Design Flaw R1200RT

[p_interceptor]

I have been reading my Rider’s Manual (US Model) for my new R1200RT. On page 89 under Luggage System there is a warning which reads, “The maximum permissible top speed with the small or large top case fitted is 110 mph (180 km/h)” And who said that BMW Motorrad would not admit to a design flaw. I will certainly stay under 110 mph.
Love my new ride.

[Mudbug]

I just purchased the new 31 litre hard top case for my KGT. It comes with a warning not to exceed 80mph/130kph. This is on a bike that easily exceeds those limits.

:dunno

[dano]

It's all "lawyer speak"......... :D

[BradfordBenn]

They also say not to put more than 11 pounds or so in some side cases. Now how much does an eight pound bag of ice and a case of beer weigh? :brow

[MechanicSavant]

Itdepends,light beer??? stout???etc... :drink

[BubbaZanetti]

the owner's manual for my bike states 80 mph as the top speed i should go with luggage, i figured i was gonna get a "luggage speed" upgrade with this new bike, but nope, same as the airhead, although i tend to suspect with the way the system cases mount, there isn't gonna be sudden catastrophic failure at 81 mph :dunno

[RTRandy]

I've never understood that 80MPH thing for the system cases on the 04 RT. What do they think is going to happen?

My Shoei helmet has been wind tunnel tested and rated for 200 MPH so I just take the average of the two things :evil

[lkchris]

BMW has issued warnings like this since the day they first offered saddlebags.

To call this a "design flaw" is ridiculous ... like calling the "never exceed" speed on your airplane indication of a design flaw.

[lkchris]

i tend to suspect with the way the system cases mount, there isn't gonna be sudden catastrophic failure at 81 mph :dunno

It's not about the cases breaking off, it's about stability and controllability of the motorcycle.

[BobFV1]

I have been reading my Rider’s Manual (US Model) for my new R1200RT. On page 89 under Luggage System there is a warning which reads, “The maximum permissible top speed with the small or large top case fitted is 110 mph (180 km/h)” And who said that BMW Motorrad would not admit to a design flaw. I will certainly stay under 110 mph.
Love my new ride.

I think that is just a factory lawyer CYA warning and you should ride the bike to the limit of your skill and ability, and as conditions (weather, traffic, law, etc) dictate. In extremely strong crosswinds the maximum safe speed on your RT with box might be well below what the manual says!

Just my opinion, but the real "design flaw" on the new RT is that Japanese-cartoon looking front end. Not to take away from the incredible machine you have purchased - but it sort of looks like a japanese cartoon space-insect from the front. I think my 04 RT looks like a proud German Doberman from the front, or something like that. Both of them look better than that ridiculous H-D bat Wing fairing from the front!

I now return the thread to it's original program......

Ride safe.

[p_interceptor]

The "Desigh Flaw" statement was meant to be a joke, a pun. Meant to point out that you generaly do not ride down the road at 110mph. I have found nothing about the R1200RT that I do not like including the looks.

[knary]

They also say not to put more than 11 pounds or so in some side cases. Now how much does an eight pound bag of ice and a case of beer weigh? :brow


11lbs? I thought is was 11 kg (24.3 lbs).

[knary]

I think my 04 RT looks like a proud German tadpole.

fixed. :evil

[BobFV1]

fixed. :evil

:clap

A proud tadpole???? They have proud tadpoles in Germany?

Okay - maybe from the front and a little to the side it resembles Helmut Kohl a bit - which is scary. But I'm still getting "anime" off the new one.....

[knary]

:clap

A proud tadpole???? They have proud tadpoles in Germany?

Okay - maybe from the front and a little to the side it resembles Helmut Kohl a bit - which is scary. But I'm still getting "anime" off the new one.....

I see what you're talking about. It's the slab sided origami feel of all the new BMWs. I think they mostly manage to pull it off. I'm not too keen on the kidney 'grill' of the new RT and how it fits with the lights, but otherwise I think its a fine looking bike. The first and second oilhead RTs, like yours, just have never excited me. They're very nice bikes, but I never got the lower lip quiver that I get at the sight of some other bikes, such as the new HP2. Now there is a bike that gets me all hot and bothered.

[fish]

fixed. :evil


:rofl


I really loved the smooth look of my R1150RT. Until I rode the R12RT. Now, quite frankly, I can't really remember what the 1150 looked like. Function over form. :nod

[BradfordBenn]

11lbs? I thought is was 11 kg (24.3 lbs).

Yup, it still says 11lbs on mine. But then again I think part of that is cause of the training wheels.

[fish]

Yup, it still says 11lbs on mine. But then again I think part of that is cause of the training wheels.

The system cases on my 1150GS have no indication of capacity constraints in them. However, the integral bags on my 1200RT clearly state 10kg. I can't imagine your RT can only handle 5kg. Did you buy the pussy version or what?



:D

[BradfordBenn]

Apparently cause there is also only a 4Amp fuse on the accessory socket. Who says I actually followed the directions... I might have read them, but I might not have followed 'em.

[jdcoffman]

For the record my 80mph side bags have seen 100+mph for short duration periods. Also having tested a new 2005 R1200RT it drives oh so sweet and besides if your sitting on it you don't have to look at it-if you have a problem with the way it looks that is.

[dano]

The side bags (panniers) on my '03 RT have seen the high side of 135 mph.

No problems at all........... :thumb

[Emoto]

:clap

A proud tadpole???? They have proud tadpoles in Germany?


Quite a few, actually, ever since that truck carrying a load of viagra went off the road into the lake...

:D

[CJM]

CYA..my Giva top case says something about 85mph if memory serves me well. But on the way to Key West we ran as high as 125 with no problems. Dave (true biker @ work) says they do that so that if it falls off the bike you get to pay the bill!

As for the comments on the looks of the new RT....I agree the 1100/1150 is more appealing to the eye, but biker Dave (see above) is trading a very good, vey fast, drop-dead gorgeous Ducati ST4S for the new RT because of all the things the RT does so well. He says the same things about the new RT that I say about my 1150. To sum it up:

"The best all around touring/sport bike on the planet"

Plus the new one is 60 lbs. lighter. Progress. Somethimes you just have to compromize. :thumb

MTBATP