Rumors or information 2005 RT's

[gec343]

I am planning on purchasing a new 2005 RT in the Spring and am inquiring as to if anyone out there may have heard rumors as to the changes, etc. Any input would be appreciated.

[kbasa]

Even though I'm a gosh darned liberal, I'll help you out. :D

Take a look here for some photos. (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35508&highlight=r1200rt)

I think it's pretty heavily disguised on the front, but the rear section looks like it's ready to go for production.

dave

[username]

the bags on it look huge. are they bigger than regular RT cases?

-----------------------------------
Save the rest of the *world* - vote Democratic. :p

[oldcarkook]

Pretty hard to tell what that is or what's going on.

Interesting that the photos show two different riders; one heavy set and one lighter riding two up.

I don't like what looks like a large dead space above the instrument cluster. Lots of dead area up there.

[MarkF]

It's a shame that BMW can't just make a RT and RS fairing like the old boxers and hang it on the new GS frame with more street worthy suspension. I loved the old bare on the inside style fairings that gave great weather protection.

On the other hand I think the R1100/1150RT is a work of art. Just beautiful. It's also a shame they would kiss that design goodbye in favor of what, a ST1300 lookalike?

MarkF

[kbasa]

Given the level of disguise, it's probably a bit early to talk about looks.

I would suspect that large portions of the GS technology will be in the new RT. Figure the cast telelever, and the final drive as definites. I'd suspect the motor gets a higher state of tune and the brakes lose the ABS cut off switch.

It's a safe bet that the RS won't have 8" of suspension travel either. I think those changes are in line with what we saw back when we had airhead GSs and RTs in production together. Some changes, but the underlying technology is pretty much the same.

This has been BMW standard practice for about a decade now, starting with the R11RS. I don't expect to see a change from that strategy since I think it works terrifically well. From one platform, we have the RS, the RT, GS, R and S, along with the Rockster. These bikes, which share a common basic architecture, all function very, very well in their specific niche. I'd venture that they work better, compared to their competition, than any of the airheads did after about 1977. BMWs don't need to make excuses for horsepower, handling or braking any more.

It's been said (and I forget who said it now) that it's almost unfair to call BMWs simply motorcycles. They're now so exotic and far from standard motorcycle design that they're almost an entirely different kind of vehicle.

I'm inclined to agree.

[dbrick]

Originally posted by KBasa
This has been BMW standard practice for about a decade now, starting with the R11RS. I don't expect to see a change from that strategy since I think it works terrifically well. From one platform, we have the RS, the RT, GS, R and S, along with the Rockster.

Longer than that, I think. How about the RS, S and RT variants on the Paralever airhead twins, beginning 1985? And even further back to the twin-shock ones. Didn't the RS emerge in the late 70s, and the RT shortly thereafter?

[Dutchman]

The word here is that the R1200RT/LT will be launched in September at Intermot , Munich alongside the K1200S.......

I'll be there, with my camera................... :D

Cheers

Dutch

[lorazepam]

The RS was introduced in 1977, and the RT made the scene in 1978. The RS was the first motorcycle to be offered with a full fairing from the factory, and the design stuck around for 16 years, it was that far ahead of it's time.

The next major change for BMW was showcased with the RS again in 1993. It was called a revolutionary design when the Telelever was introduced in this year.

I guess it is the RT's turn to showcase the latest advancements in Sport Touring. I am interested to see how the RT will stack up against Yamaha and Honda.

It also makes sense to use the K bike for a foray into Moto GP. If BMW wants to sell bikes to the car people, then they should compete in Moto GP and see how they do.

The poor selling RS will just have to wait, but I am happy with the version I own. I am still learning the bike's full potential, and it has plenty to keep me entertained for many years. It tours 2 up much better than the 850R I previously owned. I can cruise effortlessly at any speed I care to. It handles well enough, a racer I am not. Sorry for the ramble.....