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No the triangle box which is commonly called the mushroom, is the antenna for the satellite radio. All the maps are loaded onto the phone app. Without a phone you will just get a message that says not connected.

The navigation system needs work, I have yet to meet anyone who is a fan of it.

@@Wheelman555 OH! Thank you so much! Someone said it was a GPS antenna. Well its better than the steel whip antenna they use to have.

I bought the fully loaded model which was right 30,000 out the door. It is rumored that the 2025 model will be the 1300 motor, so you might be able to get a deal on a lightly used 1250 then. I personally almost walked away from the price, but after looking at, and test riding several other bikes in the same category, I realized that motorcycles just like everything else have gotten really expensive. The old saying is true as well you get what you pay for. After 9,000 miles in the last year, I feel that the RT was the right choice for me. That said my next choice would be the Yamaha FJR1300ES. It’s a really nice bike and about 7,000 dollars cheaper. Best advice I can give you is test ride both. Demo rides are offered at many bike events,and many dealerships will let you take test rides. I rode several bikes but the RT won me over.

@@Wheelman555 Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I’ve been researching for a new motorcycle to buy for the last month and I’ve found that BMW bikes are overall great bikes and have lots of technology. I’ve asked several people what they have paid for their RT and all have said $30k - $30.1k 😀, so pretty much everyone is paying msrp. I haven’t looked at the FJR1300ES, so I’ll have to check it out. Thanks again and ride safe!

Yes price is an issue, maintenance as well is pricey. I think 2025 will be the 1300 upgrade to the RT, so you might be able to get a good deal on a used 1250. When I bought mine, I really had to ask myself how bad do I want it. Found out when I rode it, but it was still hard coming off with that kind of money. That said there are a lot of bikes out there now that are rather expensive.

Hope you enjoyed the video. If you did would appreciate a like and subscribe, ride safe brother.

I am planning to ride the GS 1300 at the next demo ride. Really want to check out the auto lowering suspension. I had ridden the 1250 GS but the height turned me off to it. Otherwise it was a nice bike. Personally when it comes to riding off road I prefer something a bit lighter.

@@Wheelman555 My GSA was super tall, so it fit me well, but like most GSAs. it rarely left the pavement. i just brought home my R1250RT, but now I'd like to test ride an R1250 RS. It's the only boxer I have not ridden

Yes the ride is amazing.

Thanks for coming

I believe everyone should buy the bike that serves them best. People who want to rag me for what I ride are both ignorant and not really friends. There are way too many old guys out there who buy the biggest Harley they can find and then struggle to ride it. If you’re buying a bike because you think it makes you look cool or tough you bought it for the wrong reason. When I go for a day ride it’s usually no less than 200 miles , and often more. Along the way I will pass many groups of Harley riders who are making the rounds of the local dive bars. One, I learned a long time ago alcohol and bikes don’t mix. That is probably why I am still here after riding more than 50 years. Two I only want to ride with people who I know can ride, and truthfully many of the people who ride BMW’s have lots of miles in the saddle. They also will go take rider training on weekends instead of riding 10 miles and hanging out the rest of the day drinking with their buddies.

The 1600 is a four cylinder, and much heavier. If I was going to compare bikes it would be the 1600 to the Gold wing. I can assure you The RT handles better than the 1600. I personally am not a fan of huge bikes. The best thing I can tell you is to ride several bikes then choose the one that suits you best. There are many good bikes out there these days.

@@Wheelman555 Thanks. I ride an 2013 R1200R now. I love the way it handles. Looking to go more of a sport touring route. Still miss the power of my CBR1000F. 🤪

If you consider the GS came out with the 1300 this year, you can bet the next model update for the RT will be the 1300. Since the last big update to the RT was 2021 I would be surprised if the 2025 model is not a 1300. That said if you can get a good price on a 2024 the 1250 will really give you everything you want. Not sure 50 cc’s is worth the extra money if you can save a few thousand. The 1250 will do 145 personally I don’t even need that much. But hey I can also see the appeal of that extra 12 HP.😊

Going on a year now and still trying to break the habit. Getting better, but that’s what 50 years of carburetor bikes will do to you. Jumping back and forth between bikes doesn’t help. 😅

Sounds like a great ride coming up. While you are in Tennessee I recommend deals gap, it won’t disappoint.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll make a note of it and will do my best to there.@@Wheelman555

For me the RT is liked more with each ride. Not saying it has no issues. I think all bikes do. But over all it’s a win. When you ride it there’s a constant desire to push the corners just a little harder. The bike feels really solid at 6,000 miles. Hope it will stay feeling that way long term. Honestly, what I like best though is how solidly planted to the road you feel while riding it.

@@Wheelman555 thank you Sir. Stay, and ride safe.

Had I gotten to the event earlier I could have ridden the V4 as well, really wish I could have of tried out all 3 but yes the V4 might have been a better comparison spec wise. I will go for the V4 next Demo day. I am really curious to see how free it revs. However there is about a $7,000 dollar difference in price between the V4 and S1000 so price range wise the V2 is a better match. Guess it all comes down to what you compare. Just was saying I liked the one over the other as a street ride,both were great.

@@Wheelman555 you should explain all this in the actual video if you're going to give it a title like that.

It was not as bad as I thought it would be. I am 5’ 11”. There was some wind, however I didn’t tuck down. For the size of the windshield it did a pretty good job. However 3” might make big difference. Best thing would be a test ride to find out. To be honest I was having way too much much fun to even think about the wind.

@@Wheelman555 thanks buddy :)

Absolutely true. My observation was just that the 1000 RR was a little friendlier to ride in traffic and at slow speeds nothing more. Both were amazing in their own way. The other thing is one man’s dream is certainly not another’s. For me the R 1250 RT is the dream. If I was into racing I’m sure it wouldn’t be. 😊

@@Wheelman555 👌🏽

Maybe the king too!

@@Wheelman555 You are when you ride the RT !

Very witty 😊

Actually you don’t just program the settings you want to one of the four preset buttons on the left side of the fairing

@Wheelman555 what four buttons. There are none, obviously, the pre button model. But even with these, you still need to look at the screen to choose a setting.

@@martinrowlands3622 czcams.com/video/31afNtg84Zs/video.htmlsi=PEIwQ4EhV0ASFPrx

@@martinrowlands3622 I think the buttons came out in 2022. Hopefully the video link helps.

@Wheelman555 unfortunately mine is a 2019 model, and there no doubt that it will cost me an arm and leg to get it fitted. Still, it's a very bad move by bmw Probably why the latest have radar . Because of riders, eyes are not on the road.

Did you know a Harley Davidson will likely cost you more than the BMW or Ducati. Yes they are expensive, but tell me what isn’t these days?

Makes me smile every time I ride it. Going in for the 6,000 mile service next week. Probably won’t smile about that.

Thanks for the sub!

I can’t answer that yet because I only have 6,000 miles so far, no problems yet. I do know the boxer engines have a really good reputation for reliability. As for all the new tech stuff. Time will tell. I can tell you maintenance is expensive. But then that is the case everywhere anymore.

Can’t offer guarantees but my 2012 1200RT has 95K and orig clutch. Have done most of the other maintenance myself. I do appx 10K per year and have not been stranded by any mechanical failures. The feel, feedback and joy of riding it - priceless.

37000 miles and the drive shaft needs to be replaced. I've just had a service scheduled revision sent through this weekend.

@@martinrowlands3622 interesting that it happened right after the warranty period expired.

@@Wheelman555if I am not mistaken BMW is covering the driveshaft replacements regardless of expired warranty due to an issue.

Take a look at the Ducati Panigale V4 R if you’re looking for crazy.

Go ride the 1250 with the shift cam it’s a whole new beast.

@Wheelman555 I have no doubt, but I don't have the spare change to upgrade. Enjoy your RT. They're GREAT!

Understand, I will be riding this RT for a long time before I can even think about a replacement. One thing I like to do is go take test rides, And I watch for dealers offering demo ride. Great way to check out what’s new and still keep change in your pocket. Of course you need to switch around because the dealerships don’t like it so much when you don’t buy.😊

No I find the seating position to be quite comfortable. They do make crash bars that cover the heads however, and you could mount pegs to them if you felt inclined.

My favorite too

I have to ask, did you remove the case, I am assuming you have the 14 plus as I know for a fact the 14 does fit. there is very little difference in size between an iPhone 7 Plus and the 14 plus width is 3.07 for both phones, height is 6.33 on the 14 plus 6.23 on the 7 plus. Depth is really close .29 vs .31 which is the same as a regular 14. You may need to remove the lifting strap out of the compartment though.

The next point is the only issue with the sat nav is the app software itself. And guess who did the programming (GARMIN). I have heard that a new company is going to be taking over and an update is coming. Built in navigation has an inherent problem no map updates without downloading them into the system. If you have ever had a navigation system in a car the maps outdate quickly and then you pay upwards of $100 dollars for the updates. There are many really good phone apps that work well I.E. google maps. Apple car play.

I am curious, what has been your favorite touring bike.

An FJR 1300 is right up there also. It has more power, smoother inline 4 cyl. And it burns regular gas. I own an RT, my brother rides an FJR, and if I ever left the BMW, it would be for the FJR.

Definitely a good bike and a great value.

@@Wheelman555 I have always been a favorite of the multi-cylinder bikes. I have owned 6 new Gold Wings including a 2019 DCT and a number of V-twin bikes. As for me, and its just me, the BWW K1600's have been my favorites. I put on some 75,000 miles on 2, and the inline-6 has been a magnet for me.

@@shakey2634 I agree, thats probably why I bought a new 2023 FJR last November. I've only got 450 miles on it, but that will change shortly

Enjoy hope the video was helpful.

I use to get the same thing, until I would dust them at every red light. The funny part is today when I ride it to any kind of gathering, many of those old bikers gather around and talk about how cool it is, and that they wish they had an old sportster like it. My own experience is I love the old blue bitch. Even though it has left me stranded on the side of the road a few times over the years. I have owned several bikes over, but this was my first Harley so just couldn’t let it go. These days I ride my BMW for any long distances but love to just get out and putt around on old blue. I don’t ride her that hard anymore parts are getting harder and more expensive to find.

Having ridden the bike for almost a year now, I find the power band actually kicks in a bit lower then 5,500. That said it is a big band😊

Absolutely! What I find to be a pretty good rule of thumb for every day normal riding is shift into second around 25 MPH then third mid 30s, 4th 40’s, 5th 50’s and finally 6th in the 60’s. I know this sounds very simplistic however the bike runs very smoothly in this way and leaves the engine running in an RPM range that provides fast acceleration if you need it.

Doing a one foot plant is fine, however this bike quickly shifts weight as you lean it, personally I find it tiring to ride that way in stop and go traffic. Fortunately With my riding boots, I am able to flat foot the bike at the red lights. Not exactly sure what you are saying about using the neutral brake. If you are implying that I should shift to neutral and then brake to a stop, I find engine braking to be way better. I never sit in neutral at a red light, always want to be ready to move.

@@Wheelman555 this bike comes with a neutral brake. It's a feature like dynamic ride mode. It allows you to stop on a hill or any surface without having to engage the brake..

@@mimcquee0311 I believe you are referring to the hill start control pro the feature where you pull the brake hard while stopped and it stays applied until you let out the clutch while giving it some gas. If so yes it is very nice.

Yes

No used Bluetooth to connect and maps are already loaded into app.

The plan is definitely to get out there and tour on the bike at some point. I have had it on a few roads with some nice curves already. Unfortunately they were not close to the homestead, and my Go-Pro battery was already dead. Plan to leave the camera off till I hit the curves one of these days soon.

I already know nothing I can come up with in Florida will match CO mountains though.

We do have the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. I have been on it with other bikes, and looking forward to getting up there with the RT.

@@Wheelman555 I've been up to that part of NC and TN. Lot of fun and the leaves were turning. I was very much impressed with the riding and the beauty up there. Rode it on an r1200gs. My RT is a 2012. Yours is 2 generations newer. I've ridden my buddy's 2015 RT (next gen from mine) and it is better. Can't imagine what the R1250RT is like? Thanks for responding.

The historic district on Amelia Island. I am working on a full review of the bike, it will have some footage of the RT running through the gears both with and without the clutch. Pretty sure it will satisfy the hearing it part. Biggest problem is finding time to put it all together.

To be honest Pryor to riding the RT you could not have told me I would buy anything besides another Harley. Now I would have to say I probably will never buy another Harley. My whole outlook on riding has changed over the years. I really use to be more interested in how a bike looked than how it rode. These days it’s all about the machine not the appearance. Besides I think the BMW looks real nice too. With one exception that ugly plastic back fender. What were they thinking, could have made it look nice as well, especially since that will be the view for guys riding Harley’s with me.

@@Wheelman555 Same for me - it was HD or nothing. But that's changed in the past few years - there's lots of others out there. My RGL is a '21, and I don't see buying another HD after this one. The question is, how long will I hold onto it.

Thanks, will do!