Advice on 1st Bike

[drfood]

I'm in the process of looking for my first bike and I am leaning heavily toward getting an RT. I live in Houston and am looking at the bike for both a weekend/long trip bike and a commuting bike. I've taken the MSF course and plan to take the advanced course once I get a bike.

My question is what does the group think of the RT as a first bike? The particular one I am looking at is a 2001 R1100RT with 17K miles on it. It has been meticulously maintained by the owner using BMW dealers.

I've sat on the bike and because I am 6'2" it is quite comfortable. I am getting mixed feedback from folks about the RT and appropriateness for a 1st bike. Some say it is very expensive to maintain and others say a newbie should park it for a year if they buy one. While it is parked ride a Japanese bike that they can use to learn to ride on.

I'm open to any and all advice anyone has about this bike. If anyone wants to send me private e-mails please send to drphood@yahoo.com.

Thanks.
Darrell

[motoguy128]

Most on the board will agree, that a larger BMW does not make a good first bike. They are fairly heavy, the shaft drive makes smooth throttle application more challenging, the tall gearing requires a lot of dancing with the clutch, the steering has less feedback than smaller bikes, and they are expensive... so if you ball it up or drop it, it's expensive to repair.

I'd hold of on the bike you really want, and for your first year get a good starter bike. A naked standard is IMO the best way to go. And 600-800cc twin is perfect. SV650, V-storm 650, Kawasaki Versys, Honda 599. Compared to an RT, even a FZ1, or another 1000cc naked bike isn't a bad option if you can keep you right hand in check. Easiest to limit your RPM.

I started on a CBR600F4i sportbike. I took it to the racetrack for trackdays, and leaned a lot. I also dropped it once and lowsided it once as well.

[brianbeemer]

If it really is your first ever bike and you haven't ridden in anger before you should start off with a smaller bike. The previous post had all the downsides to the RT so I won't repeat them, but have you thought of an F650 or similar? A friend has one for commuting and loves it. He even takes it on longer rides (200 mile jaunts) without any problems.

My first BMW was the R1100R 'naked' bike and that was far easier to ride than the RT. Also, when I dropped it (and you will!) there are no fairing panels to wreck, just a plastic cover on the engine heads to scratch. You might find that a better ride than the RT - and you can take it on long rides once you're used to it. How much weather protection do you need anyway? My RT protects my legs better than my R but that's about it. The R has a fixed windshield and a smaller hard case on the left side, and the Corbin seat makes it comfortable for 2000+ mile 2-up trips. Just a thought...

[UncleRock]

Get an old HD RAT dresser, numbers don't lie over 70% of MC Fatalites happen to new riders.
The first time you scrape the boards on that garbage barge cutting a corner to fast, you'll slow down and live to ride another day.
Rock

[jrlakin]

I haven't ever ridden an RT, but honestly, I don't think riding a big bike is any harder than riding a small one--except for stopping at lights. How big are you? Are you physically able to handle a bigger bike? At your stated height and weight, I suspect you are. My first bike was a Harley Road King. Didn't have the first problem with it.

[hopz]

drfood... I saw and read all the comments over at the other board, as well as what is here. I have a different opinion.

I also lived in Houston before my trek out west so I know what you are up against there.

You sound like a thoughtful and reasonable guy. You have maturity and you have taken the course. I think the BMW is an excellent choice for you and I will elaborate.

Houston can be a terrible place to ride. I lived in the northern suburb of Spring, off Louetta road. I never rode during rush hours, or even at night if I could help it. ( by the way, I started riding in 1958- been at it since) It rains a lot and the roads can be slick. There are many street racer kinds of drivers plus the big pick ups and SUVs driven by people with cell phones glued to their ears. It can be a scary and threatening place.

Having said that, if you learn to pick your place and time to ride it can be great. Heed the lessons of the MSF course, and find yourself some good and sane riding partners.

If you do all this you can develop riding skills at a reasonable pace in a reasonable manner.

There is nothing about the BMW RT that should make it a difficult bike for you. Thousands of people ride Harleys which are heavier, less agile, and less responsive. Somehow they survive. You could buy a starter bike, but you would soon grow tired of it and you would soon be trading.

I think it is possible that people like to imply some greater status for themselves by saying BMW are somehow more suited for experienced riders.

Get the BMW. go slow (not the speed, but the exposure to the riding situations) until you get some miles under your belt. Find a good group to ride with. Enjoy the process and the BMW.

[motoguy128]

The only cruiser I've ridden is a V-Rod and it was fairly responsive, but definitely took more thought to ride than my RT. I will say that the RT is easier to ride than a typical 700lb Harley which is the first bike for many riders, other than the hight issue, and you are tall, so it shouldn't be a problem.

If you at least have significant Mountain Biking, road cycling, motorcross or trail bike experience, then you'd probably be fine. If you have rarely found yourself on 2 wheels in the last 5 years. I'd go for the smaller bike. Learning how wheel machine on top of learning the how to operate the throttle and clutch, is too much.

On other consideration, unless you take the MSF course to get your endorsement, depending on you state, you may need ot do a basic rider skills test at the DMV. The RT would actually easier than a sportbike for this since it has more steering lock, but still not as good as a small naked bike.

[rtdavew]

In 2000 I took the MSF course and bought a 1100RT after a 25 year break from riding, and that was on a 125cc Ducati so I was pretty much in the same position as you are now. I certainly do not think it was a mistake. If you keep your head screwed on and realize that the bike has more power then you are ready to handle you won't have a problem. If you are into pushing the limits then you are headed for trouble even if you start with a Vespa. Only you know the answer.

[2002redrider]

I would say go for the RT. I had one a few years back and it was a great bike, smooth, handled well, very comfortable and fast enough. The "starter bikes" like the SV 650 are still plenty fast and can get you in trouble just as easy as an RT if not easier. Get what you want and be extra careful for the first several thousand miles.

[rgmanley]

drfood
Some 12 years ago, at 48, I bought my first street bike. An R1100RT. Didn't even have the M/C endoresement, but was taking the MSF class. Spent a lot of time riding in the 'hood, practicing going slow, operating the clutch, stopping smoothly and turning around in the cul-de-sacs.
When I got the license, I always looked for the back way to my destination, avoiding traffic as much as possible. I took over a year before I ventured onto the CA freeways, but did manage to ride cross country (just stayed off the local freeways). Never rode after dark (even today I don't). I always set a goal of trying to ride smoother and smoother. Alway--just like a golf swing.

Now 130,000 miles later and after an R1150RT, a K1200RS and K-LT I'm now back to the wonderful R1200RT, I don't think that it would have made any difference in my first mount, short of buying a Golg Wing or LT. Even now, they are too heavy for my tastes.

Just respect your mount. I never look back on my R11RT. It is a fond memory for both myself and my wife who often accompanied me on the journey.

Ron
'05 R1200RT Nimbus

[kip]

for me the whole motorcycle experience has been an evolution of trying to find the right bike.....now i like most all of em....and ive had alot of them....but the LT i have has just about ruined me as far as other bikes go....

i use to always have at least 2 if not 3 bikes around....sport bikes, cruisers, standards.....since ive owned my LT i have bought and sold at least a half a dozen other bikes....always thinking itd be fun to have something else....always realizing soon after getting something else that it didnt hold a candle to the LT

so..my long winded point is .....get what u want....ride it responsibly...enjoy knowing u have what u like and want....

getting anything else is just going to be a short lived exercise in frustration on your way to getting what it is u really want....