I returned a BMW RT1200 to Kissell Motorsports last week after 250 miles of experimenting. The transition from motorcycle to Vespa is odd and with such a big machine I had the old clown car feeling again. It fades fast but still, it affects my ego.
The past week was hectic. On the way home from Cleveland this past Tuesday it started to snow not far from the highest elevation on Interstate 80 east of the Mississippi. Very odd for May 11. The last frost is supposed to be today. Kim and I stopped to take a few pictures, look at a few rocks.
Life is more or less back to normal. Riding the Vespa to work on some days. Still finding plenty of parking space in town before 7am. And liking the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone to shoot these stylistically odd photos of the Vespa.
I’ll be posting sometime soon on the experience with a real BMW — the RT1200. But not before I do a bit more riding on the Vespa.
You certainly have my interest, Steve. I’m curious what you mean by the “clown car feeling” going from an RT to the Vespa. They’re both at opposite ends of the spectrum although the RT is very nimble for its size IMHO.
Nice photo of the RT and your Vespa and I’m always amazed at the quality of images from an iPhone.
When I saw the title, I wasn’t at all sure which gave you that “clown car feeling.” The one with all the curves, bulges and frills or the one with a simple, timeless profile.
Was that really an iPhone shot?
Steve
The R1200RT is definitely a large machine….I used to have the R1150RT and she was big. I don’t like the looks of the 1200RTs, like angled slabs stacked atop each other is how Irondad described it and I must agree.
When I owned both the 1150RT and the R80, I found I liked riding the smaller R80 more.
The RT is for continent-crushing mileage sport-touring, 600-700 miles days are not only doable, but in comfort.
I look forward to your review. Both the 1200GS and 1200RT are similar sized and both felt too big for me.
Now the F800GS, that’s more likely in my future….please go ride that one next….and let us have your thoughts! ; )
Mike: After riding all day on the RT and then getting on the Vespa he scooter seems physically tiny and the riding position cramped. Hence the clown car reference.
Nimble isn’t a word I would use with the RT1200 but keep in mind I am used to a Vespa. Nimble is a relative assessment.
Mike: only the last square image came from the iPhone using the Hipstamatic camera app. The other two were shot with my Canon G9.
Richard: the Vespa is definitely the clown car. The BMW is a full size sedan.
Charlie: I am looking forward to the 800. I wish BMW still made something smaller than the 1200 that had the horizontal engine. A modern R65 or R75.
As soon as I get a few days off I’ll try and take the F800 GS for a trip.
Steve,
Thanks for explaining the clown car thing. I realize the last photo was the iPhone one. You’re right, nimble is a relative assessment. I guess a better way to describe it for me is it’s convenient in a big city as well as on the highway. I guess that’s why so many police agencies use them.
The R1200RT gets a bad rap from some people like what Charlie6 said and from what Irondad has said. I thought it was too big for me too but a BMW salesman once told me you immediately lose 200 lbs when the bike gets under way. And it’s like anything else, you get use to it pretty quickly. I really like mine but again, it’s a relative assessment. Suddenly I’m thinking I put too many photos of mine on my blog. Didn’t realize the looks aren’t appealing to some.
Steve, The Hipstamatic effect reminds me of the video style used by the Brit TV show, “Top Gear” in their road segments.
I test rode a R1200RT back in ’05, bought the Honda ST1300 instead, and always kind of regretted it. When I rode the Beemer my first serious impression after 5 miles was “Wow, I could ride this bike 1000 miles, easy.” I’ll be curious to read your impressions.
I like the clown car comparison. I usually think of my 125cc “Buddy” as a Shetland pony, especially next to some of those “Clydesdale” touring cruisers!
I am very curious about your evaluation of the 1200, to me is a very lovely bike. Being one who has always ridden smaller bikes the size of it dose intimidate me. After sitting on the Piaggio 500 I understand what you mean by the tight felling, it makes my old Riva seem spacious.
Mike: The RT1200 wasn’t difficult to handle but it certainly is more ponderous than my Vespa or some of the other motorcycles I have been riding. And again, all of this is relative.
I think your blog is great and the pictures as well. You can never have too many pictures of what you ride. Well, maybe I am doing some rationalizing on that point…
Somehow I missed adding your blog to my blogroll. I will make that adjustment.
Doug: I felt the same way about the RT1200, that I could eat up miles with the thing. But then I started thinking (again) about what I like to do and where miles fits into that.
Still haven’t gotten that all clear in my head.
Cheshire: A 125cc Buddy would look tiny compared to a Goldwing or BMW. Imagine how it would feel to be riding and in synch with the big bike and then jump on the Buddy to ride home!
mike: I was very nervous when I first started riding motorcycles again after some years on the Vespas. Most of it is a perception issue that stands in the way of some solid, familiarizing exercises on a new (bigger) machine. Real simple steps to become comfortable with starts, stops, turning, low speed maneuvers, and some evasive maneuvers.
For me the two big nervous events where the Triumph Thunderbird (weight), and the Ducati Hypermotard (power). I did my practice stuff, got familiar with them, and it was fine.
I hear you, brother, with the ego thing. I am a double below-knee amputee with heart issues, and can no longer maneuver a big road bike, nor shift or brake-pedal with the fake feet. It hurts. I am a scooterista these days, and that keeps me rolling. I started out on scooters, and have ended up on scooters, so it is all good. Still gnaws, but I am having a good time, so on we go! I do enjoy your impressions of the big bikes; I vicariously ride with you. Ride on, brother!
cliftonc: I guess we just need to ride what makes sense at the moment. Time, ride, money, skill, health, it all factors in.
Good luck with your riding!
Fantastic blog. Keep on rockin, Radu Prisacaru – UK Internet Marketer & Web Developer
Is there a 2400cc bike to try next? -:)
Looking forward to your report on the BMW;
Hipstamatic is a great App. It’s pretty much all I shoot with these days. I love that lo-fi look and it makes a virtue of the iPhone’s useful (but hardly spectacular) camera.
Take a look at for a shot or two of mine.