Greetings all,
On 4/11/12, I received the long awaited phone call from my friendly Sales Advisor, who informed me that my brand-new, 2012 - R 1200 RT arrived at my chosen BMW dealership. I picked up the bike on Friday, 4/13/12.
By way of brief background, I ordered my bike on 01/13/2012, and picked it up, three months later, to the day. The bike took just two days shy of 90 days from order to delivery.
I ordered the following options: Midnight Blue, Heated Seats/Grips; OBC, Extra Accessory Socket, Chrome Exhaust, Cruise, Standard Suspension/Seat.
My first impression was that the color is beautiful. There is a beautiful green hue in the metallic paint. It is lighter than the dark blue found on the new K1600 series.
The entire process took less than one hour from meeting my Sales Associate, to finishing up w/the Finance Manager/Sales Manager. Quick and easy!
My Sales Associate took me through the introduction of the bike's nuances and options/features, and then the highly anticipated moment arrived... I hopped on the bike, and headed east towards Ohio.
Heading home, I did not baby the bike, but I did not abuse it either. I got on the highway and as Hopz eloquently says, I did the Eyetalian break-in. I stayed below 5500 RPMS though, and let the engine compression break speed...
The first hour ride was comfortable. During the second hour, my arse started feeling a little uncomfortable. The OEM seat is just too narrow, and just too soft! I did not expect a soft seat on a German bike. Heck, their car seats are firm, just the way I like it. A new seat will be in the cards, soonest.
My only complaints/gripes follow:
I did not expect to lean forward as much as I do. The OEM seat seems to push my privates into the gas tank, and I feel as though my body tends to lean into the gas tank. I have to re-position myself at times, just to give my privates a rest, lol.
The windscreen provides little comfort. I was surprised at this! I recall my Sales Assoc mentioning that the windshield is more for the passenger's comfort... I expected a nice pocket of calmness, but the OEM windshield, even in the highest setting, caused my helmet to get hit with bug guts. I thought this was an anomaly, considering the improvements to the OEM windshield, post the 2010 MY RT, but when I rode the bike without a helmet on Sunday, I lost my sun glasses. Granted, it was windy yesterday (Sunday).
I will consider bar risers and a peg lowering kit with forward mounted leg rests in the future. I'm about 5'-11 1/2"/215# with long arms (34 1/2") and 32" leg inseam. I love mechanical noises, and as a result, I will be on the look out for a choice sounding aftermarket exhaust slip on. I can't help it, I just love ear candy!
I was surprised that the bike only requires 89 octane. My Sales Assoc informed me that 92/93 can cause the gas lines to warp, due to extra detergents and alcohol added...(I think that is what he said?) Sure enough, the gas tank indicates fuel requirement: 89 octane...
Comparo to my 2010 H-D FLHX - Street Glide:
I was invited to go along a motorcycle ride yesterday morning (Sunday). I opted for the H-D, knowing it might be a long day in the saddle. Long & short, the ride was over 200 miles, and frankly, I'm glad I went w/my the H-D. In essence, these two bikes can't be anymore different. Different tools for different jobs. Mind you, I have my Street Glide built as an Ultra, w/all the lowers, comfort seat, large windshield, backrest, Enhanced Stereo, 2>1 performance exhaust,
Big Bore Kit w/Cams, etc...
To draw an analogy, the BMW is a fine German sports sedan (5 Series BMW) and the H-D, is like a four door, F150 Ford Truck w/all the bells and whistles.
If I had to choose one bike over the other, it would be a difficult decision. They are that different. I'm fortunate to have both. When I feel frisky, I'll take the RT, when I feel like putzing along, I'll take the Street Glide.
You can sense the enormous difference in wet weight, amongst the two. The BMW is soooo light in comparo. It is also considerably taller too! Again, they can't be more different. It is unfair to even compare these two bikes.
I love the cornering clearance of the BMW. I prefer the BMW over the H-D in the twisties. I also appreciate the overall superior performance the RT has over the H-D. Not even close! In the end, absolutely no regrets. I love my BMW!
So, there you have have it; my humble observations...
I'll advise the BMW LT Forum that this thread will be posted here...
Cheers/Auf Wiedersehen,
Bennie B.
On 4/11/12, I received the long awaited phone call from my friendly Sales Advisor, who informed me that my brand-new, 2012 - R 1200 RT arrived at my chosen BMW dealership. I picked up the bike on Friday, 4/13/12.
By way of brief background, I ordered my bike on 01/13/2012, and picked it up, three months later, to the day. The bike took just two days shy of 90 days from order to delivery.
I ordered the following options: Midnight Blue, Heated Seats/Grips; OBC, Extra Accessory Socket, Chrome Exhaust, Cruise, Standard Suspension/Seat.
My first impression was that the color is beautiful. There is a beautiful green hue in the metallic paint. It is lighter than the dark blue found on the new K1600 series.
The entire process took less than one hour from meeting my Sales Associate, to finishing up w/the Finance Manager/Sales Manager. Quick and easy!
My Sales Associate took me through the introduction of the bike's nuances and options/features, and then the highly anticipated moment arrived... I hopped on the bike, and headed east towards Ohio.
Heading home, I did not baby the bike, but I did not abuse it either. I got on the highway and as Hopz eloquently says, I did the Eyetalian break-in. I stayed below 5500 RPMS though, and let the engine compression break speed...
The first hour ride was comfortable. During the second hour, my arse started feeling a little uncomfortable. The OEM seat is just too narrow, and just too soft! I did not expect a soft seat on a German bike. Heck, their car seats are firm, just the way I like it. A new seat will be in the cards, soonest.
My only complaints/gripes follow:
I did not expect to lean forward as much as I do. The OEM seat seems to push my privates into the gas tank, and I feel as though my body tends to lean into the gas tank. I have to re-position myself at times, just to give my privates a rest, lol.
The windscreen provides little comfort. I was surprised at this! I recall my Sales Assoc mentioning that the windshield is more for the passenger's comfort... I expected a nice pocket of calmness, but the OEM windshield, even in the highest setting, caused my helmet to get hit with bug guts. I thought this was an anomaly, considering the improvements to the OEM windshield, post the 2010 MY RT, but when I rode the bike without a helmet on Sunday, I lost my sun glasses. Granted, it was windy yesterday (Sunday).
I will consider bar risers and a peg lowering kit with forward mounted leg rests in the future. I'm about 5'-11 1/2"/215# with long arms (34 1/2") and 32" leg inseam. I love mechanical noises, and as a result, I will be on the look out for a choice sounding aftermarket exhaust slip on. I can't help it, I just love ear candy!
I was surprised that the bike only requires 89 octane. My Sales Assoc informed me that 92/93 can cause the gas lines to warp, due to extra detergents and alcohol added...(I think that is what he said?) Sure enough, the gas tank indicates fuel requirement: 89 octane...
Comparo to my 2010 H-D FLHX - Street Glide:
I was invited to go along a motorcycle ride yesterday morning (Sunday). I opted for the H-D, knowing it might be a long day in the saddle. Long & short, the ride was over 200 miles, and frankly, I'm glad I went w/my the H-D. In essence, these two bikes can't be anymore different. Different tools for different jobs. Mind you, I have my Street Glide built as an Ultra, w/all the lowers, comfort seat, large windshield, backrest, Enhanced Stereo, 2>1 performance exhaust,
Big Bore Kit w/Cams, etc...
To draw an analogy, the BMW is a fine German sports sedan (5 Series BMW) and the H-D, is like a four door, F150 Ford Truck w/all the bells and whistles.
If I had to choose one bike over the other, it would be a difficult decision. They are that different. I'm fortunate to have both. When I feel frisky, I'll take the RT, when I feel like putzing along, I'll take the Street Glide.
You can sense the enormous difference in wet weight, amongst the two. The BMW is soooo light in comparo. It is also considerably taller too! Again, they can't be more different. It is unfair to even compare these two bikes.
I love the cornering clearance of the BMW. I prefer the BMW over the H-D in the twisties. I also appreciate the overall superior performance the RT has over the H-D. Not even close! In the end, absolutely no regrets. I love my BMW!
So, there you have have it; my humble observations...
I'll advise the BMW LT Forum that this thread will be posted here...
Cheers/Auf Wiedersehen,
Bennie B.