A Dance with the Fat Lady in RED - (BMW R1200RT reviewed by KTM 950 rider)

[m0lt3n]

wat gaan dan hier aan dat hier niks aan gaan nie?

 

[0012]

:deal:


:sip:

 

[MellowJo]

Next time he borrows a bike, I will have to add a ban on publications to the conditions ......  :deal:

.... or a condition of "pre-publication approval .... "    :sip:

 

[arno]

Miskien ry hy nog steeds

 

[spoedvark]

Obviously enjoying the BM so much that he is taking the long way round route to work these days!

No more time to be a keyboard jockey like so many of us!

SPOED :snorting:

 

[VaalBaas]

subscribed.
I would actually like a review of these vs 1200GS. I have some friends that does not do gravel on their GS's so I am always thinking or wondering why they wont just get an RT

There would be only one reason. When the tar stops and the ride isnt over, they want to be able...

Daar was al 'n paar op die forum geadverteer en 'n paar maal was dit amper. My kop was al 'n paar maal deurmekaar, maar ek weet die besluit is gemaak.

DIS DIE FIETS IN MY TOEKOMS.

Net nie rooi nie, het nog nooit van rooi gehou nie ;D

 

[whitedelight]

I looked at these a while back when BMW launched the 1600,there were some good bargains to be had on the 1200. I am not a fan of the boxer motor but the bike makes a pretty decent tourer.
I still think in this category I would go for a FJR,but they are not easy to find.

 

[Lommies]

Take the RT for a breakfast run to Knysna, then you will know what it can really do  :deal:
it eats up the k's without breaking a sweat

 

[Archangel]

So I'm back at the grind, which means I have taken some time out from surfing and biking, to sit behind a desk and write about this bike...  eepwall:

Before I continue about the overall ride experience, I want to touch on the gearbox. Apparently, all the gearboxes on the boxer motors and quite clunky (at the lack of a better word). After riding this bike for about two weeks, you kinda find the sweet spot and you can change without too much discomfort. Other riders have mentioned that the gearbox of the RT is MUCH smoother than that of the typical GS. I still find it rougher than my KTM.

But back to twisty road past Betties...

My perception of this bike is that it leans over easier (and perhaps further?) than your typical ADV bike, making the handling really soft in the corners. It's also very responsive and gives good feedback of how much further I should have been able to push her, but I couldn't find the courage (read BALLS) to do so. Same goes for the ABS. At one point, I rode about 20 kmph and slammed the back break to give it a test and I suppose it worked, as it didn't lock the wheel. If it's quicker than a normal stop, well let's just say that the jury is still out on that one...

Obviously with the seat height being lower, one is closer to the road. This in combination with aerodynamics, makes the bike feel more stable . It also happens to result in your knees being bent more than I'm used too. As for wind protection... What wind? The screen is adjustable for what I suppose is a more sporty feel (low on the bike) as opposed to more cruising (flatter, higher). I found a nice middle way and just left if there. I would make a wild guess and say that you probably won't get too wet if you're traveling drizzling conditions, as long as you don't stop.

What else? Mmmm... Aha, cruise control! Hahahaha, not something I ever thought I'd use, but it's nice to give your right wrist a rest every now and then.

I think we'd all like to say that we ride enough gravel to justify the adventure bikes, but in reality, most of us ride enough tar to justify having one of these. Now considering that this second hand RT plus a new Honda XR650L (or similar) is cheaper than a new KTM 1190 or GS1200Adv, I'm wondering why there aren't more people that choose to have two bikes more suited to each specific cause, rather than having one bike that sort-off does both good, but not great (my opinion leaning towards smaller bikes for technical off-road touring).

All things considered, this bike has changed my perspective of the typical executive riding his fancy touring bike. I used to look down on them, but they never seemed to care much. Now I know why...

I saw a number of other bikes in passing and the reactions were different to that when I'm riding my KTM, but I was so content on this bike, that even the KTM that wheelied from the traffic light to show me how boring I was, failed to impress. Will I sell my KTM for one of these? Probably not soon, my ego wouldn't allow me to, but I'll always have eye for these. And perhaps in the far, far future, who knows...?

 

[ClimbingTurtle]

Now you got me thinking..... an RT & a XR.....

No... Stop. Wife = Death-stare......

:eek7:

 

[VaalBaas]

Very good write up, maybe because its what I want to read  :ricky:

 

[MellowJo]

OK, he did such a good job with this write-up, now I will have to lend him my R1200S for a write-up as welll .....  :imaposer:

 

[VaalBaas]

El let nou eers op na die hoê handlebars op jou fiets. Die ryposisie  is baie hoêr. Help daai deflektor genoeg vir die wind.

Sorry vir die hijack Archangel, maar aanvaar die aanbod. Die S is iets heel van 'n ander kleur :thumleft:

 

[Archangel]

Ek het al met daai bike gery en ek's nogsteeds bang...

 

[Archangel]

Some more pics.

Just past Kogelbaai

In ride photo at Betties

Kleinmond

 

[Lem]

Archangel, eks nie verbaas dat die RT jou beindruk het nie.

iets wat ek al tot vervelens toe op hierdie forum gese het is...

Net soos party fabrikate bekend is vir racing heritage, bou BMW al touring bikes vir 92 jaar....hulle weet by die tyd al wat om te doen  :thumleft:

 

[Dwerg]

I would make a wild guess and say that you probably won't get too wet if you're traveling drizzling conditions, as long as you don't stop.

At around 100+ with the screen up you stay pretty much completely dry in light to mild rain

 

[redtiger]

Now considering that this second hand RT plus a new Honda XR650L (or similar) is cheaper than a new KTM 1190 or GS1200Adv, I'm wondering why there aren't more people that choose to have two bikes more suited to each specific cause, rather than having one bike that sort-off does both good, but not great (my opinion leaning towards smaller bikes for technical off-road touring).


I can agree more I have both a silver RT 1200 and a Dakar 650 now in process of looking for a decent XR or DR as the second bike to replace the Dakar for my two bike stable.
The wife happy to ride pillion on RT but does not enjoy the Dakar or even my previous BMW 1150GSA. I sold the GSA and decided to go the two bike option that you suggest.

 

[VaalBaas]

Ek het hierbo gesê: Net nie rooi nie, maar die foto  :drif: :drif: Dis mooi

Some more pics.

Just past Kogelbaai

 

[BLK]

Now imagine even you were given the chance to ride a modern RT?

Thks for your comments.

Cheers
Bruce