Considering used RT

[indybob]

Hello everyone. I am considering buying either a 2012 1200 RT with 23,000 miles and asking $8400 or a 2015 1200 RT with 28,000 miles for $11,300. Any thoughts as to which bike and are there issues with one year more than the other. Or, features on one better than the other? Thanks for any insights. I did previously own a 2008 1200RT and loved that bike.

 

[DavidR8]

I looked long and hard before I bought my 2013. I didn't/couldn't consider the 2015+ 'wetheads' as they were out of my price range. I got a smoking deal and am super pleased with my purchase.

 

[indycar]

Hello Bob. Have you ridden both bikes? That, in and of itself, may be the tipping point, all things being equal. The RTW (wethead) brings many improvements - it's not just a refresh. There are lots of threads that cover these issues. What one feels best to you?

I still prefer my camhead (2010), and loved my Hexhead before it (2006). One thing to keep in mind about the 2010 - is it setup to your liking? While it's easy enough to find and use ram mounts, but many of the model specific upgrade items - for instance - oil cooler protectors from Touratech and Wunderlich are no longer made, same with many of their crash bars, and many other RT specific items.

I love my 2010 - now with over 100k. You will enjoy either bike. If money is no issue, there's a lot more bike in the 2015.

Ride them both. If that proves to be a problem, it'll be easy enough to arrange rides locally on both models - shoot me a PM - you won't even have to leave Carmel.

 

[GregoryT]

I looked long and hard before I bought my 2013. I didn't/couldn't consider the 2015+ 'wetheads' as they were out of my price range. I got a smoking deal and am super pleased with my purchase.

2013 was the last RT with air cooled engine, dry clutch and separate transmission with powerful 720 W automotive style alternator.
Basically you can do most of the maintenance on it without having special tools and equipment.
Water cooled boxers requires more labor and tools to perform valve adjustment and some other tasks. They have radiator with water pump and the rest of the good stuff.
In return you getting more horse power with bunch of blow and whistles that you not necessarily asked for.
I was lucky enough to buy brand new, end of production 2013 RT, and so far with around 50K miles on the clock I had no issues - other than factory recall on the switchgear which was covered by BMW.

 

[DavidR8]

2013 was the last RT with air cooled engine, dry clutch and separate transmission with powerful 720 W automotive style alternator.
Basically you can do most of the maintenance on it without having special tools and equipment.
Water cooled boxers requires more labor and tools to perform valve adjustment and some other tasks. They have radiator with water pump and the rest of the good stuff.
In return you getting more horse power with bunch of blow and whistles that you not necessarily asked for.
I was lucky enough to buy brand new, end of production 2013 RT, and so far with around 50K miles on the clock I had no issues - other than factory recall on the switchgear which was covered by BMW.

The ability to do all of my own work without a chest full of specialist tools was a big selling point as well as the relative lack of electronic aids.

 

[indybob]

I looked long and hard before I bought my 2013. I didn't/couldn't consider the 2015+ 'wetheads' as they were out of my price range. I got a smoking deal and am super pleased with my purchase.

Thanks David!

 

[indybob]

Hello Bob. Have you ridden both bikes? That, in and of itself, may be the tipping point, all things being equal. The RTW (wethead) brings many improvements - it's not just a refresh. There are lots of threads that cover these issues. What one feels best to you?

I still prefer my camhead (2010), and loved my Hexhead before it (2006). One thing to keep in mind about the 2010 - is it setup to your liking? While it's easy enough to find and use ram mounts, but many of the model specific upgrade items - for instance - oil cooler protectors from Touratech and Wunderlich are no longer made, same with many of their crash bars, and many other RT specific items.

I love my 2010 - now with over 100k. You will enjoy either bike. If money is no issue, there's a lot more bike in the 2015.

Ride them both. If that proves to be a problem, it'll be easy enough to arrange rides locally on both models - shoot me a PM - you won't even have to leave Carmel.

Thanks Indy! I guess I should change my address lol. We moved from Carmel to Castle Rock, Colorado a couple years ago. Hope you are doing well amidst the heat and humidity back there. I did love riding the roads in southern Indiana. A few more steep hills out this way!
Bob

 

[indybob]

The ability to do all of my own work without a chest full of specialist tools was a big selling point as well as the relative lack of electronic aids.

Good information. Thanks so much.

 

[indybob]

Thanks guys for your input. I purchased the 2015 RT. Liked the ride. The 2012 model was in pretty rough shape. Had obviously been down with several scrapes and abrasions. Rode ok but I decided to go with the one that looked better taken care of.
Bob

 

[jdfog2]

Congrats on your new to you ride from West Central Indiana.

I have a 2013 and I love it but it sounds to me that you made the best selection from what was available.
I hope you post a photo of it

JD

 

[ebell]

Thanks guys for your input. I purchased the 2015 RT. Liked the ride. The 2012 model was in pretty rough shape. Had obviously been down with several scrapes and abrasions. Rode ok but I decided to go with the one that looked better taken care of.
Bob

I have a 2016 R1200RT (it was a demo that I traded for my old 2012 GS), and the RT is just as easy to work on as all of my previous BMWs. Water cooled, wet clutch are what I like best YMMV, and maintained by me every 6,000 miles - the bells and whistles are still ringin' and whistlin' (touch wood). Even if the 2012 that you were considering wasn't junk, I believe you made the correct choice..

 

[Lendog]

Hello everyone. I am considering buying either a 2012 1200 RT with 23,000 miles and asking $8400 or a 2015 1200 RT with 28,000 miles for $11,300. Any thoughts as to which bike and are there issues with one year more than the other. Or, features on one better than the other? Thanks for any insights. I did previously own a 2008 1200RT and loved that bike.

Check out the service records, the 2012 would be easier to service

 

[DavidR8]

Check out the service records, the 2012 would be easier to service

Looks like they bought the 2015 as the 2012 was a "pretty rough".