Looking for RT to R owners

[deilenberger]

I'll just add.. I've owned RT's (K100RT) - and averaged 5,000 miles a year for high years. I owned a K75S, and averaged about 7,000 miles a year. Since I bought the R1200R 3 summers ago - I've gone 42,000 miles. The other bikes there were times when I couldn't wait to get off. Never had that happen on the R12R.

FWIW - I did try an RT before buying the R. I got as far as the driveway exit at the dealership and realized this bike ain't for me. I have a normal inseam (27"), so - I was tippy-toe on the RT. I realized with all the fairing in front of me I had no idea where my foot was going to come down when I came to a stop, making it highly probable that I'd dump the thing on the test ride. So.. turned it around and gave it back to them. About 2 months later they had a demo-ride day with the then new R12R included. Got there early, signed up, rode it, came back and bought one. Have never regretted it.

[Bheckel169]

Went from the RT to R and never looked back.
The R is less top heavy.
The R is more nimble.
I now do more short trips of 200 miles or so instead of touring so the R is perfect for me.
I throw on a Touratech Tri-Bag system for a full tour or just the round Touratech
bag for everyday stuff.
You get air, so what. The RT with the Aeroflow windshield cooked me in the summer on the RT.
The R is absolutely the last bike I will own, until a better R comes out.
Bruce

[RT-Mike]

Well,You guys have certainly come through with some fine comments...I kinda suspected that from a board that is dedicated to the Roadsters of the BMW line up

I'm sure there will be an excellent condition RT for sale in the Midwest very soon...if you all know of anyone in the market for one

Thanks again,Mike

[xprof]

RT-Mike, Get the R! Negotiate a better saddle (the comfort saddle, in any height), and ask that the dealer swap out the mirrors for a pair from an F800GT (they're 'way better). And then you can become RmikeR!

[RT-Mike]

RT-Mike, Get the R! Negotiate a better saddle (the comfort saddle, in any height), and ask that the dealer swap out the mirrors for a pair from an F800GT (they're 'way better). And then you can become RmikeR!

Mike,I'll try to Get-R-Done

[Caroanbill]

I've only just seen this post because I was out touring on my R (or RT-Lite, Harry C?). 2,600km (1600mi) on a mix of hilly and outback roads in under 4 days, in cold, wet and sometiems windy weather and still feeling fresh at the end of it.

I've had K-RT, K-LT, R-RS and this is my preferred touring machine.

My R is definitely RT-Lite - ABS, ASC, OBC, centrestand options (heated grips stock) plus (front to back):
Calsci screen (BMW touring screen bracket)
Wunderlich clear hand shields
BMW Chrome oval mirrors
Wunderlich clear leg+foot shields
Wunderlich "Microflooter" running / infill lights (with BMW GS Adv switch)
Stebel Magnum horn
Homemade oilcooler screen
Wilbers front shock
MV Verholen bar-backs
Kaoko throttle lock
SW Motech / Bags Connect tank bag setup
Air Hawk seat pad
Suburban Machinery lowered pegs
Wilbers rear shock
Imlberger CF hugger
Colour-coded BMW bags
Colour Coded Bmw 28litre topcase
Kathy's Journey Designs inner bags
.. kinda the best of both worlds. I would need a comfort seat to make this a two-up machine (the stock low seat + AirHawk is fine for just me).

My Calsci / Wunderlich almost-a-faring does have one gap: the wind blows over the tops of my thighs and they can get quite cold if temps are below 10C (50F). Otherwise I've got pretty good coverage boots to shoulders, at considerably less bulk than an RT - and no visual bulk at all ('cept the dead bugs / red dust I accumulated in the outback).

Now, at this point you're probably thinking this cost the same as an RT - not so: about 15% less (and less still in the US - aftermarket bits cost more in the antipodes). It's more about the 16% lower kerb weight, nimbler handling. less weather and scenery isolation.

I think I have it all. My mates think I've lost the plot. You choose!

(.. this is not a citybike - I have a Vespa for that! )

[mvk]

Don't think that you need more convincing but I have to add my bit and also pick up Bill on one point!
It's a bike that is not the best at any one thing but is the best allrounder.
Most distance I have done in one go is 1100km from Philip Island to Canberra through as many twisty bits as possible (Snowy Mountains National Park etc etc for those who know the area) Got off at the end with no aches or pains at all. Mind you my wife was right behind me on a 696 Monster which ain't no touring bike so she showed me up really.

I do 18,000 km per year, have the original seat and love it, sports fairing only and really can't fault it as an all day tourer, weekend toy and, Bill, daily commuter - low down weight, heaps of torque, light clutch, agility and in spite of appearances not a bad lane splitter-I have narrow Rizoma mirrors and where the handlebars can go, the rest of the bike is sure to follow. A damn fine city bike indeed!
Perversely I like that people rarely notice or comment on it (unlike my Commando or my wife's Ducati). Anonymity can be a good thing in our over watchful society...
Enjoy it!

[Caroanbill]

and, Bill, daily commuter - low down weight, heaps of torque, light clutch, agility and in spite of appearances not a bad lane splitter-I have narrow Rizoma mirrors and where the handlebars can go, the rest of the bike is sure to follow. A damn fine city bike indeed!

Oops - didn' t mean to imply the R won't commute - it's quite good, I imagine. I merely meant that I happen to use a Vespa around inner city Sydney's tight streets and lanes (in large part coz I have very short legs!). If I lived in Canberra, or anywhere with more open streets, or otherwise commuted via main roads, the R12R would be my only bike.

( .. but a Vespa is quicker in the city, even though it's not faster - 154 vs 223kg, CVT, 12" vs 17" wheels makes for easy, zippy runs despite only 6.7Kg/Nm to the R12R's 2.0Kg/Nm ... )