A Further Question - RT vs GS

[SpartySam]

Okay, from my prior posting regarding the advantages of the GT relative to the RT, I have gotten strong support (well argued) for the RT (thanks to everyone). Second, question - pros and cons of the RT vs GS (yes, I know that they are different, but I am looking for one good general purpose bike).

Hope to hear from you soon.

Steven A. Melnyk

[99417]

Hey Steve, it seem we have stirred up things. This is what I was after. I need all the feed back I can get to analyze. If I can make the right decision it may be the bike I keep for quite a while. I appreciate all the information.

Tom

My email is tf-bren@kc.rr.com

[marchyman]

GS lighter. RT better wind protection. GS easier to maintain (no tuperware removal). RT has cruise control. GS not as expensive to fix when it falls (that tuperware, again). GS more likely to be taken where it may fall. :bolt

I found myself not taking some "iffy" roads when I owned my R1150RT. These are now the roads I look for on my GS. :D

What kind of riding do you do?

// marc

[deilenberger]

And to toss more in the fire - consider an R1200R. Lighter than the other choices. Lower than the GS. Capable of moderate off-road use (I'll send links if you want). Easily adapted to whatever use you want to use it for - including changing the use on a whim. IMHO it's the best all-round bike BMW makes, and greatly under-rated by the dealers and non R12R riders (you would find R12R riders tend to be real enthusiasts about the bike - doing all sorts of wacky things with them, like riding them..)

[pdogger]

I loved my 1150rt going down the road or in the rain very comfy, but felt like my hands were tied when roads became iffy. The 1200gs is way more fun to ride and with an aeroflow and aftermarket saddle is just about as comfy. Most GS's are kinda like SUV's they don't see alot of off road but when you need it you got it.

[GSMan]

Marchyman pretty much hit the nail on the head. I agree with his post.
I have a 05 GS1200 and love it. I also just bought a 07 RT1200, I think I will love it too!

[99417]

My riding has been highway riding. When I have taken off solo I often times head toward Colorado. When riding the mountain highways I'm always wondering what it would be like to take off down one of those forest roads.

I live North of Kansas City and there are a lot of nice local roads and small towns I like to run to. I have talked to people that have ridden all over the country on GS's. And they tell me, as you guys have, they are very comfortable on their GS.

As all the rebuttal comes in I'm thinking a late model GSA with a larger windshield and after market seat (maybe with a back rest) would be as perfect as I'm going to get. After all, they both have basically the same engine and suspension.

I will have to look at the IMHO though.

Thanks for the continued input guys.

Tom B.

[henzilla]

this recent thread also has thoughts/opinions

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=33088

[Squatch]

Big difference in the suspension -

RT: Front/Rear 4.7 inches / 5.3 inches
GSA: Front/Rear 8.3 inches / 8.7 inches

Ya gotta love travel....:drink

My riding has been highway riding. When I have taken off solo I often times head toward Colorado. When riding the mountain highways I'm always wondering what it would be like to take off down one of those forest roads.

I live North of Kansas City and there are a lot of nice local roads and small towns I like to run to. I have talked to people that have ridden all over the country on GS's. And they tell me, as you guys have, they are very comfortable on their GS.

As all the rebuttal comes in I'm thinking a late model GSA with a larger windshield and after market seat (maybe with a back rest) would be as perfect as I'm going to get. After all, they both have basically the same engine and suspension.

I will have to look at the IMHO though.

Thanks for the continued input guys.

Tom B.

[GKSullivan]

The GS is one great bike. But it has limitations.

In my mind, at least, the GS is ok for some roads while others it would not be a good choice. I lived in Colorado for 20 years and have jeeped most of the back roads including those in the Ouray/Telluride/Lake City area. The GS will do well on the graveled county roads - much better than an RT. But the GS may not do well on rocky jeep roads because it is too top heavy and too tall. Adding luggage would make things worse. I suspect it would be OK if you are super strong and had a 33" inseam!

Last summer a friend of mine and I decided to do 2400 miles in Colorado. We thought the GS would do well even on the jeep roads and told the rental people that is what we wanted. I went on line and asked some of the MOA people in the area if they would do the Ouray area roads on a GS and they advised against it. They indicated that we would surely drop the bikes at some point as we crossed rocky bottomed streams or as we were navigating steep roads that were slippery from the usual afternoon rainstorm. They said we would have more fun on dirt bikes. Because we really didn't want to pay a $1,000 deductible if we dumped the rental bikes, we just rented RT's and did pavement.

If we had decided to do the gravelled back roads and pavement, the GS would have been perfect!

Hope this viewpoint helps!
Gael

[stkmkt1]

I too had to decide between the GS and an RT. I love both bikes. Others have stated the main differences, so I will not repeat them. I decided to go with the GSA because it provides the ability to travel on the type of roads I like to travel on, mainly gravel and somewhat messy.

But I also have my eye on the RT. And as soon as I get the new GSA I'm buying in May paid off, I will be buying a new RT. My sights are set on getting the RT in late 2010. Then, for me, I will be in motorcycle heaven. It will be interesting to see which one I ride the most.

[AKBeemer]

Reasons to go with the RT instead of the GS.

Firstly, it is a well accepted fact that GS riders are the guys and gals who you used to see getting on that short bus when you were in school. You know, the kids that always seemed to be going to the zoo or the local bakery. While you may have wished you were going to go with them when you were in the 4th grade, I doubt you'd really want to be associated with them now. I live in Alaska and I own an RT. May seem odd that in one of the prime riding areas for the GS crowd I would chose an RT. Well, even in a state where the majority of the roads are dirt I find that I ride mostly on paved roads where the comforts of the RT are much appreciated. I also own a older Dakar. It is better suited to off road riding than a big GS and was dirt cheap to buy. The 1200 GS is a wonderful bike, but the weight and size of the bike require a high level of skill in my ever so humble opinion. Go with the RT and if you want to do some off roading, then buy a used F650Gs, Dakar or a KLR. You can pick-up a used KLR for very little and guys ride them coast to coast and Homer to Deadhorse. But please, stay off the short bus. ;)

[knary]

:dunno

Treat the GS like a jeep and it'll go to some really neat places off the paved path. It's no dirt bike, but any shortcomings are usually the pilot not the machine. If you can describe it as "road" there's a good chance the GS will get down it without too much fuss. And if it doesn't, so what. It's got stout rims and little bodywork to damage.

I do, however, find myself wanting something smaller - f800gs or maybe even the KTM 690. But not once in the many thousands of miles on my GS have I thought, "I wish this was comfier and heavier". The more flexible the bike the better. The more likely I'm going to go and see something new the better.

But then I don't get the whole RT thing, let alone the LT thing. I pulled the windshield off my GS and am thinking about pulling off the beak and big headlight/instrument assembly. I want less stuff around me, not more.

[BMWRich58]

I've had both and many of the aforementioned reasons are valid.
For me,I like the extra roomieness the GS offers. The wider handlebar width,the ability to move for an aft on the bikes seat,the longer distance from the seat to the footpegs allows my legs a less bent position.
All that makes the ride that much more comfortable for me and my monkey arms and spider legs...!
I just felt too crunched'up on an RT. Your opinion might an will vary.
Take both out for a good long ride in both city and highway environments.
Ya can always sell if ya make the wrong choice!

[Easy]

And to toss more in the fire - consider an R1200R. Lighter than the other choices. Lower than the GS. Capable of moderate off-road use (I'll send links if you want). Easily adapted to whatever use you want to use it for - including changing the use on a whim. IMHO it's the best all-round bike BMW makes, and greatly under-rated by the dealers and non R12R riders (you would find R12R riders tend to be real enthusiasts about the bike - doing all sorts of wacky things with them, like riding them..)

I agree.

I had an R1100R for almost ten years. I had BMW bags installed as well as a tall aftermarket windshield. I thought it was a thoroughly well rounded bike. I sold it in '06 and got a R1200RT. The RT is much better for touring and longer distances.

It just depends on what type of riding you’ll be doing and your performance preference.


Easy :german

[MZellner]

Okay, from my prior posting regarding the advantages of the GT relative to the RT, I have gotten strong support (well argued) for the RT (thanks to everyone). Second, question - pros and cons of the RT vs GS (yes, I know that they are different, but I am looking for one good general purpose bike).

Hope to hear from you soon.

Steven A. Melnyk

I just went through this during the past week. I decided on and just got a 09 GSA but loved the GT. My biggest problem with the GT was even though I was sure I'd matured to the point I thought I'd become a very non-aggressive rider but after getting on the GT I found the maturity I thought I'd achieved was only due to the past 20 years on Harley's. After a mile or two on the GT I did a demo on this week, that little nut in me came flying out. I had a smile on my face a foot wide and loved every second of it but realized I might as well just go to the police station and hand in my license because they'd be taking it very shortly. I don't regret getting the GSA but I'm afraid next my 97 FLSTS will be going away for a RT to join the GSA.

[Vagabird]

I have both, R12RT and R12GS. They're the same engine, etc., but they're very different bikes. I agree with just about everything above.

The GS is great for going on all those back roads I'm reluctant to take the RT on because of all its expensive bodywork. I've ridden the GS on long trips (5000+ mi) and it does amazingly well. It also handles the canyon twisties wonderfully. But if I had to have only one, I'd keep the RT.