R1200RT - High mileage thoughts?
Discussion
My boy is starting a new school, of course the route entails congestion on either leg. My logic tells me that I should ditch my seldom used FZS600 and get a more solid bike with more power. However, as I don't want to spend too much I've been looking at options and it seems as though a high mileage RT is a good option as it'll enable us to go away occasionally in comfort, too.
£3-£4k buys a good example at around 70k+ mileage with full BMW service history. I have heard of issues with gear box leaks and with the brake servos. What does the collective think... take a punt and maintain it with BMW with a warranty?
Perhaps consider another grand or so for 40k mileage options?
£3-£4k buys a good example at around 70k+ mileage with full BMW service history. I have heard of issues with gear box leaks and with the brake servos. What does the collective think... take a punt and maintain it with BMW with a warranty?
Perhaps consider another grand or so for 40k mileage options?
bolidemichael said:
My boy is starting a new school, of course the route entails congestion on either leg. My logic tells me that I should ditch my seldom used FZS600 and get a more solid bike with more power. However, as I don't want to spend too much I've been looking at options and it seems as though a high mileage RT is a good option as it'll enable us to go away occasionally in comfort, too.
£3-£4k buys a good example at around 70k+ mileage with full BMW service history. I have heard of issues with gear box leaks and with the brake servos. What does the collective think... take a punt and maintain it with BMW with a warranty?
Perhaps consider another grand or so for 40k mileage options?
This is how far you have to strip an airhead when a gearbox seal goes, A Honda ST has its issues but they're a better bet than the BMW, Obviously this a GS but you get the idea (and there was no bolts left over after it was finished, this bike had less than 40k on it with full main dealer history.£3-£4k buys a good example at around 70k+ mileage with full BMW service history. I have heard of issues with gear box leaks and with the brake servos. What does the collective think... take a punt and maintain it with BMW with a warranty?
Perhaps consider another grand or so for 40k mileage options?
Edited by tdm34 on Friday 2nd April 20:17
I think a GTR1400, FJR1300 or a Pan would probably be a damn sight less problematic, I have been looking at big tourers quite a lot recently as I want to do some European travel next year and the R1200RT was on my radar, until I visited a few forums, and I remembered that pic above of the GS, I'd not want one out of warranty but they do look great and fit for purpose.
Very interesting posts. The journey isn't taxing, a mile on either side before we get to a dual carriageway three lane trunk road, 50 into nationals for a ten/fifteen mile stretch.
I wouldn't be taking him every day either, just when we're running late, for example, in which instance something with luggage would be handy and also something that looks a little smarter than my good old Fazer.
Ideally, something that doesn't have an inline four as I've owned two now and want to experience something different that can hustle when necessary. I would be tempted by an FJR or a K1200S, but I'd rather not.
The BMW warranty would cover the gearbox seal, would it not?
I wouldn't be taking him every day either, just when we're running late, for example, in which instance something with luggage would be handy and also something that looks a little smarter than my good old Fazer.
Ideally, something that doesn't have an inline four as I've owned two now and want to experience something different that can hustle when necessary. I would be tempted by an FJR or a K1200S, but I'd rather not.
The BMW warranty would cover the gearbox seal, would it not?
My strategy right now is a high mileage, FBMWSH example then stick a warranty on it and maintain it at BMW bush bash bosh, a good bike with a good maintenance plan.
I'd love a VFR1200F, but they're over £6k.
EDIT: Quick check on AT tells me they're available from £4,200. I'm scratching my chin.
I'd love a VFR1200F, but they're over £6k.
EDIT: Quick check on AT tells me they're available from £4,200. I'm scratching my chin.
bolidemichael said:
My strategy right now is a high mileage, FBMWSH example then stick a warranty on it and maintain it at BMW bush bash bosh, a good bike with a good maintenance plan.
I'd love a VFR1200F, but they're over £6k.
EDIT: Quick check on AT tells me they're available from £4,200. I'm scratching my chin.
Please a high mileage BMW with warranty will be a stretch, you'll struggle to get decent cover, for around £4-5k i'd be looking at a PAN, FJR or left field a Honda CB1300F (the faired model) I owned a naked version for over 3 years and did nearly 40k on it taking it to nearly 60k, apart for a throttle cable and the cabling from the rec/reg getting damaged due to a clip breaking, it never missed a beat, oil change every 5000 miles, comfy, grunty, great handling classic looks and plenty available at your spending limit.I'd love a VFR1200F, but they're over £6k.
EDIT: Quick check on AT tells me they're available from £4,200. I'm scratching my chin.
Don't be too worried with it having a chain, mine had a scottoiler fitted from new, and had just about worn out its second chain when I got rid..
I checked the valve clearances at 30k, 45k and again just before I got rid at 60k and not one had drifted, that for me say's all you need to know about the engine, and the Handling is deceptive.
Edited by tdm34 on Friday 2nd April 21:42
Personally I wouldn’t buy that mileage in this country. Maybe in a warm climate country I’d consider it. It’s not the engine, it all the other stuff that gets salt, rain and crud on it.
Have a look at a Honda CBF-1000. There is a 22,000 miler on Autotrader now for £3300, with Honda panniers and an aftermarket top box.
Have a look at a Honda CBF-1000. There is a 22,000 miler on Autotrader now for £3300, with Honda panniers and an aftermarket top box.
Edited by Iminquarantine on Friday 2nd April 22:44
Thanks, but these suggestions are for inline fours, which I'd rather not get.
This high mileage example of an RT caught my imagination.
This high mileage example of an RT caught my imagination.
They're a good solid bike, and can be fun to ride (despite appearances!) but expensive to put right if they do go wrong.
Interesting looking at the prices of those older ones. I have a 2012 RT SE with 42k on it, on the plus side it's had a new clutch with all the seals done at the same time about 6k miles ago, plus a suspension refresh, on the downside it was a Cat D in 2017 (I was riding it at the time, I was literally pushed over by a car at walking pace, it has no more damage than a few scratches and that's it; I continued to use it daily afterwards so I will never understand how they wrote it off). I used it all year round for commuting until lockdown last March, so it's seen some weather and it's not cosmetically perfect, but I was under the impression that was worth about £4k as it stands.
The replacement clutch was £1350 at a well-respected indie. I think BMW wanted about £1700.
BMW wouldn't warrant it after the write-off, not even with an inspection - that was a specific question on the application.
Interesting looking at the prices of those older ones. I have a 2012 RT SE with 42k on it, on the plus side it's had a new clutch with all the seals done at the same time about 6k miles ago, plus a suspension refresh, on the downside it was a Cat D in 2017 (I was riding it at the time, I was literally pushed over by a car at walking pace, it has no more damage than a few scratches and that's it; I continued to use it daily afterwards so I will never understand how they wrote it off). I used it all year round for commuting until lockdown last March, so it's seen some weather and it's not cosmetically perfect, but I was under the impression that was worth about £4k as it stands.
The replacement clutch was £1350 at a well-respected indie. I think BMW wanted about £1700.
BMW wouldn't warrant it after the write-off, not even with an inspection - that was a specific question on the application.
Completely get the draw of the Beemer but as another twin option, how about a Guzzi?
I went from a GS to a 1200 Sport as just fancied something different. Shaft drive and a lazy twin makes for easy ownership. The Stelvio is their GS take and the Norge more of an RT, both would come with luggage and easy for a passenger.
Your lad might think it's a bit more cool than an RT?
I went from a GS to a 1200 Sport as just fancied something different. Shaft drive and a lazy twin makes for easy ownership. The Stelvio is their GS take and the Norge more of an RT, both would come with luggage and easy for a passenger.
Your lad might think it's a bit more cool than an RT?
LFB531 said:
Completely get the draw of the Beemer but as another twin option, how about a Guzzi?
I went from a GS to a 1200 Sport as just fancied something different. Shaft drive and a lazy twin makes for easy ownership. The Stelvio is their GS take and the Norge more of an RT, both would come with luggage and easy for a passenger.
Your lad might think it's a bit more cool than an RT?
Both the Stelvio and the Norge are ones that I've been watching for a while. Some I keep being drawn back to the Griso... there's also a Moto Morini Granpasso for sale which is quite left field and interesting. I went from a GS to a 1200 Sport as just fancied something different. Shaft drive and a lazy twin makes for easy ownership. The Stelvio is their GS take and the Norge more of an RT, both would come with luggage and easy for a passenger.
Your lad might think it's a bit more cool than an RT?
I can't get over my fetish for the VFR1200F however.
bolidemichael said:
trickywoo said:
Save yourself some headaches and get a 2008 V Strom.
20k miles with full luggage is easily in budget from a dealer.
Nice suggestion, but I want something that'll make me glance back when I park it up. 20k miles with full luggage is easily in budget from a dealer.
Having ridden earlier BMW’s with high mileages, it’s not a good idea. I’m sure there’s plenty of people who will tell you theirs has done 300 million miles but they always seem to forget the bit where 95% of the bike has been replaced at some point.
I like BMW bikes but there tends to be a list of “must do” mods and maintenance which make it nearly as good as a Japanese bike whilst costing you twice as much.
SAS Tom said:
bolidemichael said:
trickywoo said:
Save yourself some headaches and get a 2008 V Strom.
20k miles with full luggage is easily in budget from a dealer.
Nice suggestion, but I want something that'll make me glance back when I park it up. 20k miles with full luggage is easily in budget from a dealer.
Having ridden earlier BMW’s with high mileages, it’s not a good idea. I’m sure there’s plenty of people who will tell you theirs has done 300 million miles but they always seem to forget the bit where 95% of the bike has been replaced at some point.
I like BMW bikes but there tends to be a list of “must do” mods and maintenance which make it nearly as good as a Japanese bike whilst costing you twice as much.
SAS Tom said:
I like BMW bikes but there tends to be a list of “must do” mods and maintenance which make it nearly as good as a Japanese bike whilst costing you twice as much.
I'm on my first BMW. I think that is quite accurate, except the price premium after the mods is probably only about 25%, not 100%. Haven't had it long enough to say about big repairs though. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff