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

[hondated]

given it will not be until 2010 now I am constantly thinking about whether to get a GSA or an RT.If I was to buy it on looks alone it would have to be the GSA but because I know I will never be taking it off road, too feint hearted, I am wondering whether I would be better going for the RT. I met a fella at Box Hill recently who had just changed over from a GS to a RT and he loves it and it has got me thinking.
Come on all you serving Officers who ride RT during the day what do you prefer. Perhaps Grandad will know !

 

[cocokid]

given it will not be until 2010 now I am constantly thinking about whether to get a GSA or an RT.If I was to buy it on looks alone it would have to be the GSA but because I know I will never be taking it off road, too feint hearted, I am wondering whether I would be better going for the RT. I met a fella at Box Hill recently who had just changed over from a GS to a RT and he loves it and it has got me thinking.
Come on all you serving Officers who ride RT during the day what do you prefer. Perhaps Grandad will know !

I have owned an 07 gsa and a 58 plate RT, following a trip around France on the gsa it went in to my local dealer for warranty work (front discs) and I was given an RT as a loaner for the day, well I was so impressed with the smoothness of the engine, the extra go was very noticeable and in that days riding I convinced myself that the RT was the bike for me,anyway I ended up buying one and did just under 2000 miles on it mostly thro winter so the heated seats were great,the weather protection was superb especially with the aftermarket screen, but sometimes when giving it the backward glance it just didnt excite in the same way the gsa did,the RT started reminding me of a maxi scooter when viewed from certain angles !
so (and yes it cost me) I am now the pround owner of an 09 gsa with all the kit except esa,I love the "tech" look of the bike,its road presence, handling and practicality,and I can live with the slighly vibey motorway riding,(Im sure it will smooth out with miles) ok, it will hardly ever see off road but having just done the off road skills course I know what its capable off! remember, every ride on a gsa is an adventure, and am I worried about the Ewan and Charlie image? not a bit, its just the best all round bike you can buy!! I would like an RT as well though!

 

[MacFarlane]

Best thing to do is decide what you want the bike for, form (looks) or function (purpose)?

Try both then decide

(I ride an RT)

 

[Flipfly]

A roads and bigger B roads are dispensed with far better on the RT.

Tiny B roads and rough surfaced roads GS.

It's that simple IMHO.

On the road the RT is lighter steering, tips in faster, and a bit more planted (well it was on the 1150's due to the smaller front wheel and better tyre choice).

The RT is a better all weather bike too (although the finish is still rubbish and you need to remove the fairing regularly to keep it spanking gorgeous).

The GS is more fun cause ya can off road it and look tougher.

I suprised more than a few riders of more conventional machinery with the pace of both bikes.

Pays ya money etc etc. Me, I'd keep my 650 Dakar for laning and buy an RT

 

[Roberto]

Have had both the RT and GS/GSA's. Could easily have both- and for my vote not a lot between them, but maybe for different reasons. The GS is a little more fun in my view.. the RT is super composed and immense over long distances.

Both very easy to ride and enjoy.. as suggested get a test ride of them back to back..

Good luck, nice dilemma to be in

 

[shready]

Get both, I have

 

[Septimus]

I chopped in my 1150GSA for a 1200 RT.
The RT is a brilliant bike.
Comfortable for long motorway miles, but still nippy enough for the twisties.
ESA is great for easy set up
and the heated seats & incredible weather protection made it a great winter tool too.
I can't think of a bad thing to say about it.....except that it didn't really excite or engage me.

It's difficult to explain.
If it was a car I would've kept it, but I chopped it in for a bike that doesn't do everything as well as the RT did, but has more character. Feels more like riding a bike should. Has more of a grin factor.

If I still had my GSA I wouldn't p/ex it for another RT.

I s'pose different peeps choose their bikes for different reasons, so I go along with the "decide what you want the bike for" argument and test riding both would be good....not too help you make up your mind, it would just be good fun

Cheers
Russ

 

[Kawanor]

GSA/RT-(A)

I have 1150 RT and a GSA,,I never manage to decide who is the best one,for me..
There is`n any problem riding the RT on gravelroads,,and the GSA is NOT a ofroad bike,(to heavvy),,.Sure the GSA is more fun on the verry small roads,.

My RT is, one of the verry few, Adventure RT..

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have a R11RT and a 1150GSA

I really like both and they do different jobs

They're not worth much, so I will just keep them

 

[Flipfly]

I have a R11RT and a 1150GSA

I really like both and they do different jobs

They're not worth much, so I will just keep them

We aren't really helping him much are we Johnny

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

We aren't really helping him much are we Johnny

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

 

[Flipfly]

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

A contraversial thing to say on a GS site But you are completely correct

 

[phooey]

I was tempted away from GS's by a 1200RT last year.
Yes its smooth and comfortable, looks nice - even goes a bit in the twisties.

It toured on smooth A roads well enough but as has already been said

Its BORING !

I felt awful telling Beth I'd bought the wrong bike and really wanted a GSA again ( she had been quite explicit before opening her purse that I was absolutely sure this was what I wanted ).

She's practical though and hates long faces.

We have traded back to a GSA and thank god.

 

[Flipfly]

I was tempted away from GS's by a 1200RT last year.
Yes its smooth and comfortable, looks nice - even goes a bit in the twisties.

It toured on smooth A roads well enough but as has already been said

Its BORING !

I felt awful telling Beth I'd bought the wrong bike and really wanted a GSA again ( she had been quite explicit before opening her purse that I was absolutely sure this was what I wanted ).

She's practical though and hates long faces.

We have traded back to a GSA and thank god.

It's all in ya mind

Depends what you need out of a bike for it to be fun. I ride a 650 Dakar now and it's the most fun I've ever had on a bike, but only because it lets me do things that other bikes haven't.

The GS was fun, the RT was fun, even my old RD125LC was fun. The bike is a very small part of the overall experience of riding.

The most boring bike I've ridden was a ZX12R Krapinyanappy. I hit 170 on it and thought "been there done that". Going fast in a straight line is so tedious

You do lose the impression of speed on an RT due to the excellent weather protection, but that is one of the reasons it's a far better tourer and road bike than the GS. Just go into the bends faster, the impression of speed soon returns

 

[KarlC]

Had 3 RTs, 1 x 1150 and 2 x 1200. I have ridden RTs extensively throughout Europe including some very dodgy 1:2 gravel roads to hotels

Now have 1200 GS.

RT Pros and Cons ~(mainly based on 1200)
+ Best comfort you will find
+ Cavernous luggage
+ Panniers included in price (not just a promotion)
+ Heated seats great in Winter
+ Electric screen will keep everything off
+ Toys inc CD player and cruise control ease those long miles
+ Road presence
+ Filters OK once you are used to it's huge shoulders

- Heavy in slow speed stuff
- More expensive to service (BMW) cos the fairing has to come off each time
- Doesn't take drops well - too much fairing to damage
- Slower acceleration - weight
- Has a Grandad image problem

GS 1200 Pros and Cons based on 7 months ownership
+ Feels more like a motorbike by comparison
+ Much more flicky and permits leaning that the RT wont tolerate
+ No acres of fairing to clean + it looks good with dirt on it
+ Better acceleration than RT
+ Feels more secure on loose surfaces probably as a consequence of less weight
+ Image of rugged inter-continental go anywhere rugged kinda thing (or see below)
+ You can take some sports bikes by surprise
+ Filters OK

- Wind protection nowhere near as good
- Image is that of a two wheel equivelant of Chelsea tractor
- Everyone seems to have one so you wont stand out in a crowd

I think that is about it...you pays your money and takes your choice.

When I first got the GS I had to adapt to the additional wind blast and general influx of elements, but then again maybe that is what riding should be about - experiencing what you are riding through not being removed from it. I went to the GS because I felt too removed from the experience and also felt a little 'old' on the RT.

If I had the cash, I would probably have a stable of bikes including the GS, RT and also a K1300R oh and maybe the K1300GT - the K engine is insane ...plus the GT gives the touring capability etc.

Sorry, went off subject a bit.

In all seriousness, both are excellent machines, despite the acres of screen space given to various warranted and unwarranted moans and groans.

I hope some of that helped.

 

[Navy Boy]

+1 to KarlC's comments.

I went from an 04 12 GS to an 1150 RT and then to my present 12 RT.

The RTs are brilliant at doing what they say on the tin - That is doing longer trips/distances in comfort and with the ability to carry plenty of stuff.

The GS is more fun on the twisties but (IMO at any rate) have quite the completeness of the RT.

Having said that the RT can be a bit bland at times. Fortunately I have more than one bike so it's not really an issue.

As with any BMW a rigorous test ride is the only real way to make your mind up.

Enjoy!

 

[patzx12]

Dont dismiss the K1200GT as an option, the king of smooth and still sporty, the suspension is a generation ahead of anything else. there are lots for sale now that the 1300 is launched.

 

[Flipfly]

+ Much more flicky and permits leaning that the RT wont tolerate

Tell that to Mr Ducati SPS rider who was chased down by my dad on his 1100RT

At the next junction he looked back at my dad on his RT and shook his head in disbelief. All his knee dangling and Ducati branded clothing couldn't save him from being humbled by an old man on an RT with all it's luggage still attached

I also remember popping around one afternoon and my dad showing off his newly destroyed tyres (no chicken lines and a nice bit of rubber balling up on the very edge of the tyre). All done in a swift afternoons ride in Wales.

You can lean an RT as far as a standard GS although the ADV does give you a bit more suspension height and therefore a bit further lean before the heads touch down. Ya feckin commited if you are doing that regularly though

 

[KarlC]

You can lean an RT as far as a standard GS although the ADV does give you a bit more suspension height and therefore a bit further lean before the heads touch down. Ya feckin commited if you are doing that regularly though

Opinions are obviously personal, but having owned / ridden RTs for >120k miles, I disagree. I have had to kick an RT into upright because the weight was taking me down on a heavy lean. Not experienced that on the GS (hoping not to) and I would note that obviously speed and tyres play their part.

Now to open the debate, which are the best tyres......

 

[Flipfly]

Opinions are obviously personal, but having owned / ridden RTs for >120k miles, I disagree. I have had to kick an RT into upright because the weight was taking me down on a heavy lean. Not experienced that on the GS (hoping not to) and I would note that obviously speed and tyres play their part.

Now to open the debate, which are the best tyres......

Definately not the Metzeler MEZ4's

Personally I'd go for Conti Road Attacks on an RT