Francis Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 I'm bikeless now and looking to get back in the saddle. I had a K1300GT in the past and really liked the power and the ride. The wet RT seems to have a lot of power and improved weather protections and rider amenities. Each bike has a multi-plate wet clutch which is very appealing to me. The price spread on the two bikes over the winter will seem to be around $6K-7K plus taxes etc. Has anyone had the experience of owning each bike and can he share the differences between the two? Thanks Link to comment
TEWKS Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 I didn't have the K13GT but did ride a K16GT for a few seasons before making the switch to a 2014 RT-LC. Plain and simply, the RT is an easier bike to ride. But weight there's more. The smooth rush of power and torque out of that six cylinder motor was intoxicating but the weight penalty over the RT was rather harsh. I assume the 13GT would be similar. The overall performance difference of both bikes meaning (throttle to the stops) was minimal. Ride them both if you have the chance and then decide! Pat Link to comment
tallman Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Pat, WRT weight; GT road/wet weight is 635 pounds with a load capacity of 512 pounds RT road/wet weight is 629 pounds with a load capacity of 464 pounds GT a clear winner, IMO, wrt weight issues. Of course there are other factors, but that model GT has a huge tank and range also. YMMV Link to comment
TEWKS Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 I assume the 13GT would be similar. I should never ASSume. Pat Link to comment
kltk165 Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I don't own either, but, could anyone speak to the cost of maintenance between the two? From what I understand the new WC RT's are much more reasonable as it relates to maintenance than the prior year RT's. Link to comment
Smoky Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Why would maintenance on the new WC RT's be less than previous models? I would think the WC would bring some higher maintenance times. Link to comment
Ponch Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 No throttle syncing, no separate transmission fluid and longer intervals between valve check/adjustments. Link to comment
johnktor Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 no taking apart the bike to lube splines. drain and fill. 10 minutes instead of hours. My 1150 was a major take apart to lube splines. I did my WC RT in minutes last fall. My first value check at 13000, was no adjustments. I know 12000 was suggested but I was 1000 miles from home. Link to comment
kltk165 Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thanks for confirming what I heard about the WC RT maintenance. Link to comment
tallman Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 All in all making it sound a lot more like a K, finally... My old brick, 84k, 1 valve adjust, more cuz we wanted to then anything. Just look up recommended maintenance schedules. Best wishes. Link to comment
John Bentall Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Over here in Europe, the factory weight of the LC includes saddlebags because they are standard. The weight measurement standard for Europe changed for 2014, causing an apparent weight increase for the LC over the oil-cooled boxers. Everyone should check that they are comparing like for like when dealing with weights. Link to comment
tallman Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 John, I used same source that described bikes as "wet" on the road. AFAIK that would have them same trim wrt bags. Best. Link to comment
John Bentall Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hi Tim, Therein lies the problem. It is only in the tiniest of the small print on some websites (in fact only the German one in my experience) that state explicitly whether saddlebags are included or not. The wet weight of the RT went from 259kg to 274kg for the LC - some of that was the saddlebags. Link to comment
tallman Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Which is still apples to apples when both bikes have bags and are weighed in road trim. Not a big deal, just trying to provide info for OP. Best wishes. Link to comment
Sharif Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 No RT experience, but nothing beats the rush of the K13 to redline - the intake roar at full honk is intoxicating. Link to comment
Moosedog Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I have owned a K12-RS and an 1150RT. The K engine was silky smooth, wc, and had real cruise control. The bike also ran way up in the temp zone all the time and sitting at a light for just a couple of minutes would kick the fan on. There was a slight lean into the bars so arms got a bit tired. The RT boxer engine creates more vibration felt throughout the bike. It also keeps the weight nice and low and is more fun through the twisty bits. You sit upright with no weight on the arms. Both bikes are meant for all day in the saddle riding and have more pluses than minuses. The 2014 is getting rave reviews from everywhere. Even the sport bike mags love it. You really can't go wrong but if you can't make up your mind buy both!! Link to comment
Ponch Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I have owned a K12-RS and an 1150RT. The K engine was silky smooth, wc, and had real cruise control. The bike also ran way up in the temp zone all the time and sitting at a light for just a couple of minutes would kick the fan on. There was a slight lean into the bars so arms got a bit tired. The RT boxer engine creates more vibration felt throughout the bike. It also keeps the weight nice and low and is more fun through the twisty bits. You sit upright with no weight on the arms. Both bikes are meant for all day in the saddle riding and have more pluses than minuses. The 2014 is getting rave reviews from everywhere. Even the sport bike mags love it. You really can't go wrong but if you can't make up your mind buy both!! How do you like the F6B? It's a shame they don't have ABS on it. I think they finally added cruise control. Link to comment
racer7 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I've got a wedge GT and a hexhead RT- the GT would make a good anchor and I'd sell it to anyone who wants it. The GT rides like a brick by comparison to the RT and handles worse and frankly I'm not nearly as impressed by the wedge motor as I am by the prior generation brick motor (the one of those I ride is an RS with a RhineWest chip and Ohlins- it has by far the nicest motor of any of our 6 BMWs- torque all over, smooth as glass, adequate punch). There is a lot more to a decent bike than hp.. Link to comment
Ponch Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 If the C14 has rational ergos and cruise, I might have gone that way. I find it odd how the Japanese makers slice and dice options that leave prospective customers wanting. No cruise or ABS on the F6B. The C14 doesn't have cruise, neither does the ST. Insofar as ABS goes, it's standard on some models in foreign countries like in England, Canada and Australia, so what's the big deal? I don't think you can find a new car without ABS anymore. At least with BMW, there are choices and they come fully outfitted while not long in tooth. Want ABS on a GW? They list for 28K with ABS. At that price, a K bike makes sense. Link to comment
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