Good idea, jfheath. Copied below is everything I wrote on the BMW forum after the 1st shakedown ride:
Posted yesterday at 11:48 AM
Background: For the last 11 years and 48+K, my only ride has been a Honda ST1300, a smooth, comfortable, heavy, ultra-reliable machine. It sold very quickly, and as the new owner trailered it off, I realized it had been my favorite of 6 motorcycles over a total of 25 years of riding. With a mix of hope and confidence, I trust this new 2018 RT will be my new #1.
So yesterday, with snow melted, I took the RT out for a short shakedown cruise. [On the maiden ride from dealer to home over the Oregon Cascades summit in January, I was too focused on hurrying to beat nightfall and freezing temps to analyze ride qualities] .
So here are initial impressions in random order. Questions come at the end.
1—Super light clutch pull, coupled with smooth positive shifts [ except for the issue in #8 ]
2—Nice mellow note of the Akrapovic exhaust
3—Trying to make friends with the rider’s seat and not succeeding. Rich’s Saddles in Albany, OR, will likely gain a customer.
4—Mirrors work as I remember from my 1150. When a bright blur shows up, I just pull in the clutch and the headlights behind come into focus
5—Convenient turn indicator switch, though I know others miss the paddles
6—Dealer-supplied Metzeler Z8 Roadtecs turn in smooth and easy and hold the line nicely in longer sweepers
7—Fast and powerful. Even staying below recommended 5K, it pulls hard. Moreover, it
feels fast, maybe due to the exhaust and the big-twin thrum--especially compared to the ST1300, which was so deceptively smooth
it was always 80 mph in 3rd before I knew it.
8—As a practicer of smooth shifts, 2nd gear is a challenge to me in Road mode. If I ease off just a bit, the bike slows abruptly. A bit more throttle makes the front end scary light. I’ll pass on ever trying the Dynamic mode.
I assume I’ll eventually find the sweet spot
9—Beautiful dash and instrument layout. The analog tach and speedo look and work great.
10—Naming the envelope slots on the fairing by the term “compartments” is imaginative wordplay.
11—Farkles ordered so far: MachineArtMoto fender extender and OEM cylinder protectors.
12—Future farkles: LED lights—Brake flashy thingy—barbacks—grips--seat . . .
QUESTIONS:
1--Does this RT have
automatic turn signal cancellation? Or does the machine need to go down the road a long while after turning before it cancels ?
2—Has anyone replaced the grips? I miss the old BMW grips. I even bought them aftermarket for my ST.
https://www.actionathletesupply.com/products/ariete-road-bmw-125mm-ring-grip-for-multicontroller-and-heated-grips?variant=6978402222122
3--Does anyone regularly mount/dismount by stepping on the left footpeg? OR is the side stand too fragile for such use over time? [My clunky boots, coupled with my short inseam and lack of flexibility will scuff the bags]
4—Has anyone changed the front turn sigs to running lights? My nagging worry about lighting is to make sure any changes do not impact the warranty for the alternator.
All answers and comments appreciated. TIA
