They are not so inspiring. The 1250 engine and new D-ESA makes a big difference. I was surprised myself.
GS is still the best !
- Thread starter Boxerlust
- Start date
They are not so inspiring. The 1250 engine and new D-ESA makes a big difference. I was surprised myself.
You may be rite but it’s just so big and bulbous , you sit in it like an armchair , not on it if you see what I mean . Totally understand your points but not for me .
I spent the best part of 15 years on RT's - we moved over to them after the Pan European fiasco. The public often used to think that we had suped up vehicles. Its the opposite!!!! My RT Police spec was a lower grade than the public get by a long stretch - no adjustable suspension on the front at all, and all the rear had was a simple adjustable collar for preload. That was it. No ESA, no dynamic this or that, no cruise etc etc
I wouldn't have an RT yet, (RS maybe), I'm not old enough and still enjoy something a bit more sporty. But actually, is the RT a good bike? We would sometimes get off one after some training and all laugh out loud and joke ... 'That bike shouldn't be able to do that ...'.
As a mile muncher - just superb. We would sometimes do urgent forensic dispatches (griefy sexual assault and one in custody ... need a forensic result before custody clock expires .. ) from one end of the country to another (300 mile one way from Folkestone to Warrington on Blues was not uncommon). I wouldn't want to take another bike. Leave tomorrow morning at 0600 for Dijon? RT please!
On a fast flowing A road? Still a very, very capable bike! It can wax and wane and ebb and flow superbly.
Nadgery B? yeah, big old bus, you have to really set it up for a corner, all that weight is not forgiving, but again, You'd be surprised what it could do!
Dont write them off ..... !!
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I wouldn't have an RT yet, (RS maybe), I'm not old enough and still enjoy something a bit more sporty. But actually, is the RT a good bike? We would sometimes get off one after some training and all laugh out loud and joke ... 'That bike shouldn't be able to do that ...'.
As a mile muncher - just superb. We would sometimes do urgent forensic dispatches (griefy sexual assault and one in custody ... need a forensic result before custody clock expires .. ) from one end of the country to another (300 mile one way from Folkestone to Warrington on Blues was not uncommon). I wouldn't want to take another bike. Leave tomorrow morning at 0600 for Dijon? RT please!
On a fast flowing A road? Still a very, very capable bike! It can wax and wane and ebb and flow superbly.
Nadgery B? yeah, big old bus, you have to really set it up for a corner, all that weight is not forgiving, but again, You'd be surprised what it could do!
Dont write them off ..... !!
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Not sure about the new D-Esa as the pre 18 bikes were better without the self leveling to be honest thats why I put the full Tractive D-Esa system on mine and its fookin ace..
My Dad prefered his Rickman when on the force lol but change later as he had to with escorts etc , he had a CX500 on undercover opps back in the day as well.
Bollocks to you officer, that photo been doctored!
Surely those big busses can’t do that angle?
Sorry ......
Bollocks to you officer, that photo been doctored!
Surely those big busses can’t do that angle?
The crash bars could seriously catch you out if you weren't careful. You dont want to be touching those down!
*Edit ...
That bike has not just done one left hand bend (first exit), it's come from 12 O clock on the roundabout, so thats left, right, left.
My point is not a cocky dick look at the rider one (!!), its a genuine, look what the bike can do one! You can certainly throw them about .....
Just to get a dig in 
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You’ve not ridden the 2021 version then ?
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Hmmmm basic stuff, a larger diameter wheel is less affected by surface irregularities, it's why off-road bikes have 21" wheels - think tiny scooter wheels on rough surfaces. Try going up a kerb with 6" wheels compared to 21".
The Tuono is a pile of shit...But I still would take a Tuono over a 1290 Super Duke which is a unrideable pile of shit unless all you want to do is wheelies ! I say that because a bike like a S1000XR makes so much more sense than either because a) you have some wind protection and b) some practical things that are essential for road riding like bags,rack and centerstand on the XR.Otherwise get a full on superbike because on the track these nakeds suck because they offer not enough wind protection and not enough weight over the front to go a group fast.The ugly truth rears its head again...
As for bikes like 1290 SADV-S or MS V4 yes they are 20 mph faster on the Autobahn but otherwise the GS beats them on every account...And nowadays in Eu-5 times even in sound How times have changed.
Like I said big possibility that in autumn 2022 when the all new GS comes out ( I would bet my nuts on it ) it will get 160hp/155nm and with a 24 liter tank and 2 bags with same seize interior volume it will be close to perfect as a road-bike can ever get !
It will be much harder for KTM & Ducati to put driveshat and innovative front ends on their bikes to be really able to compare or even kill GS sales like some clueless Jootube copper talked about like some other idiot before ranting about the 1290 SD being a backroad superbike killer...These guys must live in the twilight zone
As for the RT it is for sure the best and only "sport-bike" amongst tourers.I would take it over the RS because it has the Telelever front end that is so much better than any fork on todays mostly less than perfect paved roads.
But for me it is too hot in summer times but probably perfect in England with all that liquid sunshine...
But the GS is still better for me being a little lighter and quicker steering and no problems to fault my long legs...
Stick I need your advise stay with the 20 lbs lighter regular GS with sports-supension or go back to the ADV with 10 liters more tank-range...Tough decision ! Easy decision if you look at the money since the 2019 is paid for...But last time in Mexico after 90 miles the reserve light came on running down a guy on a XR...
Have a good season and then another one until the M1300GS comes out to have a even better one...
As for bikes like 1290 SADV-S or MS V4 yes they are 20 mph faster on the Autobahn but otherwise the GS beats them on every account...And nowadays in Eu-5 times even in sound
How times have changed.Like I said big possibility that in autumn 2022 when the all new GS comes out ( I would bet my nuts on it ) it will get 160hp/155nm and with a 24 liter tank and 2 bags with same seize interior volume it will be close to perfect as a road-bike can ever get !
It will be much harder for KTM & Ducati to put driveshat and innovative front ends on their bikes to be really able to compare or even kill GS sales like some clueless Jootube copper talked about like some other idiot before ranting about the 1290 SD being a backroad superbike killer...These guys must live in the twilight zone
As for the RT it is for sure the best and only "sport-bike" amongst tourers.I would take it over the RS because it has the Telelever front end that is so much better than any fork on todays mostly less than perfect paved roads.
But for me it is too hot in summer times but probably perfect in England with all that liquid sunshine...
But the GS is still better for me being a little lighter and quicker steering and no problems to fault my long legs...
Stick I need your advise stay with the 20 lbs lighter regular GS with sports-supension or go back to the ADV with 10 liters more tank-range...Tough decision ! Easy decision if you look at the money since the 2019 is paid for...
But last time in Mexico after 90 miles the reserve light came on running down a guy on a XR...Have a good season and then another one until the M1300GS comes out to have a even better one...
...... Which is why ..... Life is all about compromise, and why 'the best bike' is (or should be) 'The best bike FOR ME' !
I had an 1190R with a 21'' front for about three years. A really lovely bike. Great engine and very good quality manually adjusted suspension which, definitely, had a nicer silkier feel that electronic. It glided. No binary 0's and 1's.
On the back roads, that front wheel just floated over stuff. You want nearside positioning on a right hander out in the sticks? This was the bike to do it on. (BoxerFrogs ... if you're reading that bit you won't understand it. We have proper roads in the UK, not just Free ways!)
At that time, I was doing a bit of off roading (did the Taffy Dakar on it, Fuck that welsh slate is hard work!) and at that time in life, it was the best bike for me.
(Salisbury Plain) ;
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On the road though, (which was where 90% of my riding actually was) did the bike turn on a sixpence? Not reeeeally. Long suspension, off road geometry, 21" front big gyroscope, so floaty Yes, sharp turney No. So .... its a compromise. Best bike, but not perfect.
On a fast A road with a good surface, could you Jam the bike into a corner on a shut throttle at 95, turn it and fire it out? Ummmmmmmmm, I struggled! Mental probably but I just didn't have the balls with that skinny 90/90 front. Tyre choice was also limited to stuff like Conti Trail Attack. That was as road biased as I could get.
Great bike, great choice for that time in life. Best bike for me then? Yep, definitely.
Five years later, times have changed and I now have two quite sporty road bikes. Can I now, jam my bike into a corner at 95 .... yada yada yada ... You bet! My little 790 is just astonishing with its corner entry. KTM nicknamed it 'The Scalpel' and I can see why. That front wheel feels like its under your bollocks and is made of hot glue! Love it!
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Is this bike a bit of a compromise? yeah a bit, suspension is on a bit of a budget, tank range is pretty shit, Brakes are very average.
Best bike for me? Not bad ...Not bad .....
But Hey, Enter Mr Tuono Stage left.
For Me, right now, I wouldn't choose anything else. For Me, it is the best bike out there. It's just .... sublime. Very fast, beautiful suspension, amazing electronics package, best brakes I've ever known (their touch is just amazing, its not how well they stop you .... its the feel in your fingers .... ), an addictive V4 175BHP, its .... sex on two wheels.
Is it a compromise? Yep! Tank range is average at best, forget taking a pillion, no luggage, Oh .... no centre stand or telelever !!, no heated grips, no fuel gauge ...
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At my time in life, right now, is this the 'best bike'?
Yeah! This is ... THE BEST BIKE. For me.
