Opinions....new RT or GS?

[tvtommy]

Seeking opinions from the educated masses....

If you could choose between a 2008 GS or a same year RT...which would you choose and why?

Thanks a TON in advance! :bow

[DarrylRi]

Seems like this is a pretty Hexhead specific question, you may get a better response over here in the Hexhead forum...

[BobFV1]

I just traded my 2 year old GS 12 ADV for an R12RT and I am very pleased at the switch. The GS is a fun bike to ride and I like having the extra suspension clearance but at the end of the day, it is not a dirt bike, it is a street bike with extra suspension clearance. Of course that oversimplifies a bit, but if you do not plan to take the GS out where you need the extra clearance, why not buy the RT.

I have ridden the 12 GS ADV and the R12RT across the country and there is no comparison in terms of comfort - the RT wins. Airflow is effectively channeled around you, the electrically adjustable windscreen is great, and the aerodynamics of the bike help you slice through the wind rather than punching a hole in it, like the GS ADV tries to do with the big, flat windscreen and deflectors. The RT also does not get wind up under the beak blowing the front tire around, and does not have the handguards out spoiling the airflow either.

The only thing I miss about the GS ADV is the HUGE tank size - it was nice being able to stop on long trips for something other than gas. Beyond that, I am very pleased with my RT, especially electronic cruise control, ESA, and the trip computer .

[Motodan]

I went with the R12RT. I'm 5'11 with a 30" or so inseam. The regular GS is just taller than what I need or desire. The LOW SUSPENSION GS would work, but I considered the 40 plus years of riding I've done and decided I never was an off pavement person. Plus off pavement in Indiana pretty much means you're in the middle of a corn or bean field. If I lived or rode a lot in the western US I'd have a GS I guess. Overall I believe the RT is a more do anything bike than the GS for me. One aspect in the GS's favor, is being a lot different than usual bike you meet on the road [in a touring to trail application]. That exclusive aspect, for me, is well covered by the RT. My friend has a '05 GS with 40,000 or so on it. He's thinking new RT just for the cruise control alone. Good luck with you decision.

[carockwell]

I was thinking about something similar, a 1200RT or a GS ADV. It seemed to me that the ADV would give similar wind protection to the RT and never need to be washed. If the ADV could be easily lowered from its ridiculous heights, it should make a good asphalt touring bike.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

It seemed to me that the ADV would give similar wind protection to the RT and never need to be washed.

Washed? The R1200RT is available in sand beige metallic -- or as I prefer to call it, 'metalic dirt'.

As far as wind protection goes: I'd rate the R1200RT as excellent, and the GS Adv similar to that of a naked bike.

[BobFV1]

As far as wind protection goes: I'd rate the R1200RT as excellent, and the GS Adv similar to that of a naked bike.

Whoa boy - again, having owned and ridden both bikes, I'm just going to have to disagree with you on that. The wind protection is almost identical on both bikes, ie, you have a complete quiet area behind the oncoming wind. The higher windscreen, wider tank, and deflectors on the GS ADV ensure that you have practically no airflow, if any, hitting you with the window in one of the higher positions.

The way the two bikes handle the wind is what's completely different. The GS ADV punches a hole in the wind, with very little aerodynamic assistance, and the RT just slices right through it. Crossing the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma last month on the RT with sustained 40 MPH winds (it was the windiest place in the country that day) was bearable on the RT, whereas my 12 GS ADV with Jesse bags became twitchy with gusts in the mid-20's - I mean really twitchy.

A "naked bike" gives you no wind protection whatsoever - the GS ADV is completely the opposite of that.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

A "naked bike" gives you no wind protection whatsoever - the GS ADV is completely the opposite of that.

Okay, I'll agree a GS ADV has better protection from the elements than a truly naked bike. It does have the windshield and some limited protection from the flared tank. But, riding a GS ADV on wet roads, or in a rain, you will soon realize your feet are completely out there in the elements, verses the generous lower-limb protection of the R1200RT.

Don't get me wrong, I love the GS. It's a very versatile bike. It's a blast to ride on dirt roads, through the hills or ratting around town. But at highway speeds, the GS ADV punches a hole in the wind about as well as an A. C. Gilbert Erector Set.

http://www.r1200gs.info/misc/images/adv-1.jpg

[Mika]

Unless my riding habits I would take the GS.

In any year a minimum of 80% of my miles come in the form of commuting or in short fun back road runs.

The GS and the RT both offer the same protection to the elements when you are at a stop sign, none. Rain falls straight down or at a bit of an angle so when you are sitting at a stop sign the fairing or wind screen offer no protection. Passing cars and trucks equally splash from the side the rider of a GS or RT. Improvement in riding gear, heated grips, and GS hand guards have done more to extend my riding season. I road my last sport touring bike down to about 5 degrees F. I have ridden my Roadster in -6 degrees F. All geared up I was still cold but did a 20+ mile commute. Again sit at a stop sign or stop light on a commute and you can freeze on either one if you aren’t geared up properly.

The big advantage to me the GS would have in my daily riding is weight. Both can be ponderous but the GS seems to be the better daily commuter for my tastes. The bike without the fairing is just easier for me to handle in and out of the garage, parking ramp and on the daily commute.

The other 20% of my miles are in long distance travel. When I am trying to cover great distances in a single bite I wish I had a fairing. The last couple hundred miles of a 700-1000 mile day can be down right painful on a naked bike. For the average rider not in a L.D. competition the maximum miles you are capable of drop off with each day on either bike. The slope of the decline is steeper on the GS or Roadster.

Yet even in this traveling 20% of my miles, I like getting off on strange roads and cow paths. Neither works well in these settings fully loaded for a trip. There is just less to break when I drop a roadster or GS than an RT. So I lean toward the GS even in this setting.

When I do the four corners and the coast to coast in US and Canada I will do them on a fully faired bike. When I finish those trips I will probably sell the touring bike and get another roadster.

The RT has all sorts of advantages in long distance rides but not enough to outweigh the GS for me.

[advenbob]

As many riders of the hexheads, there are as many opinons re the RT vs GS. They are both good bikes. It really boils down to what makes you happy and/or which one fits your riding style.

I personnally like the GSA. When I sold my 01 GS, a day later I was crying, and waited about 2 years to replace it. It does everything I want it to do, go where I want it to go, etc.

I like the naked bike, had enough fun for a lifetime taking the plastic off the K1200Lt for a lot of service item. Air cleaner element in particular. No more.

bob

[revkev]

My decision was between the same two bikes. I chose the GS, in blue, 2008.

Reasons? given the fact that both are very nice choices.

I will do some gravel road riding as well as hard road.

I won't be doing much true off road with it, but it is nice to think I can if I want.

I am tall and I like tallness of the GS. It fits me well.

I think the GS is more youthful in looks and feel. When I took a safety class this past weekend several 20 something guys came up to look at it, having never seen one, and said, "That bike is really sharp." I am not young but am not ready to ride the "retired look" at this point. (nothing personal to anyone who is older than I am)

It is kind of unique looking, oddly sharp, IMHO.

I don't like washing my vehicles and the GS will look nicer with bugs and dirt all over it.

I plan to do some trips but won't be driven to do 700-1,000 day rides.

With the Parabellum windshield and the GSA winglettes there is some protection on the road and you can also get a little wind, which, IMHO is part of biking.

It really has some giddy-up.

My two cents FWIW...

[knary]

GS for lightness, sportiness, and versatility.

http://bmwmoa.smugmug.com/photos/227020792-M.jpg

:evil

[gulfcoastbeemer]

GS for lightness, sportiness, and versatility.

Odd, I chose the R1200RT for these very reasons.

While the R1200RT, with its system luggage, is heavier than the GS, when you compare the RT to the GS Adventure (with its luggage) the weight difference is rather slight.

I regularly take my RT down gravel back roads. When I do, my biggest concern is the adjustable windshield mounts. I completely lower the windshield so it doesn't flop all over the place.

If you are going to spend a good deal of time slugging it out on lumpy roads, the GS/GSA -- with its slightly beefier suspension and ruggedized design -- would be my choice.

If your routine includes a fair amount of blitzing along high-speed thoroughfares, the RT is a better mount.

Under the skin, there are more similarities than differences with the GS/GSA and RT designs. Picking one over the other, in some cases, could mean selecting a machine that you think matches your ego/self-image.

[RANT WARNING: I must confess, in my area there is a gaggle of effete snob GS/GSA riders, more afflicted with 'adventure affectation' than any genuine desire to hit the open road. Their popinjay antics sour me to the whole GS thing.]

[RJM2096]

You need both a sports bike (or Cruiser) and a touring bike. Anti-up and get them both. That way when one is getting serviced you have a spare. If you can't afford new get one of them used, that way you can fix it up and learn how it works. Owning a cycle is more than just riding.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/RJM2096/BMW_R1100T.jpg

[knary]

Odd, I chose the R1200RT for these very reasons.

While the R1200RT, with its system luggage, is heavier than the GS, when you compare the RT to the GS Adventure (with its luggage) the weight difference is rather slight.

Y'all keep talking about the GSA. He asked about the GS and I recommended the GS. It's a good bit lighter in feel and more "motorcycle" in experience, IMHO, than the RT. Add in the increased comfort it offers banging down an unpaved road and for me it's the better bike.

[Mika]

Y'all keep talking about the GSA. He asked about the GS and I recommended the GS...

You expect people around here to stay on point? Silly rabbit :lol

[knary]

You expect people around here to stay on point? Silly rabbit :lol

:rofl

Conspicuously absent is the thread starter to clarify what he hopes to do with the bike.

[Polarbear]

The RT wins big time, in the gas mileage battle. Its geared better for road usage and has a wonderful fairing:). I went from KLT to GSA recently and many many GS's before that big K Bike. The KLT also won the gas mileage war between any of the GS's, except the F650's at 65-70 mpg's! The RT will go much further for the money spent on gas. CONS; working on a faired bike is a pain indeed, so if you work on your own bike, the GS WINS here. All around, the GS is more versatile, clearly, but you have to pick your style and ride it:). Comfort is so nearly the same between the two, with exception of the seat height at 35" on a GSA. I'm crying some about my poor mpg's, but otherwise love the GSAdventure for me. I do a fair amount of dirt riding and love the exploring back byways the GSA provides. Out west, more than half our roads are dirt, especially Nevada, Utah,etcetc.. Happy Trails, Randy:D

[revkev]

I rode a nearly new RT from the dealer to a restaurant while waiting for my GS to have the 600 mile service. The RT was a nice ride, indeed. However, after riding it, I am glad I got the GS (not the GSA as some have mentioned). If like the open and sporty feel of the GS and although I considered the GSA, in the end, it felt and looked too much like a souped up four-wheeler to me. The RT definitely does stop the wind but I will tolerate a little in the GS. If I wanted a nearly wind free ride I would drive my VW Golf TDI, which has similar horsepower. As many have mentioned, it is all in the eyes of the beholder and depends on usage. I was going to do primarily 20-40 miles rides on pavement, some riding on gravel, and a few longer trips. For my purpose the GS was the best. I would like to get one more BMW, of course, and I like the looks of the 2009 800GS. That would be even more off-road and fun. We will see.

I hope your choice goes well and as can easily be seen, there are many happy riders on many sides of the same coin.

[Motodan]

All your typing on this RT/GS thing got to me. My RT is now sitting in the garage as I'm breaking in the new GS. I too had a difficult time deciding which. I bought the '08 RT in December and '08 GS yesterday. I traded a Harley in for the GS. I told my wife this will be cheaper in the long run because I only need to buy BMW clothing now.

[kbasa]

:rofl

Conspicuously absent is the thread starter to clarify what he hopes to do with the bike.

Well, that was going to be my question. It really matters.

Riding long distances of pavement, particularly two up? RT. No other motorcycle I've owned has allowed me to consume so much pavement, so fast, with so little muss as our RT. It might be the ideal two up bike.

Going on a long tour by yourself and want to carry a metric buttload of gear? GS. Nothing will carry a load of gear like a GS. Nor does much else compare when the route contains a variety of terrain.

Riding to the next county? RT. See notes above re: cruise missle.

Riding around town in congestion? GS. Easier than the RT to ride in tight confines like splitting lanes or navigating parking structures or riding up the sidewalk.

[podsobinski]

Get both! You could find a great used R1200RT around and buy a 1150 GS or Adv. for under $10,000 and you would have the best of both worlds.

gpodzo

[Mika]

:rofl

Conspicuously absent is the thread starter to clarify what he hopes to do with the bike.

Well, that was going to be my question. It really matters.

Riding long distances of pavement, particularly two up? RT. No other motorcycle I've owned has allowed me to consume so much pavement, so fast, with so little muss as our RT. It might be the ideal two up bike.

Going on a long tour by yourself and want to carry a metric buttload of gear? GS. Nothing will carry a load of gear like a GS. Nor does much else compare when the route contains a variety of terrain.

Riding to the next county? RT. See notes above re: cruise missle.

Riding around town in congestion? GS. Easier than the RT to ride in tight confines like splitting lanes or navigating parking structures or riding up the sidewalk.


Ah, the amorous rabbit and the head sausage want context and facts to base their answers on.

Context - The is the BMW MOA forum
Facts - We don't need no stinking facts to form our posts, this is the BMW MOA Forum. :lol

Heck most of my post talked about Roadsters

[gulfcoastbeemer]

I guess if my thing was off-road/dirt-road riding, I would consider a GS -- but not the R1200GS/GSA; rather the F650GS or possibly the new F800GS.

Heck, if it's strictly off-road, why not a nice 260 pound Husqvarna SM450R.

Also, in response to those concerned about the fairing: you can completely remove the upper and lower fairing on the RT in 15 minutes once you know what you're doing. BTW, there isn't a skid pan on an RT, so it's actually easier to do an oil/filter change on the RT vs the GS/A.

[tvtommy]

:rofl

Conspicuously absent is the thread starter to clarify what he hopes to do with the bike.

Oh I'm here....this has turned into a pretty good thread, I'm digesting it all...

[deilenberger]

Oh I'm here....this has turned into a pretty good thread, I'm digesting it all...Since you're undecided.. I'll suggest you go take a test ride on the R1200R. Bring your checkbook.. :deal

[Brodyku]

All your typing on this RT/GS thing got to me. My RT is now sitting in the garage as I'm breaking in the new GS. I too had a difficult time deciding which. I bought the '08 RT in December and '08 GS yesterday. I traded a Harley in for the GS. I told my wife this will be cheaper in the long run because I only need to buy BMW clothing now.


I agree. I want to unlock the code like the next guy, but this is tougher than any Indiana Jones or National Treasure movie to unlock. There is no one bike that anyone should own. Become a collector.

KTM 250 = Dirt and woods
R1200GS = Gravel rodes, corner pounding, and travelling alone
R1150RT = Corner pounding and and travelling with SO

[tvtommy]

Thanks a million for taking part in this thread....

I'm probably leaning toward an RT. I'm geographically challenged, and dont have the advantage of gravel roads to jump off onto. Then again, riding to the gravel could be half the fun.

My days on the RS may be numbered, I broke an elbow a couple of years ago, and its starting to bother me on the RS. I'll probably keep the Harley forever.....wanted one all my life, and now I have it.

I did happen to sit on a 2008 RT last weekend.....now I guess I better actually ride one..

Keep it comin!

[mistercindy]

It really depends on what you are going to do with the bike.

IMHO, and certainly for my purposes, the 12GS is a lighter and more versatile motorcycle. Its higher ground clearance doesn't have to be used for off roading. The 12GS weighs 450 to 500+ lbs, so nobody with any sense pretends that its a great dirt bike. Its a street bike with a high clearance and good suspension. I commute a 60 mile round trip every day on Dallas' urban highways. I love the high clearance and suspension when I go over pot holes, crappy roads, medians, and grassy areas when I dart off of traffic jammed highways. And, frankly, I never plan to go offroad, but I can't count the amount of times I've suddenly found myself on gravel or well maintained dirt roads and I'm very pleased that I'm on a GS. I enjoy that little sense of comfort in not caring where I turn when I'm just snooping around on a day trip.

Also, the 12GS sits high up so its easier to see around larger cars and many SUVs. Its lighter weight makes it eminently flickable. Frankly, the 12GS is a superb urban highway machine. IMHO it'd be the perfect urban police motorcycle.

And the nakedness of the 12GS is an advantage, too. A parking lot lay down ain't going to cost $500 or more in plastic repair, and pebbles, rocks, and other sundry crap don't have paint job implications.

Here's the bad stuff. IMHO the stock screen on the 12GS sucks. For me and my riding it created massive buffetting in heavy crosswinds and heavy traffic. Dangerously so. That, and the pounding noise at highway speed was literally painful. Others disagree and get along with the stocker just fine. But I bought an Aeroflow and it transformed the bike: no buffetting and much quieter. I've ridden a 12RT and its stock protection is just marginally better and quieter than my 12GS with an Aeroflow. But for my riding the difference is insignificant. The Aeroflow, BTW, still provides me with plenty of clean air on my torso and upper arms and is just fine on hot Texas summer days.

Given that I have an Aeroflow, I think the only big advantage of the 12RT over my 12GS is the range. The 12RT has a bigger tank. Its the same advantage as the 12GSA (which also outweighs the 12GS by ~100 lbs). Sure it'd be convenient to have another 150 miles in the tank. But my ~220 mile range is the most of any bike I've owned, and its more than the vast majority of bikes on the market. That, and when you ride long trips with a couple other guys or more your range is only as long as the smallest tank, and there's always one guy out of the several that has a range of around 150 miles or so. And this is subjective, of course, but when I'm on my own on long trips I don't mind a stretch of the legs every few hours.

Don't get me wrong. The 12RT is a heckuva bike. And I wouldn't hesitate to get a 12RT over a 12GS if I principally rode on long and paved highway trips where protection and range are of primary importance. If I were an Iron Butt guy or rode out of the way places in Alaska or South America where there are few gas stations then the 12RT or 12GSA would be a much better choice than the 12GS just because of the range. And if I were doing a lot of 2-up riding the 12RT would be much better. The 12RT is comfortable and the gears are tuned a bit lower for highway cruising at slightly lower RPMs and better gas mileage (although the 12GS's tuning and mileage are just fine). And some day in the future when I have the time for longer touring I'll look at the RT. But for my riding now: 12,000 miles per year of big city commuting and a smattering of day trips of 200 to 500 miles where I'm never all that far from fuel, and I may or may not want or need that high clearance, then the 12GS is the perfect machine.

Ride 'em both & buy what you like. Let us know what you do.

[Zigzag]

+1 for the GS
I currently have a 1200RT and it is a great bike but my 02 GS was better for me. With an Aeroflow it was very nice on the highway and I found it easy to ride in the city and in traffic. The RT is nice but do it over again no I'd get a GS. Not to step on any toes but for long trips on the highway I prefer a Electra Glide HD. Just my thoughts.

[hcmiller52]

Unless my riding habits I would take the GS.

$snip$

The other 20% of my miles are in long distance travel. When I am trying to cover great distances in a single bite I wish I had a fairing. The last couple hundred miles of a 700-1000 mile day can be down right painful on a naked bike. For the average rider not in a L.D. competition the maximum miles you are capable of drop off with each day on either bike. The slope of the decline is steeper on the GS or Roadster.

Yet even in this traveling 20% of my miles, I like getting off on strange roads and cow paths. Neither works well in these settings fully loaded for a trip. There is just less to break when I drop a roadster or GS than an RT. So I lean toward the GS even in this setting.

$snip$

The RT has all sorts of advantages in long distance rides but not enough to outweigh the GS for me.I don't know. It's a tough call. I owned an RT and loved it. Protection was decent. Traded it for a GS Adv. and farkled it up a bit with touring shield, tank panniers (add tremendously to protection!!!). There are also rubber lowers to protect the feet but I haven't bought them yet. Overall, the protection is about 90 percent of the RT. I ride in the rain, at night, even during the day. I rode 26,000 miles last year so I had plenty of saddle time to make reasoned and valid comparisons.

For me, the tie breaker is that I camp all the time. The GS can carry so much more crap (and useful stuff, too) than the RT. Period. The GS is better in campgrounds and doesn't get hurt if it falls over.

If you are on the road and moteling it, by all means get the RT. It's a lovely bike. If you are going to do any (say 20% of the time) roughing it, go with the GS and farkle it for weather protection.

I rode straight from Scranton, PA to Knoxville, TN - 765 miles - on a lowered F650GS two years ago with no wind protection and a pillow from my couch under my butt. I was fine at the end of the day. Not sure what this falling off at the end of the day stuff is all about.

[bugley]

Ride em both and pick the one that suits YOUR "needs" the best. Both are outstanding motorcycles, it's just one might fit your needs, riding style and type or riding you plan to do better than the other one. You can't go wrong with either.

[danalbertson]

All your typing on this RT/GS thing got to me. My RT is now sitting in the garage as I'm breaking in the new GS. I too had a difficult time deciding which. I bought the '08 RT in December and '08 GS yesterday. I traded a Harley in for the GS. I told my wife this will be cheaper in the long run because I only need to buy BMW clothing now.

It is fun to show up at the Beemer breakfast in a Harley shirt! :eat

[hlothery]

IMHO, I would vote for the RT. Never ridden the GS, mind you. But I love the RT. Handles well, nimble, very quick, smooth, comfortable, excellent wind and rain protection (unless, as was pointed out, you are stopped, of course). I have ridden with the large topcase since I bought mine and have never found it to be heavy or cumbersome, even at slow speeds in parking lots, even when loaded and two up. Simply the most wonderful bike I have ever owned. :heart

[ConcowRider]

TVTommy, in 07 we got back into two wheeling and bought a new GS for the wife and a GSA for me (8.7 gallon tank got me). Due to a sustained high coefficient of vertical challenge I sold my GSA and purchased a new 08 RT with the low seat. Wife still has (and loves) her GS and I think my RT is super!
#1. The stock "low" seat on the 07 GS and GSA was good for about 50 miles before real pain set in! No kidding! It was pretty bad for both of us. We both had our seats rebuilt by Russel Day Long Seats up in Shasta Ca. Big, big, big difference, and some serious $$ too. If you get a GS with the low seat expect to have to do something to it that costs $$. Can't say anything about the standard height GS seat because it was just too high for us. On the other hand, the "low" seat on my RT is entirely adequate! I didn't say it's up to the comfort standard of the Russel seat but it works OK for 250 mile days.
#2. The wind protection on the GS and GSA is OK. The wind protection on the RT is great. When temperatures drop snuggling down behind the RT fairing is very nice. My perception is there is a bit less buffeting / wander during gusty crosswinds riding on my RT. Never could quite relax on my GSA as it always seemed to want to head off toward the boonies. RT is solid.
#3. Taking either machine off pavement was interesting but no big deal. Our access road is ~ 1/4 mile of gravel and negotiating it with any of the machines, GS, GSA or RT is no porblem.
#4. The center of gravity of the RT is lower than either the GS or GSA period. This makes a difference in what I call garage handling. GS seems lighter to manhandle around but the low CG of the RT makes it OK too.
Wife is even happier with her GS after we had "low" Ohlins installed. They drop the saddle height by almost a full inch. Again, there are $$ associated with this solution.
The above are my opinions and impressions of these three fine machines.
I seem to be averaging about 5 MPG better on the RT than I did on my GSA so according to my math the overall range between fuel stops is pretty much a wash.
Cheers
Dave, Dot & Freckles Doggie

[jnerges]

This is a great question. Two years ago, my brother in law and I took a long trip to Alaska from Seattle. He had an RT, I had a GS. We went up to the pipeline and circle. The GS handled rougher roads better, the RT took less energy from the rider. The RT was more fuel efficient. After that, The big difference was in the wind screen. The RT won that competition. I was pretty cold and wet a lot, he was more comforatable.

Both are great. I don't want to trade in the GS but I would love an RT. Can't really see the Mrs. enjoying herself on the back of a GS.

Some data for thought.

John



Ride em both and pick the one that suits YOUR "needs" the best. Both are outstanding motorcycles, it's just one might fit your needs, riding style and type or riding you plan to do better than the other one. You can't go wrong with either.

[kgadley01]

I'd buy the RT. I do a good bit of long distance riding, and just can't imagine doing it on a semi dirt bike. I live down a dirt, gravel, road and the RT does fine. but before I form a solid opinion, I'll wait and see how my riding pardner to Gillette fairs. he will be riding a GS 650, I'll be on my RT. we'll see how well we can walk and sit after 2100 miles...:bolt

[PAGoldsby]

I just bought an '04 RT. I could have bought an '04 GS for less money, but chose the RT for greater utility as a mileage-disposal unit, particularly two-up.

PhilbeRT

[jenunn]

If you look at the Iron Butt Rally results over the years both the GS and the RT are always top finishers so they're both great road bikes...no questions there. I ride both, but I find the engine heat from the RT uncomfortable in the Florida heat so when it's hot, it's the GS for me. I supposed the opposite would hold true if I did a lot of cold weather riding. My wife actually likes the "perch" better on the GS than the RT and I definitely like the GS better in traffic.