BMW R1150RT / 1200RT / R1250RT Mega Thread

Yep, it stays on the side stand almost all the time. Also, when you change/check the oil that lets oil drain from the oil pump.

Hi everybody, I have a 2010 RT and would like to know if any of you have put together a better toolkit for your RT. I'm not ready to drop 180.00 (advdesigns.com) or even more for an aftermarket kit just yet. I'm sure they're nice but damn...

I'd like to see your add on's to the stock kit if you have any pics and or suggestions of tools that have come in handy. I have a good tire repair kit and air supply and for now, just the stock tools. BTW, it appears as if BMW has tried to save money by providing a cheaper, less capable kit for the newest bikes. I had an 03 and the kit was better I think.

I bought one of those ready-made kits, and I find it very useful. Some of the things in it I especially like are the sparkplug cap puller, the front axel tool, and the oil filter wrench. There is nothing extraneous in there. Everything has a purpose. It has a nice nylon pouch that everything fits in, that rolls up to a convenient size too. Some people like shopping for individual tools in the hope that they will be saving some money, which is fine. Time is money though.

+1 And a question.... With no stereo, I presume there's no speakers, just empty space waiting for some cool idea to come along and fill it up?

Hey I love my RKA tank bag. Made in the USA. I bought one for my 2002 BMW LT in 2003 and have moved it to a VStrom and now onto my 2010 BMW RT. All I needed to do was change the straps. I have ordered a new map case since the original finally crapped out as well as a new rain cover but that's it. This baby has been on 3 different motorcycles for approximately 40K miles. No complaints here. A fine piece of equipment! Go get one at
www.rka-luggage.com

Cripes! I took off the front wheel and fender and there's a bracket that holds the speedo cable that I can't figure out where it goes.

It's a 1998 R1100RT.

The bracket in question is #11 in this parts fiche.
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMid/B0004365.png?v=03252011

The illustration doesn't help me at all.

Post a pic if you can. I've stared for hours and can't see where it goes.

Center stand mostly. You fire it up, both feet on the pegs, let out the clutch and ride away all in one smooth move! Impresses the Harley dudes I work with!


Hi John

A friend of mine had a GS that would do that. Started when he had about 10,000 miles on it. He thought the cable must have a kink in it so he replaced the cable. It didn't help. I don't know if he ever got it fixed. Bike was sold a few years ago.

This

This thread needs a picture or two every once in a while! How about blasting through Deals Gap on the way back to Georgia from the southern end of the BRP?

[QUOTE

This thread needs a picture or two every once in a while! How about blasting through Deals Gap on the way back to Georgia from the southern end of the BRP?[/QUOTE]

I agree, thanks for the picture looks like alot of fun.
I took mine out to play with the SM bikes recently . Nobody got away from either . The RT is a great bike.

Hey, I've got about 5300 miles on the stock Metz's on my 2010 RT. I was advised by the ace mechanic at my local dealer to run 42 rear and 38 front the day I rode it home. I have kept a close eye on the pressure with my accu-gage because 1, tires are expensive (even if I mount my own), 2 I HATE the oh so familiar roar of a tire that's cupped from improper tire pressure. Wouldn't you know it, mine have been roaring for some time now.

This really pisses me off

Anybody else have a similar problem with the stock tires or tires in general?

+2

It is getting harder to find unique Deals Gap face plant images. Dragging hard parts isn't particularly interesting unless a low side is in progress or imminent. Flying a chair isn't interesting either.

My 2000 R11RT, under the left fairing lower.





Is that it? The fiche appears to show the little grommet which holds the cable.

E

A unique view of my 04 RT....Ya know, I figured out that green algae stuff is REAL slick shit!








Obligatory pic complete with green forest,, running stream, and a well dressed woman



Don J

I have a 1999 RT and was wondering if I could charge my Droid X overnight from the bikes accessory port without draining the mc battery?

Group,
Have a 2003 with Oddysey battery and a battery minder (let's me know the state of the battery charge).
Battery minder starts beeping when the voltage goes below 12.0v.
I ride daily, about 12 - 15 miles each day. Starts fine, no problems.
But, every 2 to 3 days, I have to put the charger on, since the voltage drops below 12.0 v.
So I tested the load on the battery, and the control panel indicator on the right side of cockpit (clock, temperature gauge and fuel gauge) draw collectively 4.5 to 5 amps.
I hooked up the amp meter between the ground and negative terminal, and that was the only fuse that showed current with the ignition turned off.
Is that normal discharge?
Anyone have any experience oe knowledge about this?
It seems to me that his is way too much current going out.
Aside from that, love the RT.

I don't have experience with the R1150, but that seems like a lot of draw to me. Someone with an 1150 is bound to chime in. If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll throw a meter on my R11 and see what it is drawing - I think they have the same instrument cluster, so it should be similar

I have let my R11 sit for a few weeks before and haven't needed to put it on a charger. I installed the quick-connect pigtails on the battery to plug one in, but have never actually used it. On Hondo's question - a cell phone doesn't draw much power at all, so you might be able to get away with charging it on the bike - but of you have a tank bag, you could just charge it while you are riding, and have it full when you arrive - I've done that before.

I was remiss for not posting a pic above. Here's something from a day of exploring after the MotoGP race in Laguna. That is a brand spankin' new K16 behind my humble RT. Owner was nice - he was just out wandering, too - but headed a lot further than we were. Also came across a pair of K12LT's on our way back out on the road - it was an impromptu beemer-fest!

Skitch,

Glad you like your RT. I got mine when I retired from the Army. Be careful riding. There are times when more Soldiers are being killed in motorcycle accidents than in combat.

In answer to some of your questions:

a. The bike has just under 12k miles and has been routinely servced by the local dealer. Anything I should scrutinize mechanically?

Does it sound right? If so, just ride it - hard. I routinely ride from San Francisco to Anaheim and never worry about reliability. Screaming through The Grapevine and dodging the cagers in LA - great fun. You can also take the bike to his shop and as for the service history. At 12K miles, it's just getting broken in.

b. Besides the bike, anything I should make sure i get rom the previous owner (ie owners manual, tool kit, how many keys, etc...)?

Hopefully, he threw them in with the bike. The bike comes with the regular key and smaller wallet key. The keys are coded to work with the ignition so if you have a key ring, that key should be the only key on it. A lot of people put all their keys on their bike key ring. This can put undue stress on the key antenna ring.

c. I really like running with a tank bag. I'm military, and use one to store my ID for use at the base gate. I hate large tank bags (ie the BMW RT bag is too big for me). any suggestions on a different tank bag and/or a good place to keep my ID for easy access?

Get an ICON riders vest. It has an tear-off panel ID card holder. Available from ICON, eBay or the PX and a lot nicer than that dorky safety vest your prolly wearing now. Plus, your combat patches look pretty need sewed on the back. ICON, and others, make different tank bags, put the vest worky for me.

d. I run a Garmin Quest2 GPS on the ST that I'd like to move to the RT. It has the motorcycle mount and hardwire kit. Right now I have it mounted between the bars on the ST via a special adaptor. Any suggestions for mounting this to the RT?

Unless you're good at it, this is one for the dealer.

e. I also run an Escort radar detector in the left fairing pocket of the ST. It was the best/safest/most accessable/weatherproof location i could find on this bike. I have it tied to a radar screamer. Any suggestions for running an Escort on the RT?

Check the BMW Sport Touring forum. Where are you stationed? There may be BMW riders in your area with suggestions.

f. I run PIAA 1100x lights on the ST (fork mounted). I'd like to move them to the RT. Looking for suggestions?

Mine are on the forks, too.

g. I've been a member here at for a while and get most of my BMW info here. Any good RT only forums out there?

www (DOT) bmwsporttouring.com is probably the oldest one on the 'net. A search for BMW motorcycle forums may give some others.

Looking forward to the transistion. I've really enjoyed the ST1300, but it is just time for a change. Always a little tough transitioning, but hopefully you all will give me some ideas to make this easier.

The RT1200R is a great bike. No vices, nothing unexpected, twisty throttle and go fast. ABS will stop you fast. Find an empty parking lot and practice your slow speed skills. The bike will move at walking pace when idling in 1st gear. It will also go all the way to the feeler pegs you won't even feel it until you get there or you notice that the horizon is nearly sideways. Practicing U-turns builds confidence.

Thanks in advance.
Skitch[/QUOTE]

You're welcome. Ride safe

Skred