Brand new RT newbie

[RTrev]

Hi all,

Introduction, and introductory message.

Short version: I'm picking up my new '08 R1200RT on Thursday.

Long version: My wife has wanted to ride for 30 years, and oddly it's been about 30 years since I last did any routine riding.

We got a sweet deal on an '03 F650GS, which we enjoyed for quite a few miles.. until my wife got her learner's permit.

I swear I tried to do everything right.. I had her ease the clutch into the friction zone and then pull it right back. I had her practice the braking, and the emergency kill switch.

I guess I'm not a good teacher.

I suggested that she go a bit further before turning to come back. The parking lot was empty, except for 4 or 5 cars parked on the opposite side.. at least an 8th of a mile away.

Well, she heads off.. and I can't tell anything is wrong, but she is frozen solid in fear! She can't think. She can't hit the brakes, the kill switch, the clutch, turn off the ignition key, or even step off the bike and let it go. Instead she rammed one of the cars and totaled the bike. The car had a broken windshield, front quarter panel, door, rear quarter panel. She must have really gassed it just before she hit.

Hey, she's alive. No broken bones. Just some muscle aches and bruises.. fortunately we didn't scrimp on safety gear!

So today we had to go in to the dealer to bring him some paperwork of some kind, and I fell in love with the new Silver R1200RT! In love as in I bought it on the spot. <g> We have our MSF course Monday through
Wednesday, and Thursday I'll pick up the new bike. How's that for timing??

I've had my bike license for 40 years, which means a bunch of things. 1) I'm just starting to learn. 2) My reflexes have slowed somewhat. 3) I'm wiser (I think.) 4) I've never received any formal training of any sort. I didn't even know training existed!

I'm going to follow the advice of my BMW dealer, who tells me that women always do better in the course than men.. because they don't come in with some macho "I know how to ride, and there's nothing I can learn from you!" attitude.

So, sorry to ramble on.. it's been an intense few weeks.. but I'll have a new R1200RT on Thursday and I wonder if anyone has any tips or hints for a newbie on one of these beasts. <g> It sure felt good sitting on it, and I do have quite a bit of faith in my ability to ride anything. But... I'm sure some tips would help! :)

Best to all,
Bob

[hopz]

Lets see... welcome on board, congratulations on the RT, condolences on your wife's crash, and kudos on doing the MSF course. Or something like that.

You will love the bike.

Suggestions... learn about the brakes. They are highly effective. In the hands of an experienced and competent rider they cannot be beat. In the hands of a newbie, or oldie who is re-entering they can seem to be "overly sensitive", harsh, dangerous.

Since you had the 650 it will not be a total new thing. Just be aware that especially at low speed, turning too much brake will tend to want to throw you to the high side.

Maybe you need to find a larger parking lot.

Also go discover BMWST.com

[RTrev]

Thanks hopz!

I don't think any size parking lot would have saved her. Unless it was big enough for me to call a cab, have him pull up next to her, and I could reach out and hit the kill switch. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the brakes tip also. I wanted to get the manual to bring home and study before we picked up the bike, but in the flurry of paperwork I clean forgot to ask for it. I gather it's a partially linked system, which I'll need to experiment with a bit. Not quite sure how that's going to feel.

As for loving the bike, that's happened already! :) Just from sitting on it and feeling that boxer idle, I fell in love on the spot. :D

Thanks again!

Bob

[stanleyman]

Hi Bob ......

Congrates!!! You will love this machine. I graduated from a Yamaha 700 XJ and the RX is hands down better in all respect. I have only about 450mi. under my belt but the words about the brakes are right on. Watch you speed, before you know it it gets up there real fast , even in "break in mode". It seems to love high speed, cruising at 80mph is very smooth as sooooo deceiving! My only beef is the shifter lever, not very much room if you are wearing riding boots. I am going to try to rotate it on the spline to see if that works better, for now I up shift with the edge of my boot sole.
Oh, it is very quiet, so ya can sneak in late unnoticed.....

stanleyman

[RTrev]

Hi, and yes.. I wondered about the shifter while sitting on the bike. And now you're the second person I've heard mention it. Well, I'm sure there are some after market shifters if all else fails.

Thanks! And will watch that speed. :D The dealer told me I'd like the cruise control for that reason. He said he was just loafing along with his wife on the back, glanced down, and saw 114. Whoops! :confused:

Bob

[hopz]

Shifter... first of all there is no spline. You just have to lay down and get your head under there- but wait for it to cool first. Look around. Nice stuff to see. The Shifter can be adjusted up or down as needed to fit your boot. Loosen a lock nut and turn the linkage. Not hard to do, just a funny angle. Be sure to use your double u-joint arm and wrist. Just look at it before you start moving things around. Do not forget to lock it down when you are finished.

The brakes. Yes they are linked. Something like 60 percent front 40 rear. If you use the foot pedal that may only activate the rear. On my 05 I seldom even use the foot pedal as there is really no need.

Now that I have said all that about the brakes I realize I may be talking apples and oranges. Your 08 I believe has no servo assist. With regard to the link... I pretty sure it remains linked. Try to listen to the person who does the delivery. That person has a lot of information, most of which you cannot hear beacuse you are going to be so buzzed.

I'm a Bob too.

[RTrev]

Shifter... first of all there is no spline. You just have to lay down and get your head under there- but wait for it to cool first. Look around. Nice stuff to see. The Shifter can be adjusted up or down as needed to fit your boot. Loosen a lock nut and turn the linkage. Not hard to do, just a funny angle. Be sure to use your double u-joint arm and wrist. Just look at it before you start moving things around. Do not forget to lock it down when you are finished.

Sounds do-able. I haven't really had a chance to look at the shifter.. I was more intent on noticing that, with the ignition on, and once I had actually found the shifter, I got yellow exclamation points when trying to shift it out of neutral. No doubt they've thought this out carefully and have a good reason for this. If only I'd remembered to ask for the manual! I don't suppose there's a down-loadable version of the manual somewhere?

The brakes. Yes they are linked. Something like 60 percent front 40 rear. If you use the foot pedal that may only activate the rear. On my 05 I seldom even use the foot pedal as there is really no need.

Now that I have said all that about the brakes I realize I may be talking apples and oranges. Your 08 I believe has no servo assist. With regard to the link... I pretty sure it remains linked. Try to listen to the person who does the delivery. That person has a lot of information, most of which you cannot hear beacuse you are going to be so buzzed.

I've read that they removed the assist on the '08, and I think the '07 also. But I think I have a "partially linked" system. I'm not sure if that means rear brake causes application of front brake, or vice-versa. I'll find out! :)

I'm a Bob too.

Oh lord.. enough of us and we'll either save or destroy the economy. My wife is threatening to cut up my credit cards now. Telling her that I sort of forgot a tank bag, and that they're around $300, must have pushed her over the edge! ROFL!!

[hopz]

If you got the yellow exclamation point I bet the side side stand was deployed.

You can start it with the side stand out but if you engage a gear it will stop the engine, issue a yellow alert, and curse you in German. :cool:

You must comply....

enjoying the essence of Bobness.

[RTrev]

That was probably it. If not, then we'll figure it out. We Bobs can do things like that. Nobody else understands what they're missing by not having been a Bob. :rotf:

[stanleyman]

Hey ...

Good to hear some tips on how to adjust the shifter.
When I bought my 08 the man did explain pre 07 models did not allow for independent use of the rear brake, like no manual over ride, so in a curve when you need the rear to slide (not ready for that just yet) the fine German engineering was off just a bit, they changed that issue real quick. Now the two are linked to a point based on your driving habits but can be used independently under hard braking requirements.....so the man said ......:)

staneyman

[Taurus]

I've read that they removed the assist on the '08, and I think the '07 also. But I think I have a "partially linked" system. I'm not sure if that means rear brake causes application of front brake, or vice-versa. I'll find out! :)


First... CONGRATS!!!
You now possess the most versatile roadbike there is.
No matter your need for the day: street / touring / sport... the RT delivers. When you get really good at driving you will most likely outrun some crotchrockets in the twisties, thanks to its oomp in midrange and overall usable power and, most of all, the fenomenal brakes.

Brake system
Linkage:
When pulling the brake lever both brakes are applied. When pressing the pedal only the rear brake is applied.

Load sensor:
In the system there is a load-sensor that is activated every time you pull the lever. The system then compensates for the load, i.e. put more pressure on the rear brake if bike carries pillion and /or luggage and the tire thus have better traction.
This way you know you will always get maximum braking power, no matter the load-spread.

ABS
Make sure you practice emergency braking from different speeds several times. Don´t be afraid to "lock" the brakes. I don´t know if you´re used to ABS, but many people, who is used to non-ABS brakes, tend to let of the lever while braking hard, trying to avoid locking even though they´re having ABS. The former learnt "instant" behavior has to be erased. Otherwise you will not be able to use all the braking power when you REALLY need it.

NB: If you happen to get into a "stoppie" (lifting your real wheel) while braking real hard, don´t worry. The system senses if the real wheel´s off the ground (not spinning) and reduces the pressure on the front brake so that the real wheel will return to earth.

Happy & safe riding!

// Taurus
R1200RT 2006

[RTrev]

I've read that they removed the assist on the '08, and I think the '07 also. But I think I have a "partially linked" system. I'm not sure if that means rear brake causes application of front brake, or vice-versa. I'll find out! :)


First... CONGRATS!!!
You now possess the most versatile roadbike there is.
No matter your need for the day: street / touring / sport... the RT delivers. When you get really good at driving you will most likely outrun some crotchrockets in the twisties, thanks to its oomp in midrange and overall usable power and, most of all, the fenomenal brakes.

Ah, man.. now I really can't wait to pick this baby up! :)


Brake system
Linkage:
When pulling the brake lever both brakes are applied. When pressing the pedal only the rear brake is applied.


Just as I would want it! I wonder if they could retro-fit your bike if you feel the same way?

Load sensor:
In the system there is a load-sensor that is activated every time you pull the lever. The system then compensates for the load, i.e. put more pressure on the rear brake if bike carries pillion and /or luggage and the tire thus have better traction.
This way you know you will always get maximum braking power, no matter the load-spread.

Unbelievable!! You'd think a bike like this would cost a fortune! Oh, wait, scratch that... it does. :D

ABS
Make sure you practice emergency braking from different speeds several times. Don´t be afraid to "lock" the brakes. I don´t know if you´re used to ABS, but many people, who is used to non-ABS brakes, tend to let of the lever while braking hard, trying to avoid locking even though they´re having ABS. The former learnt "instant" behavior has to be erased. Otherwise you will not be able to use all the braking power when you REALLY need it.

I love ABS, but I've heard that motorcycle officers, for example, are about evenly divided about it. My thinking, having absorbed a lot of people's thoughts, is that one should hold the brakes just short of where the ABS would kick in. Sound right to you?

NB: If you happen to get into a "stoppie" (lifting your real wheel) while braking real hard, don´t worry. The system senses if the real wheel´s off the ground (not spinning) and reduces the pressure on the front brake so that the real wheel will return to earth.

That's wild! I would have guessed that it would sense the rear wheel had stopped and so release braking on the rear wheel to get it rolling again. But it's sensing ride angle also? It must be sensing something additionally, no?

Happy & safe riding!

// Taurus
R1200RT 2006

Thanks!! For the good wishes and for all the great data! Happy/Safe riding to you too!

[hopz]

Bob, Bob, Bob... you said...

" My thinking, having absorbed a lot of people's thoughts, is that one should hold the brakes just short of where the ABS would kick in. Sound right to you?"

Let me assure you that if you get the brakes anywhere near just short of where the ABS kicks in... you are gonna be puckered up and will not have the presence of mind to worry about it.

Moto officers ride 8 to 10 hours per day, every day... what they think about ABS is not at all relevant to your situation.

I return you to my earlier comments... enjoy the bike, be careful of over braking in the early days of your time with the bike.

[RTrev]

Roger that, hopz. :D

I'll just practice with the brakes and see what feels right.

The brakes won't really play a big part in our goal of jumping the grand canyon anyway. ;)

[stanleyman]

UPS you a parachute .............:)

[RTrev]

UPS you a parachute .............:)

Appreciate that!! :) :) :)

[integritynumber1]

Bob, Bob, Bob... you said...

" My thinking, having absorbed a lot of people's thoughts, is that one should hold the brakes just short of where the ABS would kick in. Sound right to you?"

Let me assure you that if you get the brakes anywhere near just short of where the ABS kicks in... you are gonna be puckered up and will not have the presence of mind to worry about it.

Moto officers ride 8 to 10 hours per day, every day... what they think about ABS is not at all relevant to your situation.

I return you to my earlier comments... enjoy the bike, be careful of over braking in the early days of your time with the bike.


Hi All,

Have to agree with this one. I love my 02 rt and I love the breaks. Sort of.

They posess powers that defy belief, I just wish they werent so ready to use them! Whole heartedly agree that at slow speed you need to exercise judicious use as to pull up quickly, with out the bike being upright and having the wheels aligned, might be asking for trouble.

Where i come from (australia) I had to have my bike inspected before it could be registered/licensed and the inspector wasnt going to pass it at first cause he felt the brakes were dangerous!

I explained that they were set to factory spec and he was pretty surprised.

While its only a matter of time before you learn to live with them I am surprised that BM couldnt alleviate the problem. Maybe there are engineering considerations that would compromise the efficiency of the brakes at higher speeds or something.

Actually, are there any other owners of 02 rt's that feel similarly?

Congrats on the new bike Bob, you will love it.

regards to All, Simon.

[RTrev]

Hi All,

While its only a matter of time before you learn to live with them I am surprised that BM couldnt alleviate the problem. Maybe there are engineering considerations that would compromise the efficiency of the brakes at higher speeds or something.

Actually, are there any other owners of 02 rt's that feel similarly?

I had thought BMW removed the "power assist" from the later models. Maybe a good BMW mechanic could do a retro-fit on your machine?

Congrats on the new bike Bob, you will love it.

Thanks Simon! I'm sure I will. First, however, there's the little matter of the MSF course, which began last night with a 3-hour intro. Today is the first time we get on an actual motorcycle. From the way they described it, the hardest part won't be the riding but remembering their rules. Always shut down the bike in low gear using what I'm used to calling the "kill switch" but which they laughingly suggested sounded better without having the word "kill" in it anywhere. :) And so on. Seem like good folks. One has 45 years experience as a motor officer!

Will report back in after this all-day marathon of training. :D

Bob

[integritynumber1]

Bob, if your experience is anything like mine, you might start with a tiny, weeny bit of trepidation on a bike that is that big but if my experience is any indication you will be throwing it around and threading it into places that will surprise you after a couple of weeks.



I had thought BMW removed the "power assist" from the later models. Maybe a good BMW mechanic could do a retro-fit on your machine?



Thanks Simon! I'm sure I will. First, however, there's the little matter of the MSF course, which began last night with a 3-hour intro. Today is the first time we get on an actual motorcycle. From the way they described it, the hardest part won't be the riding but remembering their rules. Always shut down the bike in low gear using what I'm used to calling the "kill switch" but which they laughingly suggested sounded better without having the word "kill" in it anywhere. :) And so on. Seem like good folks. One has 45 years experience as a motor officer!

Will report back in after this all-day marathon of training. :D

Bob

[mefly2]

Scary for you, too; but, glad that she is OK>

[hopz]

So the pick-up Thursday... are you excited? What color?

How long a ride home, or are you leaving on a 4-Corners Rally?

[RTrev]

So the pick-up Thursday... are you excited? What color?

How long a ride home, or are you leaving on a 4-Corners Rally?

Well, the pick up is probably Thursday. What happened is that we'd taken a BMW loan on the bike my wife crashed. That has to be cleared up before we can take another loan from them. We mailed the check to them Monday, and the second it clears a nice silver bike is sitting there waiting with a "sold" sign on it. About 20 miles or so from home, and a nice dealer who happens to live near us. The service options are nice. I can drop the bike at the shop and take a loaner (800 or 1200 or whatever they're using for loaners at the moment.. but they tend to always have nice loaners.), or I can wait for it, or I can drop it at the house of the guy who sold it to us, who lives quite near, and he'll drive it to work, drive it home that night, and we pick it up from his house. Flexible, eh?

So, hoping the load business gets settled quickly, and assume it will.. no reason it shouldn't. V says if it drags out too long we'll just take the money out of the bank.

It turned out that Viviane is just someone who can't learn to ride, or at least not the ways we've attempted to teach her so far. The MSF guys had the same results I did.. she froze and panicked and said she couldn't do it. Fortunately she warned them and they were hovering around her so she didn't have another crash. These guys are good.

They were very supportive, even assuring me that what I'd done to try to teach her would have been just fine with 9,999 out of 10,000 people. They said they've seen this maybe twice so far. Not sure what to do except let her ride passenger, which she loves to do. Maybe someday down the road we'll try some other method of teaching.. like a 50cc Honda or something, and let her putt around the yard.

Anyway, tiring day in MSF (they don't mess around!) Tomorrow is last day, with 7 more exercises to learn and then the final exam. I'm having a ball!

There is one thing they teach, however, that sort of bothers me.. and I'll start a new thread about that. It has to do with covering the brakes.

[Bheckel169]

When I came back to riding after several years away, I purchased a maxi-scooter from Aprilia. A Scarabeo 500 with 497 cc's and was a phenomenal scooter that would do 95 to 100 mph on the highway. I took this to the Motorcycle Safety Course and I didn't have to worry about shifting. Just twist and go and brake. Nimple, quick and brakes were fantastic and were on both sides of the handlebar. Just plant your feet and go. There was no thinking and very intuitive.
Try purchasing a 250 cc scooter for your wife and I bet in a few days, she'll stop freezing up because there's so little to think about on a scooter. Eventually she can graduate or not. The scooter will be a great commute vehicle and terrific gas mileage so you can't go wrong for trips to the grocery store and to friends.
Bruce

[RTrev]

Try purchasing a 250 cc scooter for your wife and I bet in a few days, she'll stop freezing up because there's so little to think about on a scooter. Eventually she can graduate or not. The scooter will be a great commute vehicle and terrific gas mileage so you can't go wrong for trips to the grocery store and to friends.
Bruce

Will probably try something like that, once the emotional turmoil has subsided a bit. Unfortunately I think she has to take the MSD initial course for the license, and that means riding their bikes. But thanks for the idea.. I'll let it gel for a bit.

Bob

[Bob1200rtc1]

My wife took the advanced safety course on her 400 burgman scooter. 1 drawback is doing the figure 8. Can't slip the clutch at low speed and when the centrifical clutch engages the back on the scooter rises changing the steering geometry. She was complaining about it so I tried. Definately easier on my 1200RT. Finally ended up dragging the rear brake and keeping some throttle applied.

[RTrev]

My wife took the advanced safety course on her 400 burgman scooter. 1 drawback is doing the figure 8. Can't slip the clutch at low speed and when the centrifical clutch engages the back on the scooter rises changing the steering geometry. She was complaining about it so I tried. Definately easier on my 1200RT. Finally ended up dragging the rear brake and keeping some throttle applied.

I hadn't thought of that, never having ridden a scooter. But they do have less control than we have, don't they? I'll keep your tip in mind if/when we reach that point.

Thanks!

Bob

[RTrev]

So the pick-up Thursday... are you excited? What color?

How long a ride home, or are you leaving on a 4-Corners Rally?

Wow!! This is some bike! I've never ridden anything quite like this before. Easy to maneuver and flick around, and yet with endless power and with better brakes than I knew existed!

Funny thing about the color. The dealer is really top notch, and they like to make people happy. They knew we were really torn between the silver and the blue, so without telling us they simply had one of each sitting side by side when we went to pick up the bike. When I saw the blue my eyes popped, and my wife had always said she thought the blue looked classier from the pictures she'd seen. So we chose the blue one. The dealer chuckled, and did the paperwork. He had a hunch we'd pick the blue once we saw it, so simply allowed us a last second change of mind. Cool guy! He also called his wife and told her to hold dinner so that he didn't have to rush anything in showing me the controls and in helping me set up the initial service appointment with the Service Manager. Ron Stone of Country Rode Motorwerks, for anyone in the Rochester area, is the man to deal with!

So, happy camper here. The ride home was about 20 miles of mixed speed traffic, with lots of chances to use all 6 gears and the brakes, and by the time I got home I felt "at home" on this machine. I had gotten into the habit of digging my boot toe under the shifter before upshifts, and was using the rear brake only for low speed "friction zone" things.

Will have pictures soon. :D