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Is the R1200RT Fun to Drive?

26K views 37 replies 30 participants last post by  Brian-NC 
I am familiar with your neck of the woods. Nice place, great riding opportunities.

I am also fairly familiar with your previous bikes.

The RT is advertised and thought of as a "Touring" bike. Do not let that fool you. It is not nearly the touring-entrenched bike as say, a BMW LT, or the Tour Glides, or the Goldwings. Not even as much as the Road Kings. "Touring" in this case is there to also distinguish the RT from the GS. The GS is squarely in the Dual-Sport camp... giving up some comfort to gain off-road capability. Touring thus means, heat where you want it, cruise control, electric wind screen, etc.

The RT is just plainly more of a multipurpose bike than any on your list.

You seem to have experience with the R1XXXR bikes. You can think of the RT as an R-bike with added weather protection. This will benefit you in summer rain storms, and the chilly weather onset in the Fall. In other words you will extend your comfortable riding season.

The RT will be lighter than many you have listed... measured in pounds but it will FEEL much lighter, more capable and more fun than the others. If you want it to even feel more like a sporty rider, take the side cases off and go for a spin. Need more touring capacity... put them back on and go cross-country. The RT look like a tourer with the cases on, and can easily be taken for a sporty bike with it undressed. By the way, it looks great with no side cases. Taking them off is a 15 second operation.

You mentioned age... well. It fits your demographic perfectly. Comfortable, versatile, sporty, heated grips and seat(s) that actually work. Electric windscreen... which is one of the Oh Wow! features that you did not know you wanted till you had it.

Fun? Absolutely. There is also a great BMW community in your neck of the woods... adds pleasure and will be a great resource. Sporty? I will give you as much as you want... and will probably exceed your capabilities while it leaves lots of guys with open jaws as you power through the twisties and do it in comfort not crouched over like a monkey having relations with a football. If you find one with ESA, you can tune the suspension for comfort, mid-range or sport... on the fly... might come in handy.

The BMW dealers encourage "thorough" test rides. Take one and you may settle the issue.
 
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