R1200R vs. R1200RT

[ka5ysy]

Since we have a comparison going on the RR vs the GS, how about some thoughts on the RR vs. the RT?

Anybody go one way or the other?

[Motorcycle_Girl]

The choice was simple for me...I really don't like fairings...I have the bags for my bike but I only use them when I am travelling. Other than that, a little tail pack and I am good for a day of riding.

Celeste

[xprof]

I like: no fairing, tubular handlebars, single round headlight, big boxer engine. What are my choices?

[LumpyCam]

The R1200R takes me 1,000kms a day with 60L of luggage in the hardcases from -2c to +36c. I'm not sure what else i would need for 'touring'. Then I can take off the bags and i've got a great commuter or sporty(er) ride for around town.

The only real advantage I can see for the RT is possibly better two-up comfort and stability.

[Mollygrubber]

Well, not to play devil's advocate, but I sometimes yearn for a bit more weather protection (when it's 5 degrees C and raining for instance). I'd bet the RT is gooder (technical term) in this regard.

But I still dig my RR.

ps. did you get caught in that thunderstorm Saturday night LumpyCam? I just made it home in time...

[burn_nitro]

Weight!

On a longer ride on a cooler day, I'd take the faired bike, but on a hot day, full perforated leathers and an R is the way to go.

[RougePivoine]

My Significant Other rides a 1200RT, me a R1200R.

Agree with the opinions above that the RT is a better choice in colder and rainy weather. The SO stays dry as long as he keeps riding while I on the RR get all wet. Once bought the same gloves as he has because they clearly were dry quicker . Turned out they didn't get as wet

Though once above 25 degrees Celsius, I am better off on the RR. At those temperatures, the SO longs for his summer jacket while I am ok with opening some zips on my leather suit.

I think the seat is better as well on the RT (although after 12,000 km my b** got used to the standard seat).

The RT is much heavier as well. Less an issue if you're not a woman and vertically challenged, I can imagine, though.

Apart from these differences... both great bikes.

[hankth]

Having come from an '02 RT to an '07 R, I can tell you that the RT is much better for long trips in warm or cold weather. That said, at 67 yrs old, the RT was getting too heavy for me. I also just love how you can see the engine sticking out in the breeze on the R! The R excells on twisty roads, even though the RT did handle surprisingly well in that regard. Because the R is so much lighter, it's quickness is very noticable compared to the RT as well. Oh, and because my '02 RT lacked the engine balance feature it was buzzier at higher rpms than the R. Both great bikes, but the R really does work best for me now. Ride safe.

[celticus]

I like: no fairing, tubular handlebars, single round headlight, big boxer engine. What are my choices?

Tubular handle bars and round headlight, Those are some of the main reasons I picked the R1200R.
If the R1200RT were not uglier than the R1150RT the choice might have been less easy.

Mark

[Cosmic-Rider]

I went from an '04 R1150RT to an '07 R1200R. The biggest difference is the weight. The R1200R is the all around perfect bike. Weather you load her up and go cross country or you're just ripping around on a weekend afternoon, she's a total joy to ride without all the bulk of the RT.

[Bill Stevenson]

Last month I brought my R bike in for the 12K service expecting to sit and wait several hours for the work to be accomplished. The dealer had a brand new R1200RT all prepped and ready for demo duty and asked me to take it out for a good long ride. So I took it home, rode my bicycle about 20 miles, and then back to the dealer when they called that my bike was ready. About 100 miles on the RT. I hated it. Holy hotness! And heavy, OMG! Sorry if you like the big fairing, but it really ruins our lithe and lean R bikes and makes them into wallowing whales. Sitting behind that fairing gets stale real fast. No air movement you see. No thanks, not in South Florida, not even for free.

Bill

[hammick]

I like: no fairing, tubular handlebars, single round headlight, big boxer engine. What are my choices?

Tubular handle bars and round headlight, Those are some of the main reasons I picked the R1200R.
If the R1200RT were not uglier than the R1150RT the choice might have been less easy.

Mark

In all fairness the R1200RT shed a lot of pounds off the 1150. That said the R1200R handles better and is more fun. However, if I was taking a long touring trip on all good highway and some interstate and had both in the stable I would choose the RT.

[GeorgeRoberts]

When I had my '07 R1200RT, I liked the sleek(?) looks, the electrically adjustable windshield, the cruise control, the heated seat and the smooth ride. What I didn't like was the rear view mirrors, the reflection of myself in the instrument panel, and the annoyance of always scuffing the right saddlebag when with my boot when mounting and dismounting the bike. Also, because of it's weight, I had to struggle to get it on the center-stand. My weight is about 155 pounds. Also, it was hard to maneuver in tight spots.
Then when returning from the BMWMOA rally in TN, while traveling the Blue Ridge Pkwy in the rain and going around a downhill 180 degree turn at 45 mph, the front wheel slipped out from under me. Long story short, the bike was totalled, I was slightly bruised, (Thank my Guardian Angel). Insurance money came within a week. Went to Hermy's, picked up an '07 R1200R with 5.8K miles. What a joy! Nimble, and a joy to ride. It was a slight downgrade from the RT, but the quick steering and responsiveness, and lack of plastic makes it a worrthy replacement! Another benefit(?) is that I can buy lots of farkle stuff for it!
George R. Lancaster, PA

[celticus]

Dang George! I'm glad you are OK. Any ideas why the front tire just stepped out like that? I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Mark

[dderrig]

traveling the Blue Ridge Pkwy in the rain and going around a downhill 180 degree turn at 45 mph, the front

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[bobw]

Dang George! I'm glad you are OK. Any ideas why the front tire just stepped out like that? I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Mark

Big +1. Congrats on the new ride and if you wouldn't mind sharing details?????????? The BRP can be ridden very fast, but there are a few of those decreasing radius turns that can catch you even at the slower speeds, especially in bad weather.

Safe travels and Y'all come back for another visit.

[deilenberger]

So far I know of 3 decreasing radius turns on the BRP - and all of them are marked well ahead with the flying motorcycle/motorcyclist sign to warn us (does anyone have a photo of that sign? I'd love to add it to my video of my two week trip..)

It's the side roads off the BRP that seem to catch people. Took Rt 43 down from near the Peaks of Otter to get gas (in Buchanan.) Just about as we got off a flatbed was going the other way with what looked like the remains of a Gold Wing on it. We found where the Goldie went on an off-road excursion. There is one downhill, about 190 degree steep switchback on Rt 43. Tight enough that I was laughing in my helmet as I went through it. It had ugly spilled oil in it and some bike parts. I suspect the Goldie did a touchdown, and then levered itself into the woods (could see drag marks where they pulled something back onto the road.) No real warning sign for the switchback except a 10MPH sign.. and in this case adding 20MPH to the suggested speed would not be a good idea. First gear worked for me.

Google Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=buchanan, ... 17&iwloc=A - It was one of the two right-handers.. besides being a tight, very tight turn, it dropped about 20' in about 100' of road - or a 20% grade.

After getting gas - we decided not to go back up 43..

[bobw]

So far I know of 3 decreasing radius turns on the BRP - and all of them are marked well ahead with the flying motorcycle/motorcyclist sign to warn us (does anyone have a photo of that sign? I'd love to add it to my video of my two week trip..)

It's the side roads off the BRP that seem to catch people.

We know he wrecked on the BRP so it does happen. Are you saying he shouldn't have crashed unless it was in one of the three places you are aware of and only if he hadn't paid attention to a sign? I ride the BRP almost weekly and there are many more than 3 turns that can and do catch riders especially in bad weather. Sorry to hear of another rider that crashed, hope he is OK too.

Without making a total thread jack, many roads as good or better, gotta love it. If you haven't already, try 226A (not 226) and 80 out of Marion/Little Switzerland. 276 and 178 into SC when S of Asheville, etc. For a real treat, try 32 off of 321 in TN near I-40 and Cherokee Nat. Forest, a little section of improved gravel, but WOW what a road. So many more into TN, GA, VA and WV including back, back roads that you have to explore and connect to make numerous, hundreds of miles, technical rides (w/ no Interstate required ).

Safe travels everyone.

[GeorgeRoberts]

To answer some inqueries on my mishap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, here are some of the details. I left the BMWMOA Rally in Johnson City, TN Sunday afternoon. Traveled on the BRP to Rocky Knob camp ground. Early in the morning, before light, it started raining heavy, with lightning and crashes of thunder all around the campground. It rained until about 10 AM, and I waited until things dried out a bit before packing up camp. Started traveling North, and in the higher elevations, I encountered heavy fog and cold, around 57 degrees. I had to stop to put on my jacket liner. Then it started a light rain. I kept going, enjoying the solitude, the ride on my new-to-me '07 R1200RT, and the curves. I was approaching a downhill u shaped curve where I couldn't see the apex. I was traveling at about 45 MPH. Preparing for the curve, I inched toward the center line, started leaning into the curve, and suddenly BANG! The bike went down on its right side, throwing me off. I was sliding down the road, behind the bike, watching the saddlebags and tank bag being thrown off the bike, my dufflebag dragging behind by the straps. The bike slid straight into the guardrail. I didn't see it happen, but the bike must have been flipped by the guardrail, because it finally came to rest on its left side in the mud on the shoulder of the road. Damage to the bike was busted sairing, left and right side, damaged valve covers with oil leak(No protection bars!), bent rear frame and broken luggage rack. The bike was declaired totalled. The spill occurred at mile marker 68.9. The bike was hauled to Bedford, VA, and I was ambulanced to Lynchburg General Hospital where I was checked over and released the next day. Here I must say it could have been much worse, and I have to thank our Lord that I'm still here and riding my new-to- me '07 R1200R!
How to avoid such a mishap? Watch conditions on the road and ADJUST SPEED ACCORDINGLY!
George R. MOA #46049 Age 70 yrs.

[bobw]

George,
Thanks for the information. I have come around those turns where it is "clear" on one side of a ridge and then as I cross to the other I go right into that pea soup fog. Even with great care you can suddenly be using the "Braille" method of driving while joining large numbers of deer, wild turkey or a ground hog, etc. Dang turkey poop can be slicker than cat shyte and twice as nasty Again, I am glad you are "OK" and enjoy your new ride.

Safe travels