
1200GS was fitted up for Adventure Riding; higher off the ground, knobby tires, bigger tank est.

The engines are all the same, and the final drive is the same?

Actually - not so. IIRC the RT has an even lower rear ratio (meaning lower RPM for given speed) and until this year (2008) - the GS had a detuned engine. Combine that with the difference in weight and suspension (RT = heavier bike, different suspension; GS = off-road-pretender, different taller suspension) and they are considerably different.

Thanks for the info....
The specs in the BMW book look very similar for the 3 bikes.
I thought there should of been a difference

[mickyt]

I don't know much but assuming they all have the same compression ratios, but deliver power differently, wouldn't there be different cams and gearing in these bikes? Say the GS would be cammed for power off the bottom. The R12 seems to get 'on the cam' around 5k rpm. I have not had a ride on a RT.

[Dr Grabow]

Per BMW's website: The R1200R has a dry weight of 437 pounds with 4.6 gallon tank; the RT is 505 pounds with 7.1 gallon tank. Figure the extra fuel adds 18 or so pounds, and the total weight difference is about 86 pounds. That's not all that much. Heck, I had a K1200LT a few years back, and that was a topheavy beast porking out at about 800 pounds with fuel. So there must be something about the weight distribution, the suspension, seating position, *something* that everyone is commenting on how heavy the RT is when it's really not that much of a difference. But, the point is well taken that the R has the versatility to be naked or dressed as you want it. I sure know that the handling of the R was so perfect that I bought it right after my test ride.

[Dr Grabow]

Oh, and to ChiTown:

1. I've read your posts on Advrider. You're an inspiration. I wouldn't even take my F650GS some of the places you've taken your R.
2. Your R is beautiful with the white deflector and no bags
3. I get really worried about scraping a cylinder in the twisties in the canyons in Colorado, where I ride a lot. I would think that would be an almost certain crash. I probably don't come near touching one down but it gives me the creeps to think about it. Seeing the sparks off yours ... jeesh!

[big papa]

I love my RT. No more naked bikes for me. I had a Rockster, then the KR, both got hit with the ugly stick installing ugly windshields to allow for smooth rides at 75+ mph. There is nothing better than the adjustable winshield on the RT, it's great. This is the first bike that has enough protection to allow me to ride all winter.

[deilenberger]

I love my RT. No more naked bikes for me. I had a Rockster, then the KR, both got hit with the ugly stick installing ugly windshields to allow for smooth rides at 75+ mph. There is nothing better than the adjustable winshield on the RT, it's great. This is the first bike that has enough protection to allow me to ride all winter.

Hmmmm..
Queen Creek, AZ Weather
Queen Creek, AZ climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 99.99 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 38.90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 27 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 26 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Queen Creek is 9.68 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 1.31 Inches.

Different folks - different strokes. I'd be passing out on an RT in the summer where you are, and would find my Roadster just fine in the winter.. I ride all year in NJ:

US Geography / US Weather / New Jersey / Long Branch

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg. High 38° 40° 48° 58° 67° 77° 82° 81° 74° 64° 54° 44°
Avg. Low 22° 24° 31° 40° 48° 58° 65° 64° 57° 46° 37° 28°
Mean 31° 32° 40° 48° 58° 68° 74° 74° 66° 56° 46° 36°

Glad the RT works for you - but dunno if you noticed - this is a ROADSTER group.. http://bmwsporttouring.com is a lot more RT oriented.

Keep the rubber side down..