BMW RT

[evil_henchman]

Pulled up next to a new BMW RT at Cycle Gear yesterday. Beautiful bike but I was struck by how enormous it is sitting next to an FJR. Definately the Clydesdale of sport touring bikes.

 

[Reg# 43897]

Yeah, saw some new ones the other day and thought that as well. The RS seemed a little more suited to the title sport-tourer, in my humble opinion...

John.

 

[FJRMGM]

one pulled up and stopped next to me in the Texas Hill country last weekend and then he activated the auto center stand and I listened to it hoist that puppy up..

I agree, next to an FJR it looks BIG.

 

[Luke]

:clap: "Clydesdale of sport touring bikes" :clap:

 

[panthercity]

one pulled up and stopped next to me in the Texas Hill country last weekend and then he activated the auto center stand and I listened to it hoist that puppy up..

Uh, no. No electro-hydraulic center stand on the RT. You've confused it with the vastly different and heavier LT...

 

[fjr]

Isn't the RTs wet weight a little less than the FJR?

I wonder if what we are talking about here is the LT?

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Pulled up next to a new BMW RT at Cycle Gear yesterday. Beautiful bike but I was struck by how enormous it is sitting next to an FJR. Definately the Clydesdale of sport touring bikes.

that big ass bike will get into a turn just as fast as the FJR. Too bad the slow speed maneuvering due to torque generated by a 1200cc twin EFI engine makes the thing a pain in the ass to drive low speed, and it's about $7k too expensive and the maintenance is too much...otherwise, I woulda bought it.

 

[evil_henchman]

Isn't the RTs wet weight a little less than the FJR?I wonder if what we are talking about here is the LT?

It was an RT for sure. The sporty styling may make it deceptively small but you park an FJR next to it and Wow, what a difference. It has the style and geometry of a sport bike and I'm sure it handles pretty good too. It's just BIG :bigeyes:

 

[boogahboogah]

Rode the 1200RT

Bought the FJR...

 

[markjenn]

Too bad the slow speed maneuvering due to torque generated by a 1200cc twin EFI engine makes the thing a pain in the ass to drive low speed, and it's about $7k too expensive and the maintenance is too much...otherwise, I woulda bought it.

Actually, I think the slow-speed manuvering on the RT is quite good (better than the FJR IMHO due to lower CG and telelever) and there is a simple solution to the torque problem - don't blip the throttle.

Agree on the price and maintenence aspects though.

- Mark

 

[evil_henchman]

better than the FJR IMHO due to lower CG

What?? The seat was belly button height on the one I stood next to. Granted it was a Russel and was a bit higher than a stock seat but it dwarfed my FJR. Does it have some kind of trick lowering ability?

 

[panthercity]

How tall are you? The seat on my R1150RSA hits just about hip-joint height. Lloyd's R1150RT is maybe half an inch higher?

OBTW, maintenance costs on both my R11xxRSs hve been negligible. Only time either one was in a shop was for two/one warranty jobs. Valve adjustment and TBS are a breeze. Only the brake service on the `02 is a PITA.

 

[evil_henchman]

How tall are you?

5'8"

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

It seems to me quite a compliment that we keep comparing the FJR to the "lofty" Bay Em Vey.

 

[TahoeBound]

Pulled up next to a new BMW RT at Cycle Gear yesterday. Beautiful bike but I was struck by how enormous it is sitting next to an FJR. Definately the Clydesdale of sport touring bikes.

According to the Rags the wet weight is the same ~640lbs (non-ABS FJR). So ABS to ABS, the FJR is heavier. I've got a lot of negative to say on pre-1200 RTs (I owned an '01), but I've ridden the new R1200RT & its alright, but not in the FJR's league at least as "sport" goes. Then again, what "sport-tourer" is?

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Too bad the slow speed maneuvering due to torque generated by a 1200cc twin EFI engine makes the thing a pain in the ass to drive low speed, and it's about $7k too expensive and the maintenance is too much...otherwise, I woulda bought it.

Actually, I think the slow-speed manuvering on the RT is quite good (better than the FJR IMHO due to lower CG and telelever) and there is a simple solution to the torque problem - don't blip the throttle.

Agree on the price and maintenence aspects though.

- Mark

The simple solution to the touchy brakes that the sales guy gave me was to use two fingers instead of four and feather the second finger.

The combination of things to remember and watch out for (brakes and throttle at low speed), as compared to the FJR's super easy ridability tipped the scales to Yamaha for me. That said, if I didn't get to choose a bike and someone game me an RT, I'd be really happy with it. the RT is a wonderful bike that is too expensive and not as "built for me" as my FJR

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

better than the FJR IMHO due to lower CG

What?? The seat was belly button height on the one I stood next to. Granted it was a Russel and was a bit higher than a stock seat but it dwarfed my FJR. Does it have some kind of trick lowering ability?

Hard to beat the center of gravity of the opposed twin...would be easier if Yamaha mounted the battery lower

 

[Scab]

We must compare fairly now guys. Remember, the FJR is NOT a sport-tourer. It is a SUPER-SPORT TOURER.

 

[odot]

Good point, scab....and thanks for reminding us of that juicy tidbit of information. And juicy, it it.