Anyone have an RT?

[Xdot]

I'm thinking of swapping my R for an RT. It's the wind noise. And I'm wanting a bit more comfort for range. But I've never ridden an RT. Anyone out there make the swap who can fill me in on the differences, pro and con? It appears that the full fairing would be quieter and the riding position seems a bit more upright. Opinions?

[macx]

Perhaps I can help.

Where I was working when I got my 04 1150R was all 2 lane driving,
and was only 6 miles from where I was living.

Now i'm working 45 miles one way, besides going to work early in the AM
when it's been as cool as 36 F. That would NOT have happened on my R!

Oh, because of that situation I splurged and got an RT (1200).
That was after doing quite a bit of reading on it and it's features,
incl the electrically adjustable windshield, the heated seats, the
cruise control, the fairing, the electronic adjustable suspension,
heated seats, etc.

Oh, and I love the trip computer - instant ambient air temp readout,
fuel level, miles left on fuel, engine temp, tire pressure, avg mph,
avg mpg, (I think I'm forgeting a couple).

And the controls are easily learned and easy to operate without looking at them
after just a short time. And the single button turn signals !!!

No power booster for the brakes to give problems and cost a fortune to replace,
but the brakes are absolutely superb!

The stock twin low beam headlight bulbs give better light by far than the stock
single bulb R bike, but I'm going to replace them with twin Hella Xenon 55 watt
bulbs just cuz I've got one in my R and am used to the bright light and better
pattern. Those bulbs are't that costly thru Amazon etc.

Couple last things - this is a BMW efi system instead of the Bosch on the R, and
like the reviews all say, it is indeed "spot on" in any condition. Sharp as a razor.
And not so much "instant off" when you back off the throttle. Some but not near
as much.

And with the DOHC on the 10's & 11's, there's no darn rocker arms to set frequently.
Once the valves get set with the right shims, they should stay set for a long time.

And 47 mpg at 75 and over 50 at 60 isn't hard to take, either.



I've been at the new workplace for 3 weeks plus having taken
150 to 200+ mile jaunts on the weekends, and I have to say I
couldn't have been happier with the RT vs the R for those longer
trips and cooler weather.

I'm 64 and admittedly "losing it" (physically) but still I so much
appreciate the fact that if I have too much wind in my face I just
press a button and the wind goes away. If the road is too rough
I just press a button and it gets smoother. And for the 40 mile freeway
rides morning (4:45am to 5:45am) and night, that electric cruise control
is a blessing.

Not perfect but not much I'm changing or tweaking.

First thing is grip puppies, altho it doesn't vibrate anything like my R
does in the 3800 to 4200 rpm range. It's just that my old nerves have
took so mucha buse over the years that any vibration at all is at best
annoying. The RT runs 75 at 4000 and is quite smooth at that rpm,
but I can still feel a little vibes in the grips. I've got foam grips on my
R and like the softer feel and the larger diameter.

Definitely going to put bar backs on - Ilium's. they come with a brake
line extender and aren't cheap, but are better than the ones without
cuz those either stress the front brake line or don't move the bars as
much up and esp back. I guess I don't understand why BMW insists
on making the rider lean forward, or extend his arms fully, on what is
mostly a long distance comfortable cruiser.

Also have ordered a Cee Bailey's headlight protector - I guess the stock
headlight is one expensive mother to replace.

The footpegs are positioned better on the RT than on the R, but still
could stand to be a little farther forward and lower. But not at the top
of my list over the bar backs.

As far as wind protection, the mirrors really help keep the direct wind
off of the hands, altho you can't see behind well at all with them.

I've installed a pair of Napoleon bar end mirrors, now I hardly use the
stock ones any more. With the Napoleon's ($70 a pair and a couple
hours of fiddling to install them) I can see immediately behind me where
with the stock ones you have to lean over quite a bit to see much at
all of what's right behind you.

The seat is considerably better than the R, but after the better part of
an hour my butt still makes me squirm around some. Down on the list
a ways, but a Mayer seat is an eventual must for those longer trips.

Mine came with the "system cases" which, after living with them and
hauling jackets, lunch bags, trying to haul a briefcase which won't fit,
and groceries, etc, I have to regretfully rate them quite low for user
friendly utility. Anything top loading would be a significant improvement.
And those suckers aren't cheap!!

They look very cool, and have so much BMW "identity" that I'm working
on a mod for the inside that effectively makes them top loading. Watch on
BMW Sport Touring, I'm going to take pics and do a write up on the mod.

But, overall, it's a huge improvement for weather protection and longer ride
comfort.

At 70+ mph, the outer edges of the sleeves of my jacket and jeans flutter
some but no part of me is in the direct windstream. No WAY I'd ride that
R 40 miles in mid 30 degree temps!! Not even with the tall windshield.

The engine is basically smooth, about as smooth as one could expect a big
bore vertical twin, has all the torque and throttle response that the reviews
claim it has, the bike is relatively light weight for all the stuff on it - actually
550 fueled up, and it handles at least as nicely on the twisties as my R.

I wish I could afford that $800+ (!!) Akropovic muffler option. It's pretty
quiet at lower revs and cruising, which is fine, and does sound off half way
decently under heavy throttle, but I'm an old hot rodder and like to "hear
the power". But that's a very small minor detail. At least I don't wake up
all my apartment neighbors when I leave for work at 4:45am!

So - I think that's pretty much it.

If you want sources for the stuff I've mentioned, reply to this post and I'll
post links.

[Martyn]

Perhaps I can help.

Where I was working when I got my 04 1150R was all 2 lane driving,
and was only 6 miles from where I was living.

Now i'm working 45 miles one way, besides going to work early in the AM
when it's been as cool as 36 F. That would NOT have happened on my R!

Oh, because of that situation I splurged and got an RT (1200).
That was after doing quite a bit of reading on it and it's features,
incl the electrically adjustable windshield, the heated seats, the
cruise control, the fairing, the electronic adjustable suspension,
heated seats, etc.

Oh, and I love the trip computer - instant ambient air temp readout,
fuel level, miles left on fuel, engine temp, tire pressure, avg mph,
avg mpg, (I think I'm forgeting a couple).

And the controls are easily learned and easy to operate without looking at them
after just a short time. And the single button turn signals !!!

No power booster for the brakes to give problems and cost a fortune to replace,
but the brakes are absolutely superb!

The stock twin low beam headlight bulbs give better light by far than the stock
single bulb R bike, but I'm going to replace them with twin Hella Xenon 55 watt
bulbs just cuz I've got one in my R and am used to the bright light and better
pattern. Those bulbs are't that costly thru Amazon etc.

Couple last things - this is a BMW efi system instead of the Bosch on the R, and
like the reviews all say, it is indeed "spot on" in any condition. Sharp as a razor.
And not so much "instant off" when you back off the throttle. Some but not near
as much.

And with the DOHC on the 10's & 11's, there's no darn rocker arms to set frequently.
Once the valves get set with the right shims, they should stay set for a long time.

And 47 mpg at 75 and over 50 at 60 isn't hard to take, either.



I've been at the new workplace for 3 weeks plus having taken
150 to 200+ mile jaunts on the weekends, and I have to say I
couldn't have been happier with the RT vs the R for those longer
trips and cooler weather.

I'm 64 and admittedly "losing it" (physically) but still I so much
appreciate the fact that if I have too much wind in my face I just
press a button and the wind goes away. If the road is too rough
I just press a button and it gets smoother. And for the 40 mile freeway
rides morning (4:45am to 5:45am) and night, that electric cruise control
is a blessing.

Not perfect but not much I'm changing or tweaking.

First thing is grip puppies, altho it doesn't vibrate anything like my R
does in the 3800 to 4200 rpm range. It's just that my old nerves have
took so mucha buse over the years that any vibration at all is at best
annoying. The RT runs 75 at 4000 and is quite smooth at that rpm,
but I can still feel a little vibes in the grips. I've got foam grips on my
R and like the softer feel and the larger diameter.

Definitely going to put bar backs on - Ilium's. they come with a brake
line extender and aren't cheap, but are better than the ones without
cuz those either stress the front brake line or don't move the bars as
much up and esp back. I guess I don't understand why BMW insists
on making the rider lean forward, or extend his arms fully, on what is
mostly a long distance comfortable cruiser.

Also have ordered a Cee Bailey's headlight protector - I guess the stock
headlight is one expensive mother to replace.

The footpegs are positioned better on the RT than on the R, but still
could stand to be a little farther forward and lower. But not at the top
of my list over the bar backs.

As far as wind protection, the mirrors really help keep the direct wind
off of the hands, altho you can't see behind well at all with them.

I've installed a pair of Napoleon bar end mirrors, now I hardly use the
stock ones any more. With the Napoleon's ($70 a pair and a couple
hours of fiddling to install them) I can see immediately behind me where
with the stock ones you have to lean over quite a bit to see much at
all of what's right behind you.

The seat is considerably better than the R, but after the better part of
an hour my butt still makes me squirm around some. Down on the list
a ways, but a Mayer seat is an eventual must for those longer trips.

Mine came with the "system cases" which, after living with them and
hauling jackets, lunch bags, trying to haul a briefcase which won't fit,
and groceries, etc, I have to regretfully rate them quite low for user
friendly utility. Anything top loading would be a significant improvement.
And those suckers aren't cheap!!

They look very cool, and have so much BMW "identity" that I'm working
on a mod for the inside that effectively makes them top loading. Watch on
BMW Sport Touring, I'm going to take pics and do a write up on the mod.

But, overall, it's a huge improvement for weather protection and longer ride
comfort.

At 70+ mph, the outer edges of the sleeves of my jacket and jeans flutter
some but no part of me is in the direct windstream. No WAY I'd ride that
R 40 miles in mid 30 degree temps!! Not even with the tall windshield.

The engine is basically smooth, about as smooth as one could expect a big
bore vertical twin, has all the torque and throttle response that the reviews
claim it has, the bike is relatively light weight for all the stuff on it - actually
550 fueled up, and it handles at least as nicely on the twisties as my R.

I wish I could afford that $800+ (!!) Akropovic muffler option. It's pretty
quiet at lower revs and cruising, which is fine, and does sound off half way
decently under heavy throttle, but I'm an old hot rodder and like to "hear
the power". But that's a very small minor detail. At least I don't wake up
all my apartment neighbors when I leave for work at 4:45am!

So - I think that's pretty much it.

If you want sources for the stuff I've mentioned, reply to this post and I'll
post links.

Pretty much sums it up. I'm lucky enough to have a 1200RT, & one at work, BUT I love my 1150R for riding around in the near countryside.
If I was going on a long trip, whilst the 1150R, or a 1200R for that matter, would do it, the RT has comfort in abundance.
As we say on this side of the pond "You pays your money, you take your choice"

[tmfirestone]

I am going in the opposite direction. I had a 03 R1150RT and loved everything about it. Great wind/weather protection, very comfortable for the wife on pillon and long trips. Had to sell due to back problems and the weight of the RT. I am in the process of getting a 2007 R1200R.

You won't be disappointed with the RT especially considering the drop in weight on the post 2004 models.

[Mr. C]

I have an 05 R1200RT in addition to my 02 R1150R.

The RT gets better mileage 65 vs. 45. It's better suited to very cold, very hot (108+) or very wet riding conditions. It has less than half of the wind noise of the R with the stock windshield. It's much quicker and smoother than the R. I bought mine used and it has barbacks, but I find the riding position very tiresome and I am thinking of removing them. For me, the RT is effectively the family station wagon.

The R has much more wind noise due to the short windscreen and I have to wear ear plugs. The stock headlight is pathetic, but a pair of properly aimed 1100X’s more than compensate. The R handles with confidence that is hard to match on the RT. It is lighter and much much more comfortable. The R is puts a smile on my face every time. I find I can ride the R 600 miles a day with no issues, I can only ride the RT for about half of that before I've had enough.

Weather considerations aside, for 1 up riding, especially long trips, the R is always my first choice. For 2 up riding it’s typically the station wagon… er…..RT.

-mc