Alright, so you wanted to hear about my time with that 2014 BMW R1200RT. It’s funny, looking back. I’d been itching for a proper touring machine for ages. My old bike, bless its heart, was great for zipping around town, but show it a highway for more than an hour and both of us were pretty miserable.
So, the hunt began. I spent weeks, maybe months, glued to classifieds, forums, you name it. You know how it is, trying to find that sweet spot – decent condition, reasonable miles, not asking for an arm and a leg. Then this 2014 RT popped up. Looked pretty clean in the pictures, seller seemed straightforward. So, I made the call, set up a time to go see it. Always a bit of a gamble, right?
When I got there, first thing, I just walked around it. Gave it the old eyeball test. Looked for any obvious drops, leaks, weird noises when he started it up. The owner had a stack of papers, service records and stuff, which is always a good sign. He’d kept it garaged, he said. I poked around, checked the tires, brake pads, usual stuff. You gotta be thorough. Then, the moment of truth, he offered me a test ride.
Swinging a leg over, man, it felt substantial. Not heavy in a bad way, just…solid. Fired it up, and that boxer twin rumbled to life. It’s a different kind of feel, that engine. Lots of character. We went for a short loop. The wind protection was amazing, a massive step up from what I was used to. Power delivery was smooth, tons of grunt down low. I was pretty much sold by the time I got back.
Got it home, and that’s when the real “getting to know you” phase started. First few weeks were all about getting used to its manners. It’s a big bike, no denying it, especially at parking lot speeds. Took a bit of practice, learning to feather the clutch just right, manage that weight when maneuvering. But once you got it above a walking pace, it was surprisingly nimble for its size. It just wanted to lean into corners.
One of the first things I did was an oil change. I like to get my hands dirty, understand what makes a machine tick. It wasn’t too bad, actually. A bit different from other bikes I’d worked on, sure, being a BMW, but nothing a decent set of tools and a bit of patience couldn’t handle. Found some good guides online, followed along. Always good to get familiar with your machine.
Then I started planning some proper trips. That’s what I bought it for, after all. Loaded up the panniers – and man, those things can swallow a lot of gear – and hit the road. Those first few long rides, that’s where the RT really shone. The seat was comfortable for hours, the ergonomics just clicked for me. Heated grips and heated seat? Seemed like a luxury at first, but on a cold morning, or riding late into the evening, they were absolute game-changers. Pure bliss.
What I Really Liked About It:
- That boxer engine. Smooth, torquey, and just great for eating up miles. Never felt stressed, even two-up and loaded.
- Comfort. I could ride that thing all day and still feel pretty fresh. The adjustable windscreen was a big part of that too.
- The weather protection. Kept a lot of the wind and rain off me.
- Handling on the open road. For a big tourer, it felt planted and confident.
- Those integrated panniers. So convenient, and they held a ton.
Now, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Every bike has its quirks, right? The 2014 model, I’d read about some of them having potential issues with the ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) or the keyless ride system. Mine was pretty good, thankfully. I checked the ESA regularly, made sure it was doing its thing. The keyless fob sometimes took a second to register, which was a minor annoyance more than anything.
One thing I did notice on mine was the gearbox. Sometimes it felt a bit clunky, especially on downshifts if I wasn’t super precise with the clutch and revs. Not a deal-breaker, but it wasn’t the smoothest transmission I’d ever used. You learn to work with it.
Things That Weren’t My Absolute Favorite:
- Low-speed maneuverability. Like I said, it’s a big bike. Took concentration in tight spots.
- The sheer amount of electronics. Great when everything works, but always that little worry in the back of your mind about what it would cost if something complicated went wrong.
- Maintenance, if you take it to a dealer, can be pricey. That’s why I tried to do as much as I could myself.
- Finding neutral sometimes felt like a mini-game.
I put a lot of miles on that RT. Saw a lot of country on it. It was a dependable workhorse for the most part. It did what it was designed to do, and did it well: munch miles in comfort. Eventually, my riding style changed a bit, and I moved on to something different, but I still look back fondly on my time with that 2014 R1200RT. It was a solid bike. If you’re looking at one, just do your research on the specific year, check for common issues, and make sure it’s been looked after. They can be great machines.
