BMW R1200RT
Posted Sun Jun 17, 2007 in
Motorcycling
I have coffee and I need it. (I seem to say that a lot these days.) Yesterday was a day.
The intent was for it to be a good day. After much fiddling around, I decided I wanted to look at the BMW R1200RT motorcycles. During the long ride home, I finally figured out that as much as I love the performance of the K1200RS, I just don’t fit that bike. I realized I could have spent money trying to make it fit me. I hadn’t exhausted all the options. But, in the end, I was concerned that I would spend the time and money and find that I either had a Frankenstein or that it didn’t work.
I emailed the IBMWR motorcycling list and asked that question. I didn’t get a lot of answers. But, those I got were from long-time list participants who have credibility. They basically told me “Don’t do it.” The short version is that I would end up with a Frankenstein when the simple solution was to buy what fit me.
So, yesterday was to be a fun outing to the Reno BMW dealership to test ride a R1200RT. One of my colleagues asked to come along and we would ride through Virginia City, stop for a bite of breakfast, and then ride north to Reno and the dealership. I thought that would be fun too.
So, we met at 0800 and off we went. He rides a sportbike. I don’t generally ride with others. I prefer the solo ride. We worked our way through Carson City and headed east on U.S. 50. Traffic wasn’t too heavy, but when we turned east on U.S. 50, we came across a large group of bicyclists strung out over a long distance. So, with watching traffic, the lead rider, and the bicyclists, my workload was fairly heavy.
I didn’t notice the state trooper make a U-turn. He stopped us as we turned north on SH 341. I pulled over, he passed me and pulled in behind the lead rider. I should have left – mistake number one.
He wrote us for ten-over and cited me for failure to register my vehicle in Nevada. I explained the machine had just arrived from Texas not a week before but that was ignored. He said “Go register your bike and that will be viewed as a good-faith effort in court.” I also explained I was on the way to Reno to possibly trade the bike. He looked a little confused and responded “Bring your paperwork to court and explain it to the judge.”
I learned he had picked us up on the edge of Carson City and followed us about ten miles before pulling us over. I think he was waiting to see what we did when the limit drops to 45 mph in Mound House. That and the fact he cited me for failure to register my vehicle when I had a perfectly good explanation why it was not yet registered ticked me off.
Yeah, I was over the limit. I was pretty busy watching things other than the speedometer. That was prudent, given the bicyclists on the right shoulder and other traffic. I could have caught him in the mirrors if I’d had less workload.
I don’t even mind taking the hit for the speed violation. I don’t want to take the hit on the insurance, though. I’m particularly pissed at the registration citation, though. That one I’ll fight.
I’m generally perfectly happy working with the traffic flow. It’s my belief that’s the safest speed to travel. When I’m out all alone on the highway I typically run 70-75mph by the GPS. I slow down in towns. I don’t do that because I’m afraid I’ll attract a speeding violation; I do it because it is reasonable and prudent.
The office lost my driver’s license. He returned my insurance card but not my license. When I asked for it, he returned to his vehicle and started searching. After about five minutes, he returned with it.
We headed north while the officer finished his paperwork. My mood had deteriorated substantially. We stopped in Virginia City and the restaurant was closed. We took a smoke-break and then resumed our travels north.
I took the lead in Reno and directed us to Sparks, where we found the Sierra BMW dealership. I noticed a beautiful sand beige R1200RT sitting on the lot. I walked around the machine, then headed for the dealership. I found my sales consultant and introduced myself. He is a slight, nervous man who is very active. I think he was expecting a monster. I got some water, explained what happened on the way to the dealership, and prepared to call Wife. I had a serious need to vent.
Wife and I talked and she agrees that I will fight the citation. She gave instructions “Don’t ride while you’re angry.” She was right — riding while upset is not a good thing.
So, I calmed myself while the agent took my information and we walked around the machine for the pre-ride instruction. They have to do that for liability reasons, although I’m reasonably familiar with basic operation of BMW motorcycles. I mounted the machine, realized I’d need the low-seat option, started it, and rode off.
The handling was as I expected — very light. The R1200RT is about 100 pounds lighter than the K1200RS. The boxer-twin is a torque-producing engine. It’s rough, of course, because the machine was not broken-in. It was easy to handle and would probably benefit from another tire type. I’ll experiment with that over the next few years.
After 13 miles I returned to the dealership to start the negotiation process. I was disappointed to learn that Shadowfax needed some fairly expensive maintenance. While I understand the dealership is motivated to reduce the trade-in value of the machine, the offer was lower than expected. So, the negotiations began.
In the meantime, my riding partner decided to head back south. I didn’t blame him.
In the end, I think I negotiated a reasonable trade. It wasn’t the best trade, but it wasn’t bad either. I didn’t want to spend money on Shadowfax to bring him back to par. I’ve wanted an RT again. I wanted to keep Bathsheba for a long time, but she was crashed and a total loss.
So, the sand-beige R1200RT went home with me. I don’t have a name, yet. I’m looking forward to many miles with the RT. I’m back to being a daily-rider. I like that. I like the reduced use of fuel and I like the opportunity to be outside for at least a few minutes every day. I’m looking forward to many rides.
Congratulations. I always kind of wondered about how suitable that bike was for you. I hope you like the R-bike better.
— Dazed n Confused 17 June 2007, 11:08 #I already like the R-bike better. Don’t get me wrong, there are things about the K-bike that I loved. The narrow bench made it really easy for me to get flat-footed at a stop. The powerplant is something wondrous to ride. The smooth power is amazing.
But the R-bike suits what I want from a motorcycle better. I’m up for long rides at a moderate pace. The R-bike will go more than fast enough for me and it’s acceleration is more than adequate. The riding position and carrying capacity are exactly what I want.
And… I didn’t have to by a Goldwing!
— ruminator 17 June 2007, 12:20 #CONGRATULATIONS! Nice looking machine, looks like you’ll realy enjoy it. I would like to plan some time for us to attend the California Superbike School since your so close now. That’d be really cool I think. If you can spot me the cash (www.superbikeschool.com), we’ll do the weekend camp at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. hehehe ;)
— SiL 17 June 2007, 20:26 #LOL! I think if I was going to do some track time, I’d rent a sportbike, ride it for a few days, and then go to the class.
You’ll have to pay your own way, though… :)
— ruminator 18 June 2007, 05:18 #Whaddya know about suspension tweaking? I have become increasingly interested in this issue, and am curious as to what you know. I have an email into GP suspension detailing what problems I think I have (namely the fact that I’m a bigger boy, hehe).
I’d like to see ya on a sportbike!!! The boys would love to see a knee-draggin papa. The day courses are pricey but affordable, the weekend camps…..OUCH :o!! None-the-less it’d be hella fun.
— SiL 18 June 2007, 21:44 #I don’t know much about suspension adjustments. I never felt I was at a point where my capability pushed the machine hard enough that its limits were approached. I generally pushed the Bimmer’s rear pre-load all the way to the limit. That seemed to improve stability at the cost of a slightly harder ride. My old K-bike tended to be a little “wallowy” if I let off on the rear pre-load or let the tires get a little low. Proper pressures and rear pre-load seemed to improve stability.
Many BMW riders opt for replacement shocks — Ohlins seem to be popular — with full adjustment. Your machine has fork suspension, so you’ll be tweaking the springs (different load factor) and oil (damping), probably. The rear shock could be replaced and maybe the rear spring with something a little stiffer (higher load-rate).
I think sportbikes are fun! I just can’t go off riding across country like I do on one. With proper gear, I’d probably learn to drag a knee. :)
I had fun on the Kingsbury grade yesterday. The RT turns in really easy and holds the line better than I do. It feels soft, but the dang thing holds the corners well. I didn’t push it, just felt the machine work as I tested the tires and suspension. The RT is definitely up to the task. It may not be a sportbike, but it’s definitely a sport-tourer!
I think Pridmore’s school might be fun too.
— ruminator 19 June 2007, 05:14 #