First post....Help!!

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Hi Guys,

Coming back to the bikes after a 10 year lay off. This time it will be different though, the boss has decided it should have two seats! Definitely going for a BM, my head tells me a R1150RT but I would prefer the GS. What are the comfort levels for pillions on 1150GS and the 1200GS? Is it possible to fit RT seats on them?
I did many miles in Africa on a R80GS with the single seat, never had a problem with comfort, now a few years older it could be an issue.
Any help would be appreciated.

Bob

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

R1150RT or R####GS

Horses for courses. Use? Miles?

RT fab weather protection
GS virtually none.

RT ok for little legs
GS need longer legs except 1200

RT top handling tourer, ride it like a GS you scratch the tarmac a lot.
GS all things to all men and women, a tourer, a scratcher, a hooligan, a gentle giant, an ugly bastard that get's looad's of admiration.
Not sure about pillion leave them at home.

Welcome back to living and after 10 years try a refresher course with IAM or ROSPA, stay on the Black Stuff.

 

[richie]

I love my GS and am not looking to change.

The RT is growing on me as I get older, but at 39 I still don't fancy the chnage. Looks like a great bike though.

Bottom dollar, lots of motorway get an RT

Jaunts on the RN and weekends away get the GS...

Funny thing is I do a lot of motorway, but I'm still not changing.

 

[Jim McSharry]

Heyup Bob and welcome back to an entirely new world - 10yrs is a long time ago and these things have come on leaps and bounds!

My opinion (for what it's worth)

We took the RT and GS1150 out 3yrs ago - after the ride the wife said, as she pointed at the RT, "We'll get that when we get older!"

Bought the GS and now have 35k on the clock - Corbin seats improved the ride incredibly - the seats were fine but only allowed limited mileage for both of us.

We took the 1200 out only this week for a lengthy ride - this is a fantastic machine and so very different to the 1150. The only issue I had with it was the riders seat seemed to force my groin into a quite uncomfortable position - even when re-adjsuting it to the higher setting I still felt the same - it's as if the seat needs some way of increasing in height at the seat/tank area - as for the passenger seat - the Mrs was really impressed with the pillion seat.

You may be lucky to find a new 1150 still about - the Adventure is still available here but there are complaints about the pillion banging their coxix on the grab rail.

If you'r going spending ride all of them for some time (if your dealer allows it) and remember - the RT is for 'when you get old!'

 

[MrIFan]

Why compromise?? The Gs will do almost anything the RS will do, and just as well. But the Gs will also take you to places the RS can only look at from the end of the road, and once tweaked and sorted it will do it with similar levels of comfort.

Down to choice and and what you are realy looking for but IMHO you have to go a long way to beat the Gs for fun and practicality.

Whichever way you decide welcome back, hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us.
I have to back up what rcc54 says though, things have changed a lot out there and a bit of a refresher course realy can be a life saver.

All the best

Ian

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Thanks guys!

All this about getting old...I did that already! Use....begin with afternoon trips and work up. Don't really need weather protection down here and motorways won't be a choice but may happen. The main object is to potter around the villages and mountains near here...Cevennes, Pyrenees etc. The odd green lane would be nice
No chance of a refresher course down here but after road racing and motocross plus some very long trips in Africa in my years of motorcycling, I still have a very vivid remembrance of how hard the road is.
Plan A is to look for a S/H 1150GS early next year, no point this year as I wouldn't be able to use it anyway.
I live in the Languedoc near Agde, If I can help anyone in any way I would be glad to.

Bob