BMW R1100RT reviews

I've had the bike for over a year now and put about 12k on it. I like it better as time goes on. I had a hard time with the bike at low speeds for a while, but experience has relieved that problem a lot. Amsoil in the transmission has helped with rough shifting. $320 tires are required every 7,500 miles or so. I ride with several groups. This is still one of the most advanced bikes around. It has ABS, weather protection, and handling. Show less

i purchased the bike new in 97. no it won't run toe to toe with the road rockets but they won't take long freeway runs like the bmw. no it isn't as comfy as the gold wings but it smokes them in the twisties. biggest complaints are the seat which gives you a wicked butt ache before you need gas and if you do your own maintenance, the fairing is a pain in the rump. 50 mpg and the huge gas tank means the low fuel indicator doesn't come on until the odometer reads 300 miles and then you still have another gallon. 30000 miles on this beemer and no signs it will ever quit. Show less

I owned my new (1999) R1100RT for 10,500 miles. During this time I never got quite used to the clunky shifting and surging engine. My dealer could not correct these problems. The RT has great handling, braking and legendary BMW reliability. However, I could not accept the aforementioned flaws in a $16k machine, not to mention a BMW. To BMW's credit, the company has corrected these before releasing the new R1150RT. I replaced my '99 RT with a new (2001) Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard. Also, I continue to ride my trusty '79 R1100RS, which now has over 90k miles. Show less

I bought this bike two years ago and 55000 miles later the only problem I have had is the front ABS sensor went south. I do all my own maintenance. So after the 600-mile checkup, I'm the only one to lay a wrench on it. To begin with, it surged at low speed. I spent some time making sure the throttle bodies were dead on, no more surge. This bike is good at everything it is designed to do. But it's too damn quiet and after-market parts are expensive. It takes some extremely high-quality parts to top what comes stock on a BMW. I would Ride this bike to all four corners of the US and not even worry about anything, not even rain. As long as you are moving you don't get wet. that's California rain. I haven't tried Florida rain yet. The R1100RT needs to look badder. It's a no posers bike. Show less

After 26 K miles, the only problem has been a bad front abs sensor which my dealer replaced at no cost. The flaws that I have found with this bike are all easy to fix. 1. The stock seat is narrow and sloped to the front. A Corbin seat allows all day rides. 2. The stock windshield is too low when the seat is raised above the lowest position. Parrabellum makes a nice 4" taller replacement. 3. No running lights! The bike looks like a pickup truck with one headlight after dark. Add Running Lights at all four corners to increase safety after dark. This bike will run all day at any speed, most refrigerators don't give this much confidence. I like MEZ4s on both ends. Enjoy! Show less

Pros -- 1) Plenty of power with rapid throttle response. The engine is quiet and runs smoothly. The fuel capacity is 7.26 gallons (on my 97 RTA), which provides a range of over 300 miles, at speeds of 70mph or less. 2) The paralever/telelever suspensions is simply the best I have experienced. With a traditional front suspension (springs and oil in the forks), the shock (or energy) from impacting a bump in the road travels up the forks and the handlebars, and into the rider's hands. However, the paralever front suspension on the BMW has no springs or oil in the fork tubes, which means the shock from impacting a bump in the road does not travel into the rider's hands. This makes for a much more comfortable ride. The paralever design also eliminates front-end dive under heavy braking. 3) The ABS II system is excellent. It responds quickly without feedback through the brake controls (unlike a car). 4) The RT was built to turn. Although it weighs in at well over 600 lbs., it turns with the greatest of ease. It is the most nimble road bike I have ridden. It even out handles my friend's Ducati ST2. 5) Creature comforts include throttle lock cruise control, heated vest, heated grips, superior luggage (locking, weatherproof sidecases have a capacity of 22 liters and topcase holds 33 liters), electrially adjustable windshield. 6) 43,000 miles with absolutly no problems. It is a very reliable machine. The cons -- 1)Maintenance is required every 6,000 miles and at minimum includes an oil change, fuel injector syncronization, and a valve adjustment. I have never had service cost less than $210.00. 2) The tires do not last long. Only Z-rated tires will fit on the wheels (the price you'll pay for performance). 3) The seat feels comfortable while the bike sits in the showroom, but it gets to be downright painfull after about 250 miles (less that the bike's fuel range). The foam is too soft and bottoms out against the seat pan. A Corbin, or Sargent Cycle replacement is strongly recommended. 4) No place to mount drive/fog lights. Show less