[wyowolf]

Hello All,

Currently looking at BMW R1150RT or 1200RT or K1200LT. Started out on a 88 Honda Shadow 1100, i really miss that bike , and now have a v Star 650. Obviously the v Star is not going to cut it for two people, or one really.

I have always liked the looks of the Beemers. I have 3 Bimmers now so not a stranger to the brand.

Will the 1150/1200 work well enough for my wife and I ? I have ridden both and seemed pretty comfortable but i noticed I lean forward a bit? is that normal? We wont be doing any cross country trips, mostly day trips in and around the SE, Atlanta. Grew up in Wyoming.

I sat on an LT and just liked how it fit me but was a bit concerned about the weight? I have read several posts about slow speed on it. I am taking a Ride Like A Pro class next weekend to brush up on my skills. I am sure the SO would love to sit on the LT it looked a lot more comfortable.

I dont really ride aggressively but not an old man either! 5'6" about 160 lbs w a 30 inch inseam.42 yrs old. the LT i could flat foot, the other two i could not. It didnt seem to bad to me and if i can work on my low speed skills like the videos show i would be pretty happy.

Would probably ride solo about 70% but trips would be with a passenger... and her comfort is of course important!!

Just looking for some info from some of the folks on here, its a great site, been reading it the last couple of weeks. Thanks in advance

Frank

 

[deancardey]

Welcome to the site from all of us here.
the RT's are great bikes, but more sporty than the LT. My wife preferes being on the back of the LT over the RT as it is a more comfy ride. I prefere the LT for touring and as far as I am concerned, cant be beaten. But the RT is great for solo day trips as it is more agile and alot lighter, buy I do ride my LT solo alot also. 77k miles to date.
In the end, it's down to you, and of course the wife, but either will be a good choice.

Happy riding.

Dean

 

[drew4691]

Hello. I just picked up a 99LT, and its one sweet ride...

I'm 5'5" 170lbs with a shorter inseam than you.. I can't flatfoot it in regular shoes.. but as long as you know the bike is top-heavy, and you know to always keep balanced at low speeds you should have no problem. :wave

 

[Buchnerb]

I have both an LT and an RT. The wife will only ride the LT and we use it for trips or two up. I use the RT for my daily commute and mostly short trips. I did take it to St Louis in April to see how it was on the road.

The LT is more comfortable than the RT especially on long trips. The RT is lighter, more nimble and easier to handle at slow speeds or in heavy traffic. Both are great bikes and you need to try them and see which fits your riding needs better.

Bruce

 

[gary45]

Hello All,

Currently looking at BMW R1150RT or 1200RT or K1200LT. Started out on a 88 Honda Shadow 1100, i really miss that bike , and now have a v Star 650. Obviously the v Star is not going to cut it for two people, or one really.



Frank

my V Star 650 can drag a sidecar with passenger around all day on the highway at 65 mph, it tops out at 75 mph, The single disk front brake with a single piston slider caliper will stop the rig in an amazingly short distance.

if Yamaha ever decided to build a bike like the LT, Goldwing, they would steal the market from both, my son's R1 is a work of art, reliable and very comfortable

 

[wyowolf]

Hopefully after my class and some practice i will have better slow speed control of the bigger bike. Did you have any probs learning it ?

I just rented an RT for a drive up in Jackson Hole for the day so i will compare it to the LT...

I saw a vid of someone picking it up by backing up to it and lifting with the legs... i would have never thought of doing that.... is it that easy??

Hello. I just picked up a 99LT, and its one sweet ride...

I'm 5'5" 170lbs with a shorter inseam than you.. I can't flatfoot it in regular shoes.. but as long as you know the bike is top-heavy, and you know to always keep balanced at low speeds you should have no problem. :wave

 

[gary45]

I dropped mine within two weeks getting it and I did not know what to do but had seen the video (fortunately) and after not being able to budge it the way I would have picked up the K100 or K1100 I backed up and was amazed how easy it was, not that I want to do it again

 

[casualemt]

My suggestion is: get anything but the LT....that way you will have something better to look forward to...If you get the LT, thats it, thats the top of the pile, the best bike, you have nothing to look forward to except the fantastic ride of the LT for you and your queen...That's what I call the back seat of the LT. On a Harley, it is called the bitch seat, on my LT, I call it the queens regal throne!! She loves the heated seat and backrest...Also having the radio controls in the back gives her something to do while we are on our ride..She also prefers the back seat on the LT to the one on the GL1800 I used to own...All that size, slow speed control, drops, etc. are just stepping stones on your journey to owning and enjoying the best bike out there...My 2c

 

[wyowolf]

LOL

your right, the queen HAS to be happy

My suggestion is: get anything but the LT....that way you will have something better to look forward to...If you get the LT, thats it, thats the top of the pile, the best bike, you have nothing to look forward to except the fantastic ride of the LT for you and your queen...That's what I call the back seat of the LT. On a Harley, it is called the bitch seat, on my LT, I call it the queens regal throne!! She loves the heated seat and backrest...Also having the radio controls in the back gives her something to do while we are on our ride..She also prefers the back seat on the LT to the one on the GL1800 I used to own...All that size, slow speed control, drops, etc. are just stepping stones on your journey to owning and enjoying the best bike out there...My 2c

 

[JPSpen]

IF you don't want to own an LT, Don't let the wife sit on it....

The LT is the most comfortable.. But the RT is fun too. A great compromise...

If you're going to be riding 70% solo I say get the RT...Or a GS...

The LT is not a lot of fun around town...It's very top heavy and easy to drop if you get just a little ways out of shape....

I got rid of mine because I got tired of having to be "ON POINT" all the time with the LT..
There's just no relaxing at slow speeds... You have to be right there all the time...

The RT is a lot easier to manage at slow speeds...

But whatever you do..Don't get a CLC....(check my avatar)
Similar in size and weight but the weight is down low so it doesn't want to fall over all the time...The real sleeper BMW...

Good luck

John

 

[wyowolf]

R1200CLC will check it out, never heard of that one. So many models to check out. I really like the look of the K1200 though. I dont mind the RT but its so tall easier for me to sit flatfooted on the LT..

IF you don't want to own an LT, Don't let the wife sit on it....

The LT is the most comfortable.. But the RT is fun too. A great compromise...

If you're going to be riding 70% solo I say get the RT...Or a GS...

The LT is not a lot of fun around town...It's very top heavy and easy to drop if you get just a little ways out of shape....

I got rid of mine because I got tired of having to be "ON POINT" all the time with the LT..
There's just no relaxing at slow speeds... You have to be right there all the time...

The RT is a lot easier to manage at slow speeds...

But whatever you do..Don't get a CLC....(check my avatar)
Similar in size and weight but the weight is down low so it doesn't want to fall over all the time...The real sleeper BMW...

Good luck

John

 

[powwow]

IF you don't want to own an LT, Don't let the wife sit on it....

The LT is the most comfortable.. But the RT is fun too. A great compromise...

If you're going to be riding 70% solo I say get the RT...Or a GS...

The LT is not a lot of fun around town...It's very top heavy and easy to drop if you get just a little ways out of shape....

I got rid of mine because I got tired of having to be "ON POINT" all the time with the LT..
There's just no relaxing at slow speeds... You have to be right there all the time...

The RT is a lot easier to manage at slow speeds...

But whatever you do..Don't get a CLC....(check my avatar)
Similar in size and weight but the weight is down low so it doesn't want to fall over all the time...The real sleeper BMW...

Good luck

John

+1 on John's recommendation...which bike really depends on how much the SO will be riding with you.

I bought my 2007 LT specifically because my wife and I were doing a lot of long distance touring (and camping). One ride on the pillion of that bike and the shopping was done...this is the bike that makes mama very happy. Heated seat, heated gear, arm rests...she frequently would fall asleep while be were riding. We've done 1000 mile days together on that bike and I still LOVE riding the LT.

However, as time marches on we find that circumstances, etc. have resulted on not doing nearly as much long distance touring together. So, I'm seriously considering selling the LT and moving to an RT. It will still work for the two of us doing the occasional ride together, but, for me, dropping about 300 lbs makes it a lot more fun for my solo riding.

So, ask yourself...realistically, how much will the SO be riding with you?

 

[powwow]

One other thing to consider is what size physically is your wife? MIne is about 5' 6" and 125 lbs, so while she loves the comfort of the LT, she's petite enough that she would not be uncomfortable on an RT. If your SO is more..."woman"...that could make a difference on which bike would fit her better and be more comfortable. IMHO.

 

[wyowolf]

Excellent points!!

we are pretty much both the same ht/wt. 5'6" ~ 160 lbs

I probably will be riding the bike more alone then with her, but if she is not comfortable she wont ride at all.

I am renting an RT in Jackson later this month so we will see how that goes. I just didnt like the overall ht of the RT, but maybe i will get more used to it. the LT i didnt ride i could easily flatfoot and seemed to "fit" me better... but like i said, i didnt actually ride it

thanks !

Frank

 

[casualemt]

Frank,
I have read the discussions about slow speed riding problems, too heavy for short trips, a hassle because of the weight....I personally don't really get it. I ride my LT to the store, to work, across the great divide...I have a blast short or long haul. I think too many people are intimidated by the LT, but it is a machine you ride, you get used to it, and it isn't a problem...unless you worry a lot about it. I have dropped my LT once because of side stand roll off, and now park it in gear, no problem. I ride it most of the time one up, and I love it. The luggage and top box are awesome especially for going to the store...I can carry a 40 lb bag of catfood in it. Considering you are young, compared to my 63 years, you should be able to easily master the beast so to speak. It does command a little respect at first, but once you learn the few simple rules about riding it, like head up, eyes to where you want to go, and stop with the front wheel straight, you should have no problem. The best thing about it is passenger comfort, and if you want to enjoy motorcycling with your wife, this is the best incentive I could think of. She will want to go for rides with you!

 

[wyowolf]

I should have added besides the FD issues what would you look for in a used bike if you were looking? probably 2005 or earlier. SWMBO has a restriction there I am a mechanic by trade so working on one dosent bother me, I have 2 other bimmers so i am used to it