BMW R1200 RT
 

Anyone have any experience with this bike?

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/...keSection=tour

Not with that model, but it's a clean-looking bike. You can even get the police version.

I like it in blue.

kinda off topic but i really like the bmw enduro bikes

Eh, this is better.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/...bikeSection=hp

I've had mine just over a year now: R1200RT/SE, absolutely great piece of kit. Comfortable, fast, powerful, extremely well balanced for a 260kg tourer, and lots of useful gadgets such as ESA, ALB, linked brakes, heated seat/grips, excellent stereo, tyre pressure readout.

All in all, if you are looking at a sports tourer, get one :thumbup:

R,
Late to this thread...have not ridden the R1200, though I have ridden a bro-n-law's 1100R many times.
On that scoot, one knows there is a twin below you, vibes are not killer though. The radio on his was C+;
for a "tourer" I was surprised. Brakes were very good, ABS was almost transparent on dry, less so on
wet/crummy roads...it's quick if not really haul azz fast, though I suspect the 1200 is very fast. Quirky
handlebar switches, but all Beemers seem to have that. Seat was about C-, for anything beyond 2 hours.
Nice sled...if quite pricey, imo.

If I was buying a medium to long distance 'sports' tourer, I would have to ride the new 1200, but at this
point, it wouldn't be on my short list; lots of gizmos, few stlrs, and very pricey compared to comp., imo.

If you are looking for a Sunday "rider"/weekend scoot to Bear Mtn., and the environs in the tri-state area,
that sled would not be on page 2, due to price for what one gets, compared to many other of the offerings, imo...
Ride whatcha like, however.
GL,mD

what's a good alternative?

G, you're kidding, right?! :rofl:

What's your budget, what is your proposed riding need, (Sunday bar hopper, weekend trips, rides to Montana, etc.)

What is your level of riding skill, how long have you been riding, what scoots have you previously owned?
Why new over used, what is your size, etc., etc.

Maybe just stick to your orig. pick; I just felt it's a pretty pricey jump "into" m'cycles, not knowing your needs/skill/req's.
It's a fine sled, if fairly complex and expensive.
BR,mD

There are tons of choices in bikes Ron - depends on the style you're looking for - sport?, off-road?, comfy cruiser?, etc...

mD, I can't comment on riding impressions, but that BMW in the op is right in line in price with the Honda Goldwing lineup. In fact, the Goldwing's start at $19.5k.

I hear your comment on "price", but I wasn't even thinking GW vs the R1200; different sleds, imo...diff. mkt.
In the BMW line of sleds, I would compare the K 1200 LT/LTC more to the Wing than the R1200 series...Not
that one couldn't use either one for a lot of good m'cycle riding. In the fast sport tourer category,
(admittedly based on what one would define as 'sport touring'), the UJM brands are awfully big bang for
the bucks, imo.

The newer Wings are really almost in a seperate class and most riders don't tend to buy them for hauling
azz around or, "sport touring", as opposed to long tours with the CEO on the back.

Categorizing sleds is very difficult to my mind. The only more difficult aspect is to rec'd a scoot for someone...
esp. when I have no idea of a rider's skill, pocketbook, intended purpose or reason for that sled.

Make no mistake: the R 1200 RT is a helluva scoot...I do think it's a bit complex and very pricey in comparison
to several other bikes right in the same niche.
My 25Cts is up.
BR,mD

Sorry I am very late for this post. I fully agree with MD that we should not compare the BMW 1200RT with the Honda GW and that the BMW model that compares to the GW is the 1200 LT in size and style. I test rode the RT once last year when I had in mind to buy a touring bike. I also test rode the new Kawasaki Concours and the Yamaha FJR which, with the Honda ST, are the Japanese bikes that I would dare to compare to the RT in the sport/touring category although the BMW RT is a little bit more touring than sport in my opinion. I will have no problem going for a day ride on the RT while I would not say the same thing for the Yamaha or Kawasaki. I could cruise forever at 85mph on the BMW while I would need a break every hour or so on the 2 other bikes but, again that is a 49 years old guy talking here. Also the RT may have the best brakes I have tested to date on a bike. I found the RT very forgiving. Also the protection was better on the RT than it was on the 2 two other bikes. I did not find vibrations to be an issue at all on the RT.
However, once again I will agree with MD that the RT is overpriced and that you really cannot beat the Japanese bikes in the domain of sport/touring.
Bottom line, it all depends on what you are looking for, your riding experience and what you want to do with the bike. I personally loved the sporty behavior of the 2 Japanese sport/touring bikes but the RT is a fantastic bike too.
Hope that helps