Il Maiale
09-06-2005, 20:42
Just got back from a 2-up 6000+ mile trip on my R12RT.. Bike currently has 13500 miles on it and is running great.. Bike has radio, bags and large top box (no esa). Some quick impressions...
Power is good down low, but requires some excessive clutch slippage when fully loaded.. Top end rush is new for a boxer twin (I'm coming off a R1150RS) and bike seems to want to pull past redline, but limiter kicks in. Redline is no problem in 5th gear, and 6th seems to want to pull redline as well, if road was long enough. It's not an FJR 13, but it's closer then the old RT.
Chassis works great!! Bike turns in quicker then the RS. Handles a full load of luggage\passenger without complaint. Stable fully loaded to top end. It's amazing how much the bike holds loaded. Shock is at max preloaded fully loaded (500+ rider, passenger, luggage) and bottoms occasionally. Front end seems to have more feel then past Telelevers. Brakes work well, servo's aren't as noticeable as the 1150's. Rear is separate from the front (when rear peddle is used), otherwise they are linked to front lever.
Mileage has been highs of 48 mpg (no top box, solo, under light speed) to lows of 41-42 mph loaded, 2 up, high speed travel. Reserve light comes on showing ~46 miles left. Once zeroed, tank takes ~5.8-5.9.. @ 45 mpg that gives me 280+. On the trip to Hyder, I ran for 20 miles on zero with out issue, and tank took 6.1. I have mentioned to dealer and the BMW rep states the tank doesn't quite hold 7.1, but wasn't committing to a real volume. I guess someone needs to run it dry and fill up to get the true useable volume.
Air flow management is excellent. Fairing punches a clean hole in the air, with little to no buffet.. Air is clean over the top of the hands and brushes the outer edges of my arms (I'm 6'4", 210). Air goes over shoulders and is fairly clean around helmet.. For me, windshield is a couple of inches short, and I've installed a prototype extender which gives me an almost perfect bubble. In high temp's (90's +) it gets a little warm behind the fairing, but that's the price to pay for the amount of air that is moved away from you.. In cooler temp's, it's great..
Mirror's are OK when riding solo, though you do loose the top of the mirror to a view of your gloves. When riding 2-up a bit more of your rearward vision gets lost to the passengers legs.. I was running Helen 2 Wheels bags on top of the saddle bags for this trip, and at that point you can't see behind the bike at all.. I could still use them to pass (and see the lane next to me), but to view behind the bike I stopped and purchased an 1150 mirror that mounts onto the master cylinder..
Seat is good for a stocker, but the Bill Mayer saddle is much better. Plenty of room for rider-passenger, and pillion reports nothing but praise for seat and wind protection in the pillion position. Heated seats are a great addition. Handle bars seem just a hair lower then the 1150RT, but are basically identical. Controls are easy to reach, and the cruise control works the nuts. Fairing cutouts for the knees give you much more room then the 11xxRT.
Radio has poor reception when out in fringe areas, new radio is on order from BMW (warranty).. Radio controls work well, and XM sounds great through the system. Baehr intercom hooks right up, if you use the radio pigtail for the 1150RT (cable is just long enough, could be longer).
Headlight is a vast improvement over my RS's, and throw's a good beam. With high beam, all three lamps are lit. Considering HID's, but it's not a priority at the moment. High beam could be better.
Dash is easy to read, and dimming feature is nice to have to set night lights to taste. LED Info screen can be hard to see in shaded situations, otherwise is easy to see.
Info Computer is a nice to have, not necessary. Oil level indicator is spastic, sometimes coming on even though the oil level is fine..Air Temperature reading seems to be 8-10 degrees low, compared to other thermometers (will be next service complaint).
Over all I am highly impressed with the bike and see alot of miles ahead..
Ride Safe!
Power is good down low, but requires some excessive clutch slippage when fully loaded.. Top end rush is new for a boxer twin (I'm coming off a R1150RS) and bike seems to want to pull past redline, but limiter kicks in. Redline is no problem in 5th gear, and 6th seems to want to pull redline as well, if road was long enough. It's not an FJR 13, but it's closer then the old RT.
Chassis works great!! Bike turns in quicker then the RS. Handles a full load of luggage\passenger without complaint. Stable fully loaded to top end. It's amazing how much the bike holds loaded. Shock is at max preloaded fully loaded (500+ rider, passenger, luggage) and bottoms occasionally. Front end seems to have more feel then past Telelevers. Brakes work well, servo's aren't as noticeable as the 1150's. Rear is separate from the front (when rear peddle is used), otherwise they are linked to front lever.
Mileage has been highs of 48 mpg (no top box, solo, under light speed) to lows of 41-42 mph loaded, 2 up, high speed travel. Reserve light comes on showing ~46 miles left. Once zeroed, tank takes ~5.8-5.9.. @ 45 mpg that gives me 280+. On the trip to Hyder, I ran for 20 miles on zero with out issue, and tank took 6.1. I have mentioned to dealer and the BMW rep states the tank doesn't quite hold 7.1, but wasn't committing to a real volume. I guess someone needs to run it dry and fill up to get the true useable volume.
Air flow management is excellent. Fairing punches a clean hole in the air, with little to no buffet.. Air is clean over the top of the hands and brushes the outer edges of my arms (I'm 6'4", 210). Air goes over shoulders and is fairly clean around helmet.. For me, windshield is a couple of inches short, and I've installed a prototype extender which gives me an almost perfect bubble. In high temp's (90's +) it gets a little warm behind the fairing, but that's the price to pay for the amount of air that is moved away from you.. In cooler temp's, it's great..
Mirror's are OK when riding solo, though you do loose the top of the mirror to a view of your gloves. When riding 2-up a bit more of your rearward vision gets lost to the passengers legs.. I was running Helen 2 Wheels bags on top of the saddle bags for this trip, and at that point you can't see behind the bike at all.. I could still use them to pass (and see the lane next to me), but to view behind the bike I stopped and purchased an 1150 mirror that mounts onto the master cylinder..
Seat is good for a stocker, but the Bill Mayer saddle is much better. Plenty of room for rider-passenger, and pillion reports nothing but praise for seat and wind protection in the pillion position. Heated seats are a great addition. Handle bars seem just a hair lower then the 1150RT, but are basically identical. Controls are easy to reach, and the cruise control works the nuts. Fairing cutouts for the knees give you much more room then the 11xxRT.
Radio has poor reception when out in fringe areas, new radio is on order from BMW (warranty).. Radio controls work well, and XM sounds great through the system. Baehr intercom hooks right up, if you use the radio pigtail for the 1150RT (cable is just long enough, could be longer).
Headlight is a vast improvement over my RS's, and throw's a good beam. With high beam, all three lamps are lit. Considering HID's, but it's not a priority at the moment. High beam could be better.
Dash is easy to read, and dimming feature is nice to have to set night lights to taste. LED Info screen can be hard to see in shaded situations, otherwise is easy to see.
Info Computer is a nice to have, not necessary. Oil level indicator is spastic, sometimes coming on even though the oil level is fine..Air Temperature reading seems to be 8-10 degrees low, compared to other thermometers (will be next service complaint).
Over all I am highly impressed with the bike and see alot of miles ahead..
Ride Safe!