1200RT 2014 versus GS 2014

[Spencert231]

I, this may have been raised in the past, my apologies. I own a 2014 RT, which I like a lot. However, the type of riding I do now has significantly changed. I bout the bike for long journeys to and from work which included a mainly motorways. However, I have taken early retirement (again) and my riding will be mainly in France on lanes, D and occasionally N and A pretty much the same as our A, B, M roads.

I had considered just sorting tires, but fairly restricted there, but most suggest GT4s, not sure if just changing tires will give me the confidence for farm lanes and the occasional worse should I get lost lol.

Do not take a hit on my bike and buy a GS? Having owned several Triumph Tigers I never really had those concerns during my ownership, but not sure which way to go?

Any feed back would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[batman1]

I had the same dilemma a year ago, but it was the other way round, I was on my second GS-LC and wondering about getting an RT-LC to replace it, but I didn't want to take a big hit if I got it wrong.

As luck would have it, an observant fella on this forum spotted an almost new RT-LC for sale at an independent dealer just 19 miles away from me and posted his find on the 'spotted a deal' section. Lucky for me I was the first to see the bike, a gorgeous fully loaded RT-LC with just 183 miles on the clock, it had just about everything, quick-shift, c/locking, heated seats etc and was in the best colour Ebony. The original owner had only put 1 days mileage on the bike and had taken a massive hit of almost 4 grand for his one tank of petrol.

Anyway I rode it with my pillion to Scotland, to a very wet BMW- Riders weekend in Aberfoyle and it was superb, couldn't fault the bike, it certainly deserves it's title as the best tourer, however after the novelty wore off I/we realised that for me and my partner it didn't have the excitement and the character that we loved in our GS-LC.
It did everything perfectly, but it lacked the fun-factor, so with some sadness I put it back up for sale on this forum, and a very fine fella from this parish came and bought a lovely bike that wasn't quite the bike for us and we kept our GS.

However the story didn't end there, a few months ago a mate of mine swopped his GS-LC for a new lowered GSA and brought it over for me to try, what a bike, this was what I was looking for, weather protection almost as good as the RT, long range tank, a very comfortable and well planted ride, somehow felt better suspension than my GS and with character and fun in lorry loads.

I soon found a great used bike at a KTM dealer, I knew the previous owner and got a much better deal than any BMW dealer could offer me at that time...so in answer to your question, I would say...Cut through the chase and get a GSA-LC and get the best of both worlds, and if your not a giant, get a lowered chassis bike which still sits about the same height as a standard GS-LC.

Why not take a couple of long test rides on a GS and a GSA and tell us what you think, and if you can find a nice low mileage used bike, there's little risk involved as it will still be covered by the BMW 2 year warranty, and you might save yourself a packet.

Re Tyres: I have fitted new PR4 Trails, if you are riding predominantly on tarmac IMO there is nothing better out there at the moment, and they give a plusher ride than the stiffer walled Anakee3.

 

[CPJS]

Batman I think you have just described all one could want to know, PHEW.

 

[Eunuch]

Batman I think you have just described all one could want to know, PHEW.

+1

I think Batman might have just summed up this whole forum and made the need for subscription redundant .

Batman, I salute you. In a sea of nay-sayers and p1ss takers it's genuinely refreshing and restores a little faith in the value of forums when someone responds like that to an innocent question from someone new. Think you've just invented Motorcycle Lifecoach as a profession. I might even try the GSA myself now!

 

[batman1]

Awe Shucks Eunuch, Now I'm embarrassed!

However do go try the GSA and try a low demonstrator if you can find one, All savvy BMW dealers will carry one, and if I dare add an appendix to my previous story, before I took the plunge and bought my current bike, I arranged a test ride for myself and my bro (another GS-rider) to ride two demonstrator bikes in tandem, a 2015 lowered GSA and a 2015 GS.

We took both bikes out for a very comprehensive test ride for just over 100 miles covering all conditions traffic and open road etc, swopping bikes periodically and our conclusion were the same...the lowered GSA was the better bike in virtually every area. I think that perhaps the GS wins when it come to absolute agility and chuckabilty but not by much and that's about it. Both bikes were shod with Anakee 3's.

Somehow or other the damping works better on the lowered Adventure I don't know why it should but it just does, the wheels seem to be in contact with the road much more solidly, it's not the extra weight either because full tank or empty tank, pillion or no pillion the effects remain the same.

I found with my GS that on poor surfaces such as road repairs and manhole covers the tyres would patter just once before settling down as though the shockers weren't quite controlling the springs properly. This does not happen on my Adventure, and I only mention the fact that it is the lowered bike because I have not ridden a standard height GSA and although I would assume it should be similar, I cannot confirm this without riding one.

However the proof of the pudding is always in the eating so why not go try one in the spring and pm me with your conclusions.

 

[Reggie P]

batman1 Great post. I think at times lots of us have come close to buying an RT.
However the GS makes you smile more.

I also wanted to add that the difference between the GS and the GSA is noticeable.
I bought a GS ( lots of other reasons ) ... BUT , on the BMW Off road school ( been there twice now) I rode the instructors GSA back to back with the GS.

The GSA has more travel ( I'm led to believe) and felt markedly more secure/better.

 

[Dario]

RT v GS v GSA

I chopped my 2013 WC GS for a lowered WC GSA. I loved my GS and covered 21.5K miles on it. Have to say i am well chuffed with my GSA. As Batman says go test ride them.

 

[Spencert231]

Thank you Batman really appreciate the brief. I have been offered a deal today on a 2014 GS TE but I am struggling to find what the spec difference is between a standard GS and a TE for 2014 this one has panniers £11,000 and £10,000 for my LE which has everything except audio and top box. I don't want to make a mistake what differences are there between GSA and GSTE if there's someone who knows or can direct me to finding it out.

 

[batman1]

Hi Spence,

It's your dealer who needs to tell you the differences as he is selling you the bike, but I think that probably most of the GS's sold will be the TE model, and because you are coming from an RT adorned with lots of bells and whistles, I would say without any hesitation buy the TE. If you get a base model GS you might find it a bit bare of goodies.

Re the spec. GSA vs GS-TE? Well the most obvious difference is the much bigger tank on the GSA 30 ltr v/s 20 ltr on the GS.

GSA's normally come with wire wheels which look good but are no fun to clean.

The GSA will normally be found with stainless racks mounted to carry the aluminium box luggage, however you can fit the GS vario panniers if you fit the GS grab handle and GS rear footrest brackets.

I prefer the vario panniers and topbox for my needs, I think that they are beautifully made, have very user friendly locks and handles, the whole system works very well, and because they don't need the additional scaffolding to fasten them to the bike, they fit more snug, thus making the bike less wide which is very useful when filtering, plus you can use the vario mechanism to wind them even narrower if preferred. If I'm touring one-up I only require the reduced width setting which keeps the bike quite trim. However, if you prefer the rugged look, stick with the ali boxes.

What you will find an improvement over your RT is that the Sat Nav is lockable as standard on the GS & GSA where the RT isn't, and the scroll wheel on the GS/GSA integrates better with the bike than it does on the RT.

There are other styling differences and bits and bobs, but to some up, the GSA is the higher spec'd bike.

Whether you go for the GS-TE or the GSA, before you hand over your money....ride both bikes...twice if necessary!

I see your location says France, I don't know which country you are buying in, but if it's the UK be aware that there are an awful lot of used GS's in the showrooms so haggle hard, I don't believe that this is the same re the GSA.

Good luck, and do let us all know how you get on.

 

[Spencert231]

Well today I had some quotes back which to be quite honest I was gutted. All this talk about residual value being good on a BMW is absolute codswallop. Against a used 2014 GS £9750 and against a New Triumph Tiger XRT £10,200 I tried another triumph dealer in Washington Sussex, wait for it, £7500 to £8000 I am gutted. Maybe it's the wrong time of the year and I had better wait till the sun is shining.

 

[Jimmer83]

I bought a new Tiger 800 and had it 5 months before I traded it for a Gs. The BMW is twice the bike the triumph could ever hope to be. Even when the Tiger was working properly it was dull to ride and I never got to grips with the snatchy throttle. The Honda it had previously and the GS I have now complemented my riding ability, the triumphs ability to have the clutch never bite in the place twice coupled with the delicate throttle made traffic a nightmare. The build quality was quite low in a few areas, the brakes could have been alot better, the forks knocked, it leaked coolant and hot starting was a lottery. My 5 months and 2500 miles cost me £3000 but I was glad to see the back of it.

 

[Nutty]

Well today I had some quotes back which to be quite honest I was gutted. All this talk about residual value being good on a BMW is absolute codswallop. Against a used 2014 GS £9750 and against a New Triumph Tiger XRT £10,200 I tried another triumph dealer in Washington Sussex, wait for it, £7500 to £8000 I am gutted. Maybe it's the wrong time of the year and I had better wait till the sun is shining.

If you want a GS or GSA and will be buying in the UK, call Dean Buck at Bahnstormer in Maidenhead (01628 509600), and mention me to him. He will do you a much better deal than most can, as he is the dealer principal, and cuts straight to the chase without all the flannel.

 

[Shinyface408]

Spencer, as has been said you need to shop around the differences are stark......I`ve just about to trade my 14 RT LE inc radio etc for a 16 GSA TE with panniers , tinted screen and quick shifter etc at Douglas Park Motorrad Glasgow. My px price is about 3k more than yr top one . Don`t ask me how they do it, its to do with margins and owner expectations. Satisfied customers keep coming back.......this is my 14th BM !
Try Alan Dalziel at Glasgow a phone call costs nothing.
I hope you get sorted, not all dealers are the same.

Shinyface

Well today I had some quotes back which to be quite honest I was gutted. All this talk about residual value being good on a BMW is absolute codswallop. Against a used 2014 GS £9750 and against a New Triumph Tiger XRT £10,200 I tried another triumph dealer in Washington Sussex, wait for it, £7500 to £8000 I am gutted. Maybe it's the wrong time of the year and I had better wait till the sun is shining.

 

[Shinyface408]

Forgot to mention, I have no connection with the dealers other than a very satisfied customer.

Spencer, as has been said you need to shop around the differences are stark......I`ve just about to trade my 14 RT LE inc radio etc for a 16 GSA TE with panniers , tinted screen and quick shifter etc at Douglas Park Motorrad Glasgow. My px price is about 3k more than yr top one . Don`t ask me how they do it, its to do with margins and owner expectations. Satisfied customers keep coming back.......this is my 14th BM !
Try Alan Dalziel at Glasgow a phone call costs nothing.
I hope you get sorted, not all dealers are the same.

Shinyface

 

[batman1]

Hi Spencer,
From my experience and having talked to others, to get the best trade-in value you need to be trading up within the first year of ownership, ie when your new bike is less than 1 year old.

I concur with your comments about poor residuals, last October I was offered £8700 for my 18 month old GS-LC-TE with 12,500 miles on the clock against a brand new GSA, this was from the same dealer who had sold me the bike new. The KTM dealer mentioned in my earlier post offered me £9,500 over the phone for my GS unseen, against a used GSA in his showroom which I happily accepted, also unseen. I did sympathies with the BMW salesman, his hands were tied due to the glut of used GS's that were littering his showroom at the time.

Don't be in too much of a rush with your purchase, as both the values and prices of bikes is stagnant at this time of the year so giving yourself time to shop around could be very worthwhile. There is always a deal out there, you just need to find it.

Next Saturday (6th) is a nationwide BMW bike dealership open day, most dealers are offering free tea, coffee and Bacon butties etc, so it might be worth a call to a well liked dealer near to you, to see if you can pick up a bargain on the day or maybe have a test ride. The free butties are not given out because they like you, they will be trying to stimulate sales and you might just make a deal.

Re the idea of a Triumph, I'm with Jimmer on this one, although the 800 is a cracking little bike, you have been cosseted on your RT and the Triumph build spec although very good is not in the same league as the BMW, despite what grim stories you may read on this forum.

I came from an Explorer to my first GS-LC, I had the Tex a year and covered 10,000 faultless miles on it which included two European tours. it was a nice bike, but it was poor in comparison to the GS, poorly laid out switch gear, poorly laid out instruments, not a good luggage system, over sensitive throttle etc.

My revelation occurred while staying at the Enzian Motorrad Hotel in Austria, we were there for a weeks riding in the Alps and the hotel had a range of BMW's for rent, so I decided to take a GS-LC out for the day. Wow! within a couple of hours I was racing around the mountains grinning from ear to ear along with my pillion, and riding this 'rent bike' so much quicker than my 1 year old Tex, and loving it. As soon as we got back to Blighty the Tex was immediately chopped in against a shiny new Red GS-LC TE...end of story.

Don't lose your focus, take your time, and at the risk of repeating myself and the advice from others, start road testing GS's and GSA's now, (don't forget the lowered bike) and don't be trying to do the deal before you have decided on which bike you love!

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

 

[Spencert231]

Well guys what can I say other than I am overwhelmed with the considerate advice I have been given on this forum. Yes, I will look for the deal out there waiting for me to find it, and yes I am in no rush to sell at the moment. I agree Batman, now is not the time to sell, but unfortunately I am living in France and the dealerships over here have not heard of a bacon buttie lol. The GS/GSA are in the short list, I just want a good deal, and that's not to much to ask considering how much I paid for my bike.

 

[roamer]

Hi spence,
I have some riding buddies that come out on the white roads with me on my gs, riding triumph daytona, speed triple r , Cbr 600, and fire blade,
we are heading to france again in march on the minor roads to the south over the alps,
one regular this trip is on a kawasaki zzr 1400 , he is running pr4 tyres, manages surprisingly well, all weathers,
as the rt is a good road chassis it may be worth a tyre swap as the cost to change is so high, it depends on how you feel though,
your roads are far better than uk,
Roamer

 

[Spencert231]

Thanks Roamer, I had PR3s on my Tiger 800 roadie a few years back which replaced the Scorpions, I think they were called which transformed the bike enormously. I spoke about tire replacement on the RT Forum and the PR4s and GT came up as recommended. I will continue to look for the good deal on a P/E as I quite fancy going back to the adventure style, but we'll see? Thanks again.

 

[Spencert231]

Well had another dealership call me up and make a paltry offer, I am disgusted by these offers considering the cost of the bike. When I purchased my bike I had every intention of keeping my bike long term, but unfortunately for me my plans have taken a serious turn around and stuff I had taken a long time deliberating before I had made the decision to purchase the RT all now seem so unimportant or irrelevant now. The point I am trying to make here is, a caution to those thinking of buying a new bike and passing over your hard earned money to be confronted with the shocking value they place on your used bike, mine has less than 4900 miles and immaculate.
I know what's going to happen the warm weather will come and these concerns of riding on the wet winter slippery surface will disappear and once again I will feel like I am riding one of the best bikes on the planet. We shall see? Meanwhile I shall just clean and polish the bike while I am waiting.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Get some new tyres such as PR4 and appreciate one of the best bikes on the market. that would be my advice. Or sell the thing privately and steer clear of BMW, you will take a similar hit on a new GS unless it's a keeper.