My BMW R1250RT is coming up three years old in the summer. The dealer contacted me to ask if I wanted to do another deal and I declined. I have a number of reasons. A refused warranty claim for a known fault that the dealer declined to obtain a second opinion was just the latest in a series of niggles that made me decide that I don’t want to use them again. Also, for the sake of £350, they have lost a £20k sale with a new bike. The email exchange told me that they really don’t get it. But meh, their loss.
Then there’s the matter of the RT not really getting the use that it deserves – given the cost. Then another warranty claim – this time it should be fairly straightforward, but bloody hell, this is the third one to fall for the exactly the same fault and BMW appear only now, to have finally modified the part. But, I’ve kind of had enough. Oddly, the new RT simply doesn’t set me alight as they once did and I baulk at a three grand price increase. Also, the Z900RS has proved its worth as a very nice machine to ride with a buttery smooth engine. So, I’m looking at the Versys 1000 S – as a potential training machine it has the upright riding position that I like, but carries significantly fewer pounds than the RT and costs significantly fewer pounds to boot. And I do like the power delivery of the big fours. The only niggle is the seat height – at 840mm it’s a tad high, but they offer a lower seat that drops it by 20mm, so that would be manageable for me.
I’ve already had someone asking about buying the RT, so sometime this summer, I’ll probably opt for the Versys. In black. Not green. Black. I just hope they fit decent tyres on this one. The rubber on the Z900RS was junked after 800 miles as they were dreadful.
In any case Japanese bikes are far more reliable than the German ones.
That’s not my experience. Every manufacturer will have issues, it’s how they are dealt with that makes the difference. I’ve had BMWs for thirty years and have been very happy, travelling across Britain and Europe without any problems. The two that popped up recently are silly ones that could – and should- have been handled better. The exhaust valve is a ridiculous accoutrement fitted to comply with EU regulations. It’s a moving part that cannot be lubricated in a hostile environment. It isn’t needed and we would be better off without it, but there you are. It will cost BMW in the region of £1200 to put it right. The other issue relates to how their dealers react. The petrol cap issue is a known one, yet they tried to claim that it was caused by my Givi tank bag system, so therefore wasn’t a warranty issue. This was bullshit. They refused to take it to BMW because they claimed they would be penalised for making a false claim. This has nothing to to with the reliability or otherwise of the bikes, but to do with BMW and its dealers.
Would I buy another BMW? Well, probably. But not an RT. Partly because of the price, but partly because I’m just not doing the riding that justifies that cost either. An R Nine T though does appeal as it is raw boxer twin…
Thanks for the correction. I guess my assumptions were wrong.
I had a ZX9 and the Mrs. Bloke in Cyprus had a ZX6. Very pleased with both…
“The rubber on the Z900RS was junked after 800 miles as they were dreadful.”
I remember that ’70s Jap bikes used to come with tyres that performed very poorly in the wet. MZ original tyres were similar but were extremely hard wearing. I never knew of anyone wearing a front tyre out. As people often used an MZ as a winter bike, to keep their pride and joy from being ruined by the salt, they usually changed the tyres long before the end of their lives.
Is the Kawasaki a shaft drive? I didn’t see it mentioned on the link.
Chain. I’m learning to live with chains. That said, the modern ones don’t wear like they used to providing you look after them. The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello is shaft, but that won’t be in the country until late this year and the stock arriving has already been sold, so that is off the cards until next year, when I’m due to replace the XR.
I’ve never really understood why fully enclosed chains aren’t universal. They do tend to look a bit unsightly but they are a lot more practical.
My TR1 had one of those. Hardly needed any maintenance.
“I remember that ’70s Jap bikes used to come with tyres that performed very poorly in the wet”
It’s not just old Jap bikes – I bought a brand new BMW R65 in 1979, and had so many “interesting experiences in the wet” on the OE tyres (can’t remember if they were Continental or Metzeler) that I junked them and fitted Michelins after a fortnight. The drilled stainless steel front disc brake was also lethal when wet – I replaced it with a UK made plain cast iron one. I also never understood how BMW claim to make the “Ultimate Driving/Riding Machines”, yet made various improvements each year…
I bought an XS 650 in 1981. The OE tyres went pretty quickly in favour of Avons.
Pre ~1990s almost all bikes had rain hating discs and pads – except Kawasaki who licensed Dunlop Aviation’s Dunlopad sintered metal pads. GPz550H1 I bought in 82 stopped fine in wet, dry, snow, ice
Tyres: I’ve always gone for Pirelli’s, they suit my riding style – fast
Tyre Question:
– Why did we move from ribbed front tyres to treaded front tyres?
@LR
Versys seat height is unladen and it has soft suspension. You could fit stronger, but shorter springs
Why didn’t you remove the RT’s exhaust flap? I would have
There’s even a how to vid on YT if you needed guidance
I like Michelin Road fives. I also have Metzelers of two of my bikes. The Indian FTR has the sport version and they are very sticky.
No idea.
I put the factory lowered seat on the Tracer and it was fine. I expect the same here. Simpler than messing about with suspension.
Simple. It’s under warranty, so BMW can fix their mess at their expense. If it was out of warranty and I was keeping it for a long period, I’d probably fit an Akaropovich exhaust system which also bypasses this valve.
Suspension mod is if all else fails and an fyi
Warranty: Kwak dealer trusts my mechanic skills. So much so that they give me the parts for warranty repairs if dealer repair a pita. Lends me ‘special tools’ too
Is your BMW dealer part of a chain?
All warranties work like that. As long as the serving is carried out to the manufacturer’s specification, who does it, doesn’t matter. However, warranty work, they can do, frankly. Their problem so they can fix it. This one irritates me because it’s the third bike to have exactly the same failure and it simply isn’t good enough.
My dealer is part of a car chain in the southwest. When they took over the franchise, they were really good. Since then, they have developed big dealer syndrome and the little things have slid somewhat, hence my feeling that I no longer want to use them. If I buy another BMW, I’ll nip up the M5 to Cheltenham.
Exhaust valve/flap problems have plagued cars & lorries for decades now, it’s a hostile environment. Stupid that EU and more mandated more of same failure on bikes and performance cars to restrict noise Google EGR valve
Warranty:
1 Kwak dealer didn’t care if I modded bikes, warranty still intact
2 Service etc from long before a legal right
First bike I bought from them I was in school uniform – KE175D3
The Italian Brembo disc brakes performed well in all weathers. They did go slightly rusty when you parked up in the rain though.
Yes, Brembo worked
I should have said “Pre ~1990s almost all bikes except Kawasaki and Italian”
Honda went through a bizarre phase where they tried disc brakes inside drums rather than pay to use Dunlopads
I had a Laverda and, yes, the brakes were excellent compared to the Japanese offerings at the time. Shame about the general quality control elsewhere…
Jota? 120 or 180? Lovely bikes & sound, handling, speed. Still remember first one I saw on road
I drooled over Benelli, Ducatti, Laverda… not so much Guzzi, but went Kawa for reliability