I Give Up!!!

[HOGnDAS]

I bought a R1200RT in July of 07 and I have tried to like this bike. I have really tried. In spite of it being a $20 thousand dollar touring bike with a brick wrapped in vinyl for a seat.
In spite of it having a vibration in the handlebars so bad that it makes my hands numb in 40 or 50 miles.
In spite of the wonderful news of the FD problems that BMW refuses to admit are happening even though they redesigned the case so that the fluid can now be changed.
In spite of the fact that my fuel MPG has been up to 42 once but always much less and that the MPG gauge started at 36 and has steadily declined to it's current 25 MPG.
In spite of the fact that I have had to put more time, effort and money into this bike since July than I ever put into my other bike and it is an 02.

And now I have just learned from the service manager after they have completed the 6000 mile service that the cupping on the front tire is not a warranty issue because it isn't a defect of the tire. It's by design of the bike!! According to him the front tire is off center and off camber due to the final drive being a shaft and that I can look forward to all of my front tires cupping and wearing out on one side quicker than the other AND that 6000 is about all I should expect from a front tire.
If this is in fact a design of the bike I feel it truly should have been disclosed before the purchase. In my opinion this is a big, expensive and potential safety issue. I would love to hear from someone in the know about this.

I guess a lot of this is fixable as long as I am willing to continue to throw good money after bad but I feel that for this caliber of bike the only thing I should have to do is wipe the smile from my face after each ride.

Just my 02:mad

I have lurked and joined this and other BMW forums seeking knowledge and answers and I can see that I am far from the only one with these issues

[SNC1923]

I'm sure sorry that things aren't working out between you and your bike. That happens sometimes. . . .

Lots of people don't like their seats. There are several companies who earn a full-time living producing seats for BMW motorcycles. I never had an issue with mine. Learning how to cope with a motorcycle seat is a learnable skill, but not everyone is up for it.

The vibration thing sounds as though you might be gripping hard, but that's only a guess. I don't know you or your experience, so forgive me if I'm way off base. Vibes haven't been an issue with this or previous models, AFAIK.

FD issues are greatly exaggerated through the internet. Misinformation about fluid changing intervals is a bummer, as is having to disengage the final drive to change it. Part of the charm of BMW motorcycles are their idiosyncrasies. I've decided to change mine every time I change a back tire, every 10k or so.

Your MPG does seem to be an issue. How many miles do you have? Consider running an engine cleaner like Chevron perhaps. Your MPG shouldn't vary by that much. You are resetting the computer at each fill-up, right?

Front tire cupping? Perfectly normal on an RT. I've always been told it had to do with its heavy front end. All their R bikes are shaft-driven, but most other models don't have the cupping-characteristics of the RT.

Hang in there, man. Learn to love your FD. Try bar backs. You're going to need to change your front tire every 6-8k. Just the way it is. Ride over to Ojai and get a custom-fitted Bill Mayer saddle. Look into the MPG or read the instructions for your computer (again, if I'm off-base, I apologize in advance).

Good luck! :thumb

[larrydk]

One single brand is not for everyone. I don't think there is a bike out there that problems or "quirks" cannot be found within.

I know in my history, that if I really don't enjoy a bike that much, I sell it and move on. In my opinion, the BMW's seem to hold value rather well so I don't think you'll take a big loss.

Good luck.

P.S. I feel my r12s is the best bike I've ever owned.

[PAULBACH]

I frequently break bread and ride with a Gold Wing group in upstate New York. One would think the Wing with its cost, mass and sales appeal would be perfection in engineering. There are more Gold Wings sold in the United States than all BMW motorcycle sales combined. But Gold Wings too have some unusual front end issues.

The search for the perfect motorcycle goes on and even when it was supposed to be released this March - that date turns to more dreaming and anticipation.

That does not solve your problem but stay tuned here for the answer will be forthcoming. A lot of people have faced the same problem and have solved it.

Hang in there. Help is on the way.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Smilies/smileyfeedback.gif

[AntonLargiader]

I don't think I could get the fuel economy on an RT down to 25 if I tried. That bike should be in the 45-50 range. Might have something to do with the buzz, also.

Tire cupping, well some brands cup more than others. Which tires are so badly cupped at 6k? Might want to try something else. Michelin Pilot Roads and Metzeler Z6s are both well-liked.

Brake less. Gas more. Man, if I had a new RT in southern California I don't think I'd ever be home.

[Visian]

your bike is under warranty. have you discussed these concerns with your dealer?

re: hand numbness... if the bike is set up properly, it should be very smooth. do you lean into the bars? it may be that the bars are not positioned correctly for your riding position. and as tom says above, definitely have a relaxed grip.

tire cupping: when i had my street bmws, i ran my tires at a higher pressure than it says in the manual. completely eliminated this problem. but some people might say you're not supposed to do that. but i rarely ever got more than 6-7000 miles out of a set... them sport radials are not designed for wear.

i hope you get happier with your bike.

ian

[maxscycle]

"I can look forward to all of my front tires cupping and wearing out on one side quicker than the other AND that 6000 is about all I should expect from a front tire"

Try a Met ME880 radial on your front end. I think that may help the wear/tire mileage problem.
max

[henzilla]

Sorry to hear you are having a bad experience...do you have a bud with similar bike to do an A-B comparison? As nice as it would be, there is always something to tweak on any motorcycle. They are built for a generic rider, all results vary with rider.

I have a '05RT with 50K, typically get 43MPG by computer info, never below 42 even hammering it, 62 at altitude in New Mexico ! The vibration is typical for a big dispacement twin, having ridden V-twins for some time. Compared to a 4 cylinder metric bike or a K, it seems rough to some...It is just a light buzz to me, but I know there is a engine wanting to play. My R1150 buzzes more, the RT has the counter balancer and seems a lot smoother. I keep the valves adjusted( makes a big diff) and throttle bodies synched( the RT has not been out of tolerance yet on the TB's) Maybe a lighter grip as mentioned earlier...that is a hard habit to break,was for me!
I run Pilot Roads and average 9K on a front tire running 40 PSI. The pre Hex RT's seem to cup front tires more, I only flatten out the rear on the Roads around 6K. On 5th set, the last ones going 10K.
I used the stock seat for a year and a half...then went with a custom...another area where everyones tolerance and comfort depends on body type. I just rode it with BMW stock low seat last week and was surprised it was a better ride to me than the original regular was. Less padding it seems. Riding in bluejeans with seams compounds the problem...try riding a bicycle in cut-offs for 100 miles...I wear bike shorts under jeans or riding pants and have no issues anymore.

The final drive fluid changing is easier on the new 6 O'clock drainplug as my '07GSA has, but it is not hard to use the old 9 O'clock at all. It can be done in less than a half hour...that is a drainplug BTW, the filler is the sensor hole on the wheel side. I do it every 10K and it allows me to lube the driveshaft splines at same time...

Hope you find your comfort zone, be it on the RT or another bike.

[grossjohann]

Sorry to hear that it might not work out with the RT.

I have a 2004 R1150RS and really like it... Having said that, I needed tires at the 6K service, and I have had some issues with numbness in my hands.

I believe the stock tires are just not of greatest quality. To quote my dealer, "the new tires ride better, and should last longer, too." They like Metzger's...

The numbness was due to my riding position. I was used to HD-style riding position, and I was resting my weight on my wrists. I learned to keep my arms bent and to support my weight with my mid-section.

All-in-all, it took me about 10K to really find a groove. Why did I bother? Because the BMW is a great all-around bike with features unavailable on other models.

-Alex


PS. More good news: You RT should hold its value rather well. You should be able get onto something else without too much financial pain.

[bmwson]

I own a 2007 R1200ST. I chose it because I wanted something I could take trips on and something I could do a little twisty riding on. I installed some AC Schnitzer handlebars because I didn't like the riding position of the clip-ons that it came with. I also installed a ZTechnic windshield to adjust for the slightly higher riding position that the handle bars allowed. I bought the bike with a low seat because I thought my legs were too short but I've ended up with a standard seat in the high position to reduce the bend in my legs on the pegs. After doing these things this bike is just about perfect. It is powerful, well balanced, smooth, and quiet. I only have 3350 miles on the bike but my tires don't show any problem other than the expected flat spot developing on the rear tire (I check the pressure before every ride). I ride with a group of guys who have Harley Road Kings and they are always stopping for gas when I still have half a tank left.

The only negative I've had is that my ring antenna has gone flakey and I was almost left stranded. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow to be changed out.

Nothing constructed by man is perfect. Work with it.

[JimVonBaden1]

All I can say is that your dealer is a moron giving bad information, and uncaring of your concerns. IF you are interested in the truth and keeping the bike, find a knowledgable dealer who will work with you to resolve your issues.

Otherwise, sell the bike and move on.

Sorry to hear about your issues.

Jim :brow

[Greenwald]

Vibration in the grips? Could be related to posture, grip-intensity or ergonomics (distance of reach to bars is one critical factor). I noticed slightly more 'buzzing' in the handlebars when I transitioned from a Honda VTX-1800 twin, and added a Cee Bailey windshield to my BMW, but reduced it to being unnoticed with Salamander Bar Ends.

Tire Wear? Proper pressure and style of riding have the greatest affect on your rubber. I have gone through two sets of tires on my R1200RT, getting 11,000+ miles each time.

Hard Seats? Dead on! BMW seats are designed by formerly unemployed executioners or others with experience in torture. Aftermarket seats are common (a walk among all the parked Beemers at West Bend proved that), so do a little customizing.

FD Problems? As SNC1923 pointed out, not that widespread a problem. Have the FD checked periodically by a reputable dealer, and the FD grease changed out at regular intervals and stop worrying about it.

25 MPG? How you drive has a lot to do with mileage. That being said, if you are riding the R1200RT responsibly and getting crap MPG like that - back to the dealer for an inspection - you have a legitimate problem.

In otherwords, no bike is perfect, but one can certainly alter it to fit your needs and preferences.

Hope you can work out your issues with this bike - I find it an awesome machine, excellent tourer and reliable mount (once 'customized' to suit me!).

Good Luck!

[RJM2096]

Do the Manufacturers think we like to sit on a log?

I have a 2000 R1100RT and the first thing I did was fill the tires to the maximum pressure (posted on the side of the tire), get a new seat, and reposition the handle bars and footpegs. I have doubled the length of time I can travel on the BMW comfortably. Any cycle needs this kind of work, some more than others.

I have a friend with a Buelle Blast as a learner cycle. It was like sitting on a log. He bought a replacement seat and it made all difference in the world.

[gabentx]

Hopefully you can either get the bike to your liking or find another bike that is. What I would imagine we all have in common is a love to be on the road on a motorcycle (any motorcycle). :)

I just got my '05 R1200RT back in December and so far I absolutely love it. Due to weather and business stuff I've only ridden about 800-1k miles so far on it and can already tell that I'll change the stock seat eventually. I come from a cruiser background having owned a Kawasaki Vulcan, Honda Shadow, and many others. This bike so far just blows them away from an overall fun factor. :) As to MPG, I get about 45-50 on mine so if you're only getting 25MPG something's wrong.

Other than that....just find the bike that you enjoy being on with your friends exploring all the open roads out there...

[mrich12000]

I bought a R1200RT in July of 07 and I have tried to like this bike. I have really tried. In spite of it being a $20 thousand dollar touring bike with a brick wrapped in vinyl for a seat.
In spite of it having a vibration in the handlebars so bad that it makes my hands numb in 40 or 50 miles.
In spite of the wonderful news of the FD problems that BMW refuses to admit are happening even though they redesigned the case so that the fluid can now be changed.
In spite of the fact that my fuel MPG has been up to 42 once but always much less and that the MPG gauge started at 36 and has steadily declined to it's current 25 MPG.
In spite of the fact that I have had to put more time, effort and money into this bike since July than I ever put into my other bike and it is an 02.

And now I have just learned from the service manager after they have completed the 6000 mile service that the cupping on the front tire is not a warranty issue because it isn't a defect of the tire. It's by design of the bike!! According to him the front tire is off center and off camber due to the final drive being a shaft and that I can look forward to all of my front tires cupping and wearing out on one side quicker than the other AND that 6000 is about all I should expect from a front tire.
If this is in fact a design of the bike I feel it truly should have been disclosed before the purchase. In my opinion this is a big, expensive and potential safety issue. I would love to hear from someone in the know about this.

I guess a lot of this is fixable as long as I am willing to continue to throw good money after bad but I feel that for this caliber of bike the only thing I should have to do is wipe the smile from my face after each ride.

Just my 02:mad

I have lurked and joined this and other BMW forums seeking knowledge and answers and I can see that I am far from the only one with these issues


:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :violin :banghead :brow owch..

[rinty]

HognDas:

Here are some suggestions:

1. Have an independent expert, or another RT owner, ride your RT to find out if the vibrations are "normal". Boxers, even hexheads, do buzz a bit more than some other engine types.

2. Run some mileage checks (i.e. divide your fill up amounts by the miles your have run on that tank) to find out if your fuel consumption is a guage read out problem, or an actual engine overconsumption problem.

Once these are determined, your dealer should fix what needs to be fixed.

The vibration could be normal for your bike, or just a tuning issue (i.e. the thottle bodies may be out of synch, or the valves out of adjustment, or whatever. Boxers are sensitive to throttle body balance.

Regardless of what has happened with your bike however, the hexhead RT is one of BMW's best models.

Hope you can get it resolved.

Rinty

[bikerfish1100]

I'm with Jim VB- sounds like the guy you spoke to at the dealership is a maroon.
If you haven't done so already-
up your tire pressure to around 36-40 F, 38-42 R. I found BStones cup the worst of any of the major brands. Depending upon how you ride the bike, different tires will give better/worse performance and worse/better life. I'd probably look at Michelin Pilot Roads for an RT, or the ME 880s. I've gotten between 7-10K out of PRoads pretty consistently on my R11S, but i prefer the feel of Conti Road Attacks or Pirelli Diablo Stradas.
Your bike should be getting in the mid-to-upper 40s mpg range, period, at the very worst, with something in the 50s being more typical. Mine is "hotted up" a bit, and I can barely thrash it on the track to below 40mpg, even running corn juice (which pretty much sucks for mpg, power, and everything else). yours should easily surpass the mpg of any oilhead. Something is wrong- it is NOT a case of "they all do that". Maybe a throttle body sync is in order- especially if you're experiencing excessive vibration; often the 2 symptoms are related.
If you can't get satisfaction at your current dealer, let them know you're going to someone who will help you out. And then DO IT.

[SNC1923]

I'm with Jim VB- sounds like the guy you spoke to at the dealership is a maroon.
If you haven't done so already-
up your tire pressure to around 36-40 F, 38-42 R.

I ran Z6s on my 1150RT 40/42 one-up no load. Consistently 10k front and 6k rear. After about 30,000 miles, I started getting 8, 8.5 on the rear. Only thing that could have changes was me and my riding style. Go figure.

Who's your dealer? Try another one. I know 'em all. Happy to make a suggestion if you'd like.

[Bob1100RTC]

I agree the seat isn't fit for a moped. How a high end manufacturer like BMW could pawn something like that off is beyond me. Otherwise I get between 40 and 45 mpg. I only have 3500 miles so far but the bike is definately smoother than my R1100RT was. I bought an extended warranty at a good price so for 6 years I won't worry about the FD. (And I'm a fanatic about maintainance) My tires seem to be wearing ok so far especially the front and I didn't have any problems with the 1100. I would agree with the others, Get an other dealer to look at it. I love my RT.

[HOGnDAS]

Thanks to all of you for your replies.
When I went to pick up the bike today I sat down with the owner of the dealership and expressed my concerns. After listening he said that he agreed that the front tire shouldn't be cupping and said that he would replace it no charge. VERY stand up. Of course because everything has just been adjusted the bike runs much smoother. The vibration in the handlebars is still evident and I am sure always will be. I believe it is the nature of the beast. I just have to decide if I can live with it or need to move on. The computer has been readjusted and now I just have to watch and compare numbers to see if the MPG is better as well.

[bikerfish1100]

To toss you a new tire after 6K is VERY stand-up, customer oriented service. Hopefully he has a "come to Jesus meeting" with the clown you spoke to previously. :thumb

[wsteinborn]

I have nearly 12,000 miles on my front tire and have LOTS of tread left, and no cupping.

Maybe it depends how you ride.

[KGT1200]

I have an 02 and get no vibration, tires last seemingly forever. No final drive issues, no speedometer issues I could set on the seat all day with my bead seat. My GS bike runs and runs

Are you sure your bike wasnt dropped on it's head at some point? Sounds like a bike out of line!

Check for bondo... and re welds?

[GregoryT]

Just buy a Honda - they never break down!:violin

[AntonLargiader]

The computer has been readjusted and now I just have to watch and compare numbers to see if the MPG is better as well.

If that's all you were basing your complaints of low mileage on, forget it. Miles ridden divided by gallons added is your MPG. Everything else is an approximation.

[rinty]

HognDas:

There are folks out there who are super sensitive to vibration.

A friend of mine, who has had a number of BMW's and who is quite knowledgeable about the marque, had a hot rodded K 75 S that had had a bunch of work done on it, and afterwards he thought it was buzzy. A bunch of people, including an excellent local tech, rode it and found it to be acceptable (K 75's have one of the smoothest engines out there) . My friend was still unhappy and, at my suggestion, had the flywheel / clutch assembly removed and then took it to a machine shop. They made a special jig to enable its mounting on a balancer and, on the second possible flywheel / clutch assembly combination, got it perfectly balanced. Back on the road, my buddy was finally happy, but the bike got rear ended a week later.

Rinty

[JimVonBaden1]

Just buy Honda - thay never brake down!:violin

They don't BREAK much either!:brad

Jim :brow

[Red100RT]

I bought a R1200RT in July of 07 and I have tried to like this bike. I have really tried. In spite of it being a $20 thousand dollar touring bike with a brick wrapped in vinyl for a seat.
In spite of it having a vibration in the handlebars so bad that it makes my hands numb in 40 or 50 miles.
In spite of the wonderful news of the FD problems that BMW refuses to admit are happening even though they redesigned the case so that the fluid can now be changed.
In spite of the fact that my fuel MPG has been up to 42 once but always much less and that the MPG gauge started at 36 and has steadily declined to it's current 25 MPG.
In spite of the fact that I have had to put more time, effort and money into this bike since July than I ever put into my other bike and it is an 02.

And now I have just learned from the service manager after they have completed the 6000 mile service that the cupping on the front tire is not a warranty issue because it isn't a defect of the tire. It's by design of the bike!! According to him the front tire is off center and off camber due to the final drive being a shaft and that I can look forward to all of my front tires cupping and wearing out on one side quicker than the other AND that 6000 is about all I should expect from a front tire.
If this is in fact a design of the bike I feel it truly should have been disclosed before the purchase. In my opinion this is a big, expensive and potential safety issue. I would love to hear from someone in the know about this.

I guess a lot of this is fixable as long as I am willing to continue to throw good money after bad but I feel that for this caliber of bike the only thing I should have to do is wipe the smile from my face after each ride.

Just my 02:mad

I have lurked and joined this and other BMW forums seeking knowledge and answers and I can see that I am far from the only one with these issues

I can't believe this! If you are really getting only 25 mpg and as much vibration as you say you are then maybe you should have a look and see if your genious dealer remembered to put all the spark plugs back in their respective holes. I mean, I really can't believe this post is for real because I don't believe an '07RT is capable of this kind of performance if there are no parts like plugs and maybe pistons missing. Give me a break! And it would just figure that this comes from califonia! Tell you what, I'll give you $1,000 for your RT sight unseen or I'll trade you a bridge, I think it's called the Tacoma Narrows bridge, for your RT right now.:banghead :banghead :banghead

[GregoryT]

They don't BREAK much either!:brad

Jim :brow

Yes Jim, I did misspell that, but my point was that there is no perfect machine out there. There is so much hype about Japanese products, but they do break down as well, if not more than anything else.
If somebody is totally unhappy with what they have the only way to change it, is to get rid of it.

[bikerfish1100]

If somebody is totally unhappy with what they have the only way to change it, is to get rid of it.


i don't think unloading the bike is quite necessary in this case, at least not yet. There IS something wrong with his bike, regardless of what he was told at the dealership originally. if, after actually trying to sort things out on it, it remains problematic, then it would be appropriate to look at getting rid of it.

[Easy]

If the bike has unresolved problems to the extent you write and you have the paperwork to prove it, you might want to take a look at the California Lemon Law Statute.

Easy :german

[HOGnDAS]

Easy I am actually checking into the Lemon Law and do have the paperwork to prove my claims.

Red100rt your free to believe or not as you choose. Why don't you send that money to me and I'll spend it on trying to make the bike a comfortable ride. I'll be happy to send pictures of what you bought. I have considered selling except the bikes resale value is just as poor as it's performance. Your bigotry over something coming from California is only exceeded by your rudeness to this post.

Again I say to the others who have posted-Thank you for your ideas and thoughts.

[rkasal]

I can't believe this! If you are really getting only 25 mpg and as much vibration as you say you are then maybe you should have a look and see if your genious dealer remembered to put all the spark plugs back in their respective holes. I mean, I really can't believe this post is for real because I don't believe an '07RT is capable of this kind of performance if there are no parts like plugs and maybe pistons missing. Give me a break! And it would just figure that this comes from califonia! Tell you what, I'll give you $1,000 for your RT sight unseen or I'll trade you a bridge, I think it's called the Tacoma Narrows bridge, for your RT right now.:banghead :banghead :banghead

I up you offer $1,000 offer to $2,000 sight unseen, and I will be there within two days with cash to pick it up.

[bikerfish1100]

HognDas-
can you give some clarification, please? right now i'm a bit confused. In your original post you complained about the seat, the vibration in the bars and a front tire that cupped badly within 6,000 miles. you also stated that "have had to put more time, effort and money into this bike since July than I ever put into my other bike and it is an '02." you also complained about a potential FD failure (that your bike has not had, but are concerned that it might).
Then your had complaints about the dealer initially giving you the "they all do that" response about the tire- which he then resolved with a new tire.
What have they done to attempt to resolve the vibration issue?
I know they're not going to do anything on the seat- they DO "all do that". and that one IS the "nature of the beast."
Were there other actual issues with the bike that they did not resolve or address for you? I velieve that Lemon Laws are limited to major issues which are brought to the attention of the dealer, the dealer makes attempts to resolve or repair, and after 3 attempts on the same issue, have been unable to fix it. I believe that it is also limited to first owners, but that is just an assumption on my part, and I could easily be wrong.
So- what has the dealer failed to resolve for you in an adequate way that makes you believe it is a bike issue, and not a dealer issue?

[rinty]

...your rudeness to this post. HognDas

Red gets a little grumpy this time of the year, because it's raining all the time at Metalline Falls. :laugh

Rinty

[Red100RT]

Red gets a little grumpy this time of the year, because it's raining all the time at Metalline Falls. :laugh

Rinty

:banghead Not raining, snowing! There is 4" of ice on the roof with about 2' of wet heavy snow on top of that:banghead Cat bit me on big tow last night whilst I was in bed grrrrrrrr.......

Seriously, I wish I could have a look at this '07RT because I just bet this thing could be put right pretty quick. With extreme vibration and 25 mpg it should be really easy to troubleshoot. 'Course that would mean a trip to SoCa and that is way below the Mason-Dickson (OR-CA) boarder and I never go there. Much more snow and I could be bought:banghead

[rinty]

I agree, Red. I think it'll be fixed in no time. Those are wonderful machines.

We're nice and sunny up here, but it's gotton cold.

Anyway, you can watch the Games.

Rinty

[Red100RT]

"Nice and sunny up here." :banghead

Oh, and what's with these political statements as in "republicans in 2008"? What are you some kind of nut case? Only someone that is wealthy or has dementia would vote for one of those jackasses. Uhhhh, where's the WMD's? What was the national debt in 2000? Over 50,000 Iraq nationals are history and for what? The unbalance in the middle east caused by the disruption of Iraq has led to the rise of Iran as a major influence in the area. I could go on and on but you get the idea. If a certain idiot would have listened to the military types 4 years ago there would have been sufficient troop levels in the country from the beginning of this unnecessary conflict and no need for any so-called surge.

That wore me out:banghead

[rinty]

Your cat's going to bite you again.

And we're not making any predictions on who's going to win next fall.:laugh

Rinty

[apopj]

Sorry for the problems, but you are not alone. I have owned 60 (yes, 60) motorcycles and the BMW's are by far and away the most expensive, hardest to get right, and hardest to get problems solved of any of them. Those of us who say "if it's a design problem, write it up and the laws will get it fixed" yeah, right. Tell that to those of us who owned "surging" bikes. Talk to your rep, and he will work it out... Yeah, right, tell that to those of us whose ABS brakes grabbed and put us down more than once. They are made for long distances, Yeah, right, tell that to those of us who have supported the group of seat builders out there. But they last forever, yeah, tell that to those of us with final drive problems... oops, that is not a problem, according to BMW. They will fix it, yeah, right. Not for us, it's not a problem, but they come out with a new "design". Twin plugs, FD drain plugs, ABS II, and so on. I have come to the conclusion that those of us who defend BMW's are simply ashamed to admit we bought one. So, you are not alone,
But, I just bought another R1200GS and love it...... Go figure.....
JEff

[Stuff2C]

My 1200RT fixes...
bar backs (suburban machinery)
Peg lowering (suburban machinery)
corbin seat (couldn't get a sargent)
3lbs xtra air in the front.

Every one of my friends that rode it, loved it.

One nicknamed it the "electric marshmallow"

traded it for another GS:heart

[dlearl476]

The search for the perfect motorcycle goes on and even when it was supposed to be released this March - that date turns to more dreaming and anticipation.



psssst: The perfect motorcycles are made in Italy, not Germany. ;)

[rkasal]

"Nice and sunny up here." :banghead

Oh, and what's with these political statements as in "republicans in 2008"? What are you some kind of nut case? Only someone that is wealthy or has dementia would vote for one of those jackasses. Uhhhh, where's the WMD's? What was the national debt in 2000? Over 50,000 Iraq nationals are history and for what? The unbalance in the middle east caused by the disruption of Iraq has led to the rise of Iran as a major influence in the area. I could go on and on but you get the idea. If a certain idiot would have listened to the military types 4 years ago there would have been sufficient troop levels in the country from the beginning of this unnecessary conflict and no need for any so-called surge.

That wore me out:banghead

I see you nearly have everything figured out. Booze may be the answer to my right-ward gaze - Nystagmus - if one were a projector, that is.

[hlothery]

It's OK.....I'm often atypical. But my experience with my 05 RT has been that it is the finest road machine I have ever ridden. I experience no handlebar vibration. I consistently get near 50MPG, and once got 63MPG while doing a steady 50 MPH on the Natchez Trace. My original front tire (Michelin Pilot Road) lasted 16,000 miles, the second one is still on at 24,000. I did not like the saddle, and replaced it with a Rick Mayer. I would suggest that something is amiss on an RT with so many problems.......I believe this to be......atypical!

[GregoryT]

It's OK.....I'm often atypical. But my experience with my 05 RT has been that it is the finest road machine I have ever ridden. I experience no handlebar vibration. I consistently get near 50MPG, and once got 63MPG while doing a steady 50 MPH on the Natchez Trace. My original front tire (Michelin Pilot Road) lasted 16,000 miles, the second one is still on at 24,000. I did not like the saddle, and replaced it with a Rick Mayer. I would suggest that something is amiss on an RT with so many problems.......I believe this to be......atypical!

Hugh, I'm with you.
But regardless of how good the machine is or how long it lasts, if somebody doesn't like it you can't do anything about it. The dealer could fix everything and gold-plate the whole bike - if you don't like it it's still not enough.
The best option: move on to Harleys and Hondas.
I don't want to be rude, but I think this is the best advice.

[rinty]

If smoothness is the goal, the GoldWing or ST 1100/1300 engines are probably as good as it gets.

Rinty

[hlothery]

If smoothness is the goal, the GoldWing or ST 1100/1300 engines are probably as good as it gets.

Rinty

I personally, if I were not riding my RT, have an affinity for the Yamaha FJR 1300. I understand they have solved the heat issues in the later models. I also like the new Kawasaki Concourse. But I looked, the other day, at the Motoguzzi and Ducati bikes, and I liked them also. If the RT dies, I have no idea where I might end up. But then......I don't expect it's death anytime soon!

[rinty]

Hugh:

In mentioning those two motors, I was thinking in terms of their internal engine geometry and potential for smoothness. In the case of the GoldWing, the boxer six has multiple overlapping power pulses, and the primary and secondary forces cancel each other out. In the ST the 90 degree V4 has perfect primary balance, as well as overlapping power pulses.

But the inline fours, which are inherently out of balance, have becoming very smooth with their double counter-balancers etc., and I agree with your assessment of the FJR.

Rinty

[hlothery]

Thanks, Rinty. I, admittedly, don't know much about those engines, but I appreciate the explanation and understand the recommendation. Hope the OP can get his RT fixed, and grow to appreciate it as much as I do mine......although I realize the die has probably already been cast. I have been holed up for the last 5 weeks, as I had my knee replaced, so I am itching to get back on a bike. The hum of that battery charger in the garage just makes it worse. Hope to be back in the saddle in another week or so......weather is never too bad in South Texas.

[rinty]

Have a speedy recovery. I guess you have to get better before the summer heat starts, eh?:laugh

Rinty

[kbasa]

And it would just figure that this comes from califonia!

What does the state of CA have to do with any of this?

[markgoodrich]

Hog, I came to the RT from a Goldwing and an FJR. The former was glass-smooth, but too heavy for me when fully loaded two-up. The FJR was great, but my wife hated it.

I bought a slightly used RT 11 months and more than 11,000 miles ago, and we're both happy now.

These things made a significant improvement in comfort and vibration reduction, not necessarily both:

Suburban Machinery bar backs and peg lowererererers for both of us made things more comfortable, have nothing to do with vibration.

New Pilot Road 2s helped smooth the ride. I'd gone through two rears (two up, fully loaded eats rear tires) by 11,000 miles, no cupping on the front, always run OEM recommended pressures.

Synching the throttle bodies and adjusting the valves recently made the bike feel like someone had transplanted smoothness into it. I was really surprised at how much difference it made, especially through the handlebars.

Everyone has an opinion about the best after market seat. I'll say that Sargent has a 30-day no-questions return policy if you order directly from them; that alone makes it the most sensible first choice; worst you can be is out about $40 for shipping.

Try the sync and valve adjustment, maybe that will help, certainly easy to try.

[hlothery]

Have a speedy recovery. I guess you have to get better before the summer heat starts, eh?:laugh

Rinty

I made myself a promise one night in the mountains of Korea in February 1983 that if I ever got out of there I would never complain about heat again! I love the heat....ride all summer in South Texas. You sweat some, but just need to hydrate well. Can't wait for summer, and to get back on that bike!:thumb

Great advice by markgoodrich.....hope it works. I love my RT.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

HogNDas,

Something must be seriously wrong with your bike.

I have an '07 R1200RT with over 20K miles. My wife has an '05 R1200RT with similar mileage.

The Dunlops that came on my bike didn't last very long, but I didn't have a problem with the front tire cupping. I replaced the Dunlops with Metzeler Roadtec Z6 tires, and have had fairly good mileage for a sport touring bike -- 9K rear, 12K front. (I did have a GL1800 that routinely destroyed/cupped front tires, after which the frontend wobbled horridly.)

I don't feel much in the way of vibration with my bike, except when under heavy acceleration. You should have the throttle body synchronization and valve adjustment checked.

The stock seat is not much of throne. About the best that can be said is that it is "sporty" -- allowing you to slip from side to side in the twistys. I'm still riding the stock seat. I think it was gotten better with time, or I have adjusted to its egonomics.

I routinely get 42 to 46 miles per gallon. You should too.

I have changed the final drive oil in both my bike and my wife's. I'm using BMW Full Synthetic 75W140. Others feel I should be using 75W90. I like changing fluids myself so I can keep an eye on things. I don't expect to see a problem with the final drive.

If you hate the bike, sell it. Life is too short to have to ride the wrong bike.

If I had to replace my R1200RT, right now it would be with another R1200RT. I like the features and handling of the RT. I have ridden or owned many of the bikes people compare to the RT -- ST1300, FJR1300, Concours 14 -- and each has had shortcoming that were much more serious than anything you have mentioned with your RT.

[fastdogs2]

Here is my experience with the 2005 R1200RT I have owned since July, 2005:

Vibration - This has not been a problem for me. I have not experienced numb hands on a motorcycle. I have developed numb hands on a mountain bicycle, caused by leaning forward too far when pedalling up hill with my wrists bent at a forward angle. Perhaps your riding position has something to do with the numb hands. Just a thought.

Seat - I have the low seat and have not been happy with the lack of padding. I have tried the Alaska Sheepskin and that helped. What really helped me was the Airhawk seat cushion.

Mileage - With the stock windshield, I got 48 - 52 mpg (city/highway). I have changed to a ZTeknik V Steam and have greater protection, but the fuel economy has suffered. I now get 46 - 50 mpg (city/highway).

Tires - I changed from the original equipment Bridgestone 020 tires at 5,600 mile due to cupping on the front tire and wear on the rear. I put Metzler Z-6 tires on and now have about 6,000 miles on them. I don't notice the cupping so much on the front, nor excessive wear on the rear. They look like they are perhaps good for another 1,000 miles.

I have traded cars because I was dissatisfied and would do the same with a motorcycle, if I was unhappy with it. There is probably a bike out there that will fit all of your needs. Maybe the RT is not the one for you. There is nothing wrong with that. Most of us on this board love BMWs, sometimes in spite of their faults, but we also realize there are other bikes available that may suit another person.

[Eschwab855]

Just buy a Honda - they never break down!:violin
Dam ty I'v been thinking this the whole time I was reading this thread.....GET OUT ...lol

[twintoaster2]

Yes if your screen name is short for the other motorcycle manufacture (HD) please do us a favor and sell the bike and by your HD. Aslong as your on two wheels and happy thats all that matters.