RTP question

[MOTOR31]

I have noticed there are a number of RTP's now out there for sale as local agencies auction them off. I was wondering, is there anything to be concerned about with these bikes?

I know they have a second battery and obviously changed wiring from a civilian model as well as a single seat. I have seen some already set back to a 2 up format so I am assuming it's just replace the box with a second seat assembly.

Is is a good idea to consider one of these in a low mileage bike (30 to 40k) or should I figure to stay away from them?

Any insight from an owner would be appreciated.

 

[bmwdean]

I have owned two RT-Ps over the years.

If you want a solo bike, an RT-P is fine and kind of neat. If you want to carry a passenger, stick with the civilian RT. Converting an RT-P to dual saddles is an expensive proposition unless you can exhange the many parts needed with the owner of a black civilian RT who wants a solo bike -- LOL.

 

[bdiver]

My bike is a RTP however it never had the back seat trunk but a regular seat, it did have all the wiring though which had been cut in various places to remove "the good stuff". I wanted one that I could take the wife and found it kinda by accident. It had 54K on it and I bought it without being up close and personal. Needless to say I wished I'd been able to really look it over before I purchased it as it wasn't as pristine as I'd have like to have seen it.

It ran rough (surged big time) and crapped out on me 60 miles from where I bought it so the dealer had me towed back and had it fixed the next day. I think it was the hall sensors that went out. In either case once I got it home (1200 miles and 2 days later) I gave it a major tune up, flushed the fluids (engine, tranny, rear end) and it ran great!

If you can find out some of the previous maintenance that would be nice, one of my friends got a low mileage 35-40K RTP and some of the lights didn't work which he had to trouble shoot and after 1 LD ride the final drive went out. He fixed the lights and got a used FD, repainted it and he's really happy with it.

I think it's like any other used bike purchase, sometimes they're great and other times you need to give it a little TLC.

I wouldn't be afraid to get another and probably will again as the wife doesn't ride much at all with me so...

 

[BLACKNWHITE]

Rtp

My son bought an 02 with 35K on it and so far it has been a great bike. Like the extra battery for powering other accessories. He likes the solo look, paint scheme and additional switches. The inner sub frame for the crash bars can make things like changing the alt belt or front shock a little more difficult. He doesn't have the front exterior crash bars but if he did they would add a few more minutes when removing the side tupperware. It gets alot of comments when we stop somewhere.
Tom

 

[BUBBAZANETTI]

i've heard of problems with officers burning up the clutches in the RTPs due to the fact they've been used to wet clutches in previous makes. prob not a problem as i'm sure a dept would keep a bike long enough for it to probably have had the clutch replaced at least once and by that time, the officers would have figured out how to ride the dry clutch.

 

[PGlaves]

Routine maintenance can be a pain on the RTP. The front and rear guards do all sorts of wierd things to get in the way. Example - the guards obstruct removal of the front cover. The guards must come off to replace the front shock. These are not huge obstacles but they do add a few hours to some maintenance tasks.

Also, depending on who did it the removal of the specialized police equipment - lights, siren, etc. may have been done neatly or may resemble a bowl of multi-colored spaghetti. I've seen both kinds.

Be careful!

 

[DJSTEPHENS]

have an 00 & 02

I liked my 2000 so much that I bought another one. I had ment to trade it in, but I had become so attached to it, that I didn't want to trade it. I have converted my 02 over to a dual seater. I think the kit cost me close to five hundred for all new pieces from BMW of grand rapids. It's not that hard of a conversion. Everything else has been pretty easy as well, but the one problem I did have was when I swapped out the shocks to ohlins. The front one is a BEAST! I have 70k on the 00, I baught it with just 35k on it. My 02 had 55k when I bought it, and it's been great as well. I haven't gotten to ride it much though.
The skunk pattern is a bit of a turn off, but I've noticed fewer cars seem to pull out in front of me.

 

[CTHalk]

Carefully check shifting!

I bought a 2000 RTP with 40k miles. Occasionally, it would 'stick' when trying to downshift from 3rd to second (or 2nd into neutral). It would feel as if the shifter locked up. I would then have to de-clutch, grab the clutch again, and blip the throttle, at which point it would shift fine (for a while). I was told it needed a spline lube. Took it apart to find tranny shaft splines like razor blades, and clutch disc splines almost gone! I had to put in a rebuilt gearbox and clutch. I also replaced all the swingarm bearings. It feels like a different bike now! Before, it had a little 'lash' when you let off the gas or hit the gas. No more lash! Be sure to test ride the bike long enough to get it to show any problems. A sure way to get mine to stick was to decelerate to a speed almost slower than normal for the given shift...that really got it to hang. As a note on 'dealer maintained fleet bikes'.... I would guess that the service was fast and sloppy, based on what I found when changing out my parts. I found some bearings with obvious impact damage on them from a punch or other tool. While at a BMW dealer to buy clutch parts, I asked a (younger) mechanic abount the paint dot on the pressure plate. I asked if it was for balance matching the component. He said, 'nah, it's nothing. Just throw it in. I never match that dot to anything when I do a clutch'. I bought the manual. I read it. It said that it is imperative to properly place the paint mark, or severe vibration and engine damage can occur. Hmmm. I wonder how many clutches he did? It is important to do your research or get a warrantee before buying, or be willing to sink another $2,500 into it to remedy a possible tranny problem. A number of RTP owners have reported bad splines.... and many have had no problems. It seems that the oilhead spline problem is random. Either a bike is good for many miles...or it has spline problems. Research 'transmission splines', you will find plenty of reading material. As far as riding, I love the bike. I was out with some HD and Japanese cruiser buddies, and found some twisty back roads. They almost went off the road trying to stay with me, and I am a conservative (slow) rider. If you get a good one, you will like it. Good luck with it! Hal in CT