BMW R1200RT-Best Sport Tourer For 2014?

[JamesW]

That is according to Cycle Worlds Sept edition 2014. Makes you wonder about these things. Perhaps they are unaware of recalls? Wasn't there someone that stated they took home a new R1200RT and the next day received a call and told not to ride it. Their basic (published) rules of engagement says for a sport touring bike it should be built for comfort, built for speed, this sporting motorcycle needs to have factory saddlebags and a swift soul. They just described my FJR!

 

[Spud]

Although the R1200RT costs a lot more than the FJR, it balances out eventually because when you have an FJR you spend a lot of money on gas, lodging, tires, food etc. On an R1200RT, it just stays parked....

 

[zenwhipper]

Simmer down boys. Apart from the recall, the new RT is getting great reviews.

 

[Top_Speed1]

I'm just staying the fawk outta this one. You guys have fun and say whatever puts a smile on your face.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Keeping in mind this is the FJR!!! forum...

I have no doubt that BMW will get the issues with the rear shock fixed. I have no doubt that BMW has built a fantastic motorcycle.

I have ridden an '08 R1200RT and I found it to be a very nice motorcycle. If I owned one I have no doubt that I would be extremely happy with it.

Honestly, I feel sorry for the guys that are suffering with the suspension issues on these bikes. Put yourselves in their place: You just bought a very expensive, very exclusive, highly rated Sport Tourer. You have been wanting this bike, waiting for this bike, wishing for this bike, and now you have spent your money on this bike. BUT... You can't ride it right now, it's broken.

Do we really want to take pleasure in their pain? I don't.

Is it a "Better" bike than the FJR? I don't know and I don't care. As long as the magazines say it is a better bike and the competition keeps forcing the manufacturers to improve their designs, it's all good.

 

[ionbeam]

It takes a pretty special machine to unseat the BMW K1600GT as Cycle World’s best sport-touring bike, but that’s exactly what the new wasserboxer-powered BMW R1200RT is. It’s not just the fact that the RT uses a flat-twin, BMW’s spiritual core, but also that this swift and comfortable machine is about 130 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, which makes it easier to maneuver in your garage or on Mulholland. Yet the R1200RT, with its saddlebags, optional top case, and excellent fairing, is still very much a great long-distance pack mule, boasting electronic ride modes and Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension that adapt the bike to any condition. Score one for the purists.
PRICE AS TESTED (2014) $23,496

No mention of performance. Notice that Cycle World now calls the K1600 a TOURING bike in the 10 Best article, the word Sport wasn't used. I guess that is how you get more BMWs in the top positions.

A double whammy for 'Speed. His bike is no longer the best Sport Tourer, heck, it isn't even a Sport Tour bike anymore. A veritable new bed-fellow with the Old Wing crowd.

 

[Twigg]

Guys ... we really need to learn that journalists know f&%k all about the riding we do, and why folk spend varying amounts on the different bikes.

As always, check you bank balance, ride them all, and make a choice.

Worth noting that you could almost buy TWO Connies for the price of one BMW ... but it does look like a fabulous motorcycle.

I'll wait and maybe get one when it is 10 years old.

 

[Pterodactyl]

I had an 07 RT and it was a great bike. I have a 13 FJR and it is a great bike. I may someday have a 2019 RT and it will be a great bike. Any ranking or review by a magazine that takes advertising from the companies being rated must be viewed with a jaundiced eye. Brand bashing is silly. If you attach your ego to your motorcycle then you are setting yourself up for a fall. It's a machine; it shall fail.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I was at the BMW dealer yesterday having a set of PR4s put on my 11 RT. They told me BMW should be sending out replacement shocks the week of 12 or 19 August. I don't recall which week they told me it was.

For me, the RT is a great bike. Maybe not so for others. Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

 

[RadioHowie]

Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

My vote for "Analogy of the Year"!

 

[beemerdons]

Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

My vote for "Analogy of the Year"!

Absolutely amazing, sometimes RadioHowie makes perfectly good common sense and most times he is weirder than a three dollar bill! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[Top_Speed1]

It takes a pretty special machine to unseat the BMW K1600GT as Cycle World’s best sport-touring bike, but that’s exactly what the new wasserboxer-powered BMW R1200RT is. It’s not just the fact that the RT uses a flat-twin, BMW’s spiritual core, but also that this swift and comfortable machine is about 130 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, which makes it easier to maneuver in your garage or on Mulholland. Yet the R1200RT, with its saddlebags, optional top case, and excellent fairing, is still very much a great long-distance pack mule, boasting electronic ride modes and Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension that adapt the bike to any condition. Score one for the purists.
PRICE AS TESTED (2014) $23,496

No mention of performance. Notice that Cycle World now calls the K1600 a TOURING bike in the 10 Best article, the word Sport wasn't used. I guess that is how you get more BMWs in the top positions.

A double whammy for 'Speed. His bike is no longer the best Sport Tourer, heck, it isn't even a Sport Tour bike anymore. A veritable new bed-fellow with the Old Wing crowd.

I'll help you define it Alan;

GT is: SPORT Touring

GTL is: Sport TOURING

GTL-E is: Grand TOURING

My model happens to be the GTS (GT-Sport, brand new for '14). When another model (and or/make) comes out that whips it, I'm in line!. I don't care what the name tag says, I'm loyal to none.

And as RFH said; I also feel sorry for those guys that just bought an RT. I talked with many at MOA (2 weeks ago), those guys foregone the warning and rode in/to the Rally anyways with their RT's. I didn't hear of any problems. I wished them all luck and we all went our ways.... mostly to the beer garden

 

[Spud]

Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

My vote for "Analogy of the Year"!

Absolutely amazing, sometimes RadioHowie makes perfectly good common sense and most times he is weirder than a three dollar bill! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

Don't get too excited Don. What it really means is "one is from Japan, and is really good" and "the other one is sour but has better marketing"

 

[beemerdons]

Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

My vote for "Analogy of the Year"!

Absolutely amazing, sometimes RadioHowie makes perfectly good common sense and most times he is weirder than a three dollar bill! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

Don't get too excited Don. What it really means is "one is from Japan, and is really good" and "the other one is sour but has better marketing"

It's way too late now Spud Bro', I already sent our RadioHowie a case of syphilis and a bowl of cocks for a great post. It is FJR Forum Dog Pile Friday you know, jes' sayin' and nuff said ese!

 

[RadioHowie]

Don't get too excited Don. What it really means is "one is from Japan, and is really good" and "the other one is sour but has better marketing"

I was gonna award you first runner-up in the "Analogy of the Year" competition, when I realized the fallacy of your analogy....

If the sour one indeed has better marketing, you would have referred to it as "tart", not sour. So your choice of words has proven that either the marketing has been woefully inadequate, or just plain wrong.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Don't get too excited Don. What it really means is "one is from Japan, and is really good" and "the other one is sour but has better marketing" :tonguesmiley: :tonguesmiley: :tonguesmiley:

I was gonna award you first runner-up in the "Analogy of the Year" competition, when I realized the fallacy of your analogy....

If the sour one indeed has better marketing, you would have referred to it as "tart", not sour. So your choice of words has proven that either the marketing has been woefully inadequate, or just plain wrong.

Right, but if he's drinking the Kool-Aid, sour or tart doesn't matter. It can taste like **** and will still get eaten with passion because that's what's 'supposed' to be done.
Getting people to drink the Kool-Aid us a direct result of proficient successful marketing.

 

[BanjoBoy]

I was at the BMW dealer yesterday having a set of PR4s put on my 11 RT. They told me BMW should be sending out replacement shocks the week of 12 or 19 August. I don't recall which week they told me it was.

For me, the RT is a great bike. Maybe not so for others. Comparing the RT to the FJR is like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Fuji apple; the same class of fruit, but two totally different tastes.

Low maintenance, stone reliable vs high maintenance, fragile, over priced, unreliable.

Oh yeah, they do have soul.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Don't get too excited Don. What it really means is "one is from Japan, and is really good" and "the other one is sour but has better marketing"

I was gonna award you first runner-up in the "Analogy of the Year" competition, when I realized the fallacy of your analogy....

If the sour one indeed has better marketing, you would have referred to it as "tart", not sour. So your choice of words has proven that either the marketing has been woefully inadequate, or just plain wrong.

You guys are certainly entertaining. 'Tart' now ya say

 

[timk]

My only comment is I can't remember too many years that a BMW or Duc hasn't won MOTY from the rags. Grain of salt.