Buy 04 or 05 RT

[p_interceptor]

This is the dilemma; I do not have a bike at the present time. I have researched motorcycles for the last six months. I have decided that the R1150RT is the bike for me. I was all ready to buy then I get wind of the R1200RT that is due out in early 2005. I know this issue has been discussed on the forum before but I would like some input. Buy now or wait for the 05”s. I think that the 2004 RT’s are priced as low as they will ever be in my area of the world. Around $13,000, this is good, when I first started looking in mid-summer they were $1500 or more. I know that when the 2005’s hit the streets they will be at a premium and certainly not be discounted. So what to do?? Get the 2004 or wait on the 2005. The advantage of the 05 would be a few more horse power and one model year newer. The advantage to the 04, it would be around 3 to 4 thousand cheaper and I would have it now. Also I am the type of person that will keep things forever so what ever I get I will have a long time (I have had the same wife for 38 years). Any Response would be valued.

[SNC1923]

I don't know much about the specs (I heard about +15 hp, maybe no cruise control in U.S. -- who needs CD player? Get an iPod!) but if these pics are accurate, it's not a very pretty bike, at least in comparison to the '04.

[SNC1923]

Here's another:

[noahjo]

I just bought the 04 and Im not sad about it at all. I don't know about the 05 but the 04 has plenty of speed and power.


Noah

[MarkF]

Word is that there is a surplus of '04 RTs in the US. That combined with those holding out for the 1200 has resulted in some good deals. I've seen them going for around $13,000. Even less for demos with less than 1,000 miles. If I had the ability I would buy now.

[SNC1923]

You raise a good point, Mike. The pics posted above may very well have little to do with the finished product.

However, I am seeing a trend (in the '05 BMW autos, the K1200S, and the new R hex head) that is tending toward much sharper angles like so many of the Japanese bikes. This may not be a bad thing (nor is it necessarily copying the Japanese) but it is not aesthetically pleasing to me.

I'm reminded of when Jaguar put square headlights on their cars. This was a big trend in the late 70's or early 80's. I thought they were ugly on American cars but much worse on classic designs. Now, of course, Jag and other companies are returning to designs gone since the 1950s. (Everything that is old is new again, some critics say.)

IMHO, of all motorcycles, BMWs have the most classic lines, the most recognizable profiles. Even as modern a bike as '04 1150RT bears a striking resemblance to its predecessors. . . . This is one of their strengths and they should captitalize on it.

I don't know. . . . all of this this discussion centers only on what the bike LOOKS like, to say nothing of how it performs, handles, what safety features it has, etc. I'm confident that the engineers at BMW will put out a really great bike in the R1200RT; nevertheless, I'm like Noah--I'm glad I got my '04 when I did.

:clap

[cat0020]

Maybe something that looks between the R1200GS and this:

http://bmwsporttouring.com/files/420792-r1200s.jpg

[MCohen]

FHP0400,

The question is, how long can you be without a motorcycle? The 2005 models are slowly starting to appear in dealer showrooms and the R1200RT hasn't even been announced. It's possible the R1200RT will be shown next year as an early 2006 model for delivery late in the year. Can you be without a motorcycle for a year?

The second issue is, do you really want to deal with the "first year problems" that are inevitable with any new bike? If you can deal without having the latest and greatest, pick up a new R1150RT or even an old used R1100RT and drive it for two years. By then you'll know all the pros and cons of the R1200RT and can pick one up new or used on your timetable.

Michael

[bullit7801]

What Michael said. :bliss

I would go for the deal, though, and did. In June, I was choosing between a new 2001 R1100RS and a 2004 R1150RS from my local dealer. I decided I didn't need the 50 cc or the 5 horsepower, a cable clutch was just fine, and I wasn't sure about the power brakes. I bought the 2001 at a great price.

The R1200's are supposed to be about 60 pounds lighter and come with a counter-balanced engine that is reported to be much smoother. :clap

The choice, like all choices, is value for the money. Do you want to wait for the improvements and pay for them??? :dunno

tb

[Gerald]

I have an '04RT and from what I have seen so far I would
rather have my '04. I am not a good enough rider to ever need any more power than the '04 has.

I think the '05 is supposed to be lighter, which I would like.
The shaft drive is supposed to be improved, which I would like.
The newer razor edge styling does not suit me at all.

Now if they put a cruise control on it I might be tempted to
rethink my position.

I too, would be a little afraid of buying an '05 until it had the bugs
removed. If you are satisfied with the new razor- edge styling
most designers are going to and aren't worried about the bugs
that might be present, then I guess you might be a candidate
for waiting. That is unless you want to do some instant riding.

Good luck, either way you should have fun.

Gerald

[Kenton]

New guy's first post. I appreciate your dilemma, since I just went through it. As of yesterday, I have a new 2005 R 1150 RT in my garage. That's correct, '05. The dealer told me BMW changed from '04 to '05 late in the model run. This has caused some minor grief with both the insurance company and DMV since the VIN won't process in their systems.
The discounts in this area are about $2500 on the RT.
In rationalizing my decision to go buy now, these were the factors: Interest rates are going in the wrong direction, the dollar is losing ground against the Euro, the local dealers stock was being depleted while I screwed around and I figured BMW had the 1150 production about as right as any model would get.

Hard to believe you could make a bad choice either way.
Good luck.

KC

[Bfish]

I've had an '04 since end of september. love it....have it...ride it...get to spend time on this site. BUY IT now.

[Gerald]

KC makes a good point. I recently ordered a luggage rack for my W650 and had to do so from England since they no longer furnish the part in the USA.

It took me a couple of days to get all the information to-
gether that I needed. In just those few days the pound
increased in value 5 cents.

That doesn't sound like much, but when the cost is over
$100 it starts to make a difference.

On a BMW that kind of increase could cost several hundred
dollars.

Gerald

[BobFV1]

Buy the 04 RT now - I just did over the weekend - no regrets. It's a great ride and it is in my garage now! No worries about first year "bugs", and I got a smoking deal!

[SNC1923]

Bob--nice ride! Well done.

[RTRandy]

I don't think you'll find anyone who has an 04 RT that isn't totally happy with that bike. I absolutely love mine!! The looks of the 05 are certainly nothing to be embarresed about. I find the options on the 05 such as heated seats and cruise control appealing. I'm going to hang on to my 04, but at least I have something to look forward to when the time comes for a change.

[BklynPete]

i am trying to hang onto my 99 r1100rt for another year then i'm getting the r1200rt. it's going to be hard because there are so many improvements on the new bike, that i am really champing at the bit for the r12. i guess it really depends on the type of riding you do and how much is in your pocket that you are willing to spend. the idea of having a lighter more powerful bike is just too appealing to me. plus the extra half gallon of gas capacity and supposedly better fuel mileage. the cruise control is also nice to have. i keep my bikes until i reach 100k miles, so by the time i need to get the new bike, the changes can be significant. i guess i feel if i'm going to spend that much money, i want the most up to date version, but that's me. :thumb

pete

[Emoto]

The 1150 is a fine bike, no doubt.

Less weight and more power are good, but imagine a REALLY nice transmission. That's what the new generation boxers all have. No more having to think about it and get it just right. Now, on my R1200GS, I just shift as I would on any other bike.

:twirl

[BklynPete]

The 1150 is a fine bike, no doubt.

Less weight and more power are good, but imagine a REALLY nice transmission. That's what the new generation boxers all have. No more having to think about it and get it just right. Now, on my R1200GS, I just shift as I would on any other bike.

:twirl

this will be my 4th bmw bike, so by now i'm used to shifting a beemer tranny. won't know what to do with myself with the new one :clap

pete

[Emoto]

this will be my 4th bmw bike, so by now i'm used to shifting a beemer tranny. won't know what to do with myself with the new one :clap

pete

It's true, Pete. You'll catch yourself shifting "carefully" when you no longer need to. It takes time to learn that you can basically forget about the transmission and concentrate on the ride itself.

[StevieWonder]

Dif'rent strokes for dif'rent folks ... I personally think the new RT looks too much like a Saki-burning bike and is just plain fugly. I bought an '04 before the '05 photos were released and now am doubly glad I did. You want new gizmos that weren't offered on the '04? You can get anything you can imagine on the aftermarket for a helluva lot less than the price difference between these two bikes.

[kbasa]

It's true, Pete. You'll catch yourself shifting "carefully" when you no longer need to. It takes time to learn that you can basically forget about the transmission and concentrate on the ride itself.

It took me a while to stop preloading the transmission when I bought my R12GS. :lol

[YB in IN]

I'd bet that you could find some 03's pretty well farkeled out for a lot less money than new. It's worth looking into.

[screamin eagle]

FHP0400,
He, do you have a phone number of that dealer who will sell the 04 RT for $13,000.

I planned on buying it locally, loading it in my truck and heading to Fla for a couple of weeks.

If I can buy it for $13,000 in Fla I would get it there and then truck it home after riding for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the help.

Bill

[p_interceptor]

screamin eagle,
The original post that I wrote was in early November, at that time
BMW Motorcycles of Daytona Beach http://www.bmwcyclesdaytona.com/ was advertising the R1150RT for 13,000, alas no more!!!! I procrastinated to long and now they are gone. However I decided that I would wait for the 05’s anyway. (Its only money, a lot of money). I know that does not make good sense to most but if I get the 04 every time a 05 goes by I will regret my decision and as I indicated in my original post I will keep it forever.
Daytona does have a 04 demo left take a look a there web site.
You’ll come to Florida the weather is beautiful. :brow

[Mr. Frank]

The 2004 and 2005 R1150RT are the result of ten years of BMW trial and error development. BMW's record with first year bikes has been less than stellar. On top of that the new RT is butt ugly in the pictures. Save yourself a few grand and get a beautiful motorcycle.

[Emoto]

The 2004 and 2005 R1150RT are the result of ten years of BMW trial and error development. BMW's record with first year bikes has been less than stellar. On top of that the new RT is butt ugly in the pictures. Save yourself a few grand and get a beautiful motorcycle.

Bear in mind that this engine and drivetrain has been out for about a year in the R1200GS. Oh, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Mr. Frank]

The original oilhead took about 8 years to sort out. If you include double plugging to get rid of the surge, it took ten years. Based on BMW's record with new models in recent years, I'd be surprised if the new R1200RT is sorted out at first. You'll note how the new K bike has been delayed for teething problems.

[Emoto]

Just like the stock market, prior performance is not a reliable predictor. The new 1200 motor seems pretty well sorted. I have tried to read everything I can find about other owners' experiences and I think BMW has come a lot closer to getting it right than they did with the last generation.

[dlearl476]

>I think that the 2004 RT’s are priced as low as they will ever be in my area of the world. Around $13,000, this is good, when I first started looking in mid-summer they were $1500 or more. I know that when the 2005’s hit the streets they will be at a premium and certainly not be discounted.

I don't know. Based on my experience, I'd be by the time the new bikes are ready to ship they're offering .09% financing on top of a bunch of free accessories.

[StevieWonder]

I dunno ... I still think the new RT is too "trendy" with radical Chris-Bangle-styling that will rapidly date it. I personally think it's fugly, but I think even the most ardent supporter of the new styling would have to admit that it's a styling that could very easily become dated in a big hurry (can you say Edsel?)