Man, I’ve been messing around with my 2012 BMW RT 1200 for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I got this bike a few years back, and it’s a solid machine, you know? It’s one of those touring motorcycles, the kind you can ride for hours and still feel alright.
So, the first thing I did was to give it a good once-over. I mean, I checked everything – the engine, the tires, you name it. This bike had some miles on it, but it was in pretty good shape. The previous owner took decent care of it, which is always a plus.
Maintenance and Upkeep
One of the big things I focused on was regular maintenance. I’m talking oil changes, checking the brakes, and making sure the tires were properly inflated. It’s a BMW, so it’s not exactly cheap to maintain, but it’s worth it. I learned that the hard way with my old bike.
Now, this RT 1200 has a pretty good fuel efficiency. I’ve been averaging around 43 miles per gallon, which isn’t bad at all for a bike this size. I did have to remove a bunch of outliers in my fuel-up data, though. It was a bit of a hassle, but I got it sorted.
Dealing with Issues
I did run into a few snags, though. Nothing major, but still annoying. I noticed some issues with the final drive. Apparently, it’s a common thing with these bikes. Some folks reported leaks, and others had more serious problems. I spent a good amount of time reading up on forums and such, trying to figure out what to look for.
- Check for Corrosion: I remember reading somewhere that these bikes can rust if not cared for properly. So, I made sure to check for any signs of corrosion, especially around the bolts and other metal parts.
- Loose Coil Wire: I had this weird issue where the bike would hesitate and stumble at higher RPMs. Turns out, it was just a loose coil wire. Easy fix, but it took me a while to figure it out.
- Rear Wheel Carrier: This is the part that connects the rear wheel to the final drive. I heard some stories about these failing, so I kept a close eye on it.
Recalls and Support
One thing that really stood out to me was the recall on the Dynamic ESA suspension. Apparently, there was a risk of the shock-piston shafts failing. BMW issued a no-ride order, and honestly, it was a pain. The bike was out of commission for about five months. But I gotta give credit to BMW, they offered some pretty good support, even offering to buy back the bike if needed. I didn’t take them up on it, but it was good to know it was an option.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it’s been a learning experience. I’ve had to get my hands dirty, do some research, and really get to know this bike inside and out. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This 2012 BMW RT 1200 is a beast, and I’m looking forward to many more miles on the road with it. It’s not just a bike; it’s become a bit of a hobby, a project, and a reliable ride all rolled into one. I did think about maybe upgrading to a newer model, but honestly, I’m pretty attached to this one now. We’ve been through a lot together, and it feels like we’re just getting started.