New to me 1250 RT

[Hut van]

Well I’ve joined your gang as I have just traded in my 1300 gs for a 74 plate 1250 RT.
I’ve never owned an RT before but did take one out for an extended test ride just before I bought the 1300gs.
To be honest I got a bit carried away with all the new gs hype last year and kind of bought an ex demo bike on impulse,
I did enjoy my two previous 1250 gs’s but definitely prefer the older engine over the 1300, don’t get me wrong the 1300gs is a good bike and never let me down in the 15 month I had it but the RT was an itch that needed scratched.
A couple of my bike mates have 1250 RT’s and rave about how good they are so I’ll just have to get over the pipe and slippers attitude as I am an old fart now anyway.
The bike is a late model and comes with all the toys apart from a top box so I’ll be looking out for a reasonable priced one after Christmas.
If there’s anybody out there with one available give me a shout please.
Here’s a couple of photos in the fastest colour if that’s even a thing with an RT

 

[Guru Gora]

Lovely. I’ve had 4 RTs and they’ve all been great bikes.

That display is huge eh

 

[LockieP]

Well I’ve joined your gang as I have just traded in my 1300 gs for a 74 plate 1250 RT.
I’ve never owned an RT before but did take one out for an extended test ride just before I bought the 1300gs.
To be honest I got a bit carried away with all the new gs hype last year and kind of bought an ex demo bike on impulse,
I did enjoy my two previous 1250 gs’s but definitely prefer the older engine over the 1300, don’t get me wrong the 1300gs is a good bike and never let me down in the 15 month I had it but the RT was an itch that needed scratched.
A couple of my bike mates have 1250 RT’s and rave about how good they are so I’ll just have to get over the pipe and slippers attitude as I am an old fart now anyway.
The bike is a late model and comes with all the toys apart from a top box so I’ll be looking out for a reasonable priced one after Christmas.
If there’s anybody out there with one available give me a shout please.
Here’s a couple of photos in the fastest colour if that’s even a thing with an RT

I jumped from a 1250GS to an RT a month ago. I’d clocked 40000m on my GS in a couple of years. I had a K1600 before the GS so figured the RT is basically the same as the K but with a boxer engine. Same colour as yours & it’s the first bike I’ve had for a while that isn’t black.
I’m really starting to love the RT. It feels so small compared to the GS, better weather protection & economy. I’ve bought a Wunderlich Marathon screen as I had one on the K & loved it. I ride all year.
The GS is a great bike but I’m now happy with my RT. Now where’s my pipe & slippers?

 

[Hut van]

I’m in Fife Scotland and I don’t usually ride the bike in our winters due to all the salt and grit but I am inching to get out on it.
We’re away to Lanzarote on the 13th for a week then up to Moray for Hogmanay, so will need to wait and see what the new year brings

 

[Mzokk]

I’m in Fife Scotland and I don’t usually ride the bike in our winters due to all the salt and grit but I am inching to get out on it.
We’re away to Lanzarote on the 13th for a week then up to Moray for Hogmanay, so will need to wait and see what the new year brings

Snow. Health to use it they are lovely machines and prices seem to be firming up as time goes on.

 

[beemerboy9]

Both the GS and RT are superb touring machines. I'd never try to persuade the owner of one to buy the other.

I remember one journalist saying "Solo I'd take a GS, two-up I'd take the RT".

 

[sven]

Both the GS and RT are superb touring machines. I'd never try to persuade the owner of one to buy the other.

I remember one journalist saying "Solo I'd take a GS, two-up I'd take the RT".

I would have agreed in respect of the old air cooled 1200's, but I had a 2024 RT as a courtesy bike for two months last year whilst my 2022 GSA was having its rattly engine (unsuccessfully) repaired and both my wife and I both found the GSA more comfortable.

 

[Larry Langford]

When I see folks switch from a GS/GSA to an RT, I totally get it .... With the right tires the GS is a decent touring bike, and I've seen a few around here with road 6's on them. But with knobbies not so much. You can do it on the GS but the RT is still sporty, but very comfortable as well, I theorize ... I had my GS with knobbies out on a ride I should have taken my RS and it turned out to be a little uncomfortable overall imo.The knobbies are loud and probably induce vibration, making for a long ride. The RS is much more streetable, solid and planted and better for shorter riders, but the RT would be king of touring it seems, while being a sport tourer in nature. Certainly not a surprising choice, especially if you didn't ride in the dirt much anyway imo ....

 

[vincentrapide]

I would have agreed in respect of the old air cooled 1200's, but I had a 2024 RT as a courtesy bike for two months last year whilst my 2022 GSA was having its rattly engine (unsuccessfully) repaired and both my wife and I both found the GSA more comfortable.

We would totally agree. Had a couple of RT’s and certainly did the miles on them. BUT, suffered from what we still call “RT hip”. Found the 1200/1250 GSA to be ideal for all day on the bike. Had a 1300 GSA but didn’t click with it so much. Happier these days with Multistrada (various).

 

[casbar]

We would totally agree. Had a couple of RT’s and certainly did the miles on them. BUT, suffered from what we still call “RT hip”. Found the 1200/1250 GSA to be ideal for all day on the bike. Had a 1300 GSA but didn’t click with it so much. Happier these days with Multistrada (various).

Never head of the RT hip. I have covered probably over 100,000 miles on RTs, all models up to the 1250s. Used them in all weathers and for blood biking. Absolutely loved them. Only reason I sold was it was getting a bit heavy for me. Never could gel with GSs, but not a giant so at 5ft 8, the RTs always fitted me. Both great bikes though

 

[Morety]

Never head of the RT hip. I have covered probably over 100,000 miles on RTs, all models up to the 1250s. Used them in all weathers and for blood biking. Absolutely loved them. Only reason I sold was it was getting a bit heavy for me. Never could gel with GSs, but not a giant so at 5ft 8, the RTs always fitted me. Both great bikes though

I'm about the same height and must admit, post spinal surgery, did develop "RT Hip" where I started getting cramp on any ride longer than a few hours, which was the main reason I regrettably parted company with it. It wasn't too bad with the seat on the highest setting but that meant not being able to flat foot the bike, and as I found out with the blood bike on the high setting (I preferred this due to the hours in the saddle) it had its compromises, especially stopping on adverse cambers or potholed lanes in the dark, where often I'd put my foot down and it kept going! Almost dropped it a few times, but thankfully didn't. Didn't want to risk the same with mine. Other than that, it was a cracking good bike. Loved it.

 

[jefformston]

Well I’ve joined your gang as I have just traded in my 1300 gs for a 74 plate 1250 RT.
I’ve never owned an RT before but did take one out for an extended test ride just before I bought the 1300gs.
To be honest I got a bit carried away with all the new gs hype last year and kind of bought an ex demo bike on impulse,
I did enjoy my two previous 1250 gs’s but definitely prefer the older engine over the 1300, don’t get me wrong the 1300gs is a good bike and never let me down in the 15 month I had it but the RT was an itch that needed scratched.
A couple of my bike mates have 1250 RT’s and rave about how good they are so I’ll just have to get over the pipe and slippers attitude as I am an old fart now anyway.
The bike is a late model and comes with all the toys apart from a top box so I’ll be looking out for a reasonable priced one after Christmas.
If there’s anybody out there with one available give me a shout please.
Here’s a couple of photos in the fastest colour if that’s even a thing with an RT

Any use to you?

 

[casbar]

I'm about the same height and must admit, post spinal surgery, did develop "RT Hip" where I started getting cramp on any ride longer than a few hours, which was the main reason I regrettably parted company with it. It wasn't too bad with the seat on the highest setting but that meant not being able to flat foot the bike, and as I found out with the blood bike on the high setting (I preferred this due to the hours in the saddle) it had its compromises, especially stopping on adverse cambers or potholed lanes in the dark, where often I'd put my foot down and it kept going! Almost dropped it a few times, but thankfully didn't. Didn't want to risk the same with mine. Other than that, it was a cracking good bike. Loved it.

Well there you go, never heard of RT hip until it popped up in the post earlier. Did have a K1600GTL as a loaner for 6 weeks and found that very uncomfortable with cramps, but that was when I wasn't craping myself I was going to drop it.

 

[Hut van]

Thanks for the offer Jeff, but Im sorted with a box from another gent on the forum.
I had the bike out for the first time on Friday for a 75 mile run from my home just north of Edinburgh up through Gleneagles, Crieff, Methven then down the motorway from Perth back to Fife.
Initial thoughts were the steering was rather heavy and slower to steer compared to the last 10 years on bikes with 19 in front wheels, however, within 20 minutes this feeling never entered my mind again.
I was blown away with how well it dropped into corners and how stable it was at very slow speeds when stopping at lights etc,
The dealers had fitted a new set of tyres prior to delivery, so I was very careful for the first 20 miles due to the wet and manky road conditions here at the moment, fortunately all the salt and grit had been washed away with the last passing storm.
The new tyres are Pirelli road angels, Ive never had any experience with these before, but as they are brand new I’ll be using them for the foreseeable as I’m not one for replacing tyre because I don’t like the label.

 

[RomeoT]

Great choice and nice colour.

I've owned around 70 bikes including circa 14 BMWs' - I'll sit and count them up one day! I find the RT one of the most accomplished all rounders. I've fitted a set of foot peg lowers and find the riding position spot on. If two up around built up areas I place my seat in the lower posn but raise it when on the open road and find the comfort and wind protection sublime. Also appreciate the distance cruise control and heated seats. I have the smaller BMW topbox for general riding which seems to reduce the upper weight of the bike considerably whilst still comfortable for a pillion. The large topbox has excellent capacity.
If you are a competent rider you won't be viewed as 'pipe and slippers' for too long whilst "progressing". These bikes track solidly around sweeping bends and are deceptively quick without too much fuss but a nice bark when the revs climb, becoming docile and very stable around town all the way to walking speed. Over distance I find it far more relaxing and less fatiguing than adventure style bikes or half faired options. Mine is Manhattan Metallic and looks well with the Akrapovic Titanium pipe fitted.
If it wasn't for circumstances dictating I require an 'auto' bike I'd be keeping the RT for another five years! I find the longer you ride the RT the more it makes sense. Ride safe and enjoy the bike around sunny ALBA and beyond

 

[Morety]

Great choice and nice colour.

I've owned around 70 bikes including circa 14 BMWs' - I'll sit and count them up one day! I find the RT one of the most accomplished all rounders. I've fitted a set of foot peg lowers and find the riding position spot on. If two up around built up areas I place my seat in the lower posn but raise it when on the open road and find the comfort and wind protection sublime. Also appreciate the distance cruise control and heated seats. I have the smaller BMW topbox for general riding which seems to reduce the upper weight of the bike considerably whilst still comfortable for a pillion. The large topbox has excellent capacity.
If you are a competent rider you won't be viewed as 'pipe and slippers' for too long whilst "progressing". These bikes track solidly around sweeping bends and are deceptively quick without too much fuss but a nice bark when the revs climb, becoming docile and very stable around town all the way to walking speed. Over distance I find it far more relaxing and less fatiguing than adventure style bikes or half faired options. Mine is Manhattan Metallic and looks well with the Akrapovic Titanium pipe fitted.
If it wasn't for circumstances dictating I require an 'auto' bike I'd be keeping the RT for another five years! I find the longer you ride the RT the more it makes sense. Ride safe and enjoy the bike around sunny ALBA and beyond

Agree with your thoughts. I consider both RT's I've owned to be the best all rounders in 40 years of riding and if I hadn't been unlucky with back issues, would never have sold my last 1250. My three stand out favourite bike models since beginning my big bike journey in the mid 80's include my old air head R100RT and my 2021 1250RT, no less than 3 Aprilia RSV Milles (including a Colin Edwards rep and an RSVR) and my current Ducati 950s supersport. I've never really bonded with any other bike in that time. The most forgettable were the IL4 jap bikes which I found rather sterile unless being screamed. Sad, not having the RT in the garage now, but the Ducati (next to the Mille's) puts a smile on my face every ride.