Hello from Pittsburgh Pa

Hello, new member fro Pittsburgh Pa. I've owned a couple BMW's in the past (R1150GS, K1100lt) and enjoyed them but always got scared or angry at expensive parts or potential failures. After riding other machines I realized they were really the only bikes I enjoyed riding and was comfortable on, with the exception of a well set up 98 VFR. I recall 20 years ago seeing people touring on K75's and thinking "they're doing it right". I never identified with the Harley/pirate phenomenon here in the US but have always had a passion for motorbikes.
I'm considering purchasing a used R1200rt and look forward to spending time with some others with a passion for motorbikes.

Welcome to the forum! The R1200RT is an all around good bike, but there are always "issues" but you should be able to settle in well. Good luck on your hunt!

Welcome to the forum, jd. Since you said you were comfortable and liked your "well set-up VFR" perhaps you should be looking at a smaller sport-tourer? An RT is a fine machine, but it is large and heavy compared to my ST. BMWs are fine bikes and that is the basic idea for this entire forum, but so are most other brands, too. Take a look and test-ride on a Honda sport tourer or Yamaha or whatever. If Ducati still made their sport tourers I would recommend that; their Multistrada doesn't fit me well, but it might be perfect for you.

Good luck and keep us posted on your search/journey.

You have a good BMW club in Pittsburgh.

https://www.4windsbmw.org/

Lots of knowledge within that group that you could pull from.

have fun.
jason

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice and welcome. Believe it or not a 2000 VFR is kinda heavy, 463lb wet, and I'm going with a camhead RT which is about 580 or so. I have a little CB500F for jaunts around town looking for something comfy for long trips. Was going to pull the trigger on an FJR but going to try an RT first. FJR is still on my list of bikes to own some day. I did join 4 winds but haven't had the opportunity to meet up for a ride yet.

jd135 said:

Thanks for the advice and welcome. Believe it or not a 2000 VFR is kinda heavy, 463lb wet, and I'm going with a camhead RT which is about 580 or so. I have a little CB500F for jaunts around town looking for something comfy for long trips. Was going to pull the trigger on an FJR but going to try an RT first. FJR is still on my list of bikes to own some day. I did join 4 winds but haven't had the opportunity to meet up for a ride yet.

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Having owned both, I'd go with an RT over the FJR, in a heartbeat.
The FJR is both heavier than the RT and it carries its weight up higher, resulting in less comfort at slow speeds and at stops. The FJR has more power and therefore has more straight-line grunt, but I think the RT has it all over it when the turns get tighter. Finally, my FJR had a miserable buzz right at cruising RPM, and from what I've read, don't think the problem is restricted to my particular bike.
I'm betting that, having ridden an RT, the FJR will ever look so good.