Anyone ever move from a GS to an RT?

[sped]

Considering making the switch and am wondering if anyone here has ever done so. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, both good and bad about the move. Thanks!

[kurt]

This was discussed fairly recently:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthre...cruise+control

[sped]

Very informative Kurt. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Ride safe.

[bmcdonau]

TWTourist did last year.

[Hairsmith]

I have friends with RT's and they like them. Just recently did a trip with 3 RT's at the end of each day I think they were as tired as I was on my GS.
Got on a dirt road and they all turned into a whining bunch of clean freeks.
Riding any road I come to means more to me than the weather protection.
Being able to stand up for miles on end and being comfortable doing so is a must have. I have 8 gal. Of gas and don't think that is enough can't even consider havingn less. Like being able to load the jessey bags and tank bag plus tank panniers, and still have room for duffels across the back of the seat.

The RT is a wonderful refined comfortable touring bike!!!!
I am NOT a refined motorcycle rider ! I spin the tires I stand the bike on the rear wheel. I drag stuff in the corners. I take short cuts through dirt mud grass.
On my recent trip I had a flat on the front and feel that the wide bars on the GS is what kept me from going down.

I would love to have a RT they are just so elagent and refined.
But NO I would not give up a GS for one.
YMMV

[sped]

I spend a majority of the time on the road....OK, if you see me off road call the bus as I'm probably fixing to crash. LOL

The truth is that I love the bike, but feel it's capabilities are being wasted on the street, but then again, its an awesome street bike and I love it for the fact that it provides an more than adequete level of protection from the elements, yet still gives me that "motorcycle' experience.

I'm thinking the GS will be spending more time in my TuffShed, and hopefully even more time on the street if it ever cools off a little.

Thanks for the input Hairsmith and everyone else. Lots of great info here at TWT.

[TWTourist]

Originally Posted by sped

I spend a majority of the time on the road....OK, if you see me off road call the bus as I'm probably fixing to crash. LOL

The truth is that I love the bike, but feel it's capabilities are being wasted on the street, but then again, its an awesome street bike and I love it

It is how I felt about my '11 GS. Plus I had a DR at the time for getting dirty. So I went with the RT. All story short......I'm a street rider that needs to go off road every now and then.

[Waco]

I did, but not by choice. A lady turned in front of me on my R1150GS. After I got out of the hospital, my FIL made me a great deal on his R1150RT. The RT has great wind protection and it's a little faster. It's a lot easier on the eyes. The bodywork is a **** to remove for servicing. I miss taking the GS on dirt roads. The RT does OK on gravel roads, but I'm constantly paranoid because I know how the expensive the plastic is.

Wow,the filter even catches acronyms that contain bad works.

[Kit_McConnico]

I'm horribly biased, so take this with the prerequisite $0.02.

Originally Posted by sped

The truth is that I love the bike, but feel it's capabilities are being wasted on the street, but then again, its an awesome street bike and I love it for the fact that it provides an more than adequete level of protection from the elements, yet still gives me that "motorcycle' experience.

So you love it, and it's an awesome street bike, with protection from the elements and still gives you the "moto" experience.

It's capabilities aren't being wasted, You just don't use it to the max every day. None of us do, but we still own it. It's like insurance or 4 wheel drive in a cage. You don't need it often, but when you do there is no substitute. This bike can satisfy all of the things you said above, and hop curbs, cheat your way through traffic, allow you to sit eye to eye with a full sized truck driver or see over cars to see what's going on with traffic and then move OFF of the road and use the median/shoulder/whatever, ride on gravel, has those awesome wide bars that will tip over sooo much, giant luggage that you can take to the grocery store.

Originally Posted by Waco

It's a lot easier on the eyes. .

That is a matter of personal opinion. These bikes are so utilitarian I think they are beautiful, like a M4 carbine or H1 HUMV. And who want's to mess with all that tupperware?

[Desert Skies]

All riders have different expectation on what they consider the right bike for the job...

I ride a lot of street miles and a fair amount of dirt. The GS is a perfect bike for me IMO.

I also have one of the 'best' touring bikes made but for me, I only use it for trips with the wife and prefer touring on the GS when I am solo.

Forum member and friend of mine ThirdCoast went from a 1150GS to a 1200RT and complained about several thing he though the RT should have different both in amenities and ergonomics. He ended up with a Wing (which he only uses for two up) and a 800GS which he is extremely happy with last we spoke.

As for looks, that is one of the lowest priorities with me. I mean, you can't see it when you are on it blasting through the curves and who give a flip what other people think about your choice, as long as you enjoy riding it.

[sped]

I think you are spot in Kit. I may be removing my for sale ad shortly unless someone from Craigslist comes by with a huge chunk of change. LOL