Thinking of Moving from a R1200RT to the K1200GT

[Got2Greys]

My warranty expires on my R1200RT in July and I am getting concerned about final drive failure, if I have no warranty. Each time I visit the BMW dealer, I look at the GT. I am considering making the switch to the GT before my warranty expires.

I commute with my bike and take two long touring trips each year. I use the small top case when I go on the touring trips. The RT has been a great bike for all around riding for me and I have enjoyed it. I owned a R1200C cruiser before I bought the RT and that was quite a riding revolution moving from the RT from the C.

I am looking for advice/feedback from those who have ridden both the RT and the GT and have made the switch.

[meese]

You really need to take a GT for a nice, long test ride. If it speaks to you then you'll know what to do.

As for FD failures, I just can't see stressing about it. I've had two go on my LTs and both were fixed under warranty. I wasn't happy about either failure, but you just sort it out then move on.

While the newer drives aren't totally immune to failure, the actual number of failures is still pretty small. Yes, BMW should be more responsive about it, and I know for a fact that it is damaging their reputation and costing them sales, but I still chose to buy a GT since it is the best fit for my needs.

I did buy an extended warranty with my GT, but that's because I knew I'd be through the 36K miles in about a year. So I figure I'm covered for most of what may come up in the future.

And if you find that the GT just doesn't speak to you, you can always consider adding an extended warranty to your RT. Or maybe even picking up an '08 RT. :)

[ksrob]

I am looking for advice/feedback from those who have ridden both the RT and the GT and have made the switch.

I did the RT to GT about a year ago. A '05 RT to a '07 GT. After about 4/5 months, I went back to the dealer to trade back for a RT. I didn't care for the buzz of the GT nor the riding position. They had just sold the RT I was interested in so I kept the GT.

A couple of months later, my wife traded her R11Rs for a '07 RT. So I get to extensively ride both back to back to back. I can not decide which one is better.

I've put bar backs, Rick Mayer seat, and foot peg extensions to lower the pegs. Those mod's have made the bike more "RT" like. That is a good thing for me. Just about perfect.

In the tight twistees, the RT is great. On high speed sweepers, the GT is hard to beat. Which one is right for you? Only you can decide. I wouldn't let a prospect of a failure lure you into a trade you may regret later.

They are both great bikes.

Best,

[RTs4me]

I have an R12RT. Love it! :D :D :D Does everything that I need/want a bike to do.

I too have pondered over swapping to a K12GT. When the RT is in for service, I always ask for a KGT as a loan bike, and spend the day riding that. I'm always impressed by the power, acceleration, smoothness, etc, but when I get back on my RT, it's like putting on your most comfortable old shoes. If I bought a KGT, I'd need to change the screen, seats, bar position and footrests to get the 'RT' comfort level that I want.

I dream of a 'K1200RT'. If BMW made an RT rolling chassis with the K1200 motor in it, then that would be one hell of a good bike! :D :D :D

For me, since my dream bike ain't available, I'm sticking with the RT. If I was a rich man, I'd have both - the RT for two-up holidays, etc and the GT for solo hooning about on day rides.

[Steve_R]

Right now I don't think you're going to escape a rear end failure on whatever you're looking at. I know of a 1200GS, 1200RT, and new K1200GT that have all had rear end failures. Just ride it.

[GT-1]

My first BMW was a R1200C, than in 2002 I switched to a R1150RT. I too thought the difference was amazing, the RT gave me touring capabilities with enough "sport" to really broaden my interest in motorcycling. I was able to increase the range and intensity of my rides (The addiction had started). Then in 05 I started reading all the hype about the "new GT". Their were many times when I wished the RT just had more power, yet my biggest fear was loosing the comfort level of the RT. I really loved the upright seating.
They were marketing the new GT as an RT with a K engine. Well I took a chance and put a deposit down. I got the first GT that my dealer received.
The power of the GT is totally addictive. I remember looking for opportunities to pass cars, just so I could open up the throttle. If you read early reports of people first riding the GT you would hear "What A Bike" (first expressed by Jeff Eagan) this bike has a lot of sport. What I learn with time is that the I can actually do longer days on the GT than the RT. The slight lean forward actually eased the pain I would have at the small of my back. I've learn to trust the front suspension which is rock solid in the turns. I've learn to controlled my right wrist in the corners (so I don't slide out), but man is it sweet to have that power coming out of the corner. The GT has given me new excitement about riding. Would I buy the GT again over the RT? Yes, yes. The RT is a Great Bike, but unless you are committed to the boxer engine, the GT is more bike.

[brianbeemer]

What is all this about FD failures??? I've got two R-bikes and their FD's are fine. I don't hang about, either - well as much as you don't hang about in heavy traffic, speed cameras everywhere etc... The thing about heavy traffic is that I really use the power when overtaking, in lots of short bursts. If the FD's can take that, then there's nowt wrong with them. I'd also say about 60% of our riding is 2-up and fully loaded to mgw.

Guess I must have bought some of the 90-odd percent of bikes whose final drives don't fail?

If you're going to worry about breakdowns and having to replace parts you probably don't want to purchase any piece of complex electromechanical machinery, BMW or other... :rolleyes:

[Bob204bc]

Trade because you want a different bike.

The excuse of a possible failure of the RT outside of warranty makes no economic sense. (are you trying to trick your wife into this?) Calculate how many repairs you can make for the amount of value you lose in trade on the RT, add to that the extra cost of the GT and the depreciation of the GT in excess of that of the RT over the next 3 year warranty period and you end up with whopper dollars (that is more or less an exact number).

Now, say: "I'm trading because I want to!" That's better....

[jayjacobson]

....I didn't care for the buzz of the GT....
Definitely got a lemon if yours "buzzed." My GT sings!