Newbie has a few questions

[bavenda]

My wife and I would like to ride. I already ride a dirt bike and have ridden cycles when I was younger.

The LT seems too big, GT is too much for a newbie but the RT seems to be a great cruiser that I can still take on the twisties.

Would you recommend a used 1150rt as a starter or buy a new RT with electronic suspension to start?

If I buy a used one, does one with 30k miles on it make a good long term bike?

What are the pluses of buying a japanese cruiser? Why do I see so many around?

Is there anything else I should know.

Thanks

[hopz]

You pose a number of interesting questions let me try to hit them in order.

For a newish rider- the LT is too big., the GT is too much power, (ask me how I know), and the RT IS just right- on the twisties it is perfect and although you said cruiser, I will assume you meant tourer. Cruiser is something else. The RT is a magnificent touring bike.

A used R1150RT is a great choice- the ESA is not something you should even think about- in the sense of it being important- it is not.

30K mile on any RT is just barely broken in. Do not let it concern you one iota.

Pluses of a Jap cruiser? Well, your bike friends will think you could not afford a Harley, and you will sell it soon anyway- so be sure to buy it low and hope for the best. What they lack in authentic gut-wrenching Harleyness, they make up for in low price.

Now- for the advice part. If you are not a competent rider- go take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course- first. Then go shopping. If you do not know if you are competent- go take the course- then you will know.

BMW's in general and RT's in particular are wonderful bikes, you can buy with confidence and be assured it will last a long time. It is however not a cruiser, unless you find the R1200C which IS a cruiser.

Cruiser means a bike you tool around town on, trying to look cool. Hardly ever ride over 50 miles at a time and comfort is sacrificed for style. Think sitting straight up on your butt, arms extended to their limits forward and you are leaning back looking cool. Bonus points for wearing a do-rag and sleeves on the t-shirt are optional.

Riding a BMW however is for a different crowd. Think Chardonnay or better yet- Gewertztraminer or Rhine wine, as opposed to Bud Light. Of course we would never ride and drink anything stronger than iced tea.

We also wear all the gear all the time. You will never see a true BMW guy riding in flip-flops.

Having said all that- please understand I am making jokes about the stereotypes. Ride what you like. And by the way the BMW R1200C is a great cruiser and a pretty good all around BMW at the same time.

Bob

[bavenda]

Now I know, I am not looking for a cruiser, I am looking for a touring bike. I have no interest in looking cool going to the market. I am looking for something I can ride on 2 lane roads and the freeways.

I will take your advice about the class. I just got my permit today and although I am a pretty good dirt rider, this is clearly a case where more practice may save my own life.

Again, thanks for your advice and I look forward to being a part of your community.

[Lopaca]

I was in a very similar situation but December last year. Rode bikes all my life in the dirt till grad school had a little Honda 150 street for getting to classes). During Law School, I had a rice rocket long enough to know I was too stupid for one. I did not ride for about 20 years. Bought the 1200RT when I turned 50 and the first thing I did was take the MSF class. 4500 miles later, I will be attending a one day skills class here in California put on by Streetmasters. Once I am done with that calls I am going to take the Advanced MSF course. You simply can not have too much training, especially, considering the number of cars that you compete with for the roads.

I only ride one up (whole reason for the bike was for some alone time). The RT is the perfect bike. I can do a day ride or take a ride to Alaska and back. Handles great and is more than enough power I will ever need.

Have fun and remember to take the class.

[Lopaca]

Another suggestion - don't spend thousands on a bike and then skimp on the helmet or the suit - I have never understood this. If you do take the classes you will learn that skin going 5 mph on asphalt results in skin grafting.

Get a good helmet, good gloves and definitely a jacket and pants or a suit that has the protective gear. I have leathers and textile - depending on the ride and the temperature. I am saving up for a full Aerostich suit (expensive - but again if you can't afford the film - why bother getting the camera!

[JDW]

I would strongly suggest buying a BMW that is still under warranty unless you plan to do all the wrenching yourself. Besides regular maintenance repairs can get rather expensive.

[xharleyrider]

I have owned an 04 1150RT and now an 05 1200RT. In 04, they came out with the twin spark ignition which resolved some surging issues in prior years. Resale is better when you are ready to move up. An 1150 RT with 10 to 20K miles in very nice shape will run 10 to 12K. I wouldn't spend more than 10.5 and buy from a private party to save on DMV fees. I paid 14K for my 05 with small top case, tank bag(a must), 7k miles, no esa, no radio. If you can afford it, go with the 1200. The 1150 was a great bike, but the 1200 is more refined in all the important areas. Keep in mind, the true cost of a bike is what you pay for it verse what you can get for it if you change your mind. I paid 12k for my 1150, drove it 7500 miles and a year later sold it for 10.5. I could sell my RT right now for 13.5 with 15k miles. I echo all the safety talk, as I have never been down riding for six years now but have encountered numerous white knuckle situations. I rode harleys for the first six years, and really enjoyed the "laid back" ride and the whole harley experience, but BMW brought excitement back to riding. The confidence, braking and turning on a BMW are like nothing I had ever experienced in my Harley days.

[bavenda]

I will get ones with protective gear but do you recommend leather or textile? I will get the 1200, I believe in gettting in right the first time. Thanks again.

[rgmanley]

Congrats on deciding to join the elite long distance riders. Any of the RT, 1100, 1150, or 1200 are very competent rides. Each offers improvements over the previous edition. For me the biggest improvement in the 1200 is the electronic cruise control. Can't think of taking a long trip without this (although I have in the past). I-5 or Hwy 395 can be pretty boring.

Suggestion on warranty coverage is very valid. All BMWs (cars and bikes) are expensive to have worked on out-of-warranty.

Can't stress the value of driver training enough. Check the statistics for accidents between those with the training and those without. Also, in CA passing the course used to suffice for the DMV driver test. And most insurance companies offer a discount for completion of the training.

Textile or leather. IMHO leather is the best protection for sliding down the highway on your butt, but has a narrower comfort range for temperatures. Textile is a great compromise. I know that BMW has done extensive work on their textiles and abrasion resistance. Their stuff is pricey but top-drawer. Very well thought out with pockets, zippers, liners etc. I personally prefer the textiles.

Boots-definitely want water-proof.
Gloves-get the good ones and try them on. Many have internal seems which can become uncomfortable after hours of hanging on to the bars.
Helmets-prefer the full-face as this offers the max protection. As Bell used to advertise "if you have a $10 brain, get a $10 helmet"
Ear plugs-I always wear them. You can get some that have internal speakers.

Too much info. Talk to folks in your area. Your local BMW dealer is usually a great source of help as is the local chapter of the BMW riders club.

[Lopaca]

I will get ones with protective gear but do you recommend leather or textile? I will get the 1200, I believe in gettting in right the first time. Thanks again.

Like I said, I have both. It really depends on the nature of the ride, mostly weather wise. The leather is more protective on a fall, even though there are studies that show with the right textile suit it is the same, but for me I go with leather if I am going to be riding in very cool weather. You do not want them if in rain and definitely not in the heat.

Having a choice is a nice problem to have. On avearage, I would say that I have used the textile more than the leathers,

[Montycs]

I purchased an '02 RT with 30K on it. I rode it for a few years with no problems what so ever. I traded it in for an LT with 8000 on it. Big difference in ride and comfort, but I miss the RT because it was easier to handle and much easier to turn a wrench on. I did most of my own maintenance on it, but I have always had BMW R Bikes, until this one. In a couple more years I will look to get another RT for sure, especially the older I get, the LT seems heavier

[highroamer]

I'll confine myself to the one point - 1150 or 1200RT. I've had both and can honestly say that the 1200RT is streets ahead. It is more comfortable, faster with better handling, and has better luggage capacity, and seems more economical. I used to hate the slipping forward on the seat on the 1150. This is gone as is the pain between the shoulder blades and the pain in the butt after longer runs. I'm running on standard seats, bars, pegs and screen and have just completed a 3200km trip to Spain and back in 7 days with no ill effects. I'd imagine with some aftermarket goodies it'd be almost perfect.

Kevin

[Nitrox]

I know the stereotypes reply was a joke, and we play on that too... however, there are 6 of us that ride in our regular group:

1 BMW (me, 05 RT, they all want to drive it)
1 Victory Kingpin (Very cool American Cruiser)
1 Yamaha Royal Star (Needs gas every 110 miles)
1 Honda VTX (eh)
1 Harley FatBoy (too loud to enjoy)
1 Harley Road King Classic (mileage leader)

Its the RKC rider in the group that puts our group to shame, most miles, best rider, All the Gear-All the time. And its a cruiser. Sure doesn't fit the stereotype!

However, we just got back from fall trip, the FatBoy stayed home, and the RKC broke down. 44K miles, I don't think it was supposed to go that far! :rotf:

I'm way off subject. I was in the group of cruisers with the R1200C. Loved that bike, but all we did was ride long distances. Never to the store. I caved first cause the C just wasn't what I wanted to sit on for 500 miles a day. Not enough wind protection. Not enough bazoozles. It was the bike everyone checked out. That and the Kingpin.

The R1200RT was the best investment/upgrade I could make. Never looked back. And almost everyone in the group says that if they were going to buy a tourer, BMW would be it. Except the Fat Boy. He has too much Harley stuff to change.

Good luck with your decision!

[switz]

The cruiser R1200C is a great day rider such as an hour or so to lunch and return. The seat and my backside are not happy together, but I am going to Rick Mayers tomorow with that seat stored in the R1200RT tour pack and have both seats "adjusted". As you can see from my signature, I have a fleet of bikes with the RT being most recent.

I spent about 40% of the purchase cost of the R1200RT alone on accessories: Ohlin shocks, Metzler tires, 49liter tour pack, modulated front and rear lights, PIAA driving lights with an Autoswitch to operate them, Suburban riser for the bars and lowers for both sets of pegs including gear shift lever, GadgetGuy accessory bar for existing GPS with XM & Weather Radar, Autocom sound systemand a bunch of Wunderlich farkles. this will be my one up tour bike.

I have taken several long trips on all the Harleys and the Gold Wing. I look forward to the comparison to the RT. :dance: