My RT impressions

[busy builder]

Now after almost a month and about 2000 miles.

I have reservations about my bikes handling and would like some opinions. It is shod with PR4GT's from new but it tracks over raised white lines and over-banding something terrible. Tyre pressures are 2.5 and 2.9 according to the TPS, they are not squared off even after 3500 miles.

I was out the other day and following 3 bikes through Torridon, bumpy single track road not the best, and suspension was set rider + luggage and Dyna setting. The bike's handling was awful and I had real trouble keeping up with the bikes, we were not going fast and on my previous RT (2013) shod with PR3's I would have passed them no problem.

The handling felt like the bike was skipping over the bumpy road, and I was getting bounced around like the rear shock was fooked.

On a much better or smoother road, with the bike set on ROAD and normal suspension setting it handles okay if not perfect, I was out today and bike was okay on road/normal settings.

I am considered a fast smooth rider by my mates and once or twice I've been asked if I'm a police rider, I am almost wishing I had my old RT SE.

I wonder if there is a problem with the rear shock ? or perhaps it's just me getting used to a new bike ?

 

[degsey]

I have the same problem on bumpy roads the suspension is shite, it's painful to ride

 

[Wierpig]

With dynamic selected,riding on a bumpy road at speed would have the traction light on and off like a prozzys knickers.possibly normal might be better.I find the suspension perfect on the LC and far better than my wilbers wesa 2013

 

[wreck diver]

I have done 5000 miles on mine now since March and no problems with the suspension.
I have found that Dyna setting is fine for smooth surfaces but on roads like you described very harsh and Normal or Comfort would be better.
Mine is running on Conti tyres at the moment but next set will be PR4,s
Fuel economy is superb,61mpg indicated on a long run in the Alps
All my rides are solo with small topbox and cases.

How do you find your satnav,my biggest hate it the fixed position.If the sun is behind me the screen is unreadable plus it's such a pain to zoom in/out.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Out in the northern end of the Lakes yesterday with the wife, wife says we haven't been over Hardknott Pass for a couple of years, just as we get there the heavens opened, suspension on wallow, road over then did some gated roads, then fast A roads, think the suspension and tyres (PR4) are the best I have ridden on.
I wouldn't have thought bumpy roads and Dyna setting would give the best ride on a RT

 

[Puggy]

Yes - to agree with everyone. Dyna and Hard is unrideable on anything that the Highways Agency deems fit for vehicle use in the UK. So I use Dyna, but manually put the suspension back to normal. If you are in France on all those superb EU funded roads as smooth as a billiard table, then hard is fine.

If you think the LC RT is a hard ride, come and have a ride on my RnineT. I have to ride with my mouth open to avoid my teeth being smashed out as I crash along. The ride is sooo hard and choppy. I have tried fiddling but I think it is the upside downies on the front and they don't seem to be adjustable.... I am going to have to explore some alternatives as after 100 miles on it at the weekend I felt completely ruined...

Puggy

 

[Karlread]

Have just got back from a 2000 mile running in trip on my replacement RT LC (they took the last one back due to corrosion). Original bike had Pilot GT4's as did the loaner which I put 1000 miles on in 2 weeks for the dealer. My bike has Conti's and whilst they are ok on back roads with suspension and engine mode set to Dynamic, I don't like it on Motorways at all... On reaching 70mph it feels as if there is a slight weave and overtaking lorries it is a case of ducking behind the screen and gunning it. I wonder if anyone else has had this phenomenon, the top box is the new 49 litre style. If I go abroad next year I will take my smaller 28 litre box.

 

[degsey]

while you are all about how do you get the speed displayed on the dash

 

[wreck diver]

Are you riding solo with the big topbox on when you feel unsteady??
Reason I ask,I felt similar probs on a K1100 Le with a large box on.took the box off or rode 2 up no probs??

I ride with the small topbox on and have not felt any issues on my RT
The dealer set my digi speedo up so can't help you on that one. It's a poor job that it can't swap,over to KM,s when touring though!!

Have just got back from a 2000 mile running in trip on my replacement RT LC (they took the last one back due to corrosion). Original bike had Pilot GT4's as did the loaner which I put 1000 miles on in 2 weeks for the dealer. My bike has Conti's and whilst they are ok on back roads with suspension and engine mode set to Dynamic, I don't like it on Motorways at all... On reaching 70mph it feels as if there is a slight weave and overtaking lorries it is a case of ducking behind the screen and gunning it. I wonder if anyone else has had this phenomenon, the top box is the new 49 litre style. If I go abroad next year I will take my smaller 28 litre box.

 

[DC]

to bring the speed up in digits on the dash , go to menu , logo, turn this off then there are a few options you can have

 

[DC]

i find the suspension on the RT superb. Tyres do make a difference to the handling , i have PR4 GT on too , not experienced any white lining….ride the road again sometime in a different setting , normal not hard and maybe road not dyna, see if it makes a difference

 

[Fluffmeister]

Mine is running on z8's and I'm not experiencing any poor tracking / white lining problems. The big top box is a bloody sail in the wind though, could not wait to get it off the bike after the euro trip this year.

 

[degsey]

to bring the speed up in digits on the dash , go to menu , logo, turn this off then there are a few options you can have

Job sorted many thanks

 

[Karlread]

Will try it without the topbox which I think may be the answer....

 

[sven]

I've just changed the rear tyre on my GS LC from a PR4 Trail to a PR4 GT and the ride is much harsher. The carcass must be stiffer to suit a heavier bike.

The BT023 tyre was similar. The standard one was fine on my RT, but the GT version gave a very harsh ride in comparison, especially solo

 

[batman1]

i find the suspension on the RT superb. Tyres do make a difference to the handling , i have PR4 GT on too , not experienced any white lining….ride the road again sometime in a different setting , normal not hard and maybe road not dyna, see if it makes a difference

Ditto!

If you find Dyno setting too hard and Road setting okay....then ride in road...Simples!

or as previously stated, if you prefer the Dyno quick action throttle response but not the firm suspension, manually over-ride the dyno 'Hard' setting to the 'Normal' ride setting.

 

[Our Gee]

Having owned a number of BMW's over the years I have found that in general and with the advent of the Telelever front end, the suspension is not the most compliant out there. U.K. roads really emphasise this. Like Puggy I too have noticed a vast difference when travelling in France and most other continental europe countries. Having recently returned from a 2 week trip to Provence, this time in our Skoda Yeti I can say that it was like driving a different car. Superb ride comfort, quiet and a real pleasure. Until the UK government finds the cash, the will, the materials and the long gone expertise to construct 21st century roads instead of the current obsession with filling potholes in their poorly constructed roads we are going to have a worsening situation. Just recently a multi million pound "improvement" was completed on a section of the Ingleby Barwick A174 / A19 feeder road on Teesside. Give me a can of white spray paint and I'll mark up just where the potholes are going to appear, probably after the next winter.
Incidently I have found that I need to have the suspension of our Twincam RT set at "Comfort" to get the same ride quality of our previous Hex Head set at "Normal". Also I have found that the best tyre for ride comfort on our crappy roads is the Conti. Road Attack 2.

 

[busy builder]

I think the PR4 GT is probably too stiff for our roads, i'll be putting ordinary PR4's on next. My last RT TC was shod with PR3's and I think rode better than current RT LC on PR4 GT's.

 

[Jacal]

AS much as I like my RT LC, I think my last RT Twin cam was more comfortable and a smoother ride. IMHO the ride is harsher and the rider position is slightly sportier on the LC, after 200 miles I tend to ache in the shoulder which I didn't get on the twin cam.

 

[Karlread]

I preferred my 2006 R1200RT for comfort as well, but I must say that the engine on the new bike is an absolute corker!