Additional Mirrors For 1100RT??

[danobeemer]

Hey out there -
I went to the Fredericksburg Rally 2 week-ends ago loaded down w/ camping gear - - -Great Rally but while loaded with tent,sleep bag, Thermo-rest and necessary "liquids:drink ", I could not see past my duffell bag in the rear view mirrors:mad - - What BMW mirrors will fit the RT (98')...the right side hole is smaller than the left ...duh(This is my first Oilhead :clap - airhead and Airhead rider since 1976).

Thanks for any suggestions...

dano

[BradfordBenn]

I put GS mirrors on my 02RT. Works like a champ. I am not sure if they will fit or not on your RT.

The best part is that with all the stuff I now have mounted to the RT, people are beginning to get out of my way as I guess I look like a LEO. (RCU shelf with GPS, XM SkyFi on the left hand clutch cover, the mirrors, and I wear lots of gear...):clap

[motofranz]

A few of us from the
Greater Cincinnati BMW Club
have found the GS mirrors to be pricless !

I just like the fact that the rear view is easier to see closer to you and a bit higher on the bike...

Bradford Benn what color is your '02 RT ??

John

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Yep the GS mirrors fit and work real well on the RT.:clap As a matter of fact they work real well on my LT also, as the mirrors on this bike get useless :cry with the campng gear on the back. Luckely the LT can hold more of this gear as each trip results in bringing more stuff home like the kermit chair I picked up at the Spokane rally.:newtoy

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by motofranz
Bradford Benn what color is your '02 RT ??


Silver. You can tell it is me by the tiger ear and tails on the helmet.

[danobeemer]

Well - 3 out of 3 for the GS mirrors....Anyone need to get rid of an extra pair?

Thanks!

dano:idea

[latelifecrisis]

4 out of 4 for gs mirrors. You may want to replace the standard hardware on the left side with locktite nuts or some type of a friction washer. I used a pair on my 96' RT on the way to Spokane and while the rightside was great the left side vibrated loose in about 100 miles. I have since used locktite nuts and have had no problems. :clap

[RTRandy]

Originally posted by latelifecrisis
4 out of 4 for gs mirrors.

Not so fast! The GS mirrors are fine other than they look like Micky Mouse ears on your bike and give less visibilty than the horizontal aerodynamic mirrors from the K1200RS. Not a whole lot more money either, but yes they cost more. The horizontal shape allows more periferal vision on both sides.

The only catch is you have to notch out the base on the left mirror with a dremmel tool to allow it to fit without interfering with the small fast idle leaver. Once that's done, they're great!:clap

My bike on the left has the RS mirrors the red RT is stock.

[danobeemer]

YES - The rectangular mirrors look alot more suitable for the RT.
What year model K12RS did those come off of?
My RT is a 98' - do you know of any differences to watch for?

Thanks,

dano

[cruisin]

Hey Dano, I can probably help find some round ones, then you can just borrow my big grinder to make them square--hehehe. :bliss :dunno :bliss :dunno :bliss

[RTRandy]

Originally posted by danobeemer
YES - The rectangular mirrors look alot more suitable for the RT.
What year model K12RS did those come off of?
My RT is a 98' - do you know of any differences to watch for?

Thanks,

dano

The k12RS mirrors are from the current models on the dealer floor today (2004) though my guess is the current RS style has been around for perhaps a few years along with that style mirror. My RT is an 04, and I'm not sure what the set up would be on the 98 model. If it has the two holes in front of the handle bars, then it should work fine. The parts department should know in a heartbeat. On the 04 and I suspect earlier RT's, there is the fast idle lever for cold starts located on the front of the left grip.

The problem is that the base of the RS mirror is flared at the bottom and interferes with the idle lever traveling to the upper position. It just needs to be notched out and everything works great. Nothing needs to be changed for the right mirror. The mirror base has a long screw which fits though the hole and then a small nut goes at the bottom end. The nut has a hole for a Allan wrench( #6? ) to tighten it.

The whole thing takes about a minute to put on or take off. After my Spokane trip I have them stored away.

Besides seeing over bags those mirrors can be adjusted to a more peripheral view and are a big help in seeing the blind spots to the sides. They kind of work like our side mirrors on our cars.
Hope that helps. I'm curious if the 98 Rt has that same fast idle set up.

[danobeemer]

Cruisin....I didn't know grinders had gotten to your part of Texas yet - When I lived there, Bailing wire was the tool of choice:jawdrop . Maybe you can balance that big grinder on the back of one of them "Horndas" and bring it down to me...we could grind all kinds of things squarely...or squirley. HeHeHe Really glad you could get involved in the Forum :brow

RT Randy - Thanks for the "truely" good info on the K12RS mirrors - I will find a dealer that knows and report back if there are differences.

dano :wow

[cruisin]

Ya, I try to contribute when I feel I have something really useful to say. BTW, you forgot about the 2 x 4s and 16D nails that are a perfect compliement to that roll of bailing wire that is stored on a broken shovel handle at the back of the pick-up truck.:bliss :D

[Sully]

I have extra long stem mirrors off the Harley I use when the RT is packed for road trips, to allow me to see over the tent, etc.

You can pick up a used pair at a swap meet for cheap ($10). Shoot, you can probly get new take-offs at an HD dealer since he has a pile from the yups buying billet mirrors to go on their new hogs!

20 seconds to put'em on or take'm off....

It's GOOD to see behind you!

Sully