RT to GS?

[octatonic]

Has anyone jumped ship from an RT to a GS?
I like the RT, but have some touring opportunities coming up next year that will require me to have something capable of some offroading.

Some general ramblings of RT ownership are contained below, please forgive my ramblings- it helps me to think.

I went for the RT over the GS mainly because the wind protection was essentially perfect on the RT whilst merely OK on the GS.
I assume there are some aftermarket screens for the GS if this isn't good enough?

There have been a couple of things with the RT that irritate- the onboard stereo and bluetooth is a bit of a disaster- distortion using any bluetooth headset other than BMW's own communicator, which can only be installed in BMW's helmet or a Schubert.
I bought the BMW helmet which isn't exactly a great fit for me compared to my Shoei's.
Also the MMC wheel not being able to control very much in the NAV V is a constant source of irritation. I'd be curious to know what more I can control with the GS.

I like a couple of things about the RT- the engine is great. I like the gear box and the suspension options. I like the autoblipper as well. I'd have all of these with the GS.
The only things that I can think that I would miss about the RT over the GS would be the central locking and the wind protection. Central locking I can live without but the wind protection might be an issue if I cannot solve it with an aftermarket screen.

I don't mind the weight of the RT but it would be good to have something a tad lighter.

I'm looking at either keeping the RT and picking up a cheap off roader (Tiger 800 I guess- but then I have to insure and maintain it) or get rid of the RT in favour of a GS.

I'd be curious (should anyone still be reading) if anyone has been in the same position.
I'd really like to know what is irritating about the GS- I've been through the mill with a couple of adventure bikes (most notably the KTM 1190 which was a bit of a disaster for me in terms of wind blast), so if I can avoid making the wrong decision I'd really appreciate the insight.

 

[JJH]

I went from a rt to a gsa. And back and then back to a gs. Ideally I'd love to be able to afford to have the 2. It's no problem going back and forth. Both bikes are equally capable for my needs. JJH

 

[littleade]

Other screens are available that do a better job than standard though I'm happy with mine. There's a road test towards the end

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da-jSnWaw3w

Handguards extensions are available too-I have the touratech ones for around £45.

If you haven't done so already get an extended test ride on a GS to see if it's what you want. As you're used to the RT maybe a go on the GSA is worth a go too

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I went from an RT to a GSA and it was definitely the wrong thing to do.
It does of course depend on what you intend doing with the bike but as you mention doing some off-roading I would suggest that the GS would make more sense.
For general road use be it touring, commuting or bimbling, the RT is streets ahead of the GSA for me.

I only changed because I liked the look of the GSA and also to scratch the itch but I knew within a matter of months I'd done the wrong thing and if I could have swapped like for like I would have done at any time.
I've since taken the GSA to America on one of Bilco's trips and have become ridiculously attached to her otherwise I'd have swapped to a K16 months ago.

Ultimately, however, both bikes are terrific and I'm sure whatever decision you make you'll have a ball.

Take care and be safe.

 

[ymfb]

I went from a 90th edition RT to a GSA, albeit via a Multistrada.

I didn't gel with the RT although it was great on long runs on motorways, my wife/pillion thought it was the most comfortable bike, I thought it was OK. Sold it after a year and 6000 miles for a MTS1200GT, awesome bike, but I hate chains and didn't think it was an all year round bike so traded it for a 2016 GSA. In my opinion the LC engine in this bike is light years ahead of my old air cooled RT. I would consider another RT but when I'm older as I'm only 52-1/2

If I had the money and space I'd have both.

 

[JoeBiff]

If you're a semi professional leprechaun - the height of a GSA might be the biggest drawback.

On the other hand, in contrast to Timaloy's post above, I found the move from RT to GSA the best thing I've ever done.
I fixed the wind blast on the GSA with a screen extender, and don't have the heated seat in the GSA but for me there's sufficient to like to not want me to switch back again.
I do find the GS a taller bike and its weight is seemingly carried higher when pushing/paddling it around but, as I'm not a short-arse it's no big deal.

Having said all that, your post seems to lay greater emphasis on the gizmos and gadgetry which come with the machines, than any different dynamics which may exist between them?

 

[sven]

I had a 2012 RT TC and swapped it for a standard GS LC in 2014. The OE screen was poor after the RT, but a Puig touring screen soon solved that problem. The missus says the weather protection is not quite as good on the back though.

The other downside to the GS is the higher centre of gravity fully loaded with a pillion and top box. You really notice the pendulum effect on fast twisty roads.

Other than that, the GS is more fun 90% of the time

 

[Mr Bean]

I went from a 2007 RT. You will definitely notice the lesser wind protection of the GS. I now get the wind on my chest whereas i had none on the RT - I also miss the electrically adjustable screen when filtering. The other downside is that my feet and ankles now get wet, unlike the RT where they never even got damp.

Having said the above I have no regrets about picking a GS over an LC RT.

 

[octatonic]

If you're a semi professional leprechaun - the height of a GSA might be the biggest drawback.

On the other hand, in contrast to Timaloy's post above, I found the move from RT to GSA the best thing I've ever done.
I fixed the wind blast on the GSA with a screen extender, and don't have the heated seat in the GSA but for me there's sufficient to like to not want me to switch back again.
I do find the GS a taller bike and its weight is seemingly carried higher when pushing/paddling it around but, as I'm not a short-arse it's no big deal.

Having said all that, your post seems to lay greater emphasis on the gizmos and gadgetry which come with the machines, than any different dynamics which may exist between them?

My height of 6ft 1 is the primary reason I could never become a fully professional leprechaun.

Fair point regarding the emphasis on trinkets rather than the dynamics of riding.
I guess I'm taking it for granted that the GS will be lighter and therefore have better handling.
Is this the case.

 

[fatnfast]

The Nav5 works better on the GS with access to its full range of functions including trip meters, tyre pressures, speed, Apps to display the weather, phone calls, mp3 player and control etc etc. Obviously no onboard music system on the GS, but I only use the mp3 built into the Nav5 which gives crystal clear sounds to my helmet via a Sena blueteeth unit, no need for the BMW set up.
Weather protection is obviously never going to be as good, but there are plenty of options to improve it. When it's dry and warm you won't cook behind the barn door fairing either, and when wet a set of waterproofs solves that problem.
The reason I changed back to a GS is it is so much more fun to ride in a huge supermoto kind of way. My RT felt like a tool to do a job, I would love to have kept it as well as riding bikes is my job.
I prefer the lighter, nimbler standard GS as opposed to the GSA. HTH.

 

[Tango]

I had a 10 plate twincam 1200RT SE from March this year, great bike for all the reasons mentioned above. Did 3500 miles in three months, then bought a neglected GS 80 airhead in July, and the RT never saw the light of day, other than a couple of longer trips up to Scotland.

True the protection is superb on the RT, but still got soaked as soon as I stopped.

So have just traded the RT for a 12 plate twincam 1200GS with no frills other than heated grips. Will have to sort a better screen though.

I also found the RT a bit difficult to load with camping gear but then there is quite a bit of it.

 

[Pansmiker]

I have in the past gone from GS to RT and back a few times. Currently on a GS.

I am a similar heigh to the OP and find the standard screen on a GS LC gives a surprising amount of shelter. However no combination of screens and deflectors on a GS will be as good as a RT. I would say that on balance if you intend to travel distances on the continent by motorway, for example followed by some twisty roads I think that the RT is the best bike. If it happened to be the other way around, lots of twisty roads and some motorway distance then the GS would come out on top. Lots of twisty roads are tiring on a RT.

If you want to do some light off-roading then the only choice is the GS.

 

[batman1]

I had the same predicament and ended up with an RT-LC and a GS-LC sitting together along side each other in my garage for 3/4 months!

These are superb bikes but I couldn't afford the luxury of keeping them both, so one had to go, the choice was fairly easy in the end and the GS was the one that I kept.

Too many good points to mention with both bikes, but me and the missus kept feeling the lure of the GS, we'd get 'geared-up' walk through to the garage and say... which one today? and after the novelty of the RT had worn off, we just kept getting back onto the GS.

Although the RT is a gorgeous machine, for me the GS is a more fun bike, creates a bigger grin factor and without doubt has more character, and that's what sold it for us, a pair of oldies (both in our mid 60's but still like to hoon about a bit). The GS is more FUN!

I don't want to knock either bike, so lets call these observations...the RT instruments don't work fully with scroll wheel where as they do with the GS.
The Sat Nav was not lockable on the RT, not a big deal as I tend to remove mine depending on where I'm parked. Although the weather protection is better on the RT, I personally found the wind noise caused by turbulance coming off the top of the RT screen was not good compared to the GS. However the RT does slip through the air quite nicely, and is extremly stable at high speeds. Even though the RT had the luxury of heated seats my pillion still preferred to get on the GS because she just enjoyed the bike more, which I found a bit odd but that's what she said!

If you want the best of both worlds get a GSA which is the middle ground bike, great weather protection and shed loads of character. This was I did later on,.. however I've recently returned to the GS in the form of a Triple Black E4 which is perfect, being more nimble and more chuckable than the Adventure, and I get my weather protection from wearing good gear!

Octatonic, I'd be more than happy to discuss my experiences with you on the blower, it's a big decision... but I've been there, please feel free to send me a pm, and I'll give you my phone details if you think that I can be of any help.

 

[mw3230]

Another here who went from an RT to a GSA LC TE model via a K1300GT and a K1600GTSE.

The GSA is the most enjoyable and most comfortable of the lot. It's easier to ride at slow/walking/filtering speeds, it's more that quick enough (and I very quickly got used to the Boxer engine again after the smoothness of the 6 cylinder) I like the aluminium panniers, they are more user friendly in my opinion and arguably more spacious. At just over 6' I changed the screen to a larger Wunderlich Ergo one and fitted bar risers plus an auxiliary power socket. Other than that it is well equipped. I reckon on an average of just over 50mpg.

Weather protection is more than adequate (when wearing a heated jacket to compensate for the absence of heated seats) although I need to clean my boots more often as there is fair bit of muck flung about on dirty wintry roads - the rear of the bike gets very dirty too bit it's easily cleaned

Get one!

 

[wileeeeeey]

Not sure about the RT to GS but I bought a GS and three weeks later traded it for a GSA. The adventure is the one to go for in the GS range.


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[fatnfast]

Not sure about the RT to GS but I bought a GS and three weeks later traded it for a GSA. The adventure is the one to go for in the GS range.


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Why? It's more expensive, fatter, slower steering and no better off road according to this:

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/bmw-r1200gs-vs-r1200gsa/

I guess if you are huuge then it would make sense.

 

[wileeeeeey]

Already has engine bars inc uppers and aux lights, looks a lot better, don't have to pay extra for spiked wheels, and most importantly has a real 'adventure' fuel tank. Range on the non adventure was shit.


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[ChazzyB]

I know someone here who has. His TB landed in his garage last Tuesday.

 

[batman1]

Why? It's more expensive, fatter, slower steering and no better off road according to this:

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/bmw-r1200gs-vs-r1200gsa/

I guess if you are huuge then it would make sense.

Well you can't ague with the facts...however I went to the 2015 GSA because the ride quality was better than my 2014 GS and the GSA felt more planted than my 2014 GS...

However my latest 2016 GS-T/B equals or possibly even supersedes the ride of my 2015 GSA, then when you add in what Fatnfast says above..well there you have it, and if you ride in groups with riders that have a normal tank size the 30ltr GSA tank ceases to be an advantage, in fact I'd say it can become a slight disadvatage, because you still end up stopping and brimming up when the smaller tank riders stop, and when those guys are running low and light, you are still running half full on the fat girl, which is okay one-up but if you're two-up with full luggage through fast twisties, the GSA,..well she can be a big girl...

Still a superb bike though, I loved mine!

However the E4 T/Black is the apple of my eye now, it's the dog's ....!

 

[fatnfast]

Already has engine bars inc uppers and aux lights, looks a lot better, don't have to pay extra for spiked wheels, and most importantly has a real 'adventure' fuel tank. Range on the non adventure was shit.


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I would argue about the looks (fat bloated road cow), but that's not fair as beauty is in the eye of the beholder
As for the rest, fuel range is nice, but in the company of other bikes can be a pain as batman1 says. Spoked wheels, you are paying for them in the increased price over the standard bike and the scaffolding they come with must add a few kilos. As for spotlights, I guess if you haven't got LEDS,, but otherwise why, other than for that roughty-toughty look? It's still a great bike though, but how many are ridden on real offroad adventures compared with European jaunts?

Not saying you have at all, but I wonder how many people buy the GSA for the image as opposed to real world usability.

Both are more fun to ride than an RT though