poor steering RT V GS

[birdseye]

Had a test ride on a 2011 rt se today - the attraction was the cruise control since I have a problem with my right hand. The purchase deal was all set up and subject to the ride I was going to buy. But I didnt buy - I was most unhappy with the steering. The bike seemed hard to get to turn initially after which it felt to be falling into the corner. By comparison my gs has near perfect light steering. In addition the rt had a slight weave at speed, almost imperceptible but certainly not as stable as the gs,

I'm disappointed but the obvious question is - is the problem my unfamiliarity with bikes other than giant trailies or with the rt itself? Incidentally the bike was a july 2011 model with 2500 miles on the clock and good tyres at the right pressures.

 

[Shep]

I found the same, but i fear its the fault of the GS and not a problem with the RT, i prefer the big front wheel of the GS, but i must admit the RT can be really hustled in the fast twisties once you are used to it.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Get a WC 12 GS TE - with cruise

Sorted, no charge

 

[peterh]

Sounds like an issue with that RT.

I'd not found my old 09 to be anything other than utterly stable and well behaved. The main difference I found was the difference in apparent size - with a lot of bodywork in front of you compared to the GS it 'felt' bigger and somehow less handy. That feeling soon went.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Could be a tyre problem. Both of my RT's have felt like they were going to tip in on corners & roundabouts.

I'm assured changing the OE Bridgestones to Contis makes all the difference.

 

[birdseye]

Could be a tyre problem. Both of my RT's have felt like they were going to tip in on corners & roundabouts.

Yes that was just the feeling and I guess it comes from the smaller front wheel and the steeper front forks. Which is odd really because the only other bike I have ridden recently that gave me a similar sort of feeling ( much worse but same type) was a Triumph American with stretched out front forks.

But if it is the smaller wheel and steeper forks then I guess that a sports bike would have the same sort of feel - its years since I last rode one

 

[sven]

I swapped from a 2009 R1200GS MU to a 2012 R1200RT SE. The handling on the RT was great from the off two-up, but when I rode one-up I found it difficult to turn into a corner.

Once the awful OE Bridgestone BT-021 tyres were changed for the newer BT-023GT's, the handling was transformed and is now light and precise. Switch the damping to sport mode and it can be hustled down a fast twisty road with more precision than the GS IMHO

 

[Giles]

May I gently and politely concur with your question of 'unfamiliarity with other bikes'

Look at the blinking moans and groans on some of the other threads of 'issues' that some people are having - not just the gearbox; all sorts of different agendas. And half the time it's just people that, as you say, are unfamiliar with stuff so they instantly label it as something they don't like.

Traditional forks, Telelevers, Shafts, chains, different angles of Trail and Rake, long, short wheelbases ... different styles of tyres; sportier styles that fall in quickly, touring tyres that are stable at speed and distance but don't turn in as quickly ...

So Yes! I agree with you, it's probably a bit of unfamiliarity with something other than your regular ride.


One of my (kept to myself ) beefs I guess especially on the LC GS threads is peoples lack of acceptance, change and adaptability.
What makes a good business survive over decades? Why is Madonna still one of the most successful pop artists after nearly thirty years? What makes a brilliant soldier - good enough for special forces ??

The answer is a willingness, an understanding of the need to and an intuition to ... adapt

So I say to all of you D) Go and test ride stuff ... always!!

Dealers are crying out for punters to walk in to their show room and ask for a demo ride. Not only does it give us a taste of what's out on the market, but it keeps our hand in at feeling how a bike behaves underneath us.
It's so good for your bike riding too - an ability to jump on a bike and instantly detect the subtle changes in geometry, power delivery, twins v tripples v fours .... and if you're regularly trying out different stuff you'll also be able to diagnose something wrong with your bike in a jiffy - even by a few psi.

Test ride stuff It's interesting, good fun, and good for your skills.

 

[SMcGirr]

I would go with a contribution from the tyres. Have had both a GS and now an RT. the GS didn't seem to be much affected by tyre pressures but the RT is. I found bumping the pressures up to 36 & 42 helped no end. Also the OE Bridgestones are rubbish. Much improved control, turn in, drop in etc on Michelin Pr3s

SP

 

[DrFarkoff]

I've said it before I'll say it again

Check the tyre pressures if it feels wrong

BUT go check them with the manufacturers website!!!

My old K had a lovely set of Pirellis and was LOVELY to ride until you tried to get a hustle on through the twisties!!! Then I nearly schat myself It was really really scary to change direction quickly! Everywhere else was really comfortable!

Tyre pressures checked = same as Manual,
Steering head bearings replaced and rechecked,
swingarm bearings lubricated and checked,
Forks overhauled and oil weights changed

IN the end Manual said 30F 32R and Pirelli website said 36F 42R

Pumped tyres up to recommended and Bingo Sorted! Along with all the other new stuff it handled brilliantly

 

[Riktus]

All good info - most of what you experienced is being unfamiliar with that particular bike - most people that take an RT for a spin while their GS is being serviced say "never again...."

I personally had a similar issue - was bored with the GS (I had had 2 and wanted something a bit different) so tried the RT - lets just say its a good job I took it for the day. I stopped after 2 hours and changed the seat - I played with suspension settings and I tried different steering techniques (sounds strange but if you want it to go round corners ....really sharp corners.... you have no option but to put allot more pressure on the bars than you would with a GS. Now its second nature to push left bar and puuuulllll the right bar to make a sharp left etc etc.

By the afternoon of the test ride I was smitten by the bike - I had called at a petrol station and stuck and extra 2 psi in both tyres and to be fair the tyres were starting to square off as the bike had done 3300 miles.

I ended up buying that actual bike and the tyres were a way of negotiating the deal in the direction I wanted.

As soon as it was MY bike I changed the tyres to Bridgestone BT023GT's and they in my opinion were the best I have had fitted (now got Michelin PR3,s but also like the sound of the Pirelli Angel GT's).

My conclusion was that i would have never bought the bike if I had had a couple of hour test ride but because I took it for the day (returning the following morning) and did a good 280 miles on the bike I started to not only like it but understand the ergonomics of it.

Dont get me wrong I love the GS and I think the new GSA WC will be a good bike (I like the tank range of the bigger GS) but for now the RT suits my needs perfectly, Only additions I have made to the std is a Seargent Seat and Bar Raisers (and fitting my Sat Nav).

Oh and on the comments Giles made about Madonna - why is she still such a popular star...... Cos she is a bit of a Milf and you wouldnt say no!

Rik

 

[stanley]

As has been said above; it's the rubbish OE Bridgestone BT-021 tyres causing that. Running them at higher than "standard" pressures helps if they are new, but they soon become awful again.

PR3s turn the RT into a sportsbike (nearly)! But I might be brave and try something else next time.

 

[Martyn H]

As has been said above; it's the rubbish OE Bridgestone BT-021 tyres causing that. Running them at higher than "standard" pressures helps if they are new, but they soon become awful again.

PR3s turn the RT into a sportsbike (nearly)! But I might be brave and try something else next time.

Roadsmart 2's at Dunlop's recommended 36/42 are a great tyre ( which is not to say that the Michelin PR3 is poor; far from it )

 

[stever1]

Had a test ride on a 2011 rt se today - the attraction was the cruise control since I have a problem with my right hand. The purchase deal was all set up and subject to the ride I was going to buy. But I didnt buy - I was most unhappy with the steering. The bike seemed hard to get to turn initially after which it felt to be falling into the corner. By comparison my gs has near perfect light steering. In addition the rt had a slight weave at speed, almost imperceptible but certainly not as stable as the gs,

I'm disappointed but the obvious question is - is the problem my unfamiliarity with bikes other than giant trailies or with the rt itself? Incidentally the bike was a july 2011 model with 2500 miles on the clock and good tyres at the right pressures.

bet it had low front tyre pressure. pump it up and jobs a carrot

 

[sven]

All good info - most of what you experienced is being unfamiliar with that particular bike - most people that take an RT for a spin while their GS is being serviced say "never again...."

I personally had a similar issue - was bored with the GS (I had had 2 and wanted something a bit different) so tried the RT - lets just say its a good job I took it for the day. I stopped after 2 hours and changed the seat - I played with suspension settings and I tried different steering techniques (sounds strange but if you want it to go round corners ....really sharp corners.... you have no option but to put allot more pressure on the bars than you would with a GS. Now its second nature to push left bar and puuuulllll the right bar to make a sharp left etc etc.

By the afternoon of the test ride I was smitten by the bike - I had called at a petrol station and stuck and extra 2 psi in both tyres and to be fair the tyres were starting to square off as the bike had done 3300 miles

The RT I rented in the States had new Z6 tyres when I picked it up in LA, but they were very square after 3000 miles on wide open roads in the deserts, so by the time we reached the twisty roads of Northern California it was very hard to turn in.

The current BT023 rear on my RT looks like its going to wear out on the sides rather than squaring off after 2100 miles of mostly twisty roads in Spain and 500 miles since arriving back home It does handle really well though and doesn't need any counter steering to make progress

 

[Bikergary]

Agree with some of the post's on here, scarred the hell out of me when turning into corners on the RT compared to my GS, but once pumped the tyres above what it said in the book it made a huge differance, almost comparable to the GS (well almost), makes it a pleasure to ride

 

[stonehenge]

Stick PR3's on it and enjoy

 

[er-minio]

is the problem my unfamiliarity with bikes other than giant trailies or with the rt itself?

Yes.



Or squarish tyres or wrong pressure.

 

[birdseye]

Right folks. The sequel to this story is that I did a second test ride and the handling was awful. Stopped back at the dealer, put the bike on the centre stand, grabbed the rear wheel at 3 o'clock and 9 and there was about 1 cm play in the rear wheel. It rosked from side to side with a loud clonk. In efect I had rear wheel steer at 2600 miles!!!

The dealer concerned has repaired the bike but I am quite unsure of what he has done. If you want to comment, have a look at the GS site where I have puty the details , there being more GSers than RT ers.