Don't get it sorry
Do you also wear hair shirts?
See your point, badly phrased. No hair shirt, just respect for a supremely competent bike.
Maybe that's why I ride Airheads mainly, less out of balance with my abilities
GS to RT - Opinions?
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See your point, badly phrased. No hair shirt, just respect for a supremely competent bike.
Maybe that's why I ride Airheads mainly, less out of balance with my abilities
I don't know why anyone would have a GS if they only do road miles and never want to go off road ? 
dual purpose means not single purpose.
if you only ever go on the road - get an RT or RS
if you make a point of riding down tracks and playing, get a GS.
If you're getting on a bit
...and the GS is too heavy off road and you've decided you're not doing it anymore..go the RT...or a lighter off roader.
dual purpose means not single purpose.
if you only ever go on the road - get an RT or RS
if you make a point of riding down tracks and playing, get a GS.
If you're getting on a bit
...and the GS is too heavy off road and you've decided you're not doing it anymore..go the RT...or a lighter off roader.
RT's are lovely.
The two side fairing panels don't take long to remove, but the tank is a pain.
They look nice and shiney, but when you remove the fairing panels most of them are badly corroded underneth.
The exhausts fall apart from the inside.
A simple job like fork seal replacement can be a drama if the bolts that hold the bar brackets snap off in the top yolk. First thing to do if you do get one is take the bolts out and copperslip them.
Nice and low, fairing is a beaut in bad weather. The handling doesn't feel as good as a GS, when flicking through the bends the RT feels like the front tyre is low on air.
I aquired a very low mileage damaged RT last year. Just waiting for the parts to appear at the right prices and i'll be toodling around on it.
Well summed up by the Master
Which RT, Neil?............. 1150 or 1100?
Neil's right...............I always look under the tupperware/exhaust/seat to check the condition
Took me 2 years to find a good'un and I always perplexed dealers/owners when I asked for the keys and promptly set about removing the Panniers/Seat/Black Plastic rear fairing triangles...............so I could get a good look at the 'underneath'
If it was good, things could progress
......................if it was a shed - I walked awayCondition was king and if the bike was good, it indicated that the previous owners had taken care of the service items etc
I don't know why anyone would have a GS if they only do road miles and never want to go off road ?
How many people who buy a Range Rover/Land Cruiser/Shogun take them offroad? Maybe you'd say they should buy a normal car instead? But they don't want a normal car and fortunately we all have freedom of choice. Let people ride what they want to ride.
I don't take my GS off road but I don't want an RT or an RS (tried that, didn't like it) - the GS just suits me - the way it rides, the comfort/riding position, the ease of working on it and all the little things that I'm sure I don't need to tell you about. Just because it can be ridden off road doesn't mean that it has to be.
Does everyone who buys an S1000RR have to take it on track by your reckoning? Sure, many will, but a lot won't.
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I don't know why anyone would have a GS if they only do road miles and never want to go off road ?
dual purpose means not single purpose.
if you only ever go on the road - get an RT or RS
if you make a point of riding down tracks and playing, get a GS.
If you're getting on a bit
Image
All the sports bikes you see on the road, how many of them actually let to rip around a race track?
Expensive original flight bomber jackets, probably never been near a cockpit.
Image.
I’ve been off road plenty of times though
EDIT: Sproggy beat me to it !
Last edited:
Myke Rocks
Registered user
which does one prefer?
Well, if I lived in Spain, there is no doubt, it would be a GS.
But; I do not live in Spain, but here in the North of Ireland.
It rains a lot, and sometimes a lot more.
I am too much of a realist. No, given the environment where I reside, it has to be an RT.
Myke
Well, if I lived in Spain, there is no doubt, it would be a GS.
But; I do not live in Spain, but here in the North of Ireland.
It rains a lot, and sometimes a lot more.
I am too much of a realist. No, given the environment where I reside, it has to be an RT.
Myke
Image
All the sports bikes you see on the road, how many of them actually let to rip around a race track?
Expensive original flight bomber jackets, probably never been near a cockpit.
Image.
I’ve been off road plenty of times though
EDIT: Sproggy beat me to it !
must be just me then..i just buy something to do a job as well as possible.
GS's don't do big m'may miles as well as ..say an RT...but i wouldn't take an RT down a muddy track.
I hate plastic rockets cos they're too focused for the road ( BTDTGTT-shirt)
Thanks for the helpful replies.
On the topic of off-road or not. I do, as and when the opportunity arises and I often go out of my way for the opportunity. It's just that I'm beginning to wonder if I'd really have that much less fun by not taking to the tracks if I was riding a bike that didn't have that capability.
I'll admit to seeking-out tracks just because I'm on the GS at times.
On condition. I've seen some RT's sans plastic and they've been frighteningly rough. The one I looked at today is owned (and has been from new) by someone who works for a BMW dealership as the man who prepares the pre-owned stock. He really knows the meaning of "detailing"; and his bike is faultless on the outside and the inside.
I think that the best thing is that I ought to find one and run it alongside the GS for a while. That way I'll learn if it's the right thing for me without getting rid of the GS (I'd hate to find that I'd sold my GSA and made a mistake, I'd never be able to find one that I could replace it with).
On the topic of off-road or not. I do, as and when the opportunity arises and I often go out of my way for the opportunity. It's just that I'm beginning to wonder if I'd really have that much less fun by not taking to the tracks if I was riding a bike that didn't have that capability.
I'll admit to seeking-out tracks just because I'm on the GS at times.
On condition. I've seen some RT's sans plastic and they've been frighteningly rough. The one I looked at today is owned (and has been from new) by someone who works for a BMW dealership as the man who prepares the pre-owned stock. He really knows the meaning of "detailing"; and his bike is faultless on the outside and the inside.
I think that the best thing is that I ought to find one and run it alongside the GS for a while. That way I'll learn if it's the right thing for me without getting rid of the GS (I'd hate to find that I'd sold my GSA and made a mistake, I'd never be able to find one that I could replace it with).
1150 - but i prefer the 1100 fairing, less fussy looking.
True and the simpler brakes that the 11RT has
Everyone goes on about the look of the square headlight, but it doesn't bother me
GSA-RT.1150
My 01.R1150RT,have 170000KM.and stil on the road..Nice bike,,I love the combination betveen the GSA (1150) and the RT..
http://www.kawanor.com/
My 01.R1150RT,have 170000KM.and stil on the road..Nice bike,,I love the combination betveen the GSA (1150) and the RT..
http://www.kawanor.com/
Some great comments on this thread
I'm the same a Steptoe about the handling... you can have it on the pegs but it doesn't feel the same.
All the points about the fairing are great but you can make a GS far better for protection with a little effort. My 11GS was easy enough and the little pic of Steptoe on his Morocco trip shows the ADV version. I also have a K11LT and this has one of the all time best fairings... but doesn't handle any where near as well as an RRT.
GS's aren't just for dual purpose riding. They are great as an all in road bike. I used to live in the SW and you don't have to worry about bumpy of gravelly or shitty or etc etc B roads on a GS.
YOu can't eyeball a van driver on an RT.
Also GS's are best under 100mph so are easier on the licence
Feck me Touratwaddle would go under if they listened to you boys and 1/2 the folk defected to RT's
I parked my old GS in a service car park last year an when i came back there was a 12RT next to it. I did the 360 round and thought yip the 12RT looks the biz. Then I remembered that all in with the mods, my bike was cost about 1/5 of much. Then I looked at the seat and remembered that even the extra comfort RT seat was shite! Then I looked at all the lovely plastic to trash if you let go of it. Then I thought of thieving bastards trying to nick it. Then I thought of all the bits that a reported to go wrong on the 12's... Oh nearly forgot the dealer umbilical....
+ WHERES THE BEAK!!
I'm the same a Steptoe about the handling... you can have it on the pegs but it doesn't feel the same.
All the points about the fairing are great but you can make a GS far better for protection with a little effort. My 11GS was easy enough and the little pic of Steptoe on his Morocco trip shows the ADV version. I also have a K11LT and this has one of the all time best fairings... but doesn't handle any where near as well as an RRT.
GS's aren't just for dual purpose riding. They are great as an all in road bike. I used to live in the SW and you don't have to worry about bumpy of gravelly or shitty or etc etc B roads on a GS.
YOu can't eyeball a van driver on an RT.
Also GS's are best under 100mph so are easier on the licence
Feck me Touratwaddle would go under if they listened to you boys and 1/2 the folk defected to RT's
I parked my old GS in a service car park last year an when i came back there was a 12RT next to it. I did the 360 round and thought yip the 12RT looks the biz. Then I remembered that all in with the mods, my bike was cost about 1/5 of much. Then I looked at the seat and remembered that even the extra comfort RT seat was shite! Then I looked at all the lovely plastic to trash if you let go of it. Then I thought of thieving bastards trying to nick it. Then I thought of all the bits that a reported to go wrong on the 12's
... Oh nearly forgot the dealer umbilical....+ WHERES THE BEAK!!
Interesting thread this - I was thinking along the same lines as I struggled my 1150GS out of my uphill sloping, gravel floored and very untidy garage for the first time this year.
For the first time I started wondering how long I will be able to carry on doing this.
The GS is the nicest bike I can imagine when its moving, even slowly, but its a bit of a pig to move about.
My question, is, how much easier is a an RT?
For the first time I started wondering how long I will be able to carry on doing this.
The GS is the nicest bike I can imagine when its moving, even slowly, but its a bit of a pig to move about.
My question, is, how much easier is a an RT?
It's not (based on the 1200s). In fact I find the GSA marginally easier because the handlebars are at a better height.
Seriously, don’t get an RT if you want less bulk and weight, If you want a middle weight tourer look at the Honda Deauville, a cracking machine
mxi933
Guest
I had a similar dilemma earlier this year but for me it was a toss up between a LT and a GS
My last four bikes have been GS and I was thinking about a change.
I eventually plumbed for the GS even though I dont do off roading and 99% of the miles I do are on tarmac. I went for the GS because of its presence. - it just looks like it means business.
Ive just picked one up with a 17' wheel conversion and with a decent seat and maybe an Airhawk pad Ive done 600 miles in one day quite comfortably.
Like the previous posts have said you dont have to be an off roader to own one, in fact I reckon there are better bikes out there if you are.
My last four bikes have been GS and I was thinking about a change.
I eventually plumbed for the GS even though I dont do off roading and 99% of the miles I do are on tarmac. I went for the GS because of its presence. - it just looks like it means business.
Ive just picked one up with a 17' wheel conversion and with a decent seat and maybe an Airhawk pad Ive done 600 miles in one day quite comfortably.
Like the previous posts have said you dont have to be an off roader to own one, in fact I reckon there are better bikes out there if you are.
Yes, but it's...........so..........boring..........
A mate's got a 650 Deauville and it's pig slow once you've got 2 people and luggage on it. I thought it was just his riding, but I tried it and it wasn't. Transalp power with a hell of a lot more weight to lug around.
You call it a middleweight but the 700 that you've pictured is 236kg compared to the 1200RTs 229kg (both dry, as quoted by MCN) so it's actually a heavyweight tourer with a middleweight engine. It's only 19kg lighter than an 1150RT!
Well thats suprising!
bladerunner
Registered user
For me the r11rt is much easier to push around than the 1150gsa. The weight is carried lower and the handle for centre standing is good. The bike is very well balanced fore to aft. Plus I can lift the rt, but no matter how pissed off, I've yet to lift the GSA once she's laid down for a rest. Low speed spills do very little damage to the rt. Even a 40 mph lowslide by a mate in the atlas mountains wasn't a show stopper and he rode 2000 miles back.
I do like the attitude of the GSA - my mate kept likening it to a bull pawing the earth!! You do feel if the bikes go down on the Santander ferry, the GSA will be left surrounded by plastic with a faint trickle of blood from her lips!! ;-)
I do like the attitude of the GSA - my mate kept likening it to a bull pawing the earth!! You do feel if the bikes go down on the Santander ferry, the GSA will be left surrounded by plastic with a faint trickle of blood from her lips!! ;-)
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