New to the RT - Handling question.

haggetty

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Hi all,
not new to the forum (Had LC GS previously) but new to the RT!

I am the proud new owner of a lovely 2013 RT 90th Anniversary with just 4200 miles.

Traded in a 65 plate FJR AE which was very competent but hard to fall in love with somehow.

The RT has all the qualities I needed and better still, is praised highly by the wife, so touring is on the agenda at last!

The only thing that has surprised me is that the handling is unlike anything I've ridden before, and not in a good way.
I wonder if you good experienced folk could give me the benefit of your experience with the RT.

My RT is stable in a straight line at any reasonable speed but lower speed cornering, ie roundabouts show up an undesireable characteristic. That is, the bike initiates the turn okay but then the front end has a strong and immediate tendency to flop in, or 'tuck' and strongly tries to stand the bike upright again.
To corner requires a surprising amount of countersteering (like 2-3kg of force) to keep it down in the turn. I'm finding this at odds with the bikes reputation for fine handling.

So, that's the issue. The bike is on its original BT021 tyres (which I understand aren't the best), the rear is a bit flatted-off, front looks ok. Pressures are 2.5 - 2.9 bar and the bike arrived fully dealer serviced and freshly MOT'd. ESA set correctly all looks in order.

I will be sourcing a set of PR4 GTs as a starter and hopefully that will improve things substantially.

Just interested in your thoughts chaps on whether this tendency is characteristic or not. :thumb2
 
You will probably find that the new tyres will transform the handling.
 
I would say tyres too. Especially given your evidence of how it feels in the corner. You're trying to move the bike off it's flat spot and over a shoulder that's developed in the tyre profile - that's why when it goes it suddenly flops, or that you have to put pressure on the bars to keep it leant over.

Put a new pair of tyres on it.... :thumb2
 
Giles is right, get new set of tyres fitted. It will transform the handling. I've got Mitchelin Pilot road 4 GT's which work well. I'm sure others will express an opinion too. The RT does feel different to other bikes, partly due to the Telelever front end.

Enjoy, it's a fantastic bike!
 
It's not the bike, it's the tyres -promise-.
Just replaced the front at 6,000 miles (eek!) back is starting to square off, but with the new front on it goes round corners again without all that falling in and countersteering.
Wonderful...
 
It's not the bike, it's the tyres -promise-.
Just replaced the front at 6,000 miles (eek!) back is starting to square off, but with the new front on it goes round corners again without all that falling in and countersteering.
Wonderful...

Well, that's good news, just the sort of comments I was hoping for!

I guess it's just a bit unfortunate that the RT appears to be rather sensitive to tyre condition, profile and age etc. I guess that if a new tyre is a revelation then at tleast you get used to the subtle changes as you go along.
It was just a bit of a shocker how different it felt to the FJR - and my GS!

Now to choose the tyre. I will probably go PR4 GT I think though BT023s were good on the Yam. Hmm.

Thanks for all your comments, cracking Forum!
 
Well, that's good news, just the sort of comments I was hoping for!

I guess it's just a bit unfortunate that the RT appears to be rather sensitive to tyre condition, profile and age etc. I guess that if a new tyre is a revelation then at tleast you get used to the subtle changes as you go along.
It was just a bit of a shocker how different it felt to the FJR - and my GS!

Now to choose the tyre. I will probably go PR4 GT I think though BT023s were good on the Yam. Hmm.

Thanks for all your comments, cracking Forum!

Got apair of PR4 GT's for sale if you are interested. Sold the bike before fitting them..
 
I would say tyres too. Especially given your evidence of how it feels in the corner. You're trying to move the bike off it's flat spot and over a shoulder that's developed in the tyre profile - that's why when it goes it suddenly flops, or that you have to put pressure on the bars to keep it leant over.

Put a new pair of tyres on it.... :thumb2


And to avoid developing premature flat spot, avoid motorways. I found on my recent european trip that keeping of the motorways, wears your rear tyre allot more evenly and your fuel consumption climbs to a 62mpg average, not to mention far more beautiful scenery and more fun roads and if you want to stop to take a photo you can unlike a motorway where you got to put on your high viz.
 
Thanks steadysteve! Looks like you've probably got a buyer in Karlread there....
I think this time round I need to go for a ride-in ride-out service for speed and simplicity. Often, tyre fitters don't like
fitting tyres they haven't supplied themselves but I'll investigate that route next time around.
Many thanks for the offer tho. Cheers
 
And to avoid developing premature flat spot, avoid motorways. I found on my recent european trip that keeping of the motorways, wears your rear tyre allot more evenly and your fuel consumption climbs to a 62mpg average, not to mention far more beautiful scenery and more fun roads and if you want to stop to take a photo you can unlike a motorway where you got to put on your high viz.

Completely agree, I avoid motorways wherever I can, even in my car which is supplied with ready made flat spots haha.
Great economy promised too. It's certainly a bike that encourages a more relaxing riding style. A 'wake up and smell the roses'
kind of thing. Tear-arsing around on a 'blade might be fun for a short while but.......
 
I have just replaced my squared off rear PR4GT and am happily surprised at the handling improvement - it's not just the front!
 
Thanks steadysteve! Looks like you've probably got a buyer in Karlread there....
I think this time round I need to go for a ride-in ride-out service for speed and simplicity. Often, tyre fitters don't like
fitting tyres they haven't supplied themselves but I'll investigate that route next time around.
Many thanks for the offer tho. Cheers

Okay. PR4's very impressive, wet and dry, on the gs I've bought recently. A pity these other don't fit the gs...
 


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