Review of the BMW R 1200 RT

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In this new review, I take you along on my own BMW R 1200 RT of 2011. What do I think of it? How does it ride? What's up with that love-hate relationship I have with the BMW brand?
Also, check out my previous videos where I work on this specific BMW.

[@Richard57072]

I’ve been riding GSA’s for ten years and love them. But I tested a new RT last year and was instantly hooked. It will be my next bike. Oh and I’m 58 😂

[@arturcarvalho5558]

Funny to say the least... I owned a 2006 R1200RT (new) and sold it 4 years later, with 123.000km done with zero problems, yes zero! Maybe because it was always properly served on time at official dealerships bmw, definitely the best by far of the many bikes I've owned before, including japanese, italian, english, etc, and the worse of all... american! I currently own a 2023 R1250RT with 9.000km now, zero issues so far but of course a bit early to take conclusions... just hoping for the same reliability I had so far riding bmw's.

[@chiefpepdesign]

Great to hear! Well done to bring it to the official BMW service centre. They were able to tackle all issues in time so you never would have these. Always a great feeling if you bring the bike to the official dealership! I am really curious of the BMW R 1250...

[@rollysvw]

I currently have a 2006 RT with 39k miles. Bought it with 10k miles almost 2 years ago. Zero issues all I’ve done is normal maintenance.

[@nigelhanbury8169]

I like video and think fair. i have two 2011 rt’s Overall a great bike feels good fast enough and handles well. People of all walks come up to admire this bike. They are not perfect but overall are very satisfying to ride and grow on you.

[@vplph]

Got a 2006 rt1200 50000...does everything great, cost nothing in fuel, and cheap in maintenance. Rides like a champ. And you know what? It is so good that it becomes boring.

[@philphil397]

I have the 2013 model with only 31k and it's very different from the ST1100/1300 I had before. The 4 cylinders are more smooth but apart that the RT is hands down better in any way. 50kg lighter, lower center of gravity, more torque, better handling, better comfort, better protection. no heat burning your leg even in hot summer (very important point for me) much much faster in the twisty roads of swiss Alps (you have to force to keep the curves with ST the RT turn by herself and you can break later and stronger less weight). No reliability issue for the moment and I made all services by myself very esay to work. Honda is very reliable I had 5 Honda before despite I had ABS failure with the ST1100

[@medler2110]

I've owned the same model as this for 5 years, I ride it all year and do my own maintenance, other than normal service items, the only issues I've had was left hand switch gear failure, the switches use a flexible circuit board and it cracks and the switches stop working, also not cheap to buy and new pistons in the rear calliper, not too bad and probably due to salt and water after years of winter riding. The engine is ok, but runs out of puff at top end, (I test rode a 1250RT and that has the grunt all the way to the top end) but has the torque to overtake at normal road speeds. I love the handling, its surprisingly good on the back roads, but will eat motorway miles. As you said maintenance is easy, I love the fact that you need one size Torx key to remove all the body work and once done its all easy to get to, very different from my VFR800, which had various screws and clips to get parts of the bodywork off or my friends ST1300 which is a lovely bike, but its also had its issues, with the electric screen adjustment failing, which seems to be a known problem and the clutch slave cylinder needing replacing, a job which the Honda dealer says is engine out, but he managed to do it without going that far.

[@markoskalakoutis7707]

very nice review. you convinced me brother

[@Stefan_trekkie]

My brother traded his rt 1200 for a super tenere 1200 .. He was sick of repairs. 0 issues for a year with the Yamaha.

[@chiefpepdesign]

I understand

[@GPR111]

The ST1300 is the safer bet at this age and no warranty ..... 😉

[@fransgabler]

I totally agree about the prices and the various problems you will encounter. The costs are enormous. For example the fuel pomp of my 1200RT was quite allright after 48000 km, but a plastic hose of the pump broke off. I had to buy a new one a 450 euro. The abs 3 system of my R1150RT failed in France. The remaining breakpower was about 10 % and I drove it 400 km home at night to avoid braking. Repair would cost 1200 euro, a new system 2750 euro. Quite ridiculous. I removed the abs and sold the thing instantly. Still I had almost every type of BMW. When its riding, a BMW is the best bike in the world. The wind protection of every RT is quite perfect and I love the boxer concept. As told in the video, a Japanese od even English bike wil be by far more reliable and less expensive to purchase and repair. BMW really makes you love and hate the bike. The most reliable is the name, not the bike itself.

[@chiefpepdesign]

Exactly that.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Thank you. My relation with BMW is very much like yours. I'm really a Honda guy. But... in November last year I traded in my old ST1100 for a R1150RT. I had to find out what the better touring bike was for me. To me, and I hate to write this, it is the RT. Weather protection is second to none, stability is great (much better than the ST1100). Of course the boxer is no match for the V4 of the ST and the gearbox is very precise yet clunky. Early this year I bought a CBR 600 FSport. Great fun bike, far too fast for me. An opportunity came up to trade in the CBR for a 1150GS. I had promised myself to never ever purchase a GS, they are so f... ugly. However, I did buy this 2003 GS and now the RT is up for sale. I prefer the GS and I now understand why these bikes are so popular. OK, there is almost no weather protection but, to me, that is the only drawback when comparing the GS with the RT. To me it feels like BMW put more effort in designing the GS than they did with the RT. The GS is a near perfect commuter and is also fine on longer road trips. And for real fun there still is a 4th gen VFR in the shed. I love these VFRs more than any other bike.

[@TremereTT]

Why do you prefere your bike to do those dangerous nosedives on breaking? If you had a R1200 GS before it has the same telelever suspension right? Soes it behave differently? I'm currently I'm looking for BMW's exactly because of this feature. Is it bad a bad feature?

[@chiefpepdesign]

Yes indeed. The same. But I just notice it now more than before since my last bikes were: V85, ST 1300, Burgman 650, Tenere 650. All those just acted like 'normal bikes'. I am convinced I will get used to it, I just noticed it instantly.

[@Richard57072]

Edit

[@lipsee100]

Regarding the 2005/6 RT models,, I have a 05 model with 86000miles,, the fuel strip I have never had problem, servo brakes I have never had the problem,,,shaft drive again no issue,,,it blows headlight bulbs regally ,,,I,v toured europe lots of times.. and I,m not a BMW fan boy... One big problem with my RT is the gearbox broke in a big way,it cost me an arm and leg to fix...I,v had the bike 8years ,,,I have a Ohlins on the baack suspension I need a front shock.. You do,nt need CC ,,just get a Go Cruise

[@user-on2md7gk4b]

48k, a lot of miles???? I had 140000k on my Harley electraglide limited and just sold it and now am looking for a Goldwing 1800

[@chiefpepdesign]

@@user-on2md7gk4b 148.000 km's... 😉

[@JoseSilva-sh2oe]

How do you compare it with the ST? Wich is better?

[@chiefpepdesign]

@@JoseSilva-sh2oe to be honost... The ST was more fun, had a more powerfull engine and was better in cornoring... The RT is more modern with the 'bells 'n wistles' and way lighter. If I had the choice, I would rather go for the ST.

[@JoseSilva-sh2oe]

@@chiefpepdesign I have an ST and sometimes think about changing to an RT. Thank you for the reply. I think I will keep it

[@chiefpepdesign]

@@JoseSilva-sh2oe I know the feeling... Make a testdrive to convince yourself

[@JoseSilva-sh2oe]

@@chiefpepdesign your videos are great, by the way. Keep going like that, please

[@lipsee100]

And I think the panniers really suck ,,I hate them I guess we would not be friends ,,,,

[@gottfriedt.2222]

The rear view mirrors are definitely a poor design, you can hardly see what is happening behind.