Finally got to ride my 14 RT...

[Troppo]

Hello all

Well, I have finally ridden my brand new 2014 RT. It has sat at the dealer for a month for reasons which we all know...

I did a quick 150 km ride around the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland, Australia today.

All I can say is....WOW.

I have owned many large bikes, including a Blackbird, a FJR, a Busa, a ZX14 and a B-King, and the mighty RT outhandles and outbrakes them all.

I have never, in my 40 years on two wheels, ridden a touring bike that handles so well in the twisties, and yet is stable as a rock on the highway.




I also own a new GS, and it is interesting to compare the two:

The engines feel very different - yes, the RT is still tight, but the heavier flywheel is very noticeable - the RT is very smooth, and the GS is more raw and urgent.

The extra weight of the RT is obviously noticeable, particularly at a stop and in the garage.

Wind protection is (obviously) in a different league. The RT puts you in a calm bubble. Mind you, the GS is pretty good, but nowhere near the RT.

The RT is pulling about 3300 RPM at 100 km/hr, and the GS donk is revving about 800 RPM higher for the same speed.

The GS will happily pull 4th around town, but the higher gearing of the RT means that it tends to be happier in 3rd...mind you, I am avoiding lugging the RT engine.

The GPS integration on the GS is MUCH BETTER than the RT. The GS beautifully integrates the bike's ECU with the GPS, so you can display all the bike's parameters on a customisable GPS screen. The RT does not offer any of that....on a bike costing much more...

AND, Herr BMW, why can't I lock the GPS on the RT mount like I can on the GS?!



The RT quickshifter works really well, particularly 4-5-6, as the ratios are closer together. The auto-blip-on-downshift is a neat feature, and a lot of fun...although I still like to go down the box manually.

The menus are simple to use, and I like the radio.

It was surreal descending the Gillies Range (280 corners in 19 km, 3000 feet elevation change) with Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb blasting away as the horizon rolled left and right...

The engine modes are noticeably different, as with the GS. Dynamic mode makes the bike quite spirited.

It is easy to see why the journos rave about the 14 RTWC. Wonderful.

Pics:

 

[dave hendy]

Glad you finally have your bike sounds worth the wait! Sounds like you have the best of both worlds with the GS as well. The photos haven't worked but that might be my iPhone?

 

[Delboy777]

Photos are good on my S3

 

[dave hendy]

Glad you finally have your bike sounds worth the wait! Sounds like you have the best of both worlds with the GS as well. The photos haven't worked but that might be my iPhone?

Home now photos ok on iPad

 

[Puggy]

Can't wait to collect mine - sad to hear about the poor GPS integration. I was looking at it in the GS and marvelling at how good it is. Disappointing it won't do that on the RT

 

[Nutty]

Can't wait to collect mine - sad to hear about the poor GPS integration. I was looking at it in the GS and marvelling at how good it is. Disappointing it won't do that on the RT

It is brilliant on the GS

 

[Nico]

Can't wait to collect mine - sad to hear about the poor GPS integration. I was looking at it in the GS and marvelling at how good it is. Disappointing it won't do that on the RT

That's quite odd for a super tourer like the RT. Maybe a software upgrade will improve things? I had a test ride on the new RT and loved it! There was no GPS to play with though.

 

[AHaywood]

I finally got my RT back on Saturday, after having a K1600 GTL loan bike for a 6 weeks. Returning it back to the dealer and getting straight onto the RT felt...well...like I was sat on a scooter, it felt so small, and I genuinely thought OMG what have I done...and then sat staring at the K1600....

Today I took the RT out for a good 100 mile run and yes at first it felt strange, before getting better and better and then better still, at the end of the ride I stood, looked at the bike in absolute awe of its capabilities. All I can say is that it's absolutely awesome!! and know just why I purchased it back in March.

It does everything so much better than any bike I've ever ridden, including the K16. It's so light, so nimble, the handling so positive and crisp and it corners just incredibly. The quick shift gear box is just sublime and must surly become the standard for all BMW motorcycles over the next 24 months. The engine, well it's noisy (it rattles out a worrying sound) when idling and that really needs resolving but when moving it's super slick, super smooth with incredible performance, especially when dropped into Dynamic mode...boy does it go!

Other than wishing it sounded like the K1600 there is nothing I would change and would encourage everyone to put the recent issues aside and go test ride one as soon as possible (or when stock is available)...ridding really is believing...I'm absolutely blown away with mine!!!

 

[Puggy]

The engine, well it's noisy (it rattles out a worrying sound) when idling and that really needs resolving but when moving it's super slick, super smooth with incredible performance, especially when dropped into Dynamic mode...boy does it go!

Yes I agree with that. It is very rattly at idle, but what a jewel of an engine...

 

[Yonkyo]

Other than wishing it sounded like the K1600

The Akra exhaust Can sorts that out (i know it still sounds like a twin, not a Six, but much better though).

See, and i don't think my RT sounds anywhere near as rattly on idle, as the GS/GSA either.

 

[Troppo]

OEM small top box.

Very nice.

 

[birdseye]

Interesting comments Troppo. I test rode an RT last week and was impressed by its comfort. The handling felt a bit strange after my GS - heavier steering with narrower bars requiring more conscious counter steering. Was a bit disappointed with the gearbox which had a heavy clunk into first gear, worse even than a Harley I tried last week too. I had expected that the chyange of clutch would make the box quieter and more Suzuki like. The engine on the example I tried at 4000 miles was a lot more rattley than I expected. I had thought that now it was WC, it would be quiet like a jap bike but instead if anything it was more loose than my TC. Not a problem justy a surprise.

The area where I disagree with you is the wind protection. My GS has the adventure screen and the wind protection at head level is very good ( I am 5'10" ) The RT screen is definitely less effective. Even on full height I was getting more helmet buffeting.

But all in all an impressive bike. Got to road test the alternative tourers but at the moment I think I will buy an RT.

P.S. Will the OEM small top box take a flip front helmet? The vario on my GS wont take my XXL

 

[AHaywood]

Interesting comments Troppo. I test rode an RT last week and was impressed by its comfort. The handling felt a bit strange after my GS - heavier steering with narrower bars requiring more conscious counter steering. Was a bit disappointed with the gearbox which had a heavy clunk into first gear, worse even than a Harley I tried last week too. I had expected that the chyange of clutch would make the box quieter and more Suzuki like. The engine on the example I tried at 4000 miles was a lot more rattley than I expected. I had thought that now it was WC, it would be quiet like a jap bike but instead if anything it was more loose than my TC. Not a problem justy a surprise.

The area where I disagree with you is the wind protection. My GS has the adventure screen and the wind protection at head level is very good ( I am 5'10" ) The RT screen is definitely less effective. Even on full height I was getting more helmet buffeting.

But all in all an impressive bike. Got to road test the alternative tourers but at the moment I think I will buy an RT.

P.S. Will the OEM small top box take a flip front helmet? The vario on my GS wont take my XXL

Have a look at the, option, touring screen for the new RT, it may give you more protection

 

[Fanum]

They look like they were designed by a Manga artist

 

[Troppo]

Have a look at the, option, touring screen for the new RT, it may give you more protection

I fitted one the other day - very good.

 

[OldCroc]

That side panel looks like it was nicked off the old 650 Scarver!

 

[GS TRV]

That barge makes a GS look like a thing of great beauty

 

[strod]

That barge makes a GS look like a thing of great beauty

Eye of beholder, horses for courses stuff, but that new RT is no barge in the handling department for a bike of its dimensions.

 

[Troppo]

Interesting comments Troppo. I test rode an RT last week and was impressed by its comfort. The handling felt a bit strange after my GS - heavier steering with narrower bars requiring more conscious counter steering. Was a bit disappointed with the gearbox which had a heavy clunk into first gear, worse even than a Harley I tried last week too. I had expected that the chyange of clutch would make the box quieter and more Suzuki like. The engine on the example I tried at 4000 miles was a lot more rattley than I expected. I had thought that now it was WC, it would be quiet like a jap bike but instead if anything it was more loose than my TC. Not a problem justy a surprise.

The area where I disagree with you is the wind protection. My GS has the adventure screen and the wind protection at head level is very good ( I am 5'10" ) The RT screen is definitely less effective. Even on full height I was getting more helmet buffeting.

But all in all an impressive bike. Got to road test the alternative tourers but at the moment I think I will buy an RT.

P.S. Will the OEM small top box take a flip front helmet? The vario on my GS wont take my XXL

Yes, the top box will take 1 helmet. I hate BIG top boxes.

Just did a morning 100 km loop on the GS, and the RT screen is certainly better, BUT I haven't tried the GSA screen on the GS.

I replaced the RT screen with the BMW "comfort" screen (got it for free ). No buffeting, but it is quite noisy over about 110 km/hr. I will give it a proper run, and if I'm still annoyed at the noise, I may try a Cal Sci - I had one on the FJR, and it was very good.

 

[Troppo]

That barge makes a GS look like a thing of great beauty

Yes, and this eats the GS for breakfast....