BMW Touring Motorcycle as a first bike? | Advice for New Riders
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, we dive into whether a touring motorbike like the BMW R1150RT is a good choice for beginners.
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This video is filmed with the Osmo Action 3 connected to Sena SC2 intercom and the Insta360 x4.
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We break down the bike's weight, handling, seat height, and overall manageability for new riders. Plus, we offer some alternative beginner-friendly BMW models to consider.
If you're wondering whether the R1100RT is the right bike for your first ride, or if you're looking for advice on starting with a touring motorcycle, this video is for you!
Also, I share my personal experience with the BMW R1150RT as my very first motorcycle! From its intimidating size and weight to its amazing touring capabilities, I cover what it’s been like learning to ride on this legendary touring bike. I’ll walk you through its key features, what I loved, and the challenges I faced as a new rider. Whether you're considering the R1150RT as your first bike or you're just curious about what it’s like to ride one, this video has got you covered!
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If you enjoyed the video, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more motorcycle content. Ride safe!
#BMWR1150RT #FirstMotorcycle #TouringMotorcycle #MotorcycleReview #NewRider #BMW
I have R1200RT , the low speed handling is a bit hard at first and the bike is top heavy. But at speed it is a dream. This review is spot on.
Had a lot of bikes but I do love my R1100RT. Other bikes come and go yet the RT stays around. Love its character
Thanks for sharing, bought the same bike last summer (although my top and side cases are black). Not my first bike, but really happy with it! It really drives fantastic and feels quite light. It drives so smooth and easy that some also could say it's a boring bike, but I do like it! This week however I had a flat battery, trying to run next to your bike and start it was impossible with the weight ;-) But maintenance is easy and I should just put a new battery in. Have fun with your bike and enjoy your trips around Europe.
Great video. There are lots of plusses and a few minuses with this bike but it is in general a wonderful and reliable machine and a joy to ride. Like you, it was my very first bike and I do not regret buying it as my first bike. However, as a beginner, one has to consider your own needs and that it will take some time for you to be able to understand and utilize all the capabilities of this bike (it can do more than you) as well as get an understanding of your own skill limitations and that you need to work to improve them to fit with this bike. If this does not make you anxious, this bike will be a great choice and certainly value for money. I found it to be a fantastic challenge. First and foremost - it is a HEAVY bike. It means handling it while standing still, or rolling very slowly, is always difficult. It is always in these situations I have dropped it. You quickly learn not to park with the nose down on an incline. I went on a training course on a race track, the instructors being motorcops, learning to drive fast through curves and getting a much, much better feel for the bike in general under controlled cirumustances but also when driving very slowly, also part of the course. After this training, I understood that you basically have to drive it like a scooter and not be scared of the weight. I ended up wearing off the protectors underneath the foot pegs and the outside of my boots! And after ending the course, roundabouts was a load of fun to navigate. Technically, one big minus is the ABS III system that is prone to fail. If it is still working, flush the brake system at least once a year. A new replacement ABS module sets you back around 2000 Euros and again you have no idea how long they will last. But there are now cheaper kits available, that can still legally make the normal brakes work but without ABS (which after all has saved my life at least a couple of times) and it is a scandal that BMW has not come up with a reasonable solution to this very well known issue. The bike was originally certified both with and without ABS, but by removing the ABS module and using normal brakes means the bike needs to get reregistered with new paperwork. Cost for this is around 150 Euros but will vary from country to country, I am sure. I came directly off a Honda 500 when taking my licence to this bear of a bike. But I knew I was going to drive a lot, long distances, driving every day and travelling a lot. I typically drive around 40.000 km a year on my bikes since 2001. A lot of repairs and maintance are easy and cheap to do yourself, it is not rocket science and great help to get on TH-cam or in forums, which is why I am hesistant to move to newer versions of this bike with more electronics. Now I own one 1100 RT, two 1150 RT's (twin spark - engines run better), 2012 1200 RT and an 2008 LT.
My first sport tourer was a 2004 1150RT - black limited edition with radio. Absolutely loved this bike and it made me a lifelong BMW Motorad guy from the first moment I rode it.
Did you make use of the radio? Did you like it?
@@nielsonwheels83 I did - it came with a casette so I utilized a XMradio with audio out into the casette adapter and it was good. This started pre-phone, but once iphone came around I invested in a cardo comms and used bluetooth to play my tunes.
I own a 2000 1100RT. It is a glorious bike. I was nervous when I first bought it since I rode a smaller Harley Sportster, but it is easy to handle and ride. Maybe not for a complete beginner, but if you have a few miles under the bum it’s a great choice. Happy Riding))
Thanks for sharing your experience:)
Beautiful bike, Beautiful scenery, don't worry about a tip over, I ride almost 40 years, and I tip over now and again 😂
Thanks! Those are shots from the trip to the Alps this summer. Very impressive scenery indeed.😄
I've owned an R1100RT for just over 29 years (bought October 1995). Not my first bike :-) Legally, it's not for an absolute beginner. In NZ/Aus its 176 kW/tonne (incl 90 kg rider) puts it 17% over the power to weight ratio allowed for a LAMS (Learner-Approved) motorcycle, which is not that much. But it's way over the allowed 660cc :-) Still, it's got enough power to get you out of trouble, but is smooth and predictable and won't get you INTO trouble. The brakes are great, it's extremely stable, the handling on corners is near sports-bike (maybe better if it's bumpy). The ONLY problem, as mentioned in the video and other comments, is that until you get used to a heavy bike you WILL drop it a few times at very low speeds in car parks, at intersections, on sloping surfaces etc. You won't be killed or badly injured (unless a truck runs over you afterwards) but you're going to scratch the bike. You'd better make sure you can pick it up. The seat heigh is low (and adjustable), and it's easier to pick up than most bikes the same weight (or even smaller ones) because of the boxer engine: firstly because the weigh is low down, and secondly because the cylinder heads make great fulcrums so the first 40º or so is very easy.
My first sport touring bike was a 1998 R1150 RT. My second RT was this one. I fact, I got the first one in CA. I loved this moto and rode it 98K miles the first year I owned it. I agree, not the best bike for a rank beginner. for all the reasons you suggest! My current ride is a '22 R1250 RT
@59yo, I bought a 2010 RT for my first bike. It took time to get comfortable with it and to use it to it's potential. I love it now but maybe a smaller, cheaper bike would have been better to learn on
Thanks for sharing. We share the same experience:)
😡With a lot of experience, I bought a R1250RT 2 years ago, aged 63. It’s a very pleasant bike to ride on highway, but It’s so heavy at low speed that I quite never ride anymore. My wife is also afraid to get on it, so my project of touring felt down, and the big money spent is simply sunk, with the burden to pay for insurance, charger and maintenance, and other expenses like covers to protect it outside. I recently dropped it just wanting to put it on its central support. I sadly regret having bought it, instead of a lighter roadster similar to my Inazuma 1200. Think twice before jumping on this beast.
I have a ‘99RT. It’s perfect for novices or experienced alike. I’d recommend the 1100 vs the 1150 due to the iABS problems with the 1150’s.
Definitely a mature bike for a mature rider.
Dag Niels, ik ben 55, heb sinds 10 dagen mijn avd en heb een BMW R1150RT als eerste motor. Ik heb er inmiddels zo'n 300 km mee gereden en als eerste motor bevalt ie mij prima! En ja, het is een zware motor, maar eenmaal op gang merk je dat niet. Ik heb geen motor om te scheuren en zo hard mogelijjk de bocht om te gaan, ik heb een motor om lekker te touren op een comfortabele manier, lekker rechtop zittend.
Hoi Jos, fijn dat de RT jou bevalt! Eenmaal op weg rijdt het inderdaad comfortabel en wendbaar. Ik moest in het begin vooral wennen aan het manoeuvreren op lagere snelheid. Maar na wat ervaring krijg je dit ook wel in de vingers. Fijne veilige en relaxte kilometers gewenst!
Nice one , thanks for a great vid.
Thank you Rob!😀
Ik heb net een bmw k1600 ex overheid gekocht als eerste motor. Moet nog ff geduld hebben want 21 oktober heb ik AVD examen. Bedankt ik geniet van je filmpjes
@@royvisser90 meteen een flinke motor. 😀 Succes met het examen en plezier met de k1600!
Dankjewel!
@@nielsonwheels83 ben ontzettend zenuwachtig maar ga m'n best doen
heerlijke overkill, maar volgens mij een zalige motor om op te rijden met zijn 6 cilinders 🙂
@@doctorgibby8963 ondertussen in oktober geslaagd en heb geen seconde spijt. Het is een geweldige motor. Zo goed dat ik hem niet in de winterstalling stop maar lekker blijf rijden haha
I tried a R1200RT for my longer commute (200 km each way) but found it a bit too heavy and bulky, especially in the city and while lane splitting. I then got a 2008 F800ST which is much ligther and nimbler, for EUR 2,000 with only 18,000 km, I think that would be more of a beginner bike.
Hi, thank you for your review. May I ask what's your height? I am 196cm/6'5 and was wondering if I would fit without touching the fearing with my knees. Thank you :)
I'm 196 cm too and still enough room for my knees. So yes, you will fit😄
@@nielsonwheels83 Thank you very much Nielson, that helps a lot! And in terms of wind protection? Do you have a particular windshield or the standard one? I am trying to gear up for long trips in winter time. ;)
Got the givi extended windscreen. Gives a bit more protection from the wind
Hello, you mentioned that you experienced some knee ache. What is your height? I am 183cm and I am thinking of getting one of these 1150s. Thank you in advance.
@@Gk9311 Yeah I experienced it after about 4 to 5 hours of riding, so not too much of a dealbreaker I would say. I am 196cm myself :)
I wouldn't recommend any bike above ~ 200kg/450lbs for any novice rider.
I don't believe you will ever become a competent rider starting out on a big tourer like that, the bike will always be way beyond your capabilities. You need to learn on a smaller and less powerful machine, learn to throw the bike around, brake hard and power through and out of corners, be able to choose lines and change line mid corner. All these skills take so much longer, if ever starting out on a bike like that, well unless you're one of the few born with a gyroscope up your ass.