R1250RS VS GS1300 Triple Black

[Beerman]

Yes, I know, they are different bikes. But as the Triple Black is marketed as 'the more road focused, sportier GS'...

I rode a 1300GS Triple Black today. I'm not going into specifics about the bike, there's a mountain of that already. Compared to my RS, what did I think?

Things it does better

1. People often say ' you won't feel the weight when it's moving '. You don't. As has been said, you feel like you are riding a 600cc bike.
2. Its cornering is amazing, effortless. I was braking less, riding faster, working less hard. Confidence inspiring.
3. Mirrors: they are on the bars. Closer, bigger, better.
4. Stock screen: pretty good, and with electronic control.
5. The shift cam is smoother.
6. You do get that 'King if the Road' feeling, and you are higher up.
7. I liked the blind spot monitor. Others may not. I was not fussed about the radar bit

Not so positive

1. The engine is more clattery, diesel like. The RS is more refined, a deeper tonality to it.

2. The much discussed automatic height adjust at low speed is 'interesting '. In town, you will be riding at the 'low' setting. It clicks to high at c35mph. That is good, it means you are always at the low setting. Out of town, at >35mph, it is in high setting - but if you brake firmly it may not adjust downwards quickly enough - you have to plan. Technically it kicks into low at c10-12mph.

I would need the comfort height adjustment package (reduces height by c20mm) and a low seat. On a couple of occasions the camber at junctions caused a flutter or two.

3. Riding the RS is more...involved. The GS is really easy to ride. The RS's torque feels higher, the bike feels more planted. There is a greater reward to effort ratio on the RS.

4. Vibration: this may be a red herring, but I got numbness in my hands after 30 minutes. I accept that I may have been gripping the bars tightly at first through nerves. I'd want Grip Puppies.

5. Side stand: some say the RS stand is too long. The GS feels short - you feel that it leans too far, and that you are going to drop it. There is a bit about this on the Web.

6. The ride on the GS is quite firm. The RS is more plush, comfortable.

7. Bizarrely , given comments from others, the RS is more comfortable for my back. That may be because it is what my rather poor back is used to.

8. Subjective, but to me, the RS looks better.

9. Fuel efficiency: I'm quite sure the RS is 10-15 mpg more efficient.

10. There's quite a lot of faffing around with the controls on the GS.

The GS was fun. I may well buy one, if can get round the height issues. Why? Its cornering and handling is fantastic.

At the end of my ride (through parts of Shropshire) I did the same route to answer the subjective question: which did I enjoy more? Very hard to answer,,and I am not entirely objective (I own an RS).

I think I enjoyed the RS more.

Beerman

 

[younger06]

Solution.....

Wait until next year for the R1300RS....

I suspect that bike is going to be amazing (after seeing the launch photos of the R1300R)

 

[jetjock]

Yeap I’d stick with the RS either in 1250 form or 1300 when I comes out soon I guess .
The RS is probably the best all round fun bike I’ve ever had and yours with ease .

It’s the best kept secret

 

[leadfarmer]

Solution.....

Wait until next year for the R1300RS....

I suspect that bike is going to be amazing (after seeing the launch photos of the R1300R)

And there’s your answer

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

you are spot on with the GS1300 handling analysis, it is ridiculously good it just tips in on corners with no rider effort. Efficiency, mine always does over 50mpg, vibes- not noticed any that would cause a problem.

 

[littleade]

They're horses for courses, the GS more for 2 up riding in comfort (at least the 1250GS TE Exclusive I had was) while the RS is more for the solo rider

I think @Beerman has hit the nail on the head, the RS is just more engaging to ride. I don't know if it's gearing but the RS just seems more urgent and connected (compared to the 1250GS)

The GS is more comfy out of the box whereas the RS takes a bit of fettling to get the screen/seat/pegs/bars right for the individual rider.

It's taken me a while but I'm bonding with my RS and the other positive not mentioned is the RS is just so much cheaper with the added bonus of no eye watering 1st year insurance premium.

Oh and you don't have to have keyless ......

 

[Beerman]

They're horses for courses, the GS more for 2 up riding in comfort (at least the 1250GS TE Exclusive I had was) while the RS is more for the solo rider

I think @Beerman has hit the nail on the head, the RS is just more engaging to ride. I don't know if it's gearing but the RS just seems more urgent and connected (compared to the 1250GS)

The GS is more comfy out of the box whereas the RS takes a bit of fettling to get the screen/seat/pegs/bars right for the individual rider.

It's taken me a while but I'm bonding with my RS and the other positive not mentioned is the RS is just so much cheaper with the added bonus of no eye watering 1st year insurance premium.

Oh and you don't have to have keyless ......

You're right about the fettling...seat, screen, cam covers, grip Puppies, mirror extenders...it's taken 2 years and a modest fortune, but it's now perfect.

Beerman

 

[zoltan]

The GS is more comfy out of the box whereas the RS takes a bit of fettling to get the screen/seat/pegs/bars right for the individual rider.

I doubt there is one GS that hasn't bean modified. Almost all ergos I changed on mine back in 2013 when it came out. My 1250RS is a hybrid GS with almost the same ergonomics, difference is that all weight is low down. Saying that I did like the R as well. The 1250RS has flat bars and risers, the Sport Seat, panniers from K and a different screen. I see the 1300R has only 785mm seat out of the box and no Sport Seat option (840mm), well not yet anyway. No top box carrier, and the panniers from the 1300GS. Hmm...Will be interesting to see the new 1300RS.

 

[daesimps]

My wife has just moved from the 1250RS to a 1300GS. She much prefers the GS, after having 4 RSs.

She’s only 5’2”, but didn’t have any issues with the adaptive ride height and low seat. Even in an emergency stop this weekend the bike had already lowered for her to get her foot down. It also helps a lot getting it on the centre stand.

She finds it’s much better for her back, which was starting to be an issue on the RS. There’s also much less knee bend, which was also starting to annoy her on the RS.

The side stand lean is a thing, but we have installed a Bigfoot that reduces lean angle. She can get it off the stand fully fielded and luggaged, which was a strain without the Bigfoot.

One thing she did say was that the suspension is much better suited to the northern bumpy roads, but at the same time the bike is still chuckable. It requires much less effort and doesn’t make her feel as knackered at the end of the day (we tend to do about 200-250 miles per day)

 

[zoltan]

My wife has just moved from the 1250RS to a 1300GS. She much prefers the GS, after having 4 RSs.

Interesting, took the 1300GS twice ( one with the auto) on a test ride. I can't see me going back from the RS. I like the slight lean forward.

 

[daesimps]

Every body (and everybody) is different.

I’ve also had 2 RSs and couldn’t go back to them due to back and shoulder issues.

We’ve both got the auto version too. Mainly ridden in manual on open roads and auto when in town or filtering etc.

 

[zoltan]

We’ve both got the auto version too.

This is the only feature which would make me change bikes.

 

[Morety]

Every body (and everybody) is different.

I’ve also had 2 RSs and couldn’t go back to them due to back and shoulder issues.

We’ve both got the auto version too. Mainly ridden in manual on open roads and auto when in town or filtering etc.

+1

I loved the RS for the fun factor and really engaging ride (much more so than the GS/GSA). It's the half way house bewteen the 1250R and 1250GS, but no-matter what I did to alter ergos, I still found, with a damaged back and shoulder, that I suffered back and shoulder pain after long rides, even with the Helibar conversion and Wunderlich Aktiv Komfort seat (which is brilliant by the way). I moved to a 1250 RT which is perfect for me now and despite the added mass, it handles far better than it has any right to, just not quite as agile as the RS.

 

[zoltan]

+1

I loved the RS for the fun factor and really engaging ride (much more so than the GS/GSA). It's the half way house bewteen the 1250R and 1250GS, but no-matter what I did to alter ergos, I still found, with a damaged back and shoulder, that I suffered back and shoulder pain after long rides, even with the Helibar conversion and Wunderlich Aktiv Komfort seat (which is brilliant by the way). I moved to a 1250 RT which is perfect for me now and despite the added mass, it handles far better than it has any right to, just not quite as agile as the RS.

I used to ride my RT without panniers, had a small top box for the helmet which was sufficient. Filtering was as good as on the RS.

 

[Morety]

I used to ride my RT without panniers, had a small top box for the helmet which was sufficient. Filtering was as good as on the RS.

yep, no problem filtering even with panniers as they're no wider than the wing mirrors, so if they fit through a gap, so will the panniers

 

[Beerman]

As an update to this, I had a GS1300 Trophy as a loan bike today while my RS was being serviced.

I remain impressed by the handling, though again I felt more involved with the RS when I got it back. Two points to note:

1. This one was the automatic version - you can change gear using the quick shifter as a manual, otherwise it's DCT or similar. There is no gear change lever. I could probably get used to it, but it's clunky - most of us would describe quick shifter as clunky between 1st & 3rd, and so it is with this. The odd surge was not what was wanted. I didn't love it.
2. It had radar which slows you down if you get too close to other vehicles when in cruise control. I didn't love that, either.
3. The automatic height control takes 20mm off the height when slowing (i.e. 850 to 830mm or so on a standard seat). The low seat takes a further 20-30mm off that (the info is a bit vague on exactly how much it is reduced), so down to c810mm. The automatic height comfort (not control) on the GSA takes a further 20mm off that, so you're down to c790mm, but it's only available on the GSA. if you're still with me, you will understand that all this is a bit complicated, but I think that's the gist of it.

A great bike, but the RS is staying in the garage.

Beerman

 

[daesimps]

Did you ride it in manual mode, or in D mode and manually override its gear selection? Changes in D mode can be lurchy, however in M mode the manual changes are buttery smooth.

To give people context, my wife has the ASA Trophy with adaptive ride height and low seat - she’s 5’2” and doesn’t struggle.

You can disable the adaptive cruise and make it normal cruise, I think. You can definitely alter the following distance to the vehicle in front.

 

[Beerman]

Did you ride it in manual mode, or in D mode and manually override its gear selection? Changes in D mode can be lurchy, however in M mode the manual changes are buttery smooth.

To give people context, my wife has the ASA Trophy with adaptive ride height and low seat - she’s 5’2” and doesn’t struggle.

You can disable the adaptive cruise and make it normal cruise, I think. You can definitely alter the following distance to the vehicle in front.

I rode in D mode, as I wanted to see what that was like. It wasn't smooth, though good to hear that it is in M mode.

Also good to hear that your wife manages fine at 5'2"! I guess that she is good at shifting off to one side or the other?

Thanks, Beerman

 

[daesimps]

It is something I can’t get my head around - if you manually change in M mode it’s smooth, but not so much on D mode regardless of whether it charges or you do. Either way, I like it. It’s nowhere near as rough changing as when I got it, and it certainly seems to have learned my preferred gears as initially it was always choosing wrong, but now it’s almost always where I want it.

 

[Morety]

It all sounds like a recipe for too much to go wrong down the line, and would be a very expensive change from an RS (or an RT) so for that reason, I won't be tempted.