Opinion Wanted

[coolmg]

Thinking of purchasing a new 07 RT however I have a 03 RT that runs great except for a slipping clutch. My question is are the 1200RT's that much better than the 1150's to warrant spending the money?

[PAULBACH]

The conventional wisdom with cars is to keep fixing them until they drop dead of exhaustion and can no longer be repaired.

Our hobby may not fix that wisdom.

Me, I would get the old bike fixed unless the dealer was willing top give me one heck of a deal on a trade in.

[jingdog]

$18,000? Hell NO.

[jdiaz]

You gotta fix the clutch no matter what, or eat the repair cost on the sale of the bike. After fixing it (and replacing all the other stuff that you should while the thing is ripped apart), you may as well keep it.

[screwtop]

I'd keep the '03 and get the clutch fixed. Save yourself the big expenditure and add some goodies to the '03 in the process. I've gotten to the point where I look at new vehicles as a 10-year prosition. I like to be able to ride/drive my vehicles for at least 5 years payment free. This of course depends upon your cash situation, mileage, and how well you take care of the bike, but vehicles in general are getting so gosh-darned expensive I've got other things to spend that bike/car payment on (like son's college tuition fund). Looks like I'll be on the GS till 2012.

[Seeker]

I prefer the 03 body style myself.

[Rotten]

The only feature that I liked about the 1200 was color matched saddlebags - so I had my 04RT bags painted red.:thumb
In my opinion you should fix the 03 and keep it.

[GlobalRider]

My question is are the 1200RT's that much better than the 1150's to warrant spending the money?

BMW and owners would like you to think so.

If bikes got that much better from model to model, aftermarket seat companies and windscreen companies would have gone out of business long ago. If they are that much better, then why are people still buying those accessories? For the same reason they bought a new motorcycle. Buying toys gives them short term gratification.

[GlobalRider]

I prefer the 03 body style myself.

100% - same here. A much nicer styled motorcycle with clean flowing lines...but styling is a matter of personal taste.

[rinty]

In spite of owning an 1150, I think the 1200's are significantly better. However, they are much more expensive, and more complicated. Your independent tech may not be able to work on it.

It comes down to how much you have to spend, and, perhaps, convenience of service.

Rinty

[Red100RT]

In spite of owning an 1150, but I think the 1200's are significantly better. However, they are much more expensive, and more complicated. Your independent tech may not be able to work on it.

It comes down to how much you have to spend, and, perhaps, convenience of service.

Rinty

Yeah, that's about the sad truth. The complexity of these beasts flat pisses me off! I am doing the 24K service on my '04RT as we speak. It is taking me all of 3 days what with no less than 9 brake bleeders to dink with:banghead But, I will gladly spend 3 days doing this just because I'll be go to blazes before I fork out what some dealer wants:banghead :banghead
Buy an even more complex bike? NO FREEKING WAY:banghead
I got an '81RT with only about 4K original miles and if I had to choose which bike I could keep it sure as H wouldn't be a certain barritz blue hi-tech wonder.:banghead There, I feel better:dance

[rinty]

Glad you got that, and the weather, off your chest.

I think the 1150's are just fine as long as you can keep the surging under control, and the tall sixth gear doesn't bug you. With my RS seat in the highest position I have lots of room for my 35" legs, and it's a great looking bike.

Rinty

[GlobalRider]

I got an '81RT with only about 4K original miles and if I had to choose which bike I could keep it sure as H wouldn't be a certain barritz blue hi-tech wonder.:banghead

Same here. My R100 GS would stay and the GS Adventure would go, but I can have a bunch of GSes, so why not.

[Red100RT]

Glad you got that, and the weather, off your chest.

I think the 1150's are just fine as long as you can keep the surging under control, and the tall sixth gear doesn't bug you. With my RS seat in the highest position I have lots of room for my 35" legs, and it's a great looking bike.

Rinty

Ordered a techlusion 1032 today to hopefully put an end to all surging. The surging although mild on the '04 is none the less there and it is my last major complaint. If the motor were not a two cylinder but was rather a 4 then surging would not be a problem even with the same fuel to air ratio. By getting rid of the oxygen sensor my 1150 should run just as smooth as my R100RT twin cylinders and all.:doh

[bubbagazoo]

Thinking of purchasing a new 07 RT however I have a 03 RT that runs great except for a slipping clutch. My question is are the 1200RT's that much better than the 1150's to warrant spending the money?

I think you are asking the rest of us to help justify for you the purchase of a new motorcycle. As jdiaz stated (and I know from experience) you are gonna have to fix that clutch anyways. I traded my RT in on my CL and had to eat the cost of replacing the Rider Info Display.

If you want the new bike, get the new bike. It's not a question of whether one is better than the other. It's how well you can convince yourself. For me, it took a one hour ride to do some thinking and a 20 minute conversation with my wife (I also traded in the Kawasaki I had bought for her). The length of time between seeing the CL and making the deal -- 3 hours.

My wife also suggests asking your SO (if you have one) what their thoughts are. If you have an SO that rides with you, their input most definitely counts.

[Red100RT]

Glad you got that, and the weather, off your chest.

I think the 1150's are just fine as long as you can keep the surging under control, and the tall sixth gear doesn't bug you. With my RS seat in the highest position I have lots of room for my 35" legs, and it's a great looking bike.

Rinty

Weather?? You remembered:wave Well, the weather has gone from wet and cold to hotter than the hinges:banghead

[Spidereyes]

There is always going to be a more powerful model with improved handling and more whiz-bangs. That's how manufacturers stay in business, by improving their models.

However...you can almost always improve your current ride with a few intake and exhaust mods and better suspension. And, why not try a few track days and maybe some lessons if you haven't brushed up in a while? You will be a better rider and you'll be impressed at how well your "old" horse goes.

Sock your money away and wait a few years. The 2010 models are going to be unbelievable!