My new BMW R12RT (was "Talk me out of it")

[fish]

The look of the new BMW R1200RT is starting to grow on me. I'm thinking about trading in my '02 RT on one. The technology employed is nothing short of brilliant, but the looks are...well...rather subjective.

Please talk me out of it, cuz I think I'm gonna be dreaming about one tonight (with Salma Hayek on the back, of course :wink)


The GS is going to the grave with me, now that it's got my mom's spirit in it. :thumb

[fish]

another...

[fish]

and one more...

[pathfinder]

and one more...


Nice looking ride, Fish :thumb I think it is just what you need :D

[fish]

Nice looking ride, Fish :thumb I think it is just what you need :D you aren't helping, pathy... :rofl


kinda looks like this one, huh?

http://www.mid-citieshonda.com/assets/images/03ST1300.jpg

[gus]

You have 2 boxers that are both good for maybe 250 000 miles before they need some minor work. The new one will feel like the old one about 2 months after you buy it.



.

[David_S85]

the new BMW R1200RT is starting to grow on me.
Please talk me out of it, cuz I think I'm gonna be dreaming about one tonight (with Salma Hayek on the back, of course :wink):thumb

Does it have enough room for your camera gear? :wink

[pathfinder]

you aren't helping, pathy... :rofl


kinda looks like this one, huh?

http://www.mid-citieshonda.com/assets/images/03ST1300.jpg


I have come so close to pulling the trigger for an ST1300 several times. My friends all ride Boxers, but that ST1300 is a very nice ride that should be Honda bullet proof by now.

[pathfinder]

I have come so close to pulling the trigger for an ST1300 several times. My friends all ride Boxers, but that ST1300 is a very nice ride that should be Honda bullet proof by now.


Great minds think alike Fishy. We've been down this path before, remember Christmas eve a few years ago? :D We thought a 10D would keep us happy for a long while. :dunno

[digismile]

Fish,

Life is too short to have regrets. Get the bike ...

And if after a few months you decide you don't want it, do an Andy:D

Brad

[gus]

We thought a 10D would keep us happy for a long while. :dunno
.... you are a man with a heart of stone. :lol3

[fish]

Does it have enough room for your camera gear? :wink
Naturally.

[fish]

Great minds think alike Fishy. We've been down this path before, remember Christmas eve a few years ago? :D We thought a 10D would keep us happy for a long while. :dunno

Yup...sure do. Never satisfied, are we? :cry

[ian408]

fish,

You know you want it. We know you want it. Too bad we won't see it at
the '49er :D

The more I see of it, the more I like it. But it's brand new--you should let
someone else debug one first.

Ian

[DoctorIt]

so usuallly when someone says "talk me out of it", they're doomed :wink


my dad is almost definitely getting one to replace that pig 1200CLC he let my mom talk him into last year.

[patch29]

I have come so close to pulling the trigger for an ST1300 several times. My friends all ride Boxers, but that ST1300 is a very nice ride that should be Honda bullet proof by now.

I test rode one last fall and a Goldwing, since my local BMW dealer has some used ones and test rides are hard to find. The GW felt like a battleship, but the ST 1300 was a smile cracker. That bike is fun and fast. I don't think I could afford the speeding tickets. :deal :cry It did fit me well and when I raised the windshield it was quiet and no buffeting. The new RT looks good too, I am sure you will be happy keeping it or buying a new one.

[Andy]

The look of the new BMW R1200RT is starting to grow on me. I'm thinking about trading in my '02 RT on one. The technology employed is nothing short of brilliant, but the looks are...well...rather subjective.

Please talk me out of it, cuz I think I'm gonna be dreaming about one tonight (with Salma Hayek on the back, of course :wink)


The GS is going to the grave with me, now that it's got my mom's spirit in it. :thumb

you need this, fish. do it.

[rutt]

Fish, convert some money into happiness. It's hard to lose a parent. Stuff won't fix that pain, but I found the distraction very welcome.

Like the sage says: If not now, when?

[Shakey]

Do it! Unless there is something that will make you happier ... like perchance buying it and giving it to a KLR owner who say... lives in Calgary Canada and goes by the moniker Shakey on Dgrin... and would be then educated in the fine art of BMW ownership.:dunno Otherwise self indulgence really can do a body good. Go for it.

[fish]

Do it! Unless there is something that will make you happier ... like perchance buying it and giving it to a KLR owner who say... lives in Calgary Canada and goes by the moniker Shakey on Dgrin... and would be then educated in the fine art of BMW ownership.:dunno

That's really a good idea, but I don't know anybody like that.

[lynnma]

You don't need it.. you'll probably hate it.. and you'll feel really guilty.. and think of Fishwife.. think of fishkids.. they must need something much more than this piece of noisy junk.. :rofl :rofl :rofl did that help???:1drink

[DavidTO]

From changingminds.org (via google search):

When something happens that we find difficult to accept, then we will make up a logical reason why it has happened.


The target of rationalization is usually something that we have done, such as being unkind to another person. It may also be used when something happens independent of us which causes us discomfort, such as when a friend is unkind to us.

Example

A person evades paying taxes and then rationalizes it by talking about how the government wastes money (and how it is better for people to keep what they can).


A man buys a expensive car and then tells people his old car was very unreliable, very unsafe, etc.


A person fails to get good enough results to get into a chosen university and then says that they didn't want to go there anyway.

----
We rationalize to ourselves. We also find it very important to rationalize to other people, even those we do not know.

When a person does something of which the moral super ego disapproves, then the ego seeks to defend itself by adding reasons that make the action acceptable to the super ego. Thus we are able to do something that is outside our values and get away with it without feeling too guilty.


This is related to our need to explain what happens. Our need for esteem also leads us to rationalize to others.

Self-Serving Bias uses rationalization when it leads to taking more credit for success than we deserve and blame others for our failures.


Rationalization is one of Freud's original defense mechanisms.

[gus]

From changingminds.org (via google search):Phewwww...Man thats a relief ...so those 3 people wanted to get into that barrel in the woods last night :uhoh

all that screaming was a front then....

[Charlie Brown]

buy it man, then again why not get the fish kids and yourself some honda dirtbikes?


did i mention im a fishkid?

[fish]

You don't need it.. you'll probably hate it.. and you'll feel really guilty.. and think of Fishwife.. think of fishkids.. they must need something much more than this piece of noisy junk.. :rofl :rofl :rofl did that help???:1drink
I was following you right up until the "piece of noisy junk" part.

[fish]

From changingminds.org (via google search):

jeebus, david...NOW I feel guilty. :uhoh

[fish]

buy it man, then again why not get the fish kids and yourself some honda dirtbikes?
That would be a ton of fun, but A) we have no place close to ride (yet :evil); B) I haven't even been able to get my son on the back of one of my bikes yet; C) My daughter has shown zero interest in the brand new bike she got for her birthday last year, and D) uh...I can't think of a D, but it'll come to me.

I need to wait until we move out of the Silicon Valley sometime in the near future and onto a hunk-o-land that we could actually ride OHVs on before doing that, but trust me...I've definitely thought about it.

So back to the new RT. The front isn't nearly as sexy as my '02 RT, but the new one is overall a much mo betta bike. Hell, just the fixed brakes and no-maint driveline is enough for me at this point.


did i mention im a fishkid?
Sorry mang, I'm not your sugar daddy...you're looking for the Mad Russian. :evil


Patch, how could you have ridden a new bike last fall that hasn't even shown up on the dealer's floor yet? :scratch

BTW, this would be my 4th RT. :D

[Charlie Brown]

fine then be that way, deny me why dont you.


how about something sporty? like an aprilia tuono? i like them, hell everyone likes them, so im sure you will too. i rode a used one before my accident and i loved it i could definately use a bike like that. then again you might not like the sport bike thing, and i know you arent a cruiser guy. but if you have an RT thats only 2 years old, im sure there has to be a better place for your money to go.



charlie

[patch29]

Patch, how could you have ridden a new bike last fall that hasn't even shown up on the dealer's floor yet? :scratch


I test rode a used GW and a used ST 1300, at my local BMW dealership. I guess I was not super clear via my quote. The ST was fast. :thumb

[rutt]

Does fishwife know that you are very involved with this internet site where people tell you that you absolutely must go out right now and buy a new expensive motorcycle (or lens or camera or whatever?)

Please don't tell her that I am involved.

[marlof]

So back to the new RT. The front isn't nearly as sexy as my '02 RT, but the new one is overall a much mo betta bike. Hell, just the fixed brakes and no-maint driveline is enough for me at this point. [...] BTW, this would be my 4th RT. :D Somehow this makes me believe that nobody will be able to talk you out of it. So go ahead, buy it, ride it and enjoy it. But don't say anyone I said anything about the buying part... :wink

[fish]

Somehow this makes me believe that nobody will be able to talk you out of it. So go ahead, buy it, ride it and enjoy it. But don't say anyone I said anything about the buying part... :wink

Well, you're right marlof. Everybody did a really poor job of talking me out of it. So I traded-in my 2002 R1150RT with 28K miles last Friday for a light granite gray 2005 R1200RT.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18420806-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18649262-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18649266-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18649267-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18649259-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18420440-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/18649258-L.jpg

I bought the first R1200RT from San Jose BMW. Well before the April 1 debut that most dealers in the area have scheduled. Chris Hodgson, the owner and president of SJBMW, sent me an email last Thursday evening and said the ST and RT has landed and to come in and check them out. I was the first non-employee to demo their dark granite RT, and when I got back about 90 minutes later, I put dibs on the light granite RT they had in the back unprepped, as it had all the equipment I wanted, but ESA (electronic suspension adjustment). No cd/radio, but BC (bike computer), including oil level check on the LCD panel (no need for sightglasses anymore), and cruise control.

First impressions: the photos do not do this bike justice at all. First gear roll-on wheelies no problem. Tranny smooth. Great wind protection, but needs a screen from Cee Baileys. Overally impression: wow. This ain't your father's RT.

Some features:
- electronic cruise control
- partially integrated ABS (finally)
- self-cancelling turn signals (finally)
- bike computer (ambient temp (with ice warning), avg speed, mileage, etc)
- Same driveline as the R1200GS, but different gearing
- Heated (and separately switched) seats
- Auto on/dimming display
- color-matched saddlebags that don't have to be locked!
- Dual H7 headlights
- 44lb less than the 1150
- 16% more hp than the 1150 (110hp / 85 lb-ft torque)
- silky smooth tranny
- adjustable clutch and brake levers
- bulb-out warnings
- real roundels on the fairing, instead of stamped aluminum crap
- Integrated tankbag rack
- Smart key (chipped)
- Oil level indicator in display
- Domke F4AF fits perfectly in left saddlebag, 12pack of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale fits perfectly in the right. What more could you ask for?
and much much more.


:clap :lust :clap

[gus]

:clap man thats a lot of camera gear.

[ian408]

Nice fish! That laundry list of finally's is nice too.

Take for example the oil. There's this vodoo dance you do to find the level
on my year. It's 10min on the side stand followed by 15 min on the center
stand (that's to drain the oil cooler) then you hope the right thing happened
and the level you read is accurate.

Don't know that I need a temp gauge to give me an ice warning though :D

Aside from blue, gray is the best color too.

Ian

[fish]

:clap man thats a lot of camera gear.


um, no...actually it's a motorcycle. :rolleyes










:lol3

[fish]

Take for example the oil. There's this vodoo dance you do to find the level
on my year. It's 10min on the side stand followed by 15 min on the center
stand (that's to drain the oil cooler) then you hope the right thing happened
and the level you read is accurate.

I know that dance well. Eventually I just gave up trying to get an accurate reading and figured if I could see any oil in the sight glass, then I was good to go. :thumb

Don't know that I need a temp gauge to give me an ice warning though :D

You've never been riding up 108 toward Sonora pass and felt it getting colder and colder, cranked up the Gerbings, and wondered how long it was going to be before the road iced over? Not that I expect to use it very often, but I can certainly see the value in it.

[DoctorIt]

Awesome!! Congrats Fish!!! :clap :thumb

Funny you should say that this bike "isn't your father's" RT, because I'm about 99% sure that this is definitely going to be my father's RT. He is counting the days till he finally gets a day off work so he can ride it. I'm gonna forward him your photos too - they are fantastic! :thumb

[ian408]

I know that dance well. Eventually I just gave up trying to get an accurate reading and figured if I could see any oil in the sight glass, then I was good to go. :thumb
Exactly.



You've never been riding up 108 toward Sonora pass and felt it getting colder and colder, cranked up the Gerbings, and wondered how long it was going to be before the road iced over? Not that I expect to use it very often, but I can certainly see the value in it.
Oh, I know the value. I just don't want it to say ice :D

ian

[wxwax]

Congratulations, Fish. New bike glow, must feel nice. It sure sounds like a real performer. I reckon the looks will grow on me over time. I hope your new gig allows you the time to take it for some good distance jaunts.

[fish]

Congratulations, Fish. New bike glow, must feel nice. It sure sounds like a real performer. I reckon the looks will grow on me over time.

Thanks Waxy.

I hope your new gig allows you the time to take it for some good distance jaunts.

me too. :cry

[fish]

Awesome!! Congrats Fish!!! :clap :thumb

Funny you should say that this bike "isn't your father's" RT, because I'm about 99% sure that this is definitely going to be my father's RT.


yeah, well...your father is probably about my age. :lol3


thanks doc.

[fish]

I finally got a chance to put the R12RT through the paces in the Santa Cruz Mtns Monday. Temps were in the high 40's much of the time. Grips and seat heaters were set to low and it was a very comfortable ride. I can't wait for that deadbeat down at Cee Bailey's to send me a beta screen. Definitely needs some height and width.

The route gave me about three hours of saddle time, and a stop at Alice's for a burger-n-fries. Good mix of tight twisties, high speed sweepers, and lots of uphill off-camber stuff to see if I could drag metal. The tires are still new, and I haven't built up a wet road trust in them yet, so I was probably riding between 5/10ths and 7/10ths. I reduced the chicken strips to 1/4" avg on the rear tire.

Obligatory skyline nose shot:

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/19020747-L.jpg


While I could certainly notice the weight loss program BMW put the RT through, it was much more apparent in the twisties. Simply much less weight to flop around. The brakes were standout performers. When hot-footing it, it's not obvious that they are servo assisted. I was told that they changed the ratio on the lever to 70% front / 30% rear. Regardless, I only dipped into the ABS once on a bumpy downhill hairpin with lots of gravel. It was barely noticeable. Considerably different than the more binary brake system on my 2002 of either full-on or full-off. Feel was very good and easy to modulate. Never locked up the rear tire alone.


Obligatory fullbike shot:

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/19020722-L.jpg

Power delivery is another standout area with the new engine. While the power curve is still relatively flat, it's just further north on the dyno chart. According to the mags, it's 0-62mph in 3.6 secs or something like that. While that may be true, 63-115mph is just about as fast. Holy smokes.

Gearing is quite a bit lower than my GS, which makes it easier to ride fast through hairpins and other tight stuff. A cautionary note: when coming out of 15mph rated hairpin in 1st, don't yank the throttle open. The new 180 tire hooks up plenty well and lifts the front wheel as high as you want it to be lifted, meaning you'd better know what you're doing and where you're headed when you blast out of hairpins, because you're gonna be riding a unicycle until you back off the throttle. What worked well for me was blasting out until the front started getting light, then short-shifting to 2nd. That keeps the wheel on the ground and there's enough torque to maintain serious momentum.

Speaking of gearbox. Very tight...very short throw. Very good for sport-riding. I've hit neutral twice early on, due to pilot error, but shift with confidence, and you won't miss a shift or find any false neutrals.

Obligatory weird wide angle shot:

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/19020780-L.jpg


Lastly, after about three hours in the saddle, I think most people will be quite pleased with the shape, angle, and firmness of the stock seat. It's firm (a good thing), well-shaped, and the angle is very neutral. No slipping forward under hard braking. Time will tell if it'll work for my fat ass, but so far, I've got no complaints.


Obligatory squashed bee on tripleclamp shot (notice entrails indicate he came up from under the clamp):

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/19020818-L.jpg


more later as I go further into the breakin period and I get more comfortable with the handling. The front suspension setup feels spot-on, but I need to work on the rear. Haven't figured out if it's lack of damping or too much preload yet.

Hasta,
fish

:jose

[ian408]

Great pictures and I look forward to hearing more after you've taken a long tour.

Ian

[fish]

Great pictures and I look forward to hearing more after you've taken a long tour.

Ian

Whatcha doin' tomorrow? Should be good weather for a run up to Westport. :D


j/k.

[Kalamata]

The look of the new BMW R1200RT is starting to grow on me. I'm thinking about trading in my '02 RT on one. The technology employed is nothing short of brilliant, but the looks are...well...rather subjective.

Please talk me out of it, cuz I think I'm gonna be dreaming about one tonight (with Salma Hayek on the back, of course :wink)


The GS is going to the grave with me, now that it's got my mom's spirit in it. :thumb

I guess its alright for older riders.
ed

[DoctorIt]

keep posting reports like this (and glamour shots like those), and my dad and I will be buying matched RT's! What's this about the front end of an RT coming up in the air?!? I could never even dream of doing that on my dad's former 02 RT, no way! You make it sound like a sportbike, but with the long haul comfort of a Beemer...

do I really take the GS off road that much??? :wxwax


glad yer lovin' it :thumb

[ian408]

Whatcha doin' tomorrow? Should be good weather for a run up to Westport. :D


j/k.
Take a gander outside--maybe we can compare rain gear :lol3
But that's one beautiful ride though. Maybe lunch in Fort
Bragg? Noyo Harbor?

I might just get wet going home tonight...

Ian

[fish]

keep posting reports like this (and glamour shots like those), and my dad and I will be buying matched RT's! What's this about the front end of an RT coming up in the air?!? I could never even dream of doing that on my dad's former 02 RT, no way! You make it sound like a sportbike, but with the long haul comfort of a Beemer...


Don't just take my word for it...go test ride one. :nod

[pathfinder]

Darn You Fish.... That 1200RT looks Sweeeet!! I may have to swop my GS for it, and keep my Suzi DR650 for the back roads.

I am planning on 7-10 days in Albany Wyoming with my son in early June on the dual-sports. But the RT sounds like a barn burner on the highway. Wheelies no less!!

Might I ask what the freight is for a new RT decked out like yours? PM me if you prefer. Good to see you back on line again.

[ian408]

I might just get wet going home tonight...

I walk into the office on a perfectly cloudy evening. Read the EDIS weather
warning and the leave at 9:30PM--and it's crystal clear out. Go figure.

ian

[wxwax]

Super pics - the thing photographs well from the side. Thanks for a tasty ride report.

[GSPeP]

Congratualtions on the new bike. http://www.digitalgrin.com/images/smilies/clap.gif

[Shakey]

I hate Fish (jealousy rears its ugly head) :rofl
Seriously ... Fish I hate you er I mean congrats WTG and all that rubish grumble grumble #$%%#$#@@ .

Enjoy the new ride Fish :thumb it looks and sounds sweeeet.

Tim

[gus]

the thing photographs well from the side.
:rofl
Its uglier than a bucket of smashed crabs & you know it. Probably very nice to ride though.

[DoctorIt]

:rofl
Its uglier than a bucket of smashed crabs & you know it. Probably very nice to ride though.this coming from a guy who rides an R1100 GS with the big ugly square headlight... :rolleyes :lol3

[gus]

this coming from a guy who rides an R1100 GS with the big ugly square headlight... :rolleyes :lol3Hey ....you forgot the huge ugly spotties !

http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/807634-M-1.jpg

[DoctorIt]

Hey ....you forgot the huge ugly spotties !

Wow, that thing didn't just fall off the tallest tree in the ugly forest, it got hit by every branch on the way down!!!

:lol3

[gus]

Wow, that thing didn't just fall off the tallest tree in the ugly forest, it got hit by every branch on the way down!!!

:lol3You got that right.....but im yet to run over a road croc or dead roo since i put 'em on.

[DoctorIt]

You got that right.....but im yet to run over a road croc or dead roo since i put 'em on.I understand mate, just playin.


And I should fess up... I have the 140's :D

http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/17927830-L.jpg

[fish]

I understand mate, just playin.


And I should fess up... I have the 140's :D

http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/17927830-L.jpg
Hey! What are you doing with my other bike?? :scratch

[pathfinder]

I understand mate, just playin.


And I should fess up... I have the 140's :D

http://doctorit.smugmug.com/photos/17927830-M.jpg


Wow, that sure is really clean. Do ya ever really ride it?:huh

I wash my GS once a year whether it needs it or not! Or NOT!!! My Suzi will get washed when I need to see some machinery parts for maintenance. My cameras are spotless. :D

[DoctorIt]

Wow, that sure is really clean. Do ya ever really ride it?:huh

I wash my GS once a year whether it needs it or not! Or NOT!!! My Suzi will get washed when I need to see some machinery parts for maintenance. My cameras are spotless. :Dthat photo was taken in early March... you know, when there was feet of snow outside?! So in other words, it was hibernating after its token end of season bath. You should see what it looks like today, rather than black it's now a lovely salt/dirt/mud gray-brown. :D

[DoctorIt]

Hey! What are you doing with my other bike?? :scratchMust be tough having two really crappy beemers, eh fish? :rolleyes :D

[gus]

Wow, that sure is really clean. Do ya ever really ride it?:huh


Garage Queen :wink

[fish]

Wow, that sure is really clean. Do ya ever really ride it?:huh

I wash my GS once a year whether it needs it or not! Or NOT!!! My Suzi will get washed when I need to see some machinery parts for maintenance. My cameras are spotless. :D



CLEANUP NEEDED - ADVRIDER LEAK ON AISLE 4.

[fish]

Must be tough having two really crappy beemers, eh fish? :rolleyes :D
It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. :nod

[ian408]

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. :nod

You got that right :nod

Ian

[fish]

You got that right :nod

Ian

I know you're doing your part too. :D

[ian408]

I know you're doing your part too. :D
Well, I didn't buy one but I did take one for a ride this afternoon :uhoh

All those things fish said are true. Though not enough for me to trade up.
On the other hand, the early year RT owner will find plenty of reason to
consider the new 1200.

Doc, you and the old man ought to go for a test ride soon.

Ian

[fish]

All those things fish said are true. Though not enough for me to trade up.
On the other hand, the early year RT owner will find plenty of reason to
consider the new 1200.
You already have a pair of very new dual spark boxers, no?

What was it you said when you upgraded from a 10D to a 20D? :lol3

[DoctorIt]

Queen :winkwhat you do on the weekends is your own business...






:hide

[ian408]

You already have a pair of very new dual spark boxers, no?

What was it you said when you upgraded from a 10D to a 20D? :lol3
Hey, when the keys are offered, you do what's natural and you ride it.

BTW, I didn't upgrade from the 10-20d.

Ian

[fish]

BTW, I didn't upgrade from the 10-20d.

Ian

details details... :rolleyes







:rofl

[ian408]

details details... :rolleyes







:rofl
What detail? You mean the 1dmkII?

ian