Thinking of getting a new motorcycle - Opinions on my choice

[Tidybuoy]

I'm thinking of getting a new bike but when I discuss with a couple of co-workers, they keep trying to talk me out of it. They like my current bike.

I currently have a 2016 BMW RNineT. I'm thinking of getting a 2021 BMW R1250RT Sport.

They are totally different bikes and the newer one is more of a cruiser, which is what I mostly do. I like the newer bike because of the modern electronics and creature comforts. The RNineT is very basic, and designed to be that way as it is a retro bike. I like the 10" TFT Screen on the new bike and the fact that everything (gps, phone, apple car play, etc..) is fully integrated to one screen. The newer bike will definately be more comfortable and I can say that when I rode the RNineT from CA to Utah....I was exhausted.

My issue with the newer bike is that it looks bloated and is probably 100lbs heaver than the RNineT. It's gotten better for 2021 but with the bags and front fairing, I'm not sure if I would be able to split lane; one of the best features of riding a bike in heavy traffic, which I experience daily. The newer bike is a water-cooled 1250cc 136hp and the RNineT is an air/oil cooled 1200cc 110hp.

Wondering what some of the bikers think. I've posted a few pics below. I'm a fan of BMW and the boxer engine so I'm not really open to different brands - just models. I think I have plenty of time to decide as it seems the newer bike is not available anywhere (yet). I'm going to sell both of my current bikes which should help offset the price by about 50%.

My current bike(s). Rear bike is the RNineT:


2021 R1250RT Sport:


New "TFT" Dash Screen:

[greglepore]

I had an RT for a bit. Older, 1100. The sport looks like a normal rt with slightly different plastics and bags. The fairing will be no issue splitting, the bags might, but you can leave them at home when you commute and use a topcase or nothing.
They are heavy, I don't see the tft as a big deal, as a phone on a ram works great for gps particularly with a bluetooth helmet. The riding position is likely much different than what you're used to, which can be good or bad.
If its not spec'd with Ohlins but if they're available, spring for them.
But they're well balanced. I kept up with a KTM sportbike (admittedly being ridden conservatively) in the rain, 2 up, all the way from central WVa to SePa on 2 lanes on one memorable ride.

[javadog]

I've never been a fan of the BMW twins, so I'd be in the camp of "something else." My last BMW was a K1200RS, which was too big and heavy and didn't so anything better than the "other brand" alternatives that were 100 lbs. lighter.

I wouldn't buy anything new without sampling the similar offerings from the Japanese 4.

Not what you may want to hear but... I would have also advised against the RNine, as nobody I know that had one kept it very long. Just not a great bike.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by javadog

I've never been a fan of the BMW twins, so I'd be in the camp of "something else." My last BMW was a K1200RS, which was too big and heavy and didn't so anything better than the "other brand" alternatives that were 100 lbs. lighter.

I wouldn't buy anything new without sampling the similar offerings from the Japanese 4.

Not what you may want to hear but... I would have also advised against the RNine, as nobody I know that had one kept it very long. Just not a great bike.

Yeah, mine was heavy as hell too, but the engine was like a turbine, flatest torque curve of any bike I've had.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Yeah, mine was heavy as hell too, but the engine was like a turbine, flatest torque curve of any bike I've had.

I thought mine felt like a tractor. not in a good way. Lowest redline of any bike I have ever owned. Lower than some cars I've owned...

It didn't like turning into corners on the brakes at anything approaching a decent clip, so we parted ways. I didn't want to end up in the scenery and I had plenty of other stuff to ride.

The anticipated comfort and luxury I expected from the thing didn't really pan out. I couldn't ride it a mile further than my 916SPS before my butt told me to get the hell off of it.

[Chocaholic]

Having owned many different BMW’s over the years, you can’t really go wrong as long as you understand what you want. You would miss the light weight, tossability and simplicity of the 9T. But if you need/want wind protection and gadgets, by all means...go for it. Better yet...keep the 9T also if finances allow. You’re definitely comparing different tools. I owned an RT for a season...found it big, heavy and, well...boring. The guy who bought it was in his 70’s. He was thrilled (and I’m in my 60’s).

But, I’m a bit biased...

[flatbutt]

My R11S was the best bike for long haul touring I ever rode, but they're no longer in production. You can get some lower mileage S's for not much money and it is a fabulous platform. It's not a screamer, it doesn't spin up quickly but it's a damn fine machine.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Have owned an ‘85 K100, an ‘01 1100RT and more recently a ‘13 1200GS Adventure. All have been fabulous in different ways. The “flying brick” K was indestructible and a joy to ride but it’s getting hard to find certain parts for them. The RT was great and I’d have thought nothing of hopping on and riding it forever (super comfortable, quiet, quick) EXCEPT I always viewed it as a time bomb due to the output shaft spline issue - if they fail, the bike is a paperweight and to lube them essentially involves taking the entire back end apart - so it’s either +/- 15-20 hours of cursing, busted knuckles and wasted free time to do it, or pay big $$$ to have it done, and while you’re in there you might as well do the clutch (more $$$). That’s what led me to get rid of the bike. I just didn’t feel comfortable knowing it might be ok but might go “whirrrrrrrr” at any time.

The GS is a tank. I love it. It’s shockingly nimble for such a large bike but I have absolute confidence in it to go literally anywhere, anytime. Dirt, tarmac, gravel, little rivers, beach sand, grassy fields, busted up ancient lava flows... it eats them all for lunch. It’s truly a remarkable machine. And I’m not afraid to drop it like a plastic-clad garage queen (considered a 1600GTL but it would’ve been too much polishing and not enough riding - incredible machine though in its own right...)

Depends what you want to do.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Depends what you want to do.

and how much weight you can manage. I'm way too feeble to handle the GS.

[JavaBrewer]

These are fun threads for MC folks, kicking the tires virtually and spending others hard earned cash

I got back into bikes last year and followed a parallel path to Vern just a different brand. I fell in love with the original version of the Ducati Hypermotard, the twin plug 1100. Very minimalist motorcycle as far as technology, no traction/wheelie control other than my wrist. No cruise control or other creature comforts. That said it's an absolute blast as long as I limit the miles on the freeway due to wind vectors from the other vehicles. On quiet roads 80-90 mph is very easy to maintain.

But then I started riding with some work peers who belong to the local BMW MC club. Their weapon of choice is the GS which I still think is pretty ugly but after riding one (more on that) realized that my fear of a ungainly beast were totally unfounded. Once underway the bike is very well balanced and with the right rider can keep up with most any bike on the street. As PoP correctly stated the bike will make you feel like a pro on just about any road type or condition. Within reason of course, it's not ever going to be fun to ride on difficult off road more suited for a dedicated dirt bike. Drop it a couple times in the dirt and the 500+ lbs gets old real fast. Most of these guys are older like me and have decades of experience and also own more dirt orientated bikes for their real off-road days.

So again as stated, really depends on how you envision riding the bike. IMO the GS gives you more options and will hang all day with the GT on the road. Similar technology, not sure the GT has the teleleaver front suspension but guessing it does. That kit is amazing, hard braking before turns and the bike just stays neutral and balanced.

I am planning to add a more GT style bike sometime this year. Of course my peers are heavily trying to influence me on a GS, not the GS Adventure which we all agree is just unnecessary. There are bike rental sites (twistedroad.com and rider-share.com) where there are owners crazy enough to rent their bikes to strangers. You can visit them and see what's available to rent and have a 24hr window to really see if the bike meets your expectations/needs. Insurance is all wrapped in as well. I have rented several late model bikes from TR including the GS. Right now I am trending towards a KTM 1290 Super Duke GT which I currently have in my garage babysitting for a friend It's more sport orientated but has all the gizmos and comfort of the GS just with an extra 50 HP or so. Not ideal for dirt of course but I have ridden it on a trip around soda lake with no problems. No bike can do everything but the GS is damn close.

Edit - for me though the KTM in the picture just ticks the same boxes but in the top down ordering I prefer. It's literally like riding a cruise missile with all the wind protection and comforts. Known as the GT Beast the motor can lug around all day as Clark Kent so friendly and unassuming, but wind it up and it will put on the Superman cape and hammer. All very controllable - as a monster twin provides. YMMV. Also FWIW, I stand all of 5'10" with a 30" inseam and have no troubles with any of these bikes.

So many options to consider. Good luck!

[greglepore]

Those adventure bikes are cool, but not doable with my inseam. Even my Duc ST requires Frey boots (the GTX has a lift of 1.5 inches built in) and a shaved saddle.

[gsxrken]

Vern, have you looked at the RS? The RT is tilted too much to touring IMO. The RS splits the difference very nicely. I love my 2016, which I see has been superseded by the R1250RS.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/bmw/r1250rs/2019/

[Tidybuoy]

My original choice was the 1250 gs (not the adventurer). I don't like the look of the huge gas tank on the GSA. My local dealer is pretty cool and when I bought my RNineT, they let me take it home for a weekend test ride - I never brought it back so that sales method worked.

I'm gonna have to do some shopping to make a decision. I'm not feeling rushed this time since I have a good bike to ride, which I love riding. Trying out the GS or the RT will be good as I have several years on the RNineT now and will really feel the difference. My G310r was a waste of money. I like riding it sometimes but I bought it for my girlfriend to ride. She has moved on and never really rode it anyway. It only has 1000 miles on it and it's time to go.

[JavaBrewer]

BMW also has the XR which is more aligned with the Ducati MS as a street weapon that can venture other places, like the KTM GT I posted.



Sounds like you have a good in with your local dealer. So if you won't budge from the brand then that is the angle to pursue.

[jorian]

If you want to stay in the family, check this one out too.


I think it's the Swiss Army knife in the BMW line-up. Will do most anything. I have ridden one on the street. It is very capable, very fast and will surprise a litre bike.

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/adventure/s1000xr.html

[jorian]

Ha, we think alike Java!

I got rid of my Hypermotard a few years ago. Still miss it. Sold it to buy a Ducati Multistrada

[Steve Carlton]

I started with BMW on a 2000 K1200RS, which was 628 lbs wet. It was a tank, but a great bike for high speed touring. I got a 2002 R1100S like flatbutt had, and it was a great bike, but a big-boned girl- a good sport tourer. Several of us on this board used to hang out on the R1100S/R1200S board here on Pelican. I next got a 2007 R1200S, and that thing was awesome. After that, I got an HP2 Sport, but basically quit riding at the same time. The HP2 is awesome, the pinnacle of sport boxers in my opinion, but I like more touring. I haven't been into bikes for years now, but I totally agree about the boxer motor. It's so sweet, and gets into your soul. I think the R1250RT Sport you're considering would be outstanding, and I wouldn't worry about the 100 lbs- they carry them well. I don't think the luggage would affect lane sharing, either.

I haven't been riding for several years and I haven't tried out the new stuff, so my opinion is more of gut instinct than you're looking for. Hopefully, you can take an RT out for a day or two like you did before.

[MMARSH]

So I've literally put about 400K miles on BMW RTs. I rode them for a living here in Southern California. I started out on a R1100RT, then got a 2004 R1150RT, Then a 2008 R1200RT and finally a 2012 R1200RT. I put over 100K on each one.

I personally didn't begin to like these bikes until the 08 RT. Couldn't stand the motor in the 1100 and 1150. I honestly couldn't understand why somebody would buy those bikes. At that time, my personal bike was a 2004 FJR. It was hands down better then the 1100 and 1150.

Then I got the 1200. Much much better bike. The engine actually felt alittle snappy, the 2012 was even better and I actually enjoyed riding the bike. Once the water cooled motor came out in 2013, that was it. I sold my FJR and bought a GS in 2015...That is is great motor. The 1250 is even better.

In Regards to splitting lanes, its no big deal. The bike is super easy to ride at slow speeds and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised at how well they actually handle.. The K bikes and the R bikes are really different bikes. I much prefer the handling of the R bike... Im not sure how it happened but at some point I kinda turned into a BMW guy I guess, because I had the GS, an HP4 and a dedicated S1000RR track bike. All of them have been super reliable as well, and I straight abuse the GS.

Good luck with your purchase, I don't think you can go wrong with that RT. Even with 8 bikes, My GS is still my go to bike.

[Steve Carlton]

Were you a CHP, Michael?

[911boost]

My issue with the GS was with how tall I am, finding a windshield that didn't beat me up was tough... It was a good bike when I had it, but I went the route of dedicated dirt bike (picking up the GS sucked hard quickly as has been mentioned) and a touring Harley to eat up the highway miles. 15 years later and I still have the same dirt bike and am only on Harley #2.

For fun I added a 900SS from one of our more famous members. It is currently undergoing some motor surgery and I am looking forward to spring.