Surplus of choices : buying dilemma

[SMcGirr]

Having had a GS a few years ago and an RT since, the lure of free food took me to Williams R launch yesterday where 2 bratwurst later and a test ride on both a WC RT and a WC GS has left me conflicted.

i really like both ! Bollocks. The RT is the update my Twin cam needs, smooth, fast comfy, looks the dogs diddlies.

The GS, surprisingly sheltered at 80 to 85 ( I understand) much more of a hooligan and wouldn't need wrapped up in cotton wool the way I have to do with the RT with all the Tupperware.

When I add all the boxes and bells and whistles to the GS it comes out at a few quid more than the top end RT with the RATNAV V.

Help !

so am I a high velocity armchair sort of fella or a 50 year plus hooligan? The things that might sway it include :

Gs :

squashes the gentleman veg a bit more
slightly worse weather protection
better RATNAV integration
much easier to flick through the traffic
A hoot to ride
less likely to look shite with a few knocks and scuffs


RT :

comfy as feck
looks great
faster than than mine but not as nippy as the GS
the front edge of BMtroubleU design at the moment
looks great and
looks great

whaddya think ? Anybody been stuck in the same troublesome circular dilemma ?

 

[richardbd]

Similar dilemma but slightly different...

I had a Multistrada for three years (30k miles). Loved it for all the reasons you list about the GS but decided I could do with more weather protection through the winter for my regular commute from west London to Brighton (60 miles each way).

In the end opted for the RTLC and love it. It's not as on the edge as the MTS but it's much quicker and more nimble than most people (including me) would expect.

So far (2k miles) no issues...

 

[SMcGirr]

helpful thanks, I don't need to commute as have a LR for that. the bikes is a toy mainly. Edging towards the GS. I would put voting buttons on here if I knew how. Any Mods care to help ?

SP

 

[wreck diver]

Only you can decide.
i know how you feel though.I was in the same position last march,do i wait for the RT or have a GS.
In the end i couldnt wait for the RT as i had a trip planned,so GS it was.

I px,d my RT and picked up the GS. First few weeks i thought what the fuk have i done!! now riding like a hooligan.

However i did 12000 miles before the end of the year and really enjoyed them. Gs now sold and its was a great bike but not one that i really missed as much as some of my older GS,s (hope JB doesnt see this)

Now bought a new WC RT and although its early days i love it it was like putting your favorite walking boots back on.

Not as quick as the GS but smoother. Makes the old RT seem a bit lardy.
The new RT is not with out irritations though.To much detail on the menu and wheel,much prefer to have had an on off switch for heated grips.
Digital speedo is fantastic on dash is superb for old gits that need reading glasses but why cant you change it over to Kilometers as well????

I am looking forward to a ride to Slovenia in May similar to last years and then i will know if its been the right choice.

If i were you i would take out both bikes for at least 3 hours each and do the same route back to back.
Good luck.

 

[Yonkyo]

I chose the RT, and never looked back...

Having owned GS/GSA's for 14+ years. I was all set to buy the new GSA LC...until i had a ride on the new RT, just out of curiosity.
2 hours later i'd bonded with it, and part-exed my lovely 2013 GSA TC for a fully specked RTLE.

Then the Recall happened and i was given a new GSTE to use for 3 months. It was ok, but the gearbox was rubbish, and i never bonded with it.
And made me appreciate getting my RT back even more.

One of my mates recently bought the 2015 GSA, fully specked with shift assist (same as the RT) and key-less start etc...

So we went for a long ride, and swapped bikes on the way back.

I was quite impressed with the latest GSA, it had a nice gearbox and i thought it was the best GSLC i'd ridden.

On the GSA i liked...

1. The high and wide riding position
2. The gear box is now as good as the RT
3. Rugged good looks, and it looks good dirty (a bit like me really )
4. I would be quite happy riding it off-road (dry dirt/gravel only though)

Didn't like...

1. Excessive road/tyres droning noise (Annakee tyres?)
2. Wind protection - I was dressed for my RT and i was fucking freezing on the GSA, and the screen was flapping about.
3. The handling didn't feel as planted and stable as the RT
4. It didn't have Rammstein blasting from the speakers
5. I was fucking freezing.
6. I was fucking freezing.

Halfway back i'd swapped back to my RT, and luxuriated in its heated seat and effective screen/fairing.

Best part of the ride back.....looking at my RT from the GSA, my RT looked foookin awesome...

 

[SMcGirr]

That's just it though, both fab in their own way. It's finely balanced at the minute. I will let you know which I decide !

Seamus

 

[batman1]

A very difficult choice, the RT is the more complete road tourer and a lot of fun, the GS is even more fun, and still a very good road tourer that will also go off road!

Keep taking them out for very long road tests until you can decide.

 

[DrAlf]

The R1200RS probably sits somewhere between the GS and RT and if the new R is anything to go by, it'll be great.

Apparently out May/June if you can wait that long

 

[SMcGirr]

I have gone and done it ! A GS it is as apparently we can do a better deal on a GS than an RT. I will post pics when I get it in March : GS TE with engine bars, full pannier set, Sat Nav, LED spotlights in black !

 

[batman1]

Well done matey. you're gonna love it

 

[Dennis the Menace]

I ride mostly 2 up, wife is on the short side, she has got fed up getting on and off a GS, GS rear seat is also high compered to an RT something to consider if you ride with a passenger

 

[Yonkyo]

I ride mostly 2 up, wife is on the short side, she has got fed up getting on and off a GS, GS rear seat is also high compered to an RT something to consider if you ride with a passenger

Agreed, SWIMBO thinks the RT is the most comfy bike she's ever been on, including the K1600 (her 3rd favorite being my GSA TC).

 

[strod]

Agreed, SWIMBO thinks the RT is the most comfy bike she's ever been on, including the K1600 (her 3rd favorite being my GSA TC).

Interesting, why/how is the RT more comfortable than the K16 from her perspective?

 

[Yonkyo]

Interesting, why/how is the RT more comfortable than the K16 from her perspective?

she felt that she was seated higher than the RT, and therefor received a lot of buffeting and windblast.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

After being pillion on a GS then getting on an RT my wife was very impressed with the comfort and lack of wind blast, she also found it easy to snuggle down for a rest (sleep) as she puts it
Not being the tallest guy in the world, I do find the riders seat in the high position to be the most comfortable

 

[Troppo]

both....