I am sure it is NOT as smooth at the K1600.

Can't say about the 1250 compared to 1200 but my 1200WC RT is smoother than my '06 1200 hex head RT

 

I had a K1600GTL and now have a R1200RT. The big K is smoother. I like the RT a lot but you can’t beat the motor on the K1600.

 

The newer Boxers are pretty smooth for a Boxer. But once you get past about 4500 rpm they get a little busy feeling. Above 5000 rpm for miles on end and you wish you had a 7th gear! But, I never get numb or tingly fingers or feet.

Gonna be hard to beat the inline 6 for smoothness!

 

Is the 1250 smoother that earlier 1200 models at those speeds (75-90)?

The engine/transmission on my 1200 Wethead is smoother than the small handful of 1250's I have ridden so far. So the bottom line is there isn't much difference.

However, a horizontally opposed twin just can't be smoother than an in-line 6.

 

I cannot speak for the wethead R1200, but I can for the hexhead 1200. My R1250RT (11k miles) is much smoother than my old 2005 R1200RT was with 130k miles between 75-90 mph. At 80-85, the 1250 almost dead smooth which I'm sure is still not quite as smooth as a K1600.

 

I've done about 15K km on two different rental 1250 RTs and I have 77K km on my own '16 RT as well as about 5K km on a rented K1600.
Compared to a K1600, the answer is a definite no. The big K bike is much smoother.
The two RT are about the same although I find the shifting cams on the 1250 intrusive, specially if you ride on the highway at about the shift point, IIRC at about 110 - 120 kmh which is about 65 - 70 mph. That was riding two-up with luggage.

 

I have chatted with people that have owned both and it’s no contest the 1600 is smoother and quieter and runs much higher cruising speeds with less fuss but... I still chose the 1250 because it’s smaller lighter and more fun. I would say body size makes a big difference as well. If you are a big dude. 6 foot plus and 200 lb or more... get the 1600. If you are a more docile 5’9” 185 lb like myself? The RT is for you.


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I am a boxer guy and love my RT and GS. The WC versions are the best yet! There is no way they will ever be as smooth as a 6 cylinder motor BUT ... the 1200 and 1250 RT's are just about as fast as the K1600 up to about 100 MPH. The lower weight of the 1200 & 1250 boxer bikes give it about equal 0-100 speed and that lower weight makes it a great handler. No doubt the K1600 is the king of the highway and handles great for its size and weight. But for me I'll always take the boxer. Oh ... and maintenance costs of the K1600 are 30-50% more.

 

I can't really speak regards the K1600 as I've only done a few demonstrator miles on one. My overwhelming impression of it was how damned heavy it was rather than how smooth it undoubtedly would have been.

However I've done getting on for 40,000 miles on 1200 wetheads split evenly between a 2013 GS and a 2016 RT plus a further 4,000 miles on my current R1250RT. I think the difference is chalk and cheese. The 1250 is smoother in every condition than the 1200, not massively, because the 1200 is good, but a definite improvement.

Both the 1200 and 1250 get a bit viby when you are accelerating really hard but you can't do that for many seconds before you're travelling at well over three figure speeds which is licence loosing territory in the UK. Once in to cruise mode I think the 1250 is as smooth as silk at any reasonable cruising speed, say 90 mph or less.

Does that help?

 

The 1250 is smoother in every condition than the 1200, not massively, because the 1200 is good, but a definite improvement.

Hi Little-Brit. That is the opposite of my experience. I find the 1200 Wethead smoother than the 1250. In the same way as I found the 850 Oilhead smoother than the 1100 Oilhead.

 

LOL .. OK then ... looks like both are smoother than the other sometimes

 

But neither beat the Big K :laugh: It’s heavy but what a sweet motor.

 

Ride a 2015 FJR as well, very nice bike, if I couldn't have an RT the FJR would be my second choice. Heard from the Yamaha rep at the Birmingham show that Yamaha is finishing production of the FJR and not replacing it. Seems an odd decision, but he was pretty positive

 

FJR 2016 on with the 6th gear is smooth, 5th gear models when up at motorway speeds are revving too hard and need the 6th gear

 

Checkout Bamariders website. He owns a 2014 FJR and a 2018 RT. He’s what he calls himself a Long Rider. He has some good information on his bikes. He has and had a Honda ST1100, Honda ST1300, 2005 RT etc. Good trip journal’s too. As far as the FJR vs the RT I like being a BMW snob. More classy. It’s like owning a Honda car or a BMW. :wink:

 

Certainly snobbism happens w/ choosing a BMW but they do have ample magic if you're willing to pay for it. If Yamaha did my lighter weight FULLY featured as described above ST I'd happily buy it and never look back to BMW, but alas I won't hold my breath. I continue to be totally enthralled w/ the '16 RTW I took delivery of in March 2016 and feel totally blessed to have had no problems with it after 42,000 miles now.

 

Likewise, I have been riding since I was 14, and to date, my 16RT is my favorite ‘all around’ bike.

Previous 99RT, 2000LT, 2007GS bikes, were all good in many diff ways. Other non BMW bikes I have owned thru the years, all had their day and satisfied my needs at the time, so my experience and progression with all the diff bikes thru the years, took me eventually to my 16 RT.

Most likely my last ride, it will serve my needs well !