RT to GS

[1springer]

Seriously considering trading in the 04 RT for a 2012 1200GS (30" inseam so low seat version). My days of long distance touring are probably behind me so I'm thinking of something a little more versatile and fun and I'm tired of driving the heavy RT around. Have not ridden one yet, next week probably.

 

Rode the 650"s and the 800...don't like them. Rode the V-Strom, Kawasaki's, KTM's..etc. too tall or don't like the performance. Rode the Triumph Tiger 800, lot's of fun with a decent seat height. But, could use more power. Liked the Triumph 1050 but seat height was just a little to high.

 

I'm just curious what to expect from the GS, if it is as much fun as the Tiger and the low seat option works and has a comfortable seat position the GS may be the one. So, I'm curious what to expect from the GS, especially from those that switched from an RT to a GS.

[Burt]

I had two 1150 RTs, and two 1200 RTs. I have a 1200GSA now, and love it. It's taller than a regular GS, but I have a standard Sargent seat on it that lowers the seat to the height of a standard GS. I only have a 30" inseam too. I bought a pair of Chippewa Super Logger boots, and I can flat foot the Adv. I liked the RTs, but couldn't always go where I wanted. With the Adv. I go more places, and have had a great time exploring dirt roads and some two tracks. It's not a dirt bike, but I knew that when I bought it. It has pretty good wind protection, and I don't think I'd go back to an RT.

[OoPEZoO]

It takes a little getting used to, but I'm happy so far. I put about 70k miles on my RT, and now have a little over 5k miles on my GS. Low seat, comfort seat, magic BMW pillow seat........doesn't matter, they all suck. I couldn't sit still for longer than 45 min on mine. I did two 600+ mile days on it and was just about in tears by the time I got home. Ended up with a Rich Maund seat that fixed that problem. I don't know if its perfect, but 300 mile days are no problem now. Haven't tried anything longer on it yet.

 

The thing that I notice being the biggest difference between the bikes is the seating position. I always felt very connected to the RT, and thought that it effortlessly used to almost flow through the twisties with minimal effort. The wide handle bars on the GS are still screwing me up. I used to hang off the RT pretty good, but if I tried that on the GS it would put me in the ditch. It takes much less effort and/or body movement to throw around the GS. Its not a bad thing, its just really different. It also doesn't help that I haven't had enough solo time on the GS to really feel it out. I would say that 4000 of the 5000 miles I have on it have been 2-up and loaded with luggage. I tend not to play too much with the wifey on the back.

 

I love the extra air flow on the GS in the summertime. That was my #1 complaint about the RT. I never get cold to begin with (I was walking around in shorts today), so I always looked at the fairing on my RT as overkill. I was out last weekend on the GS for about 4 hours in with temps in the low/mid 30's......off and on snow showers. All I had on was a light pair of sweat pants under my First Gear HT overpants, a Katmandu jacket, and a Gerbings liner set to about maybe 30% power. I was warm and toasty all day. So the GS still breaks the wind pretty well. The difference being in July when its 95 degrees. My RT used to leave me cooking behind the fairing. The GS allows me to open some vents and stay cooled off.

 

Very happy with the purchase so far.....especially when I start hammering down a dirt road with back end getting loose. Something about that never felt right on the RT

[La. beamer]

I have both, '09 RT & GS . For short rides I like the RT. Longer rides week or two w/ camping I choose the GS. It packs well and I find a little more comfortable. Both are fine bikes.

[SteveHebert]

I had an 1100RT and then an 1150RT. Put about 70K miles on the two combined, like Keith. I personally oved the fairing and protectin of the RT, even down in the heat of the deep south (Alabama). I could and did ride all day and night several times on the RT. I am talking about multiple 1000 mile days, or a 1500 mile in 24 hour day.

 

I decided to try the 1150GSA. I know it is not the 1200, weighs more and has a bit less power, but in general, it is the same. I loved the stock seat of the GSA because it was a solid bench type and I could move around any way I wanted. The airflow in the summer was okay, but I hated teh wind in the winter. I even had the Aeroflow "billbaord" bolted on bu did not like it. I took it out to Maob, Utah and found it to be way to big and heavy to ride teh deep sand and rocky-steep hills. It was not comfortable for my wife or me on long trips although the Jesse bags hold a ton and a half fo gear. I could absolutely carry way more on that bike than the RT. Too much as a matter of fact that the front end became too light and scared the shizzle out of me ina tight turn with the wifey on back! I put about 15K miles on the GSA.

 

Anyway, I decided to go back to an RT and bought a very late year 04/05 just recently. We will be giving it a go on a couple trips this summer and fall to see if it fits out touring style again.

 

Good luck with your decision. I suggest buying a low mileage 07 or 08. You will probably be able to sell you RT for the same price as the GS, maybe not a GSA.

[1springer]

I am going to miss the smooth effortless cornering of the RT, but not the leg pain.

 

Great feedback from ya'll. Maybe the real answer is an additional machine, used as suggested.

[CVA-42]

I haven't switched from an RT to a GS but I do have experience on both. I've had an 1150GS for ten years and I love it as an all-rounder. I've done some touring on it but I mainly use it as a day-rider in the mountains. Great bike for that. I haven't been moved to go for a 1200GS, although I'm aware of it's charms. I've had an 1150RT for six years but will be sellig it because I just got a new-to-me 1200RT. The 1150RT is a superb tourer. It's also a competent bike in the sweepers and in the twisties but is generally out-maneuvered by the 1150GS, IMO. I'm reserving judgement on the 1200RT because I haven't had it long enough to form an opinion, although I'm expecting great things. All in all, I favor the RT over the GS for road trips, primarily because of the weather protection and some amenities that it has over the GS. But if you're not doing distance touring anymore, then that doesn't matter. If you need a low seat to ride the 1200GS, you may find yourself having to compensate with a set of barbacks. I've ridden this combination before and, to me, it tends to compromise the handling abilities of the bike, particularly in the area of counter-steering. But people are different both in terms of size and what they want the bike to do. Maybe it will all work for you, particularly since you've already tried a bunch of alternative bikes. What about an R1200R? Lots of power, great handling, same (or similar) bars as the GS, and lower than a GS. I was looking (just looking) at a new one today at Blue Moon BMW. What a great looking bike.

[cali_beemer]

I went from a RT to a GS. I loved the long travel of the GS and endless ground clearance. The RT is just better for me in every other way. If I were to be tempted by another GS, it would be an adventure 1200.

[Nesbocaj]

I've done distance traveling on the 1150GS and the 1200RT, I was comfortable on either for 12 hour days. (Russells & aftermarket wind screens)

 

The GS was more nimble than the RT.

The GS liked dirt roads better

 

My only sway on either would be whether or not you plan on much dirt and gravel.

 

Go with whatever pulls you down to the garage to look at night.

[roydog007]

Sold my 04 rt, bought a used 05 gs. Love the bike, it aint no dirt bike though to heavy, gearing isnt low enough. It is a great road bike. It's stock no bags fun to ride. Mine is not set up for long distance rides. I may set it up in the future.

[1springer]

Probably not going to do much in the dirt, but some gravel/unimproved roads. There are places up here (WA,OR, ID, MT) I'd like to go but it's out of the question with the RT. Then there is getting to these places where I need a good road machine. Leaning toward getting a used GS (haven't ruled out the 1200R) and keep the RT for the time being and see how the GS works out. If it does I'll sell the RT, if not I've still got the RT and can sell the GS. Biggest problem is the seat height, but there seems to be workable ways around that.

 

Also going to look at getting a more comfortable seat for the RT. Rich's custom seats (Kingston, WA) is just a ferry ride away and looks worth investigating.

[Cleatus]

I went from a GS to an RT. Although the long suspension travel of the GS was nice on rougher roads, the RT is much better on ripples and expansion joints (std suspension vs ESAII). The GS was less "tippy" when moving it around the garage, and the GS had a more athletic stance. But the RT has better ergos for me, and I love that electric windscreen. I don't miss the GS, but I never took it offroad and the bend of the bars was getting painful for my (once)broken wrists. Totally subjective angle, but I would ride the GS and try to imagine owning it a year later. I had the GS five years, but the RT is welcome.

[Ken H.]

I wouldn’t discount a 1200GS for long distance touring either. Correctly set up it’s a fine long distance mount. We routinely took 10K trips 2-up on ours before moving to Alberta and a general change in priorities shifted our focus. Before that we did the same on an 1150RT and we both (including Donna as pillion) like the GS better.