FJR or RT 1200 msrp?

[bes]

Hi guys, had an empty garage for the past year and hate it. Last bike was an 02 1150 RT. She was a great ride but prone to some maintenance issues--mapping problem, and the preference for the rear end to self destruct. No issues on my specific bike, but not what I wanted to develop a lasting relationship with. I also wanted a bit more, attitude....but I felt very connected with the RT it made me a way better rider ( meaning--corrected my stupidity more than once). Anyone have any time on the new RT? I've found an 08 FJ and am very close to pulling the trigger. I'm not going to quibble over a $200 bill with the dealer who uncrates and assembles my bike, but is paying retail the norm? Should I be charged an assembly charge besides msrp? How's the standard seat, the standard seat on my RT was pathetic.

BTW---most of my riding is leaving Vegas---300+ mile days the norm. I'm 6'1 260, like cats and rainy days........

Really excited about having a get out of town missile in the garage, just wanted some experienced input.

 

[mr.paul]

FWIW

Can't believe no one has chimed in yet! Strictly my opinion. Go Feejer! You won't regret getting the best. BMW makes nice machines, but you really will like the FJR better if you like exciting performance, a great ride, fabulous reliability, cool looks, strong motor, no final drive self-destructs, lower cost, well, I should go on.

I have a 2006 FJR, the wife has a 2005 Honda ST13oo. I can't fathom 2 nicer bikes on the rode for us.

Ride them both. Feel which one stirs your blood more. I think it is telling, that the magazines even stopped testing the RT against the FJR. Hmmmm....

paul from Minnesota

 

[Wild72]

Pull that trigger. (That's the only reassurance you need).

I got mine below msrp, but then I bought an AE in September that had been sitting on the showroom floor, lonely, after all the A's had been sold.

I find the stock seat just okay for my 6"1" 195, and make do with a beadrider for longer trips. Will get a custom seat through time. Plenty of discussion in here on the pros and cons of the various seat makers.

Stock windshield will likely give you some buffeting and noise in all but the lowest positions, bet there are plenty of aftermarket options available.

And with the FJR, you will still get people asking you "Is that a BMW", so what do you have to lose???

 

[robrm250]

Pull that trigger. (That's the only reassurance you need).
I got mine below msrp, but then I bought an AE in September that had been sitting on the showroom floor, lonely, after all the A's had been sold.

I find the stock seat just okay for my 6"1" 195, and make do with a beadrider for longer trips. Will get a custom seat through time. Plenty of discussion in here on the pros and cons of the various seat makers.

Stock windshield will likely give you some buffeting and noise in all but the lowest positions, bet there are plenty of aftermarket options available.

And with the FJR, you will still get people asking you "Is that a BMW", so what do you have to lose???

had a 01 k1200ltc had the same issues everyone else had with them,motronic,starter relay,rear end,went japanese for last 6yrs,tried bmw r1100s boxer cup liked the bike but not a very good dealer around went with a used 2006 fjr and never going back.I am 6'2" and 200lbs don't mind stock seat but r1100s seat was a brick,bought a cal sci xl sheild and I'm in love,valve adjustments every 26k miles and I can do all the other maint.

 

[madmike2]

I've found an 08 FJ and am very close to pulling the trigger. I'm not going to quibble over a $200 bill with the dealer who uncrates and assembles my bike, but is paying retail the norm? Should I be charged an assembly charge besides msrp? How's the standard seat, the standard seat on my RT was pathetic.

I'd do some shopping on the internet. It seems to me that there are a couple of dealers in L.A. with Out The Door prices in the low $12,000's. At least there are some in AUburn, CA and Oakland, CA. Find a Cycle trader and look for their ads to use as bargaining info for your dealer. A break-in ride from L.A. (or Bakersfield..Fresno...whatever) might be worth the money for you.

Yes, some dealers still insist on charging the $200...though Yamaha pays them to assemble the bikes. They see it as their bonus.

Buy the Y.E.S. (extended warranty) from D&H in Cullman AL.

You might have to replace the seat. The only way to tell is to ride it for a day...then you'll know. Some guys do fine with the OEM, others need padding in a different spot.

 

[Gerry.GEG]

I am on my first month with FJR (2008). I don't quible over price as much as I used to. So, mine was !3.300 and a assembly charge. But I did get them to throw in heated grips for free.

I love my bike. I rode a 2006 RT1200R Beautiful bike but used, would have been more than my FJR with the extra 3 year YES contract. I know I'll be happier with less maintenance money pulled from my wallet just for the privilege of driving a Beemer.

The Yamaha will be rock solid with no worries. The seat is something that some can live with and even enjoy. I don't know yet but since I live in Spokane, WA I'm sure I will eventually take my bike to Seattle and visit Rich's Custom Seat Shop.

Good luck with your decision.

https://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u152/bo.../IMG_1163-1.jpg

BTW: I forgot to add; I submitted a request for information on a new RT1200 through the dealer website the same week I bought my FJR (only dealer in my area is Beaudry Motorsports, PostFalls, ID) and still have not heard from them. That told me something right there. Shouldn't that request have been shot to someones desk within a couple of minutes and then that salesman contact me within 24 hours. I did check the box that said "I was ready to buy today". Man, what a wasted opportunity for BMW. I guess they don't need to try and convert Japanese bike riders but, hey, they didn't even try.

 

[Daddydukes]

You absolutely you do not have to pay MSRP. There are too many dealers needing the business and discounting the bikes. Just got a new 08 and with taxes, dealer prep (assembly), tax, tag & title, it was several hundred dollars below MSRP.

Keep shopping and go for the FJR. I'm a former BMW owner, enjoyed the bike, but the maintenance issues and the expense of repairs for a BMW is uncalled for.

I just can't wait to get some real miles on mine.

Keith

 

[Scotty]

Shouldn't have to pay retail plus set up. I rode the BMW R1200RT for 8 days and it is a sweet bike but not as good as the FJR. FJR has more power, better mirrors and equal handling all at a much better price.

 

[JRO]

I have nothing to add, that hasn't been said already.

Get the FJR.

Shop for the best price.

2,000 miles later, you'll forget that BMW makes motorbikes.

 

[keithaba]

Sounds like this dealer is trying to rape you. Nobody pays MSRP unless it is a bike that was just released, and hard to get. The 08 FJR has been out for months, and many dealers are selling them for under MSRP out the door.

Definately shop around a little.

 

[ATLDB]

Hi guys, had an empty garage for the past year and hate it. Last bike was an 02 1150 RT. She was a great ride but prone to some maintenance issues--mapping problem, and the preference for the rear end to self destruct. No issues on my specific bike, but not what I wanted to develop a lasting relationship with. I also wanted a bit more, attitude....but I felt very connected with the RT it made me a way better rider ( meaning--corrected my stupidity more than once). Anyone have any time on the new RT? I've found an 08 FJ and am very close to pulling the trigger. I'm not going to quibble over a $200 bill with the dealer who uncrates and assembles my bike, but is paying retail the norm? Should I be charged an assembly charge besides msrp? How's the standard seat, the standard seat on my RT was pathetic.
BTW---most of my riding is leaving Vegas---300+ mile days the norm. I'm 6'1 260, like cats and rainy days........

Really excited about having a get out of town missile in the garage, just wanted some experienced input.

I am 6.1 260lbs. Here is a list of BMW's that have been in my garage. K1200LT, K1200S, K1200RS, R1150RT, R1200CLC, K1200R. Why so many, don't ask, my wife's explanation has the words crazy FOOL in it.

But when I first saw the Black Cherry FJR, and talked to a guy that had a 2005 and bought one (2007), telling how the heat was still there but the air moved better now and it was about 80% cooler. I started to get an itch. So I sold the BMW that was in the garage "at the time" 2006 K1200LT. And started thinking about a new Sport Touring Rig (K1200GT, R1200RT, FJR) the ST1300 did not come to mind as I owned one for a total of ONE month and attribute IT to the fact that my wife and I can not have children, because it baked my cojones OFF. Even at 42 degress outside. Terrible that Honda will release something like this.

The K1200GT is, even for a BMW guy like me one of the most HORRIBLE looking bikes out there. If I want a barn door I buy one and put in in my backyard. If I want my headlights to look like a pinguin I get a poster of a pinguin, I hate the looks. The ride did not impress me either, neither did the 20K price with options. Next R1200RT, I owned an 1150 like yourself, and I did not have any issues with mine, 35K miles in two years trouble free. So its only fair that I ride the 1200. Well the machine is so much better then the old one there is not even comparison. The only complaint I had from the test ride was the awfull flappy windshield, but since us 6.1 guys HAVE to buy new shields anyway I discard it. Until the "Quote" came. 21K after taxes, how can an RT cost more than a GT....... Options Options. When you want ALL options on the book including the trunk the price point of the RT makes no sense AT ALL. BMW for you.

So for $12500 out the door with a trunk and heated grips I now own a 2007 Black Cherry FJR. I as of right now I will NEVER look back. Its awsome. Yes it has some heat still, does not have some of the more fancy BMW options, but the almost 10K I saved buying it. I can have another bike, which BTW I do. Just bought a remaining 2007 Ducati GT 1000 from my dealer........ Two bikes for the price of one. I can live with that.

 

[Radical]

If you're up for a little ride you can buy a new FJR from D&H for much less than MSRP.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

If you're up for a little ride you can buy a new FJR from D&H for much less than MSRP.

I'll ride it back for him -- for a few $$ ("Have 'Stich, Will Travel").

 

[CRMH Eagle]

Maybe you should look at it this way: do you want your extra $$ to go to BMW maintenance or FJR farkling?

 

[El Toro]

I would chime in in favor of the FJR too. I test rode an R1200RT, and it put me to sleep. I like BMW, and I still have a K1200Rsport, but the R1200RT is no match for the FJR.

As for the stock seat, I usually end up with a Corbin, a Sargent, or a custom job.... especially with Suzukis or Italian stuff. The FJR seat started out OK and is getting better as I break it in. I'm going to wait before springing for an aftermarket seat because I think the FJR seat will eventually be just fine. The FJR and the K1200Rsport are the only bikes I've owned in recent years with stock seats that I could tolerate.

As for MSRP, note that the S stands for "suggested". Its just a suggestion. I like to make my own suggestion. There are a lot of dealers out there who are willing to deal, and I would expect you could get out the door for less than MSRP without too much trouble.

Of course selling price isn't the only issue in picking a dealer. If you like the dealer's service department, and its a small volume operation, and you get along well with the owner, you might not want to argue over small change. I told our local Honda dealer the other day that if I ever sprung for a CBR1000RR, I would buy it from him and let him set the price. Its worth it to me to have him in town. I don't feel the same way about our local Yamaha dealer largely because I think their service department is of very modest quality and capability - and this is by choice, meeting the dealer's vision for his business. I won't play. I bought my FJR at a dealer about 80 miles away with a stronger service department. I should mention that I rarely use the service department, so I think this attitude of mine is just based on principle, rather than need.

 

[big ears]

I like the fjr, to few bmw dealers around.

 

[Daddydukes]

I like the fjr, to few bmw dealers around.

That is exactly why I sold my K1200LT and now own a beautiful FJR.

Keith

 

[rockhead]

I've been a BMW owner for several years and recently bought an 06 FJR and am selling my R1150R. I'm not looking back. After my first longish ride this past weekend, I'm even more convinced that the FJR is a better bike. It's smoother, faster, more comfortable, and better on gas.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm keeping the 1982 R100 for the short sporty rides, and because it's not worth much $$ anyhow.

 

[madmike2]

I looked at Cycle Trader today. In NorCal there is a company called OTD (Out The Door) and they sell an FJR A-model for $12,199...out the door, no set up and including license and tax.

IIRC, the MSRP is $13,899.

And your dealer wants MSRP plus set-up and applicable fees?!?!?! :blink: