Long-term reliability of BMW RTs

[Anonymous]

#3394

I'm returning to motorcycling after a long break and looking to purchase a BMW RT 1150 or 1200 (focusing on models from 2002-2006 which are in my price range). Having done quite a bit of internet based research it's clear that the BMW RT is the best overall bike relative to the other sports tourers in this class, but my main concern is that BMW RT starter motors, clutches, shaft drives and even gear boxes may not make it to 160k. After shelling out the cash for the bike, I'd like to avoid a major repair for a while... Is this a false impression about the long-term reliability of RTs or is there substance to it? It's a major consideration in view of the Honda ST1300's stellar reputation for reliability (which is the only other option I'd consider).I'd appreciate your thoughts/experiences in this regard.Thanks,Brian

[Russell Taylor]

#14033

If the RTs are properly serviced and used for the purpose they are designed for, they are stellar in reliability.Trouble is, people rarely use them as designed.For example, the Police have to replace clutches frequently as they way they use them is very hard on both brakes and clutches.If you can find one with a good service and use record, it's be worth considering. I wouldn't buy one that I had any doubts about the use of it though.On the up side, most people who pay that much (new price) for a bike look after it. The RT is not a sports bike, so in the main they don't get bought by thrill seekers.Just my experience.

[Dave Morris]

#14034

If the RTs are properly serviced and used for the purpose they are designed for, they are stellar in reliability.Trouble is, people rarely use them as designed.For example, the Police have to replace clutches frequently as they way they use them is very hard on both brakes and clutches.If you can find one with a good service and use record, it's be worth considering. I wouldn't buy one that I had any doubts about the use of it though.On the up side, most people who pay that much (new price) for a bike look after it. The RT is not a sports bike, so in the main they don't get bought by thrill seekers.Just my experience.

Polices problem is there roiders cant ride.smooooooooooooooth is he name of the game

[Anonymous]

#14035

Thanks for the replies. Just in case anyone is interesting here are some links to:BMW R1150RT/R1200RT vs Honda 1300 comparisons on US based sports tourer forums for BMW RT and Honda ST owners.http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=422325#Post422325http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=275393&page=1threadhttp://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19185http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27835http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64758Because the motorcycle population of the US is so much larger it's interesting reading the experiences of quite a large number of owners of these bikes. Many have owned both successively, and a few lucky ones own both currently.Much could be said but the upshot appears to be that although both Honda St and BMW RTs are superb bikes, overall the BMW R1200RTs are better bikes (although obviously not uniformly in all areas) BUT with respect to maintenance costs and long-term reliability Honda St wins by a big margin. This point is generally conceded by both ST and BMW owners, with many ST owners (many of them ex-BMW owners) saying what great motorcycles the BMW R1200RTs are and what a pity it is that they have long-term reliability issues. RTs are generally reliable if maintained regularly and well, but even then there are many stories of major mechanical failures. What is remarkable is the complete absence of such stories about Honda STs.How things have changed since I road Jap sports bikes in the 1970s and 1980s when BMW had a legendary reputation for reliability unmatched by any other manufacturer! In 2010 it's the Honda ST V4 with the legendary reputation for reliability and BMW RT that generates excitement for its performance in other areas (handling - especially two up, telelever/paralever/ESA suspension, superior aerodynamics, the unique 'character' and 'feel'  created by the boxer, comfort, luggage capacity and ease of use, fuel economy, relatively light weight, and better looks). In contrast, the ST is often described by both ST and RT owners as boring but reliable just like BMWs were back in the day. 😀

[Russell Taylor]

#14036

Here's a thought re the RT clutch issue.To replace a clutch on a 1200RT you have to pull the bike in half. I have photos of such a dismantle, and you'd cry if I could find them and post them. It costs circa $1300-$1500 to replace an RT clutch, due to having to almost fully dismantle the bike to get to it. It's a dry clutch and doesn't like a slow speed hammering.On the other hand, the Yamaha FZR1300 has a wet clutch which can be changed by leaning the bike over, removing a cover and some bolts, replacing the clutch, replacing the cover and standing the bike back up. Easy. What it means is that the maintenance cost for a Beemer is huge if you are unlucky enough to need the big ticket maintenance items.On the up side though, my 1150GS has recently been pulled in half for another reason, and the clutch was hardly worn-in after 60K.I refer back to my original point, the BMWs are sensational at what they are designed for, but if you don't do the maintenance and mistreat them, they don't like it at all.Still, what bike does? It's just that flogging a Honda or Yamaha and fixing it costs less than flogging an RT and fixing it. If you'r not going to flog it, the Beemer is a gem.As always, you could just throw another lager down, forget the practicalities of it and buy the Beemer you have always wanted. If we only ever bought bikes for purely practical reasons, how dull would that be. And how many Harleys would ever get sold?So there.

[David]

#14037

I'm over 130k on my 2000 R1100RT and have done paralever bearings, a front wheel bearing and an ABS sensor (my finger trouble). I do all servicing myself except brake fluid replacement which I get Experience to do every 2 years. Note Honda ST service periods are every 6k while RT is every 10k, give or take 10%, so the total ongoing servicing cost is less. I'm a boxer fan because it talks to you, the other sewing machine engines become boring after a while and there is a need to flick it for something else. In January I had the RT on the back straight at Pukekohe at 195km/h (max design speed) on its 10th birthday as it ticked over 127k! I trust it implicitly. I rode for Transit during holiday weekends for the past 5 years in heavy traffic, lots of clutch slip, and have adjusted the cable once. The Gerrmans haven't let me down once!She's a keeper!

[Anonymous]

#14038

I'm over 130k on my 2000 R1100RT and have done paralever bearings, a front wheel bearing and an ABS sensor (my finger trouble). I do all servicing myself except brake fluid replacement which I get Experience to do every 2 years. Note Honda ST service periods are every 6k while RT is every 10k, give or take 10%, so the total ongoing servicing cost is less. I'm a boxer fan because it talks to you, the other sewing machine engines become boring after a while and there is a need to flick it for something else. In January I had the RT on the back straight at Pukekohe at 195km/h (max design speed) on its 10th birthday as it ticked over 127k! I trust it implicitly. I rode for Transit during holiday weekends for the past 5 years in heavy traffic, lots of clutch slip, and have adjusted the cable once. The Gerrmans haven't let me down once!She's a keeper!

I agree about the boxer engine. The other standard road bike engines are boring.

[Anonymous]

#14039

Re R1100RTswing arm bearings don't last long, pivot bolts sometimes wear instead splines like a lube while you are at itfuel pumps lasts about 70,000 kmfront disks get sloppy and need new buttons getting close to 80,000 kmknow nowt on the newer modelshttp://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~maxlev/images/RT.JPG

[Russell Taylor]

#14040

I've tried to post this a couple of times. Hope this one works.Clutch job on a 1200RT

[Russell Taylor]

#14041

Clutch job pic 2

[peter.trub]

#14042

How to do a clutch job on a beemer, start at the back and work your way towards the front until you find it  😮Ok so opposed to a japper with a wet clutch where you take off a cover and you are in this sounds bad.  😥 Hang about though  😉How replace the spark plugs on a four cylinder Jappa, first dismantle (without scratching please) a shit load of fairings and covers, remove fuel tank keep going in until you find the engine  😕To replace the plugs on an R series, first find a comfortable stool  😀You get my drift, you can focus on the whole picture or just look at the poorly painted bits  😀

[honeybear.2399]

#14043

How to do a clutch job on a beemer, start at the back and work your way towards the front until you find it  😮Ok so opposed to a japper with a wet clutch where you take off a cover and you are in this sounds bad.  😥 Hang about though  😉How replace the spark plugs on a four cylinder Jappa, first dismantle (without scratching please) a shit load of fairings and covers, remove fuel tank keep going in until you find the engine  😕To replace the plugs on an R series, first find a comfortable stool  😀You get my drift, you can focus on the whole picture or just look at the poorly painted bits  😀

And to replace a battery on a R1100s ?

[Anonymous]

#14044

Phil asked: “And to replace a battery on a R1100s ?”Take a packed lunch, you'll be a while.  That's why my handy-dandy solar maintainer is my best friend.  Bike backs into garage and gets plugged up to life support straight away, to prolong the battery life and put off the evil hour as long as possible.

[honeybear.2399]

#14045

Phil asked: "And to replace a battery on a R1100s ?"Take a packed lunch, you'll be a while.  That's why my handy-dandy solar maintainer is my best friend.  Bike backs into garage and gets plugged up to life support straight away, to prolong the battery life and put off the evil hour as long as possible.

I use a battery minder, I'm not as "green" as you. 👿 Regards Phil

[Anonymous]

#14046

Battery replacement on the 1100S is not that hard:  seat, the two side fairings, and two bolts out of the tank – prop the tank up and whip the battery out – about 15 minutes. about another 15 to put it all back together. I put an odessey PC310 in mine recently a paultry 2.7 kg compared to that 5 kg monster that was in there. Cranks the bike just fine just needed a minor mod to the battery holder.  With this and exhaust mods the bike is at least 10kg lighter

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