Almost Kept It.....

[dduelin]

I brought this ex CHP R1200RTP home for a couple of days in expectation of checking it out in detail before committing to purchase. It only has 28,000 miles on it and cosmetically it’s in great shape. A late production date 2013, it had what the seller described as a miss under acceleration I thought would be easy to set right and probably would be. A diagnostic check of the electrical system revealed several trouble codes and the engine management computer VIN did not match the frame VIN. It must have been switched for a faulty one or to see if it would fix the miss under load condition. These things (police bikes) already have an unknown past so I passed on keeping it but as an asking price $3000 project bike it could work out for someone willing and able to sort out the clipped wires to the removed authority accessories. The bike has a fair condition value twice the asking price.

I had ridden my 2007 RT over to the seller’s garage and left it there when I rode the ‘13 to my place and I have to say that when I rode the 36 miles home on my bike it was like slipping on a favorite pair of jeans.

 

[STJohnS]

It's beautiful!

 

[MaxPete]

It really is very pretty, but electronic problems on German vehicles can be brutal, not to mention the cost of...well, parts, labour, the tee-shirts, hoodies and ball caps.....

 

[the Ferret]

It is pretty but as soon as you said clipped wires, I thought run away, run very far away lol

 

[sirepair]

Clipped wires on a CAN-bus bike.... What could go wrong??

 

[SMSW]

I have to say that when I rode the 36 miles home on my bike it was like slipping on a favorite pair of jeans.

Or an old pair of slippers.

 

[Tor]

Clipped wires on a CAN-bus bike.... What could go wrong??

A lot.....

 

[ad.hom]

If it was on the right continent, at that price, I'd probably be more than half tempted. Then MissHom would probably shout at me.

 

[Erdoc48]

I rode a 2007 RT about 1000 miles in the Rockies years ago (a rental from Colorado Tourbikes). Very nice bike with all the updates for that time. I’ve never owned a BMW bike mostly because I couldn’t afford it and was nervous about the potential repair bills, but it was a really nice, comfy bike.

 

[TourNut]

I sure wished I never bought my '08 RT that gave me 2 1/2 years of grief , ending up in a federal lemon law court case that I won because BMW lied to the fed. court .

 

[dduelin]

I rode a 2007 RT about 1000 miles in the Rockies years ago (a rental from Colorado Tourbikes). Very nice bike with all the updates for that time. I’ve never owned a BMW bike mostly because I couldn’t afford it and was nervous about the potential repair bills, but it was a really nice, comfy bike.

I felt the same way when these bikes were new and mostly under warranty but now these 2005-2009 Hexheads are fully depreciated and if they had some sort of problem it's likely taken care of or isn't a big expensive deal to set right. Like STs, there aren't any secrets lurking any more. BMW owners tended to take care of them at places that knew what they were doing unlike Honda dealers and a little searching around can find a really nice RT for ST money. The risk is essentially acquistion cost if you can't work on one at home but like STs they aren't worth much anymore. If one can afford $3000 to $4000 you can get a nice one ready to go 100,000 miles more. Trust me, I've had two 2007 RTs now and they are easier to maintain than an ST and everything is owner serviceable. If I manage to wear the current out, the way I feel right now is I'll look for a 2010 to 2013 Camhead.

 

[dduelin]

I sure wished I never bought my '08 RT that gave me 2 1/2 years of grief , ending up in a federal lemon law court case that I won because BMW lied to the fed. court .

Do you remember that guy in here that had to sue Honda over his Accord about 10 years ago? He had electrical system problems IIRC. Hondas are extremely reliable but even they sell a lemon now and then.