2-Up touring Bike Options

[swfraley]

Talking idly with my wife this rainy afternoon, she mentioned (almost out of nowhere) that it would be a fine idea for me to get a new bike. "It just has to be as cool as this one" was her only proviso. This is code for "no Gold Wing." I've managed to maintain my outward composure.

 

She'd probably be comfortable on, say, a Road King or an LT, but I don't think I want to wrestle with 800+# of motorcycle. The FJR and ST1300 both seem much smaller than the RT in terms of rear seat room and carrying capacity.

 

So, how's the GS for 2-up touring?

[Troy]

"It just has to be as cool as this one" was her only proviso...

 

Is there some reason your not looking at the current RT? Yeah it is a bit heavier than the GS but it does have all the wind protection you're used to and 2 up comfort is there without a doubt.

[notacop]

Ya know, Folks POO-POO smaller bikes but the 800ST is a world above last generations' 100RT. A jewel in it's day! Smaller, lighter almost as powerful as a 1100RT. Easy for a body to pick up if it falls down, goes boom.

Maybe not as much windscreen as a RT but Parabellum makes a huge sail if you'd like more.

My wife loved the '89 GS for touring, no windshield or protection but very comfy ride. Once I got the back rest... It had more oomph than our 80/7 with the Luftmiester fairing.

Bigger heavier hasn't beent he answer for me. I love the 7 gallons the 1200RT has but the total package is too much for me.

60mpg pulls my twanger too, froggy!

And you can really call yourself a total BMWST kinda folk.

From the fringe element....

[Whip]

"The FJR and ST1300 both seem much smaller than the RT in terms of rear seat room and carrying capacity."

 

Depends on the seat and bags......my FJR had more room and carried at least as much the RT and was much easier for Mrs Whip to get on and off of. The height of the GS and the step in the seat made it more uncomfortable than the FJR. I do understand about the weight though.

 

Mrs Whip favorite ride is my KTM 950 ADV with a Renazco Seat.

 

Go Figure.

 

Whip

 

[motoguy128]

I don't see the F800ST having enough room for comfortable 2-up if you're used to the R1100RT. We noticed quite a bit more room comming from a R1150R.

 

The R1200RT is just hard to beat.

 

 

[swfraley]

800ST is an interesting option. Neither one of us is very big. We'll have to give that a look.

 

As for the 12RT, it just seems hard to shake loose that kind of money for the same thing only newer. Having read the opinions here, though, I guess I should ride it.

 

We shopped big cruisers today and she just couldn't stand to look at them. I had no idea she had such opinions. The same place had a Gold Wing and she wouldn't walk across the room to look at it, much less sit on it. "We're too young and thin" she says!

[MadDuck]

The oft rumoured 800 GS would seem like a good choice. Have you looked at the Buell Uly XT?? My 06 is going strong, passenger accomadations are better than my Harley Street Glice, once you figure out how to climb on.

 

Went to BMW test ride today, hoping for 800 GS info but nothing so far.

[Ken H.]

So, how's the GS for 2-up touring?

Well, we do a lot of it on our R1200GS. By the time we're home day after tomorrow, it will be our third 6000 mile trip on it.

 

It's pretty good... carries a lot, rides well when loaded, gets pretty good mileage considering the load, goes places 2-up that few other bikes would dare try.

 

That being said, it's still no R1200RT. Weather protection becomes a function of good clothing not the bike. Its 'twitchiness' / quickness, normally one of its finest features, can be tiring after 500 miles in a 30 mph gusty cross wind. It doesn't have the stability at high speeds that a RT has. Nor some of the features of the RT such as ESA or cruise control.

 

The GS is a darn good do a lot of things well bike, including 2-up touring, but I wouldn't say it's the #1 choice for that in itself only.

[ThomasJ]

Anyone done much 2up on a R1150R with passenger accommodation upgrades? (like the round headlight front ends)

Tom

[JTWright]

We've toured on RT's, K1200RS, ST-4 and GS. My SO thinks the GS is great for multi day tours. She has had back surgury and likes the upright seating position and seat more that the others. That makes it less tiring at the end of the day.

 

How you "tour" speed wise also makes a difference. RT's design is better at more agressive speed than the GS.

 

While I haven't done the detailed comparison, it's my impression that you can haul more "stuff" on a well optioned GS than a well optioned RT, but they'll all haul a lot.

 

Good luck.

[swfraley]

Have you looked at the Buell Uly XT??

 

hmmmmmmm.......

 

There's a dealer here. Must have a little look.... Thanks.

[hopz]

Just finished the UN on the R12RT 2-up. That gets my vote, hands down.

 

Not necessary to purchase new... mang great bikes available in the pre-owned market.

 

Test ride- smile- shop- purchase-ride....

[motoguy128]

Anyone done much 2up on a R1150R with passenger accommodation upgrades? (like the round headlight front ends)

Tom

 

Yes, that's what my wife and i rode for a year before the RT. It did well...for a naked bike. Better than a sportbike, similar ot the GS we test rode, but not in the same league as the RT. It has a lot less legroom for the rider than the RT.

 

Here's what I tried...

 

1) Cee Bailies touring shield. It was around 22" tall. I could see over it and it worked OK for me, but not much air flow behing me and terrible buffeting for my wife.

 

2) BMW sport screen. Good compromise. The Touring screen might have been better.

 

3) BMW OEM "comfort" seats. Better than stock. It put my wife up a little higher and gave her more legroom.

 

4) Throttlemeister. I found it too much of a PITA ot use on the higheay, but hte added bar end weight really smoothed things out. Although the last TB synch I did made a huge difference.

 

In Summary - great bike 65mph and under. Over 65mph, too much buffeting of the helmets. Larger screens sometimes made it worse. It was almost better with no screen, but you took a lot of wind in the chest. Great city bike, but for long 2-up rides, I like my wind protection. Still an improvement however comming from a sportbike. Mine also had the super tall overdrive so it jsut loafed around at 60-65 in 6th. So on country backroads, it was a pleasure. I still love the looks of that bike, wiht just hte right amount of chrome and engine showing.

 

One more note. With crosswind and semi's. One other problem with naked bikes... is that the windscreen is attached to the front forks. So any aerodynamic effect, also affects the steering of the bike. I think large windcreen and fiarings mounted to the forks are in general, a bad idea. I never had a real problem, but I've heard soem stories about HD riders at higher speeds having some scary moments.

[drzep]

The wife and I just took a 2007 GS for a day trip yesterday and her decision was a resounding "no way in hell". It was a blast with just me on it, but I did not enjoy the feel two-up, especially after coming off of an RT with all its creature comforts. Eighty on the interstate was squirrelly and cross winds took on a new dimension. Granted, it had stock seats and a lame-o windscreen, but I don't think it is in the same class as a two-up distance tourer compared to the RT. Different nitch. I would love to have a GS for solo riding, but we prefer the RT for two-up.

 

 

[cali_beemer]

I cant comment on the 2 up riding but solo, my GS is more fun than should be allowed on 2 wheels. I have met plent of people that are happy riding 2 up touring on GS's but I would tend to agree with drzep. The GS is a bit more swurly adn gets affected by cross winds more than mt RT. I would probably shy away from riding 2 up long distance on a GS and stick with an RT. For me, I do all solo riding and love the GS.

[cali_beemer]

Have you looked at the Buell Uly XT??

 

hmmmmmmm.......

 

There's a dealer here. Must have a little look.... Thanks.

 

Dont do it!!!!!! I have owned a Buell and it was the worst bike I ever owned and the customer service was horrible as well. My Buell was eventually bought back by the dealer becasue of the trouble. I couldnt imagine someone wanting one of these in the first place. A harley hack attempt at a GS poorly executed at best. Save yourself the time, money and frustration and just go get a GS if this bike intrigues you at all.

[marcopolo]

Whatever you do, have a close look at the load-carrying capacity of any of the bikes you're interested in. I found some real surprises when I did before buying my R12RT. It's amazing how little some of these bikes are rated for. The RT is one of the best in that category.