BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I've always wanted a BMW and the 1150 seems to be just what I'm looking for. Unfortunately I'm torn between the naked R and the more fully dressed RT. I really enjoy the wind in the hair and bugs in the teeth when its warm. However, here in northern Utah much of my riding between November and April is around and below freezing. The wind protection of the RT looks really good then! Here is the newbie question: Is the RT fairing reasonably easy to remove and if so, does it become a naked "R"?

I have never taken the tupperware off of an RT, but I would be willing to bet it would not be pretty. I ride my R year round, rain or shine and as long as there is not frost or ice. I have the BMW sport shield on my bike and find it offers plenty of wind protection. The touring screen caused alot of buffeting noise for me. When it gets really cold, I break out my electric liner and put my mits on my handlebars. Have ridden down into the lower 20's with no problems.

I helped some mates remove the plastic from an 1150 RT to repair some minor drop damage. Same thoughts came up - Just leave the plastic off and have a 'naked' RT. Couldn't be done. Too many bits rely on being covered, attached, hidden, mounted, or buried under the plastic. Looked crap without the fairing panels and nothing like an R.

Next thought was to get some R bits and save bucks on replacing RT panels. Oh - That's right - Beemer stuff is expensive. Was cheaper to replace the RT bits that were cracked and scraped than rebuild it as an R, without even considering the frame and mounting differences.

Would have posed insurmountable problems. The basic engine and driveline might be swappable, but it's all the anciliary crap that makes the idea a no-go.

An R is an R and RT is an RT. Sorry.

I had an RT before my R, and yes great weather protection in winter,
but hot in summer.
The perfect compromize in my opinion would be the R1150RS.
Not too bulky, but better protection than the R.
In saying that, I really like my R, and I have spent more on it on mods than any other bike I have had. ( and still spending )
The R is nearly the perfect bike.

I bought a Parabellum screen for bitter days on the R1150R.

Can get them 23" high if need be. I have the 19".

On and off in about 30-45 minutes.

http://parabellum.com/stores/showdetl.c ... 28&CATID=1

You really want an R with lots of add-ons customized for you and the climate you're riding in. Some of us on this board have made their R's into mini-RT's. There are a number of windshields you could mount for colder weather, then remove for summer, you can drop the exhaust and fit a full-sized left system case, you can add a top trunk - and there are a variety of them as well - tank bags, etc. A few minutes to remove things and you've got a naked R again, ready for wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth (and I do hope you're speaking figuratively, not literally, and that you're wearing protection that includes a full-face helmet).

I think Mixr's post should convince you not to attempt fairing removal on a RT ...

The RT would be a butt ugly bike without the plastic. Too much stuff designed to be covered.

A better option would be either the RS or, like many of us do, have a winter and summer setup for the R. I use the sport shield in winter (the touring shield would be as easy and have more wind protection) with the GS handguards. Come spring, the little speedster shield goes on, the handguards come off and Bingo! - naked again!

I can make the change over either way in about an hour.

Where in Northern Utah do you live? If you get either an R or and RT, be sure and join the Beehive Beemers club.

If you live near Ogden, I have both an 1150RT and an 1150R. Come by and talk. You are correct about not wanting to ride the R in the winter and the RT in the summer. I would be hard pressed to pick one over the other, but I'd probably stay with the RT since I ride year-round and I like the wind and rain protection on trips, especially up in the mountains when it gets cool. They're both good bikes. I think if I were a little smaller or vertically challenged, I'd prefer the R-bike.

Thanks everyone for keeping the newbie from doing something foolish

I think I have been convinced to start with an "R" and add on, rather than with at "RT" and take off

John - The point is that you CAN add stuff to the R. You can't take stuff off the RT.

I also run with a larger screen and handguards. The intent was to take them off in summer, but the screen keeps the bugs off and the guards keep the stones, dirt, bugs, and rain off the gloves. I just leave it all on these days. Makes life simple.

The R is a fine tourer and can be set up with only marginally less weather protection than the RT if you are so inclined. I tend to rely more on my riding gear than the stuff on the bike. Here in Aus, a lot of guys have very nice long-distance tourers, but they hate the heat trapped behind the fairing come summer.

If you ride mostly in cold and wet conditions, go for the RT. If conditions are generally mild and warm, then the R is a better choice in my opinion. When cold, the cat keeps your feet warm and the oil coolers keep your knees warm. It's the upper part of your body that feels it.

I rode mine around Aus last year and across the tropics it was damned hot and sticky. A well-ventilated jacket that you can zip up tight and add a liner or heated vest to is worth its weight in gold. It was about 40 degrees C when this shot was taken. Even so, around the southern end of this great land we froze and I would have killed for an RT. It's all a compromise, and your riding gear is a better way to control variable conditions.

I have a set of Savanna 2 pants (best things since sliced bread) and was using a Dri-Rider Stratos jacket that has lots of vents and a thermal liner. After buying a heated vest, I found that I no longer needed the thermal liner, and even the jacket was often too hot. I've now got a BMW santiago jacket (which replaced the savanna 2). I didn't buy the gortex liners for the pants or jacket (ridiculously expensive here), and haven't really missed them in the rain I've ridden through, but I wear polytech liners summer and winter. With the heated vest, getting wet is bearable so long as you stay warm, and the gear drys quickly.

Good luck in the hunt. Mick.

I agree with the riding gear. I have 2 jackets, 1 a Savanna 2 Beemer one with a liner, the other a DriRider winter with liner.
That covers all seasons.
I have DriRider winter pants with liner, and Savanna 2 pants.
I also have 2 pair of boots, 1 short summer pair, 1 long winter waterproof pair.
It is easier to swap riding gear, that bike parts.

Yes. i'm also in agreement. Change your clothing to suit the weather. I ride a Rockster and don't have an extra screen. (the extra wind blast keeps me sensible in the fast bits but I don't feel any wind force when 'dawdling'.

I bought a Heine Gerrick top of the range jacket just before Christmas. It's a fantastic bit of kit. I only wear a t shirt underneath and it is like wearing a centrally heated house on top. No problems in the slightest down to near freezing. Below those temperatures, sorry but I don't ride because the roads in the Dales here can be treacherous. ...... and before anyone says it, Yes, I'm probably a whimp!!

Ride safely,

Rog