How is the 1150RT on the Interstate ?

[patiodadio]

I have a 94' R1100RSL and think it is the greatest touring bike ever made (for backroads) but not so good on the Super Slab. I saw a nice low milage 04' R1150RT for sale and I am thinking I might try to trade my 06' Honda ST1300 for it. So, my question is this.... how good is the RT on long Interstate Highway runs ? My ST1300 is super smooth but my heart is with BMW;) What do you guys think?

[Jeff488]

I find that mine is just fine on the "I". It will cruise at 4000 rpm(80 mph) all day. Wind/weather protection is outstanding with a CeeBailey Eurocut W/S, and the riding position is good for me(6'2").
I have the front of the stock seat raised, and it's comfortable for me all day.
A Throttlemeister is almost a necessity, though, to allow you to move around and stretch.

[rinty]

Depends on what you mean by "not so good for the Super Slab."

I had an R 1150 RS and found the tall sixth gear very useful on the slab, running nicely at 4,000 rpm / 81 mph.

Time for a test ride; good luck.

[patiodadio]

Depends on what you mean by "not so good for the Super Slab."

I had an R 1150 RS and found the tall sixth gear very useful on the slab, running nicely at 4,000 rpm / 81 mph.

Time for a test ride; good luck.

My 94' RSL only has 5 gears and is pretty buzzy at 70-80 mph. Not too bad for a little while but too much for really long rides (over 500 mile days).

[NavyDad]

I have my 04 RT set up similar to Jeff488. I have the BMW "comfort" seat on the middle position and at 6'1" that works for me. I have put in several 600 mile days riding two up and have no complaints. We make it a point to take a short break (five or ten minutes) about every 100 to 150 miles and that works well for us. 6th gear at 70 to 80 mph. and my RT is nice and smooth. We prefer the two lane roads to the slab, but sometimes you just have to get there and my RT works well in both worlds. The RT is stable and feels well planted at freeway speeds and higher speeds too. As a matter of fact it feels more stable at speed than my Wing did :thumb

[awagnon]

I'm one of the few that likes the interstate. I like to get where I'm going, fast. The 1150RT is great. At times I actually worry about falling asleep while riding. I have the MC Cruise control so I can set the speed and forget it. However, that just makes me want to fall asleep even more. That's when I plug in my satellite radio and listen to NPR. Nice bike. Go for it.

[thompsonr]

I'm one of the few that likes the interstate. I like to get where I'm going, fast. The 1150RT is great. At times I actually worry about falling asleep while riding. I have the MC Cruise control so I can set the speed and forget it. However, that just makes me want to fall asleep even more. That's when I plug in my satellite radio and listen to NPR. Nice bike. Go for it.

Man I thought I was alone in the world .. I dont mind interstate riding at all. I too like to get where I am going then get off the beaten path dont like waisting my time getting there unless theres something to see.

My R1100RT feels right at home on the interstate.:bolt

[bikerfish1100]

My 94' RSL only has 5 gears and is pretty buzzy at 70-80 mph. Not too bad for a little while but too much for really long rides (over 500 mile days).

if your bike feels really "buzzy", i would look to do a good TB Synch. usually solves that issue pretty well.

[patiodadio]

if your bike feels really "buzzy", i would look to do a good TB Synch. usually solves that issue pretty well.

I check the Synch of TB's every Spring & Fall.

[Hoorenga]

Mine is a R1100RT. It's great on the highway. I drop the windshield down to about half way , less buffeting.

[StevieWonder]

Great ride ... but you'd like a K1200GT better for Interstate cruising.

[patiodadio]

Great ride ... but you'd like a K1200GT better for Interstate cruising.
Its not that I like the Interstate cruising so much. Its just that when you are far from home on a vacation and start running out of time.... you may need to spend a few days on the Super Slab.
And yes, I would love a K GT. I have taken a few test rides on them and really like them. But I think I like the R bikes best.

[rinty]

Patio:

I haven't ridden a 5 speed oiler for some time, but with an 1150, when you go from 5th to 6th, it really smooths out. Probably because the rpms drop by 1,000.

You might want to test drive that '04.

[kgadley01]

My R 1100 RT is a great all around bike. That being said, for the long haul I pefer my 04 Electra Glide Classic. (please don't stone me) The Harley has a much longer wheelbase, for a smoother ride. If I'm riding the back roads, I like the RT. If I'm on the super Slab, the Harley is hard to beat unless you buy a Goldwing.

[StevieWonder]

Its not that I like the Interstate cruising so much. Its just that when you are far from home on a vacation and start running out of time.... you may need to spend a few days on the Super Slab.
And yes, I would love a K GT. I have taken a few test rides on them and really like them. But I think I like the R bikes best.

Had 'em both. My last R bike was an '04 R1150RT. Great bike but my '04 K1200GT is much smoother and, with the addition of barbacks, more comfortable for me. The extra get-up-and-go is nice too. Can't lose with either one. I don't care for the styling of the new generation GT's (1200 and 1300). Too "slabby" for me ... styled too much like a Japanese crotch-rocket. I think the 1150RT and the Gen1 GT/RS bikes are true styling classics.

[PGlaves]

The bike is a touring bike, designed to be used on the Autobahn among other touring places. They do OK on Interstates, even in the parts of Texas where the speed limit is 80.

[patiodadio]

. I think the 1150RT and the Gen1 GT/RS bikes are true styling classics.

Me too ! I have always loved the look of the RT.
Thanks everyone for your input.

[stpete]

I'll get on the conversation here since I had both, '04 r1150rt and '06 st1300. Had an rt for over a year and 12k miles, what can I say, if I went only by the looks, I would of kept the rt, however decided to stay with st. Rt on the highway is great, light and nimble, not as smooth as st, but it was great. What drove me nuts was the power servo breaks. Every time you stop, at the light, up hill, etc. you hear that noise. Also if you had to join traffic in a hurry, it was lacking power, could use more hp. I know what you're saying and BMW, it tends to grow on you and no matter what, you want it. In my case, I'm happy with a st and plan on keeping it for a long time.

[Zygmund]

'02 Rt here and I also like to hit the super slab when I feel the need for speed!
If you know how to use the gearbox and keep that boxer in the sweet spot you will be rewarded with a sweet feeling ride that will produce miles of smiles!
:german

[patiodadio]

I'll get on the conversation here since I had both, '04 r1150rt and '06 st1300. What drove me nuts was the power servo breaks. Every time you stop, at the light, up hill, etc. you hear that noise. .

Do the power brakes work when the engine is off. Like moving the bike around in the garage?

[PGlaves]

Do the power brakes work when the engine is off. Like moving the bike around in the garage?

Yes - if the key is on.

No - if the key is off. That is, the power assist doesn't work. The brakes work but you have to give the lever a mighty pull to make them do so.

[patiodadio]

Yes - if the key is on.
No - if the key is off. That is, the power assist doesn't work. The brakes work but you have to give the lever a mighty pull to make them do so.

Thanks Paul .... I will let everyone know if I trade for the RT:thumb

[joelaw]

I had an 02 R1150RT, which I put over 60k miles on during a four year period. I live in the high desert of East Central CA. I rode it to MOA rallys at Redmond, OR, Spokane, WA, and Lima, OH, plus several Iron Butt 1K in 24, and one Iron Butt Gold. It was reliable, got good fuel mileage (mid 40's on the slabs and 40 in the urban envionment. I did most of my own maintenance because it was easy and fun to work on. The only mods I made were putting on a AeroFlo wind screen and replacing the stock seat with a Russell Daylong.

My riding style allowed me to get about 16k on the rear tires and about 21k on the front tires. The tires I used after the OEM wore out quickly, were Michlin Pilot Road. YMMV.

If the bike is in good condition and well maintained, I'd say go for it. :usa

[Rich]

I had the same bike you are looking at, an 04 1150RT. To answer your original question, it will do great on interstates. Obviously not as smooth as a four cylinder bike, but for a twin it is incredible. The tall sixth gear takes the RPM's low enough to really smooth out the bike.

[patiodadio]

Well the trade did not go.....they sold the bike to someone :( But I am still looking for a nice clean low miles RT ;)

[bdspler]

I looked for a year! found one for $7500.00 with 6K on her!
now I was lucky cas some of her sisters were not so good!
She's a cop bike. and she needed a clutch! ....
But its now @ 30k and not one thing has gone wrong! I love the bike on the super slab! So much so I hate the short trips. I just want to ride!
My wife was right when a few bike passes my way and I didnt get them.
She said, your bike will come along and she DID! I love this bike!
hang in thier!
bd

[lebenfitti]

I love the back roads and the twisties on my '04 RT. It has a problem when on the interstate, however. I have a hell of a time wrestling it to an off ramp. Must be a German thing.

[jcantwell]

On my second RT, a model I bought specifically for long distance riding. My current bike is a 2003 R1150Rt and I have been driving it all around the mountain west states and have no complaints. The fairing, riding position and weight all add up to be a bike you can easily ride for 300-500 miles in a day without strain.

[adooley]

I have been riding my buddy's 07 GS adventure for a while and was looking for a GS (really love that model). I wasn't quite ready to drop $20K on a new one and used went fast. Anyway, I took a chance on a 2002 R1150RT-P that was really clean and in good shape mechanically. I haven't regretted since. It is the first time I have ridden an RT and it is nice. So far, I have taken mine on the Interstate and twisty back roads across four states. I have also taken it off-road! It has been a very solid bike and plan to enjoy more trips with it in the years to come. I don't think you will have a problem driving an RT. :D

[OfficerImpersonator]

I highly recommend ELF pegs or equivalent. On long stretches of boredom, it's nice to stretch the legs out. On hot days, it's nice to cool the legs and feet off by getting them out in the slipstream.

I also highly recommend a radar detector, as you'll find the bike simply loves to hum along at 80 mph. Great if you're on an empty stretch of interstate where the speed limit is actually 80, but no so good if you're in an urban area where the limit is 60.

I can get about 250 miles out of a tank of gas cruising the interstate, and that's on an RTP, with crash bars and auxiliary lights killing my aerodynamics, and an extra battery making the bike extra heavy.

[moosedog]

Had 'em both. My last R bike was an '04 R1150RT. Great bike but my '04 K1200GT is much smoother and, with the addition of barbacks, more comfortable for me. The extra get-up-and-go is nice too. Can't lose with either one. I don't care for the styling of the new generation GT's (1200 and 1300). Too "slabby" for me ... styled too much like a Japanese crotch-rocket. I think the 1150RT and the Gen1 GT/RS bikes are true styling classics.

+1 on the Gen1 classics...........

I have had many bikes but to me, nothing beats my K12RS (02 in Blue). There is just no beating the flat 4 brick for smoothness with power to spare. I've had several inline 4 engines and don't care for the hyper feel and buzziness of them. I was and still am very sad that BMW chose to emulate the japanese with the vertical engine. Was not necessary except for the 10 people who bought a K12S that may have bought a Jap rocket instead...................(remember the ads touting it as a 'busa beater????)

And you can't beat the stock farkles on the gen 1 RS and GT's. Adjustable windshield, seat, and handlebars, ABS, heated grips, and ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTOL (not a throttle lock that you are constantly adjusting) - all came stock, not as options. These are all things a serious sport touring bike should have. I know the ergo's don't fit everyone (they fit my 6' frame perfect) but a bit more R&D could have solved that. Shame on BMW for giving up on perhaps the best all around bike ever made........

[moosedog]

Sorry, I got off on a bit of a tangent there............

To answer your original question, I have ridden my buddies R11Rt on the interstate for over 100 miles non stop and found it very enjoyable. Manages the wind well, great ergo's, comfy seat, good mirrors and you get to play with the electric windshield....................The miles just melt away. The RT was built for the interstate.