GS- RT, RT GS, GS RT......

[moly]

you are all right in one way and another and i have to agree that the RT is void of feedback and you have to have faith in the tyres . But so are all are all bms with this type of suspension ,just for good measure its not a gs only web site if you want that by a harley .mind you from what i have seen of alot of new B M riders they are moving in , ie 12 month old bms 2000 miles ihave even seen one on this web site showing a gs on a trailer testing it out to go touring!!!!!!!!!! to see how it travels JUST RIDE IT AND FIND OUT, so to all of you ride what you want but ride it

 

[stonetown]

you are all right in one way and another and i have to agree that the RT is void of feedback and you have to have faith in the tyres . But so are all are all bms with this type of suspension ,just for good measure its not a gs only web site if you want that by a harley .mind you from what i have seen of alot of new B M riders they are moving in , ie 12 month old bms 2000 miles ihave even seen one on this web site showing a gs on a trailer testing it out to go touring!!!!!!!!!! to see how it travels JUST RIDE IT AND FIND OUT, so to all of you ride what you want but ride it

FWIW I took a 13GT for a test ride today as I'm looking for something a little more powerful than my 12GSA, I tried an RT last year and didn't like it. I would have the 13GT over the 12GSA but for the leg comfort, the GT has a lower seat and my long legs feel more cramped (looking for peg lowering). However the GSA aint perfect, there is alot of buffeting at fast mway speeds and whilst it's 80-110 roll-on performance is OK, it just doesn't set me alight whereas the GT does. GT & RT suspension feels far superior and plush compared to the GSA, the GSA transmits more of the road surface to the rider providing less comfort than the other 2 bikes.

Horses for courses though, I've really enjoyed riding my 12GSA for the last 18 months, 12K miles.

 

[moly]

1300 gt power is awesome but the rt handles better feels lighter too the answer is too tune the RT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[b12bandit]

RT v GS v R1150R

Can I throw another question into the mix?

I'm old (49) and have ridden bikes since I was 10. My R1150R is the 25th bike I've owned. Love it.

A mate and I are riding to Morocco next year. He's got a KTM 990 Adventure - complete with knobblies, but the route he's planned is 100% tarmac????

I'd love to 'trade up' to a GS but really cannot justify the expense, and keep asking myself, 'what can the GS do that my R cannot?' (bearing in mind I've no plans to go off road)

I'm avoiding visiting my local dealer (wollastons) because I just know I'll end up part-exing my R for a GS that I might want but really don't need

 

[Bryn]

Can I throw another question into the mix?

I'm old (49) and have ridden bikes since I was 10. My R1150R is the 25th bike I've owned. Love it.

A mate and I are riding to Morocco next year. He's got a KTM 990 Adventure - complete with knobblies, but the route he's planned is 100% tarmac????

I'd love to 'trade up' to a GS but really cannot justify the expense, and keep asking myself, 'what can the GS do that my R cannot?' (bearing in mind I've no plans to go off road)

I'm avoiding visiting my local dealer (wollastons) because I just know I'll end up part-exing my R for a GS that I might want but really don't need

Knobblies if you aren't going off the tarmac ? They probably look good but that's about all ...

As far as your 'Hankering' is concerned.......

Get a test ride booked for a day if possible, or as long as possible anyway...if at the end of it you know you've got to have a GS, you'll eventually trade in the R....

Its down to how the bike makes you feel when you open up the garage door... I'd imagine the GS won't do anything else that a naked bandit would do... It'd just do it with more ease, comfort and 'panache'

Just my opinion of course

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I might want but really don't need

And your point is?

 

[b12bandit]

And your point is?

My point is I WANT a GS but;

• 
  I've got a monster mortgage
  I've got an overdraft on my overdraft
  I'm using credit cards to pay off other credit cards
  I have 2 teenage kids whose entire social lives I appear to be funding
  I've already had 25 bikes. There's nothing wrong with my 1150R
  Mrs bandit would quite righlty ask if I'd gone insane if I should buy ANOTHER bike
  • 
    
    I think it must be some sort of disease.

 

[moly]

keep the R enjoy it they are agreat bike in the right hands it will dust most bikes . if i was going away on atrip it wouldnt be on the k t m

 

[Paul Wakefield]

My point is I WANT a GS but;

• I've got a monster mortgage
  I've got an overdraft on my overdraft
  I'm using credit cards to pay off other credit cards
  I have 2 teenage kids whose entire social lives I appear to be funding
  I've already had 25 bikes. There's nothing wrong with my 1150R
  Mrs bandit would quite righlty ask if I'd gone insane if I should buy ANOTHER bike
  • I think it must be some sort of disease.

My question stands

 

[b12bandit]

Paul,

My point is that, at my age, I should know better. I don't need to change bikes. There's nothing wrong with the one I've got.

I've been buying motorcycles I don't need for 33 years!

Substitute cocaine for motorcycle and I'd either be in prison or dead by now.

There's no logic to it at all.

And yet the madness continues......

 

[WindyChuffer]

Nope....................


It is really difficult because they are the 2 best bike types BMW produce (the sales numbers tell the story, irrespective of whether its a 11/1150 or 12)

RT's are good for fast,effoertless touring on m/ways and A/B roads

The only time the GSA comes into its own is when the roads are small, narrow and twisty

The RT will piss a GS/GSA in terms of comfort/speed/average speed on a fast A road or motorway

Personally I dont see the point of the RT. IMHO, if you want a fully faired touring bike, you might as well go the whole hog and buy the K1300GT, which will piss all over the RT surely?

You are missing the off road ability of the GSA tool; but then most dont venture off the tarmac.

 

[Steady Eddie]

Which bike

Personally I dont see the point of the RT. IMHO, if you want a fully faired touring bike, you might as well go the whole hog and buy the K1300GT, which will piss all over the RT surely?

You are missing the off road ability of the GSA tool; but then most dont venture off the tarmac.

Horses for courses - the RT is the perfect foil for the GS , Johnny Boxer has it right - some may not prefer the outright pace that the GT undoubtedly offers - for them [ includes the likes of me ] , the RT fits just fine .

Steve

 

[WindyChuffer]

...some may not prefer the outright pace that the GT undoubtedly offers...

That twisty thing on the RHS of the bars is called the throttle...twist it less for less pace

 

[Steady Eddie]

Which ?

That twisty thing on the RHS of the bars is called the throttle...twist it less for less pace

Aye ,
But each to their own - with the amount of GS/RT owners out there , both models obviously meet most needs for may riders .

Steve

 

[stonetown]

I've revised my opinion of the RT after a second test ride - they're grrreat - so great in fact I am trading in my GSA but I need better wind protection and easier load carrying whilst retaining speed and handling (and I want a new shiny thing).

Tried the 13GT ergos are different to the RT, legs more cramped on the GT so it's a no go, love the speed and torque. Wet, gravel strewn back roads are scary on the GT (as it is with most sports bikes).

I could ride the RT down the crappy back roads like I throw my GSA around them, same engine, lovely confident stable feel, ABS and ASC working on the dodgy patches. The RT is slightly narrower for filtering, however mirrors are lower so will have to adapt slightly. I had a grin when returning to the dealers on the RT, I didn't have the same grin on the GT!

I'll be sorry to see the GSA go, it has slightly more character and big road presence but for my type of riding at the moment I need better protection from a fairing and 2-up comfort.

 

[Steady Eddie]

GS to RT

I've revised my opinion of the RT after a second test ride - they're grrreat - so great in fact I am trading in my GSA but I need better wind protection and easier load carrying whilst retaining speed and handling (and I want a new shiny thing).

Tried the 13GT ergos are different to the RT, legs more cramped on the GT so it's a no go, love the speed and torque. Wet, gravel strewn back roads are scary on the GT (as it is with most sports bikes).

I could ride the RT down the crappy back roads like I throw my GSA around them, same engine, lovely confident stable feel, ABS and ASC working on the dodgy patches. The RT is slightly narrower for filtering, however mirrors are lower so will have to adapt slightly. I had a grin when returning to the dealers on the RT, I didn't have the same grin on the GT!

I'll be sorry to see the GSA go, it has slightly more character and big road presence but for my type of riding at the moment I need better protection from a fairing and 2-up comfort.

I had a GS -bought it cos I loved the way it looked , and didn't care what others thought .......... I discovered that whilst I loved riding it , I suffered badly due to the lack of weather protection , [ I'm a lightweight 11 stone shortarse as well ] and it was just a tad too tall .....I never had any intention of riding off road , I just really liked the thing ..........although I know I could have done stuff to get the bike lower / better protection etc , it was not for me .

In the end , I took an 1100 RT for a test ride , and found it to be right up my street , even though it was even heavier than the GS ........ I went out and got one - that was in 04 - since then I 've had a Harley Heritage Softail Classic , but went back to an RT - this time a 1200 ........... cracking bike I went back to the dealers 5 times between ordering and getting it just so I could ride one - [another test ride sir ?? ], but due to personal circumstances that had to go , and I spent an AWFUL 18 months without a bike ......... when limited funds became available , I got another bike .............my current one , which is an 1100 RT - it's 11 years old , cosmetically it could do with tarting up , but it's mechanically sound .

I ride my bike to work , and whenever I can at the weekends/ evening , family committments permitting , and I love it , especially being able to ride it when most other riders find it too cold/wet etc .

These big beemers are such great machines to ride long distances , and the RT especially as the ergos and weather protection make it so easy .

You are gonna love the RT .

My 1200 , known as the Panzer .......... [ arty shot ]

.and the current one , known as the Pathfinder .......

Steve

 

[llotse]

my R T is far from sanitised full A. W .E.race exhaust, flowed heads,valves, blue printed and balanced, wheelies off the power, nurburg ring 9:05 pisses off jap bike power rangers the GS is agreat bike but when pushed hard it does move around alot and doesnt hold a line, my choice for real fast ride would still be the RT

Er.... please can you say that again in English? As a mechanical numpty I need to know what you have done and what the difference from standard bhp is. I have a 1200GT II but long for the comfort of the RT and a boxer engine but would like a bit more power

 

[Capt Over-reaction]

Personally I dont see the point of the RT. IMHO, if you want a fully faired touring bike, you might as well go the whole hog and buy the K1300GT, which will piss all over the RT surely?

Exactly it is a personal choice, I DO see the point of an RT. IMHO i don't see the point of a GS, surely you want a dirt bike, but like we all say it is a personal choice

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Personally I dont see the point of the RT. IMHO, if you want a fully faired touring bike, you might as well go the whole hog and buy the K1300GT, which will piss all over the RT surely?You are missing the off road ability of the GSA tool; but then most dont venture off the tarmac.

Nope you're wrong

Many more Boxer RT's sold since the 1980's than any 4 cylinder K100LT/K1100LT/K1200LT/K1200 or K1300GT's

Boxers are more popular faired BMW Touring bikes

I bet 10 R1200RT's are sold to every one K12/K13GT

Next..............................

If you can't see the point of a fully faired Tourer, then you've lost the appeal of being able to carry out riding big miles on a machine that is more comfortable and more refined for Touring than any GS could ever hope to be

As for offroad ability on a GS....................it's ability is severly reduced by its weight and as soon as the trail gets harder................then it's game over for most on a Boxer GS

My Boxer GS will never go offroad in my ownership

 

[DrAlf]

Seems to me that the GS and RT are a little too similar to justify owning both bikes. I’m amazed by the number of people on here who own both. Whilst I appreciate that the RT is a great bike, I’d only consider owning one if I sold my current 1150.

I’ve never ridden an RT but what exactly does it do that a GS with an aftermarket screen and comfy seat doesn’t?