GS is still the best !

[Engineer]

I’m pretty sure GS stand for Gelande Strasse which is more ‘Terrain’ and ‘Street’ rather than country, meaning it’s designed for off and onroad.

So you’ve bought a bike and only use it for 50% of its purpose .

And as to the more ‘commanding riding position’, what does that mean exactly ?
Do you need to be sat bolt upright to see where you are going ?
I generally find that a bike with fairly high clip ons like an RT or similar is much more comfy than a GS or similar as the latter will give you lower back ache on a long day out, especially those who festoon their bike with all manner of laminar lips etc so they can ride in a sterile buhbble.
At least having a lower screen normally sends some clean airflow over your upper torso which can help in long day comfort.

There isn't an exact English translation as far as I can see - but country/terrain, whatever.

I have always run my GS's as standard, used to have one of clip on spoilers on my 2005 1200GS, for a while but binned it, it was pointless. If I wanted to sit in a sterile bubble I'd by an RT. Never had a problem with the seat or back ache, perhaps because I ride it very frequently? You are right though, the RT would be more comfortable for long distance fast motorway work, but that is what it was designed for.

 

[stick]

I went round Spain on an XT 660 , now that was more involving than an RT , at least i wouldn’t have the worry of falling asleep with boredom .

 

[Robbi]

i love those XT660's

 

[Arsey]

My other half hates the RT, she wouldn't be seen dead on one, she puts it into the same category as the Goldwing, it's much better than that, but that's the image it presents to her.

Shame she’s so vain.
Surely if you liked an RT and bought one, she would be more than happy to get on the back and spend quality time away with you rather than worry about her image as she passed a shop window ?
So the real reason you keep buying a GS is because you’re told to by the boss !!

 

[stick]

i love those XT660's

I was a great bike , 4000 + miles around the mountains and coast , rode it all the way there and back never missed a beat even with the tent and luggage ( one up mind ) my travelling pal was on my old XT550 which i had just rebuilt and it too was great , better than the RT lol Halcyon days indeed .....

 

[stick]

That must explain why the police struggle so much riding them on all road conditions.

But they are on them 8 to 10 hrs a day 5 days a week and even if they were on a 125 they would still sit behind you. You see them on the GS as well for obvious reasons .

 

[Engineer]

Shame she’s so vain.
Surely if you liked an RT and bought one, she would be more than happy to get on the back and spend quality time away with you rather than worry about her image as she passed a shop window ?
So the real reason you keep buying a GS is because you’re told to by the boss !!

She's sees them as dull and she is not far wrong - before I met her she was used to being a pillion on sports bikes.

I had GS's before I met her I still have one because it's the best bike.

 

[Arsey]

She's sees them as dull and she is not far wrong - before I met her she was used to being a pillion on sports bikes.

I had GS's before I met her I still have one because it's the best bike.

I’d bet you both be surprised by the latest one. I might get a test ride when I can, though not easy these days.
Most people seem to really rate the very latest version.

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[tanneman]

The 1250RT is very much a better bike. The suspension is much better and handles the UK roads fine. Wide handle bars just mean more leverage, the RT handles fine and anything you can do on a GS you can do better on an RT apart from going on unpaved road where the RT is at disadvantage regarding the quality of the unpaved road. It also more relaxed doing distance or riding B roads for the day. The suspension is less busy and it has less vibration through the bars.

From my experience testing one for a day against my GSA there is a lot going for it. The cost of changing to one can be a problem. RT lose value much more than a GS/GSA. The thinking man's bike. The GS/GSA is nowadays more of a posing machine I feel. It is tall and heavy and you need the low speed skills to ride it properly. Seen plenty of ex plastic rocket bikers turn up at a popular bacon butty stop only to cock up their parking for showing a distinct lack of skills and forward thinking.

The height is an advantage cause it gives you the vision to anticipate and plan that few riders new to the GS/GSA can do properly. You can ride a RT just as well if not better.

Against the K1600 it loses out on outright power and speed. That 6 cylinder is addictive but it is a heavy bike and the ease of which it can go to warpspeed you need to well infront of it. Not so forgiving on tight narrow roads as the flat twin options. Against it the RT has it covered apart from the power and speed.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

 

[stick]

The 1250RT is very much a better bike. The suspension is much better and handles the UK roads fine. Wide handle bars just mean more leverage, the RT handles fine and anything you can do on a GS you can do better on an RT apart from going on unpaved road where the RT is at disadvantage regarding the quality of the unpaved road. It also more relaxed doing distance or riding B roads for the day. The suspension is less busy and it has less vibration through the bars.

From my experience testing one for a day against my GSA there is a lot going for it. The cost of changing to one can be a problem. RT lose value much more than a GS/GSA. The thinking man's bike. The GS/GSA is nowadays more of a posing machine I feel. It is tall and heavy and you need the low speed skills to ride it properly. Seen plenty of ex plastic rocket bikers turn up at a popular bacon butty stop only to cock up their parking for showing a distinct lack of skills and forward thinking.

The height is an advantage cause it gives you the vision to anticipate and plan that few riders new to the GS/GSA can do properly. You can ride a RT just as well if not better.

Against the K1600 it loses out on outright power and speed. That 6 cylinder is addictive but it is a heavy bike and the ease of which it can go to warpspeed you need to well infront of it. Not so forgiving on tight narrow roads as the flat twin options. Against it the RT has it covered apart from the power and speed.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

Nope its boring , big , bulbous and the fairing is like a green house , they get in the way . There is no way you could compare with the Gs GSA as its not as good. And to say the Gs GSA is a posing machine it to be honest as stupid statement i feel made of spite. The Gs , for me , has and always will give me the feel of a brilliant bike for all occasions not the matching helmets and gear of the RT boys brigade .

 

[Arsey]

Nope its boring , big , bulbous and the fairing is like a green house , they get in the way . There is no way you could compare with the Gs GSA as its not as good. And to say the Gs GSA is a posing machine it to be honest as stupid statement i feel made of spite. The Gs , for me , has and always will give me the feel of a brilliant bike for all occasions not the matching helmets and gear of the RT boys brigade .

Have you ridden a 2021 RT1250 ?

 

[CPJS]

I've ridden a RT a few times, a great bike but is compromised by its weight and agility on tiny roads, can do it ,but harder work than the GS with its more commanding riding position and much bigger handlebars.

+1
I , and the wife, agree with this, as a shorty I found the extra weight particularly noticable. When people describe the GS as an efficient tool devoid of soul, for me that is the RT, I have ridden the 1200 and 1250.

 

[tanneman]

I rode the hexhead RT and honestly I couldn't get on with it. That was before I bought my first GSA, a hexhead. Sold that and for a while had only the 11S in the garage. But the GSA was perfect as a touring machine for us and I didn't like the look of the RT. I bought a GSA as it does what we want. I don't have the space to keep 3 or more bikes and I do massive miles in the car so maintenance is another key factor to consider for me. As an allrounder it is good but not a bike to lust after or get the heart pumping. Fast forward to the facelifted RT and the difference to the previous one is huge. It gets a move on and handles very well. The transmission has better ratios for a road bike and 2-up it makes more sense as a GSA. I bet it will scratch better round the track than the GS/GSA because the suspension is better suited to it and less fore aft movement than the GS/GSA braking and accelerating. I see a lot of new riders to the BMW brand and those that bought a GSA hardly has the skills to handle the weight and height. Therefore, for them it is a posing machine, like buying a Rolex Deepsea, it is a chunk of metal on you wrist that gets uncomfortable if you have small wrists. Some might be better off getting a bike that is closer to the ground just for their own confidence. As for matching kit comment, that is straight out of the BMW brochure.

The RT, GS/GSA range is a cracking option from the BMW brand and it probably is the most recognisable of all the BMWs. To pitch one against the other you have to dissect your mission. What you want to achieve and that requires thinking about what the bike has to do. If you are going to buy for fun or what the heart wants then these bikes should not be on the list. With the RT designed as a better road bike and the GS as a on/off road bike it probably safe to say vanity plays a part in the purchase. Much like buying a SUV where an estate will be much better choice unless there is a use of the capabilities of the SUV.

 

[EVskiy]

Most bikes can 'cope' others are just do it much better. The GS does most things better. The RT is best for whisking one in comfort on main roads for long distances, but that's boring isn't it?

My MY2018 KTM 1290 SA S does things equally as well as my GS or GSA did, but with a hell of allot more feel and poke.

Just like GS/A it is not perfect. Pillion comfort isn’t great compared to GS/A, but pillion comfort wouldn’t be an issue for me, as I am the one who’s riding the thing.

Yes it has a chain, and it is just another messy job cleaning it. Lubing up a chain, isn’t an issue for me as it barely takes 20 seconds to do so at the end of a day before I park it in the garage.

The handle bars just a touch narrower than GS, but I got used to it.

The latest “1290 super Adventure is a GS beater” - Chopsy said so.
But no it will never outsell the GS in sheer comparative quantity, as GS is like VW Transporter, it has a cult following and a choice for the “pretended” (globe trotter or Happy camper/Surfer) lifestyle, hence the quantities being sold.

 

[Arsey]

My MY2018 KTM 1290 SA S does things equally as well as my GS or GSA did, but with a hell of allot more feel and poke, when not left in RAIN mode all day.

Just like GS/A it is not perfect. Pillion comfort isn’t great compared to GS/A, but pillion comfort wouldn’t be an issue for me, as I am the one who’s riding the thing.

Yes it has a chain, and it is just another messy job cleaning it. Lubing up a chain, isn’t an issue for me as it barely takes 20 seconds to do so at the end of a day before I park it in the garage.

The handle bars just a touch narrower than GS, but I got used to it.

The latest “1290 super Adventure is a GS beater” - Chopsy said so.
But no it will never outsell the GS in sheer comparative quantity, as GS is like VW Transporter, it has a cult following and a choice for the “pretended” (globe trotter or Happy camper/Surfer) lifestyle, hence the quantities being sold.

Fixed.

 

[EVskiy]

Fixed.

Tit!

 

[Engineer]

I’d bet you both be surprised by the latest one. I might get a test ride when I can, though not easy these days.
Most people seem to really rate the very latest version.

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It's got the Shift Cam engine like my new GS, so it will be good, more torque, less agricultural, less noisy and pulls low revs in higher gears much better and smoother than the 1200. However the RT is still 30kg heaver than my GS so will be more of a handful around the forest roads of the Vercors, Mont Chardon for example, but it will be better on the motorway dash down there.

Remember also that the RT is a 17" front wheel so not as nice over the rougher roads.

 

[Arsey]

It's got the Shift Cam engine like my new GS, so it will be good, more torque, less agricultural, less noisy and pulls low revs in higher gears much better and smoother than the 1200. However the RT is still 30kg heaver than my GS so will be more of a handful around the forest roads of the Vercors, Mont Chardon for example, but it will be better on the motorway dash down there.

Remember also that the RT is a 17" front wheel so not as nice over the rougher roads.

All true but it would appear that the ESA on the RT stiffens it up nicely to make it much more of a handler in the twisties than previous versions.

 

[tanneman]

However the RT is still 30kg heaver than my GS so will be more of a handful around the forest roads of the Vercors, Mont Chardon for example, but it will be better on the motorway dash down there.

That is what they say about every new GS/GSA but the weight disappears as soon as you move argument. The RT is lower, thus the CoG is lower which is ideal in tricky situations. The 17'' front wheel has a smaller circumference that the 19'' and it reacts quicker to steering inputs than a 19'' wheel. Just the ingredients where steering yourself at slow speed is needed.

Remember also that the RT is a 17" front wheel so not as nice over the rougher roads.

Please explain how you came to this conclusion? The tyre pressure plays a part in handling rougher roads as it is part of the suspension (primary), how the secondary suspension is set up also have a big influence. I bet the 17'' wheel is lighter than the 19'' cast wheel so that it will handle irregularities in the road better.

 

[stick]

Have you ridden a 2021 RT1250 ?

Not the new one but a 16 plate .