- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 2,855
- Age
- 70
- Location
- Ilkley, W Yorkshire, UK
- Bike
- 2013 ST1300 A9
- 2024 Miles
- 000679
- STOC #
- 2570
Just browsing. Well - just contemplating whether or not I wanted a new bike.
So I talked about and sat in 3 models
The K1600 GTL
Nice. It looks like the tourer that I would like. But it didn't fit.
For me with 33" inside leg, the seat was way too low. My knees were higher than my hips with my foot on the pegs. I had little to no movement left to take my foot off the peg when I came to a standstill. I can work a bit on that, but I'm beginning to have problems with my ST1300 Corbin Dual Canyon seat, which has to be in its lowest position. So much that I am refitting the brand new OEM saddle that came with it 9 years ago. Hmmph. This wouldn't suit at all, unless I can find a solution. So we moved on to the ....
K1600 GT.
The saddle is not as scooped out. It felt more like the ST, but I was told that this was already in its highest position. Nevertheless it would do for me.
So Lynne climbs on the back while I stand and observe. The panniers are much further forward and I was concerned that they woul get in her way. She is much shorter then me. The panniers were ok, but the seat is quite broad. It was impossible for her to reach the footpegs ! So forget about all if the fancy specs, handling and smooth engine. The bike doesn't fit either of us. So onward to the ....
R1250RT / RT LE
This was much better to sit on and felt comfortable for both of us. Salesman told m what it cam with, but the website disagrees. Most things he mentioned were extras. Thats Ok. He also said that if I was replacing the ST1300 the K1600 would be better. Id be changing gear much more often as the 1250 didn't have the same power. Something I knew was incorrect - it actually has more power than the ST1300. How usable it is through the range, I don't know. Since it has 6 gears, it probably needs them to keep it in the power band - is my usual take on cars that have 6 gears. By e time youve changed down into 4th, it needs to be in 3rd - is my experience. But that is my current bigoted, ill informed scrap heap of knowledge and I need to test ride it for a few of hours.
Now I've re-read @Mellow's superb account of his model here https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/21-bmw-r1250rt.178795/. That is really convincing. But I'm going to have loads of questions, especially from anyone who has one of these, a 6'4 rider with 33" inside leg, and a 5' pillion.
Of current concern is the service package where BMW vans come out with a van and fix your broken down bike - which I was told came as standard. I cannot find that on the website.
The heated seat - I cant find out if it is rider only or rider and pillion
All of the other extras - which are worth having and which are not
The wheels are smaller than the ST. That means they will wear out faster. I get only 5k out of T32 GTs
I like to have the screen adjusted so my eyes look over the top, but airflow is over my helmet. The standard ST screen won't do this I use a BikeQuip
Dealer reckons £3000 For my St1300A9. reg 2013, 60k. Very few dealer stamps. But detailed service history doesn't count. I can do better than that. It is worth much more.
He quoted a ridiculously high max weight for riders and luggage, but I think it still carries more load than the ST
Im worried about the boxer engine and fairing being damaged in a tip over - but tip over bars fitted or listed.
Fuel tank is smaller but consumption is less. What is the actual range/consumption
So I am back in the position of not trusting the sales people, who like most news reporting we hear, do not let ignorance get in the way of a good sals pitch.
Any further contributions from tall rider / short pillions that own one of these would be most welcome.
Thanks
John
So I talked about and sat in 3 models
The K1600 GTL
Nice. It looks like the tourer that I would like. But it didn't fit.
For me with 33" inside leg, the seat was way too low. My knees were higher than my hips with my foot on the pegs. I had little to no movement left to take my foot off the peg when I came to a standstill. I can work a bit on that, but I'm beginning to have problems with my ST1300 Corbin Dual Canyon seat, which has to be in its lowest position. So much that I am refitting the brand new OEM saddle that came with it 9 years ago. Hmmph. This wouldn't suit at all, unless I can find a solution. So we moved on to the ....
K1600 GT.
The saddle is not as scooped out. It felt more like the ST, but I was told that this was already in its highest position. Nevertheless it would do for me.
So Lynne climbs on the back while I stand and observe. The panniers are much further forward and I was concerned that they woul get in her way. She is much shorter then me. The panniers were ok, but the seat is quite broad. It was impossible for her to reach the footpegs ! So forget about all if the fancy specs, handling and smooth engine. The bike doesn't fit either of us. So onward to the ....
R1250RT / RT LE
This was much better to sit on and felt comfortable for both of us. Salesman told m what it cam with, but the website disagrees. Most things he mentioned were extras. Thats Ok. He also said that if I was replacing the ST1300 the K1600 would be better. Id be changing gear much more often as the 1250 didn't have the same power. Something I knew was incorrect - it actually has more power than the ST1300. How usable it is through the range, I don't know. Since it has 6 gears, it probably needs them to keep it in the power band - is my usual take on cars that have 6 gears. By e time youve changed down into 4th, it needs to be in 3rd - is my experience. But that is my current bigoted, ill informed scrap heap of knowledge and I need to test ride it for a few of hours.
Now I've re-read @Mellow's superb account of his model here https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/21-bmw-r1250rt.178795/. That is really convincing. But I'm going to have loads of questions, especially from anyone who has one of these, a 6'4 rider with 33" inside leg, and a 5' pillion.
Of current concern is the service package where BMW vans come out with a van and fix your broken down bike - which I was told came as standard. I cannot find that on the website.
The heated seat - I cant find out if it is rider only or rider and pillion
All of the other extras - which are worth having and which are not
The wheels are smaller than the ST. That means they will wear out faster. I get only 5k out of T32 GTs
I like to have the screen adjusted so my eyes look over the top, but airflow is over my helmet. The standard ST screen won't do this I use a BikeQuip
Dealer reckons £3000 For my St1300A9. reg 2013, 60k. Very few dealer stamps. But detailed service history doesn't count. I can do better than that. It is worth much more.
He quoted a ridiculously high max weight for riders and luggage, but I think it still carries more load than the ST
Im worried about the boxer engine and fairing being damaged in a tip over - but tip over bars fitted or listed.
Fuel tank is smaller but consumption is less. What is the actual range/consumption
So I am back in the position of not trusting the sales people, who like most news reporting we hear, do not let ignorance get in the way of a good sals pitch.
Any further contributions from tall rider / short pillions that own one of these would be most welcome.
Thanks
John