How To Remove R1200RT Body Panels

[@leeman491]

Another great video from Mr. BMW. Thanks, John.

[@michaelskinner896]

Thanks John. Very clear and concise directions and camera-work. I have a 2024 RT in transit with my name on it and look forward to doing some of my own maintenance. Clearly the panels are different but still very straight-forward. I agree with the torque on those screws. No reason for a herculean effort there; I mean it IS plastic afterall. Becomes even more important as the plastic ages and becomes increasingly brittle.

[@tinderboxarts]

I haven't had an opportunity to see how the newest model panels are removed, but I suspect it is even easier now.

[@kzscorner5813]

This is what I'm looking for! I hope to one day experience ownership of one of these fantastic bikes, but I need to know how to do my own maintenance/repairs. Thanks for the detailed video.

[@tinderboxarts]

The RT is actually fairly simple to maintain yourself. Like any vehicle it has it's own quirks, but once they are known the rest follows.

[@kzscorner5813]

Do you have any recommendations for how to do common repair/maintenance videos on RT's from maybe 08-17 yrs? 3rd season on a Goldwing and have succesfully completed several complex repairs and even the dreaded air filter replacement. No experience on bikes before this. @@tinderboxarts

[@tinderboxarts]

I have an extensive array of videos for common maintenance items like fluid changes, brakes, valve checks, bearings, sensor testing and more. Other youtube channels also offer RT advice. The models years from '05 through '13 are air cooled and very similar. The '10-'13 models are often considered some of the best. In 2014 they moved to a water cooled engine and a wet clutch, so things started to change.

[@alanrichardson1672]

Great video, very handy for those new to the marque RT model.

[@danmclaugh2603]

Awesome video😊 I just did this on my 2010. There's also clips on the frame to run the screws through that can move or fall off. I had some fun with those!😢

[@tinderboxarts]

Generally the system works pretty well, even if it is tedious. But if somebody previously cranked down on the screws or otherwise abused them then you can get damage to the clips or to the panels.

[@s.j.alexander4599]

Great video John, thanks!

[@lipsee100]

Thanks John another informative vid.. My panniers are sufffering innn exactly the same way..I guess its an age thing,,,My bike is taking time out ,,it needs some money spent (replacement front shock) and maybe a new starter...regarding the panniers I,v never seen any information on stripping them down ,so this vid is so usefull ..cheers

[@tinderboxarts]

Yeah, the pannier lubrication is not something you think about until suddenly it's a problem! Since I did this I've noticed how much smoother the action is, so I'm glad I took the time.

[@flyovercounty1427]

These bikes are designed to facilitate maintenance. I have a 2009. Can I ask what protection bars you have? Thank you for these videos.

[@tinderboxarts]

Those are actually cheap Ebay knock-offs of the Wunderlich style bars. I'm pretty sure they are made in the same factory, since they appear identical in every way. I painted them with a silver wheel paint when I first got them, so I can easily repaint them to freshen them up after they get chipped up from road debris.

[@flyovercounty1427]

Thank you

[@SeanMichael-r9z]

Hello John, recently purchased a 2012 RT. Both of the lower armatures for the windshield height adjustment are broken off and jerry-rigged to work although i don't have faith in the result and bought both upper and lower replacements from Beemer Boneyard. Have both side fairings off for some other work and to familiarize with the inner workings but for the life of me i can't determine how to adequately access the inner connection to do the replacement. Even if i took off the mirrors it doesn't get me in. I also have to figure why headlight adjustment doesn't work so i guess i'm committed to some additional work. I was hoping there may be some way to remove the front end more or less as a unit instead of disassembling it piece by piece.

[@tinderboxarts]

You're testing my memory. I think the arms attach at the bottom just underneath a plastic cover? Unfortunately nothing comes off as a unit, it's all piece by piece, so you'll have to just keep removing stuff until you have access. If memory serves they are attached with e-clips or c-clips and you may be able to remove those without getting full access. Once you get the new arms installed, use some waterproof grease at the pivot points and you'll never have a problem again. The headlight adjustment is a fussy knob in the front with some plastic bits that often break. There's a cable which goes to the headlight assembly from the knob.

[@SeanMichael-r9z]

@@tinderboxarts John, thank you so much for the reply. I also order the shop manual CD, hear it's pretty good. I'm not that big a fan of the Haynes manual, better than nothing i suppose. Between your videos and a few others i'm confident enough to do it now. Wanted to avoid ending up with a huge bin of screws, nuts and bolts. One of the best things BMW did was in limiting the different screw sizes. One of the worst things they did on the '11-'12 was the crappy 'metal' the used on the screen set up. Totally unacceptable from BMW. Just bought the '12 RT (17,500mi) after surviving 2 rounds of cancer and selling my 907ie Ducati (loved it-had for 25 yrs) and my Sprint ST (bike had no soul). Looking to slow myself down a bit as well at 71+. I read an article yrs ago in one of the mags-probably Rider) that called the RT "The Gentleman's Express," i like that. Have you sold your RT? Sean

[@tinderboxarts]

I still have my RT. Earlier this year I did a 6200 mile cross country trip in 13 days with my son. Later this year I hope to do another similar length trip with an old friend. I'm approaching 60, and I have a benign brain tumor which was treated with radiation a few years ago. That left me with some balance problems, but I just kept at it until I had my confidence back again. The RT is a very good bike which will do 90 MPH for 12 hours a day while carrying your luggage, and get up the next day to do it all over again.

[@billbritzman8188]

Update: mirror removal on my 2005 RT…they just pop off! I found another KZbin, I think from Germany, no audio. He walked up to the bike, pressed the outer edge of the mirror housing towards the back of the bike and it popped off. Just held on by 3 ball and joint connections. 🤦‍♂️