R1200RT circa 2010-2013 owner thoughts

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[black-k1]

Yes but ...

Some people don't class the boxer engine as smooth. You'd need to try one to see what you think.

[outnumbered]

Is the Triumph not working so well on your trip then?

RT is probably the obvious choice. Personally I’ve always found the handling a bit odd, and being tall, the riding position makes me slouch, so I don’t find them comfortable either.

[black-k1]

You may want to look at a 4 cyl engined bike then rather than a twin, but do try a R1200RT in case it works for you.

[AJHDingo]

I would suggest it is - try one. An RT was the first tourer style I tried and initially thought it was a tad thrummy on a test ride and left me a bit neutral generally. Subsequently tried several other tourer types and currently own a VFR800 . In hindsight the RT was very good. Great wind protection, plenty of grunt for relaxed riding on motorways.

[Jazoli]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Also consider a Pan European 1300, they are incredibly smooth.

[baxb]

Just back from a 3 day 700 mile France trip with a mate who was on his 2010 RT1200 & we are 3 weeks out from a 1500 ish mile trip down to Valencia & back. As a touring bike it’s hard to beat, wind/weather protection is 1st rate, things like heated grips, heated seat, electric screen, cruise control all add up to making a very comfy machine to do some miles on.
It’s not the last word in power or smoothness, but I guess I depends on your frame of reference, compared to my old Ducati 900 it’s lovely!! But whilst the engine is a big part of what makes the bike smooth/comfortable it’s also stuff like the screen effectiveness, telelever front suspension etc that make the bike very good over distance.
Try one, I’ve a feeling my mate’s will be on the market post Spain trip.

[Chipchap]

My tuppence:-

Consider the Yamaha FJR. Made from granite, do huge mileages. Comfy and cheap for what they are.

OR

Honda VFR1200 a nice inoffensive bike.

OR

Kawasaki GTR 1400 again granite and cheap for what they offer.

OR

BMW K1300S. I saw one on UKGSers with 14000 miles and a small dent in the exhaust can for only £4500 which is pennies for one of these.

These would be on my shopping list before an R1200RT and I love the Boxer Twins.

[black-k1]

Chipchap said:

My tuppence:-

Consider the Yamaha FJR. Made from granite, do huge mileages. Comfy and cheap for what they are.

OR

Honda VFR1200 a nice inoffensive bike.

OR

Kawasaki GTR 1400 again granite and cheap for what they offer.

OR

BMW K1300S. I saw one on UKGSers with 14000 miles and a small dent in the exhaust can for only £4500 which is pennies for one of these.

These would be on my shopping list before an R1200RT and I love the Boxer Twins.

I'd agree with the above with one small addition.

The K1300GT (instead of the K1300S?) as it's more upright.

[Krikkit]

anonymous said:

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It's an effective anti-spammer method though, they definitely can't create new accounts.

[black-k1]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No smilies but I assume this is a joke!

(If not - the answer is 2)

[Chipchap]

Seller can be contacted on 07899 864270. His name is Dave. Its a 2010 K1300S with c14000 miles on it.

I am almost tempted myself as its so cheap. A set of bar risers will make it more upright.

[black-k1]

If you're looking at a K1300S or K1300GT then check out www.eurokclub.bike as they have a potential buyers guide with a list of what to look out for and what to check.

[Biker9090]

Any BMW of that era is NOT going to be the last word in reliability.

Spend a few weeks on the facebook groups and compare major/catastrophic failures with those on a competitor (Japanese) group or forum.

About all I see on the VFR group are people complaining about the seat or fuelling. On the K1300 group it's VERY nearly a daily occurance with major failure of some component that stops the bike dead.

That's before you even get to the corrosion issues on BMW - my 33 year old CZ125 GENUINELY has less corrosion than my 2010 K1300 did.

It's actually laughable how appalling their reliability is.

Yes, you may get lucky but a MUCH higher proportion of people don't compared to a Jap bike.

Oh, and for the RT you're looking at around a full bag for a clucth replacment.....

[XR]

The BMW 1200 boxer engine circa 2010 - 2013 was the last development of the air cooled motor, its as good as it gets before water cooling was introduced, in fact it had a stay of execution in the R9T

I had a 2012 R1200R, not the same in terms of weather protection as the RT but a brilliant bike with a peach of an engine.

The other suggestions are good but give the RT a try before you dismiss it.

[junglie]

Hi,

I have had a K1300GT, Honda Varadero 1000 and now a 2013 R1200RT so can offer you my perspective if of any use?

[Register1]

Chipchap said:

My tuppence:-

Consider the Yamaha FJR. Made from granite, do huge mileages. Comfy and cheap for what they are.

OR

Honda VFR1200 a nice inoffensive bike.

OR

Kawasaki GTR 1400 again granite and cheap for what they offer.

OR

BMW K1300S. I saw one on UKGSers with 14000 miles and a small dent in the exhaust can for only £4500 which is pennies for one of these.

These would be on my shopping list before an R1200RT and I love the Boxer Twins.

Would you not think a 900 TDM more suitable ?
The older 850 is good, just the 900 ticks more boxes

[Panclan]

I have a 2011 R1200RT that I bought in January this year, it had hardly been ridden in the previous 5 years. 8 out of 10 brake pistons were seized, a full rebuild of the calipers and all was well, until I filled up the tank and found the fuel pump was leaking around the fuel pump controller. I got a fuel pump housing from Motorworks, once fitted the problem was solved. I found the standard screen to be to short for me so bought a longer VStream screen.

The bike is very comfortable, I have done a 400 mile trip back from Cornwall via the A30, Exmoor, M5, A49 without any discomfort. Many of the bikes do huge mileage, well over 100k without issues if serviced and looked after. Take a look on https://www.1200rt.com/index.php for problems tips etc.

Edited by Panclan on Wednesday 10th August 21:11

Edited by Panclan on Wednesday 10th August 21:17

[junglie]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I’ll give it some thought overnight and write some bits down tomorrow.

[CAPP0]

Commuted daily on a 2012 RT for about 5 years, I put about 30k miles on it. Also used it for a few long journeys. Went well, very stable at low (commuting) speeds, and handled surprisingly well for a big old tank, you could push it much harder than you think you ought to be able to. Often used to surprise people on more sporty stuff. Didn't have a lot of trouble with it, there's something in the top of the fuel pump that gets water in and fails, known issue, and I had the throttle position sensor fail once as well, but otherwise I don't recall any particular problems. Mine was the SE, so it had all the toys on it, but most are standard anyway. Definitely give one an extended test ride and see what you think.