Help me pick, Hexhead or Camhead

[guinness58]

I am a new member but not new to motorcycles, riding since ‘82 while in the Navy. Currently I am on a R1100R I bought in ‘95. After much thought I have decided my next bike will be a RT for multi day trips in Idaho where I am retired. Locally I found an ‘05 bike with 25k miles in great condition for $4,500. My question to the forum should I look instead for a Camhead with the better motor, ESA II and ASC for a higher price? If so, what year? Thank you in advance, all comments welcome.

 

[ahd43]

Can't say much about any other years except a 2012. I put over 75,000 smiles on mine without any real headaches. Replaced the shocks at 50,000 miles ( Tractive ) and 1 coil around 40,000 miles.

 

[etiennelau]

I can only speak to my 2010. I have no regrets. I like the oil cooled low maintenance. ABS, ESA II, heated grips, heated seats.

 

[83014]

If you plan to do your own maintenance, I think you’ll be happy with the camhead. Until I bought my2013 R1200R, I had only owned airheads which are fairly easy for scheduled service. For a modern motorcycle, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the camhead was just as easy. Except for the issue of fuel strips, which affect my model and year, I have no complaints. Different model camheads discontinued the fuel strip in earlier years. I now have the new, improved strip which appears to be doing well. Another member will have to speak about the hexhead.

Doug

 

[skibum69]

I love my '99 R1100S oiled, no issues with 95K km's on it.

 

[brownie0486]

I've chosen two different camheads, an RT and prior the GS. That motor is the culmination of 70+ years of development. The GS was bullet proof, and this 11RT I'm running has exactly the same manners.

 

[51797]

The oilhead is an improvement on the airhead.
The hexhead is an improvement on the oilhead.
The camhead is an improvement on the hexhead.
See where I am going with this?
Buy the newest, lowest mileage bike you can afford. IMHO.

Frank

 

[drneo66]

I'd go with at least a 2009+ Hexhead (no whizzy ABS, better final drive), with a Camhead preferred to that if the budget allows. You're retired, so you have all the time in the world , but I'd rather be riding than wrenching.

 

[guinness58]

I have narrowed it down to a 2012 or 2013. Quick question, I see 8 buttons on the left fairing. What do the buttons do? I think the radio is tied to some of them, cannot find any published info.

 

[kbasa]

I have narrowed it down to a 2012 or 2013. Quick question, I see 8 buttons on the left fairing. What do the buttons do? I think the radio is tied to some of them, cannot find any published info.

It's the radio functions.

I have an '05 and they are a big jump up from the oilheads, especially in terms of power.

 

[brownie0486]

It's the radio functions.

I have an '05 and they are a big jump up from the oilheads, especially in terms of power.

I have the pdf manual on the radio buttons/controls/setting. It's available if one searches for it, that's where I found and downloaded mine

 

[guinness58]

I am looking really hard at a 2012 RT with low miles. In response to a prior response, I can afford a new 2024 but I prefer the ergonomics of the 2010-2013 generation. (Anyone else feel the same?) The bike I am considering has no radio, no ESA II, no ASC, no TPS and no heated seats. Two questions: should I wait for another bike to come along? (I know some of the options are personal preference.) If I do buy the bike, is it worth it to retrofit ASC? I am coming of a 1995 R1100R (bought new) with no ABS so this should be a big leap forward.

 

[brownie0486]

I have narrowed it down to a 2012 or 2013. Quick question, I see 8 buttons on the left fairing. What do the buttons do? I think the radio is tied to some of them, cannot find any published info.

 

[DavidR8]

@guinness58 My search focused on the 2010-2013 model years because I wanted a camhead. My goal was to get the latest possible edition in that year range so I could also avoid the fuel strip issue.
I just picked up a 2013 R1200RT (built March 2013) and couldn't be happier.

 

[DavidR8]

I am looking really hard at a 2012 RT with low miles. In response to a prior response, I can afford a new 2024 but I prefer the ergonomics of the 2010-2013 generation. (Anyone else feel the same?) The bike I am considering has no radio, no ESA II, no ASC, no TPS and no heated seats. Two questions: should I wait for another bike to come along? (I know some of the options are personal preference.) If I do buy the bike, is it worth it to retrofit ASC? I am coming of a 1995 R1100R (bought new) with no ABS so this should be a big leap forward.

I think it all depends on your needs.
ESA is a real treat if you regularly alternate between riding solo or two-up.
If you need to replace the ESA components it will be very expensive. The alternative is to replace with non-ESA components. A non-ESA bike has less to go wrong.
Heated seats are a bit of a luxury but if you ride in cool weather they are nice.
I've never had ASC and my new-to-me 2013 doesn't have it. I have ridden through some truly horrendous conditions (rain and snow) on my ST1300 and never had an issue. I expect retro fitting it would not be cheap.