- Joined
- May 31, 2017
- Messages
- 1,149
- Location
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia
- Bike
- 2013 BMW R1200RT
Had my 2013 R1200RT for a week now and put a few miles on her as well as having put 600+ miles on a 2015 while on vacation in Palo Alto. So wanted to offer up my thoughts on her.
Engine: Definitely different from an ST. I've heard the boxer called agricultural which is sort of accurate but also not, because at speed the engine is like no agricultural engine I've experienced. At idle, there's clearly and big twin firing off below. Off idle it is smooth and revs willingly to redline. It has plenty of torque throughout the rev range. Fueling is spot on. Sound-wise I prefer the big boxer thump to the ST whine.
Cockpit: The throttle is light and responsive without a hint of jerkiness off idle. The clutch is very light and progressive. I test rode a 2006 RT before I bought my ST. That RT had a very jerky clutch engagement so I expected a juddery engagement but the 2013 is smooth as butter pulling away. Wind management is very good. I'm 5'9" the shield does an excellent job at directing wind over my head. It could be a tad wider so there may be a different screen in the future. Controls all fall to hand very naturally for me.
Transmission: Ah yes, if there's a place where the ST shines it's the gearbox. The Beemer's gearbox is not as light and has definite clunk if first is engaged while rolling to a stop. Once stopped however, first can be selected without a sound. Going up through the gears is smooth if the shifter is preloaded. Now my 2013 has 55,000 miles on it and I have read that the gearbox improves with miles so that's a consideration. By way of comparison my ST has 42,000 miles.
Brakes: When I got my ST is was blown away by the brakes. Given the weight they have to slow down they are darn impressive. Likewise the brakes on the RT. Powerful and progressive with good feel. The biggest difference comes by way of the Telelever front suspension which prevents dive on hard braking. It's a bit disconcerting at first but with time it seems completely normal.
Suspension: My RT has ESA and there is a definite difference between normal comfort and sport, one up and two up. Here, the RT is definitely better than my ST as it feels controlled and steady in all circumstances.
Heat: Not much to say here because there is none that I can detect. Contrast that to my ST which has given my inner thigh a first degree burn on a 38 deg C day.
Ergonomics: My RT has .75" bar risers and the riding position is all-day comfortable. I have not had the chance to do an all day or multi day ride on the RT but my time on the 2015 in Palo Alto was very comfortable.
Creature comforts: Heated grips, heated seats, cruise. What's not to love?
Weight: The RT is 570 lbs all wet, the 160lb difference between an ST is significant. The weight is carried lower so the bike feels more tossable. And it's definitely easier to push around.
I liked my ST a lot. Great engine and gearbox. All day comfort.
But I really like the RT.
Engine: Definitely different from an ST. I've heard the boxer called agricultural which is sort of accurate but also not, because at speed the engine is like no agricultural engine I've experienced. At idle, there's clearly and big twin firing off below. Off idle it is smooth and revs willingly to redline. It has plenty of torque throughout the rev range. Fueling is spot on. Sound-wise I prefer the big boxer thump to the ST whine.
Cockpit: The throttle is light and responsive without a hint of jerkiness off idle. The clutch is very light and progressive. I test rode a 2006 RT before I bought my ST. That RT had a very jerky clutch engagement so I expected a juddery engagement but the 2013 is smooth as butter pulling away. Wind management is very good. I'm 5'9" the shield does an excellent job at directing wind over my head. It could be a tad wider so there may be a different screen in the future. Controls all fall to hand very naturally for me.
Transmission: Ah yes, if there's a place where the ST shines it's the gearbox. The Beemer's gearbox is not as light and has definite clunk if first is engaged while rolling to a stop. Once stopped however, first can be selected without a sound. Going up through the gears is smooth if the shifter is preloaded. Now my 2013 has 55,000 miles on it and I have read that the gearbox improves with miles so that's a consideration. By way of comparison my ST has 42,000 miles.
Brakes: When I got my ST is was blown away by the brakes. Given the weight they have to slow down they are darn impressive. Likewise the brakes on the RT. Powerful and progressive with good feel. The biggest difference comes by way of the Telelever front suspension which prevents dive on hard braking. It's a bit disconcerting at first but with time it seems completely normal.
Suspension: My RT has ESA and there is a definite difference between normal comfort and sport, one up and two up. Here, the RT is definitely better than my ST as it feels controlled and steady in all circumstances.
Heat: Not much to say here because there is none that I can detect. Contrast that to my ST which has given my inner thigh a first degree burn on a 38 deg C day.
Ergonomics: My RT has .75" bar risers and the riding position is all-day comfortable. I have not had the chance to do an all day or multi day ride on the RT but my time on the 2015 in Palo Alto was very comfortable.
Creature comforts: Heated grips, heated seats, cruise. What's not to love?
Weight: The RT is 570 lbs all wet, the 160lb difference between an ST is significant. The weight is carried lower so the bike feels more tossable. And it's definitely easier to push around.
I liked my ST a lot. Great engine and gearbox. All day comfort.
But I really like the RT.
Last edited:
majority rules.
). And, I am ready to have some of the niceties that come along with a newer ride, such as heated stuff, adaptive cruise control, a radio, built in NAV, and oh, something brand new called "ABS". (sarcasm intended!). 