Advice request.

[steveC]

Hi RT riders,

I have a 2015 gs and have been thinking of changing to a Rt. I am looking at a model registered in May 2014.

I am up to date on certain issues on the GS but the RT is unknown territory for me. For example lighted flywheel and other engine mods and heated grips upgrades.

My bike has the 2015 spec so any comments on the differences is appreciated. I heard of the suspension problem that put many bikes off the road for quite awhile. Would this be one of those ?

Any other comments on the 2014 RT will be helpful in making my decision.

SteveC

 

[stever1]

Buy it. Ride it. Enjoy it.
Seriously, it's a better bike than the previous generation but apparently not faultless.

 

[richardbd]

I bought a 2014LCRT. It's one of the ones BMW UK bought back after the suspension fiasco. When I bought it a year ago it had 635 miles on the clock and I got it for around 25% off list. It's a TE (top model) with all the extras you an think of, including Akra can, driving lights, hill start assist, quick-shifter, heated seats, full audio etc etc. Best bike I've owned for years.

All the LC RTs have the heavier flywheel, like the '15 GS, so have plenty of low-down grunt.

It's all-day comfortable, much quicker in the real world than it should be and always makes me smile after a ride.

I had a Multistrada before this and reckon I'm quicker over the ground on this than on the MTS...

 

[steveC]

Good info.

Hi, thanks for those replies, positive and honest. Lets face it the perfect bike has never been build.

I road tested the twin cam rt a few years back, I really enjoyed it, the screen could be set perfectly for me. Impressive.

I was on a tour of France and Spain this year and the rt on the trip was mighty fast on the twisty bits. Bloody faster than me.

Thanks

 

[Monty]

Hi chap,

I love my 2014 RT. Brilliantly comfortable, fast enough for me, Mrs Monty loves it... What more do I need?

I still have my Super Tenere and have owned / tested GS's but the RT hits the spot for me.

Matt

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

 

[rampmonkey]

I have done pretty much the same as you are considering. I had a 63 Plate GS (did have a 15' engine put in this year due to corrosion) and have swopped to a 15' RT.

I much prefer it over the GS, its far more comfortable, obviously better weather protection too. Its a move that you wont regret!

 

[Nico]

Go for it! I went from a twincam GSA to a 2015 RT LC, great bike indeed and I like the higher gearing better compared with the GS LC. A May 2014 RT would have been affected by the suspension recall unless it was a base model without ESA.

 

[k9doc]

I was on a tour of France and Spain this year and the rt on the trip was mighty fast on the twisty bits. Bloody faster than me.

Might have something to do with the rider. If you couldn't catch him/her through the twisties on a GS, you definitely won't do any better on an RT.

 

[Bigdave]

Might have something to do with the rider. If you couldn't catch him through the twisties on a GS, you definitely won't do any better on an RT.

Sorry, but that comment is wrong.
The suspension set up, frame and aerodynamics make the RT faster than a GS with the same rider skill.

 

[k9doc]

Sorry, but that comment is wrong.
The suspension set up, frame and aerodynamics make the RT faster than a GS with the same rider skill.

The OP was talking about 'twisties' and I'd bet on a GS (even more so if well ridden) any day. On a drag strip or through long open sweepers, then you may have a point. Horses for courses.

I wonder if you have ridden both bikes for any length of time.

 

[Bigdave]

I owned two GSA's since 2007 and did a total of 55000 miles on them. Then I changed to a RT LC in 2014 and it's now on 12000 miles so I think I'm talking from a knowledgable stand point.

 

[k9doc]

I owned two GSA's since 2007 and did a total of 55000 miles on them. Then I changed to a RT LC in 2014 and it's now on 12000 miles so I think I'm talking from a knowledgable stand point.

4 GS's for me and now on my 3rd RT so that's 15/Love my way I think. Didn't realise you were comparing to a lardarse GSA but even so you're still wrong..........IMHO

 

[llotse]

I owned two GSA's since 2007 and did a total of 55000 miles on them. Then I changed to a RT LC in 2014 and it's now on 12000 miles so I think I'm talking from a knowledgable stand point.

1100GS, 1150GS, 2 x 1200GS, 1150RT, 2 x 1200RT and 1 1200RT WC, I can't get a fag paper between them, all have their advantages over the others but to say the RT is 'faster', can't agree. Have I owned the most boxers? Have I won anything? Do I have the biggest willy?

 

[Yonkyo]

Having owned lots of GS's..
1 x 1100GS
1 x 1150GS
3 x 1200GS's inc, a WC
2 x 1200GSA's SC&TC

So i have a deep love for all thing GS. However, my RTLC is simply a superior road bike in every way.
I can ride quicker on my RT on any metaled road, than i can on a any GS/GSALC, and in superlush comfort.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Might have something to do with the rider. If you couldn't catch him/her through the twisties on a GS, you definitely won't do any better on an RT.

Too true - when the road gets gnarlier the RT will be left trailing as the extra bulk of the RT shows on smaller roads

 

[Wapping]

The RT is an excellent bike, as its grown-up brother the 1600GT, both of which can be hustled through the twisties (gnarly or otherwise) with a great deal of confidence, trust me. So can a GS or a FireBlade or a Versys painted pink.

There are several new 1600's around at a pretty good discount and a reasonable amount secondhand at a very good saving. Ride one, preferably for a full day, to see how you get on.

PS The RT's suspension problem was addressed via a total (all bikes) recall and re-fit. Nothing to worry about today, despite some bods' fears at the time.

 

[k9doc]

Totally agree that the RT is a superior road bike and can be hustled and it's nothing to do with the size of body parts. It's just a plain fact that the GS is a less bulky and nimbler bike, wider bars etc and with the same skill level would be quicker through the twisties.

@llotse note the and if you can't get a fag paper between any of the bikes on your extensive and impressive list then I would have to call your judgement into question.

 

[sven]

In my experience of the RT TC vs GS MU and GS LC, the RT handles better two-up on any road, but the GS is better solo depending on which tyres the RT is fitted with.

It steered slowly on the awful OE Bridgestone BT020's, but was great on BT023's. I then had some Avon GT something or other fitted and they slowed the handling again.

 

[wreck diver]

The truth is,both are great bikes and will out handle most riders on UK roads.
Ride the RT for at least half a day on a route you know,then choose.

 

[sven]

I never gelled with my 2009 GS MU and had booked an RT for a USA tour via Eaglerider, so borrowed a demo from Alan Jefferies for a day whilst my GS was being serviced.

I expected to be underwhelmed by a lardy arsed tourer, but it rode like a big scooter and was really good fun on a mainly A-road blast up to Scarborough and back two-up in 6C degree temperatures in the middle of February I bought one the following week.

Once the LC engine was released I wanted the extra power (still missing my K1200S power) and almost bought an RT LC, but I'm glad I went for the GS LC, otherwise it'd have been off the road last summer. My wife would still have preferred the RT and she's not keen on the XR, but it's my money apparently, so that'll probably be my next purchase if I decide to change in 2017