Isn't it even more sporty? That won't help a bad back. Bar risers and lower pegs might, but it's difficult to test ride one fitted like this and a lot of money to risk if these changes aren't enough.
Who’s switched to an RS from a GS
- Thread starter g00ner
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On a serious note,owning to some trouble "down there" i was beginning to struggle with the standard bars so got a Wunderlich bar conversion fitted, 600 mile days are easy now.
So easy in fact should I ask Big Daddy how easy they are he would be stamping one foot on the ground while shaking his fist in the air shouting EASY! EASY! EASY!.
Honestly the 1200 is the best bike I've ever owned, nine years and counting.
So easy in fact should I ask Big Daddy how easy they are he would be stamping one foot on the ground while shaking his fist in the air shouting EASY! EASY! EASY!.
Honestly the 1200 is the best bike I've ever owned, nine years and counting.
It is compared to a R1250GS . But a lot more comfortable than a RS if you have a bad back.
It’s a good compromise
I forgot to mention the bar conversion gives you all the comfort of a GS but none of the stigma that comes with owning one.
Ditto, but I went for the Sport seat which is highest at 840mm. So ergonomics are the same as on a GS (for me at 5'9'' is perfect), HP foot pegs for touring is a recent addition. In the summer I have a Sport screen.
Attachments
Hence I went for a non ESA model. Not lighter than a 1250GS, but carries the weight lower even with luggage. My standard is around 8kg lighter than a ESA with all the extra stuff.
Tried 3 models, the pegs are higher and back. No tubular conversion possible but you can get higher bars/screen. Frankly only the automatic would appeal to me.
That is a good point. The RS excelled on smooth-ish fast roads where you could ride it more like sports bike. If you hit bumpy backroads too hard it can get a bit out of shape.
It might be a bit long and heavy for those nadgery lanes with the grass in the middle - which is where I find all the fun in riding these days.
The RS is a solid sports tourer, fast and fun - comfy if it suits you, but for the back lanes I’d be looking at something midsize and pokey.
[mention]Blacknbluex2 [/mention] maybe mention the Aprilia Tuareg 660 to your mate, it’s a great handling bike, with more zing than you’d think.
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That is a very good looking bike. Same colours as my R1250GSA Rallye. The colours certainly suit the RS.
I went from a 1200GSA to a 1200RS.
Good points:
Not so good points:
Changed the RT for a Ducati 950s Supersport which is more comfortable than the RS, handles better, goes a bit better thanks to being much lighter and stops better. It, for me, almost has the comfort level of the RT just without the weather protection and has more legroom which is a real bonus. I'd say if it's a "comfortable, relatively lightweight big bike you're after with sporting potential that can also tour (has straps for attaching kriega packs or similar) then worth considering the 950s as an alternative. You never know, you might love it. Your back will thank you. My back was destroyed so perhaps an extreme example, but post surgery I have little flex so welcome the more upright riding position of the Ducati. Suspension is sublime. Better by far than the 1200RS even with esa.
Good points:
- Much lighter and felt more stable at speed
- Handling was better for most UK roads, rock solid in corners
- More sporty feeling
- benefits from similar esa and extras so heated grips etc, all controls the same
- can tour as plenty of top box and pannier options
Not so good points:
- Still a heavy lump
- ergo triangle a bit odd unless you're very tall with longer arms. Fitted helibar riser kit to help but it still put strain on lower back
- standard fairing useless, way too much buffeting. Fitted an MRA and it was better but still not as good as my gsa
- could get hip cramp after several hours as the peg height was a bit more restrictive (that odd ergo triangle)
- standard seat just not comfortable for longer runs for me, so fitted a Wunderlicht aktiv comfort seat which was much better
- very little weather protection. More than the 1200R but nowhere near as good as a gsa or an RT
Changed the RT for a Ducati 950s Supersport which is more comfortable than the RS, handles better, goes a bit better thanks to being much lighter and stops better. It, for me, almost has the comfort level of the RT just without the weather protection and has more legroom which is a real bonus. I'd say if it's a "comfortable, relatively lightweight big bike you're after with sporting potential that can also tour (has straps for attaching kriega packs or similar) then worth considering the 950s as an alternative. You never know, you might love it. Your back will thank you. My back was destroyed so perhaps an extreme example, but post surgery I have little flex so welcome the more upright riding position of the Ducati. Suspension is sublime. Better by far than the 1200RS even with esa.
Who’s have guessed the Supersport Duc would be more comfy than a BMW . Odd world
Thanks, the RS made the short list each time I had each of my 3 GS' I certainly liked the Lupin Blue one and actually preferred it over the 1st GS I bought but SWMBO had the casting pillion vote. I was quite disappointed in 2018 to find out they'd dropped that colour option in favour of what can only be described as dreary alternatives and the mantra that if you wanted a SE or the Exclusive you could only have it in the shit colour they'd chosen, I remember "choices" like Alegro brown, Austin yellow and boring blue, so when they decided yiu coukd have a number of colour options with the SE inc the Motorrad one I jumped at the chance. Sadly they've gone back to their old ways again and you can only have the Motorrad colours with the sports pack and no luggage options that's an addition £3.2k and I want my RS to be more comfortable than sporty so that'll be a no thanks.
For 2026 you can speck it as a normal bike according to my dealer. However the 1300 Sport color is rather boring.
I was more surprised at this than anyone, but it is way better ergonomically than the RS for me. Suspension works better and is very compliant but retains enough stiffness for really sporty handling. Electronic menus are easy to navigate and make changes to engine mapping set values as well as abs, anti wheelie, TC and switching on or off for the auto shifter which is buttery smooth in use. Sound wise, it is great even with standard pipes. Handling is just about the best on UK roads I've experienced in 40 years of riding different bikes. It's perfectly balanced. It is also a stunner in the looks department which is a bonus and overall, build quality is superb. I'm not fixed to any one make but have found beemer big twins to my liking. This hasn't quite got the torque of the RS1200/1250 but the lower mass (187Kg dry) means higher overall power to weight and overtakes are a breeze in any gear. Enough torque for rapid exits from corners and a lot of engine braking too. It's a complete hoot to ride and puts the fun back into riding. RS felt sporty until I rode this. The RS I'd describe as more "grown up" in a Teutonic way but not as much fun. I've been out for 6 hour rides and got off quite fresh without the usual cramp issues. Saddle is uber comfortable.
Well that's an about turn (again!)
When I ordered mine the dealer told me the motorrad colours were introduced by a non German senior manager (might have been the CEO?). The boring brigade resisted but he stood his ground and the Motorrad colours became the top seller. Sometimes you can't make it up, they're just panels FFS, it's exactly the same for the bod that's assembling the bike what ever colour the customer chooses. I can't see me getting a 1300 anytime soon, more likely to downsize to some other brand as I get older and start to struggle with the size and weight.
Well that’s lovely
Larry Langford
Registered user
I bought a 22" RS new. Then later picked up a used GS 1250 last year. I love the RS, It seems to be adaptable to shorter people more than the GS, hence the bar risers on so many bikes, as the reach on the bike is more for the tall. To elude to a trick in bicycle fitting, which is much more developed than motorcycles, if you can lift both hands off the bars when riding, without pushing off, then that particular element is right. And you won't have as much issue with leaning forward hurting your wrists. I have short legs and I keep the pegs in the highest setting and when I scoot all the way forward on the RS I'm almost straight up. I think the crouched position is better for my back as long as it's not too extreme imo. But to be fair this position is almost identical to my bike set up on a street going 29er, which was surprising to me that it came out that way. The upside down fork on the RS had a lot to do with it being chosen I admit.
The GS I have now is an interesting bike for sure but is clearly for someone taller lol. I've adapted to it, but it don't fit as well as the RS for me. I was able to lower the already low seat which helped with the seat to peg distance. To me , when this is right you can transfer all your weight to the pegs easily, which I admit is more important in racing. I took the GS out a day or two ago on a ride which was prolly more for the RS and I found it to be a little uncomfortable and VERY noisy. I had to put knobbys on it to better handle the sandy dirt roads in eastern colorado, and it is very adept out there now but just not very comfy on the road compared to the RS. Between 60 and 70 it sounds like a buzzsaw but quiets down a lot after 70. The shorter gearing is also noticeable on the very fast freeways, It is very tall as it has the gsa suspension on it. Just the balls of my feet on that bike. I am 5'10" 30 inch inseam but quite heavy at 240lbs. I also don't much care for the telelever fork, but it does do well in the rough ....
The thing I don't like about the RS is I bought it new and paid way too much for it, so it will be in the stable for a spell likely. And it takes some will power to not hotrod the thing it seems.
The GS I have now is an interesting bike for sure but is clearly for someone taller lol. I've adapted to it, but it don't fit as well as the RS for me. I was able to lower the already low seat which helped with the seat to peg distance. To me , when this is right you can transfer all your weight to the pegs easily, which I admit is more important in racing. I took the GS out a day or two ago on a ride which was prolly more for the RS and I found it to be a little uncomfortable and VERY noisy. I had to put knobbys on it to better handle the sandy dirt roads in eastern colorado, and it is very adept out there now but just not very comfy on the road compared to the RS. Between 60 and 70 it sounds like a buzzsaw but quiets down a lot after 70. The shorter gearing is also noticeable on the very fast freeways, It is very tall as it has the gsa suspension on it. Just the balls of my feet on that bike. I am 5'10" 30 inch inseam but quite heavy at 240lbs. I also don't much care for the telelever fork, but it does do well in the rough ....
The thing I don't like about the RS is I bought it new and paid way too much for it, so it will be in the stable for a spell likely. And it takes some will power to not hotrod the thing it seems.
Some good feedback on this thread, thanks muchly 
I visited the nearest dealer and asked if I could sit on one for a bit, not ride yet, just assess the riding position. He must have thought I was an A-class nutter but he let me. Pretty soon I could feel a familiar and unwanted ache in the lower back..couple that with the seat to peg reduced distance comparatively with my old GS and I’m not convinced it would suit. I appreciate riding it will be more informative but it wasn’t a good sign.
I’m also agreeing with posters regarding the type of roads I ride not being the RS’s forte… not many smooth sweepers near here. I’ve considered other bikes but don’t want something similar in ethos to my 701 which kind of negates the very good Tuareg.
5k (ish), tour capable, suits back roads, light enough and low enough height wise to fit in the van. An R9T with expensive replacement suspension but been down that road? F800 but the engine didn’t have the character. V85 maybe though I’ve tried to love it’s looks and failed thus far..
Seems like an R80/100GS still hasn’t been bettered. I’ll keep musing
I visited the nearest dealer and asked if I could sit on one for a bit, not ride yet, just assess the riding position. He must have thought I was an A-class nutter but he let me. Pretty soon I could feel a familiar and unwanted ache in the lower back..couple that with the seat to peg reduced distance comparatively with my old GS and I’m not convinced it would suit. I appreciate riding it will be more informative but it wasn’t a good sign.
I’m also agreeing with posters regarding the type of roads I ride not being the RS’s forte… not many smooth sweepers near here. I’ve considered other bikes but don’t want something similar in ethos to my 701 which kind of negates the very good Tuareg.
5k (ish), tour capable, suits back roads, light enough and low enough height wise to fit in the van. An R9T with expensive replacement suspension but been down that road? F800 but the engine didn’t have the character. V85 maybe though I’ve tried to love it’s looks and failed thus far..
Seems like an R80/100GS still hasn’t been bettered. I’ll keep musing
you can get a fairly recent Vstrom 650 for that sort of money which can scratch a V twin itch
