R1200RT vs. R1200R

[Mattlock]

I presently own a 2007 R1200R and think it is one of the finest bikes I have ever had the pleasure to ride. However, I am considering trading the bike in for the new R1200RT. I think the RT offers much better wind protection and greater comfort which is quite appealing. I am concerned about the additional weight. Even though the dry weight is only 69Lbs more it looks top heavy which may be a problem on the back roads. I was hoping some of you out there may have had experience with the RT and could offer an opinion. I really would hate to part with the R and then regret the decision. Thanks for your help.

[celticus]

Only 69 lbs more? Hard to believe. To each his own though. I love the R1200R but don't care for the RT. Oh well.

Mark

[ErikM]

I own an R1200R and test rode the RT before I bought the R, so I have an opinion. I'd suggest that that you ride an RT and
then you'll have an opinion that counts . Because my opinion isn't the one that's gonna be writing the check :-) Seriously Ride the RT, and I'd ride the K1200GT too.. FWIW I think the K1200GT is a better touring bike.... See I'm trying to writing checks from your pocket again :-))

[MJB]

I beleive this topic has ben reviewed, and you can find it here.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=14121

More info is always good.
I too like the look of the RT with the added Wind Protection
Thinking about it, but I'm sure it will not handel like the R

[AmostThere]

I rode the RT and the GS at the dealer recently. I didn't like the RT, not responsive enough and felt soft. I did like the GS but it didn't seem like the right tool for the job. I rode the R last night. I bought the R last night! For me it is the perfect happy medium that will do everything I want it to.

[Bheckel169]

I owned an 06 1200 RT. Great bike but all that extra weight is right up on top and feels top heavy. I'm 5'11 and had the low seat and even with my feet on the ground, twice had it tip over simply because once it starts to go, it's hard to hold it up. I don't think I'm a whimp either. That's exactly why I love the 1200 r. It's more nimble, lightweight and carves corners on a rail. The other problem with the 1200 rt is that because it has such good wind protection, you'll broil during the summer. You just don't get any air behind the the big fairing. All in all, I'm very happy with my 1200 r.
Bruce

[jbim]

If you're thinking of changing, try the GS as well. I am lucky I can have two bikes. I tried the RT and although I really wanted it to be the bike for me, I think the GS is more fun and more versatile. The protection is less but in summer I want less protection when it's warm. As others have said, try them for yourself

[AllanCook]

I have adequate wind protection on my R. The RT just feels so ungainly to me.

[Enjoy-Rider]

Seriously Ride the RT, and I'd ride the K1200GT too.. FWIW I think the K1200GT is a better touring bike.... See I'm trying to writing checks from your pocket again :-))

The K1200GT indeed is a good touring machine......
But I think it depends where you prefer to ride: the K1200GT is better straight on (highways), not the first choice in mountains, where the R1200RT absolutely loves curvy roads, and though the R1200R is chosen King of the Alps, the R1200RT will be able to follow pretty well

[Bill Stevenson]

My friend and business partner has a 2006 R1200RT and I have a 2008 R1200R. We have both ridden each other's bikes, and we both prefer our own. The RT does offer significantly more wind protection, it has that nice big tank, and I really like the cruise control. The R is cooler to ride in warm weather, a lot cooler. It also handles better in the twisties, a lot better. On dirt roads both bikes are too heavy and too tall. I strongly agree with the advice to go ride an RT and decide for yourself. For me, less is more.

Regards,

Bill

[ka5ysy]

....
I too like the look of the RT with the added Wind Protection
Thinking about it, but I'm sure it will not handle like the R

Actually, my SO is pushing the RT because it is more comfortable for her ( Oh Darn !!). Handling is as good as the RR, but only if the suspension is set correctly, just like the RR. The only minor difference is that the roll rate is a bit slower due to the larger gas tank inertia when full. The ESA option is really nice for multiple riding setups and beats having to reset the suspension every time you change something. Besides, with the stuff I have on the RR now, I could have bought an RT and had change in my pocket to boot.

This is a terrible affliction.

Hi: My name is Doug and I am a Beemaholic!

[Bill Stevenson]

Doug,

The handling of the RT is not as good as the R. Think about it. The fairing weighs ~ 75 lbs and this additional weight is all on the front wheel. The tank is ~ 50% larger which means either more weight assuming both tanks are full, or more free surface area if the tanks are less than full. This is a definite compromise on the RT and it cannot be compensated for with suspension adjustments. Your implication that both models handle the same is just not correct on paper or on the road. Experience riding on both bikes back to back on the same roads (and both my partner and I agree) confirms that the R is a better handler than the RT. The trade-off is that the RT does offer the compensatory advantages of greater comfort and convenience. Each person must decide which characteristics are most important to him or her.

Bill

[MJB]

I'm told by those that ride the RT that it is a great bike; however I do not believe that they have ridden the RR.
The bags are the same size, so you will not get any additional luggage space.
The RT offers a larger tank, but I can go about 350klm + on my tank, which is about 4-5 hours. After that I need a short break. If the RR had the same tank size as the RT(about 27 liters), I don't think I could ride that long anyway without taking a break.
The only reason I would consider the RT would be for the added wind protection, and possibly a better seat for the passenger. The RR does not offer great wind protection, and the wind on the chest can be great at times on long rides. This being said, the heat in the summer on the RT is much increased over the RR, and those who ride in the southern states, or in countries where the climate is warm all year round must consider this. The RR can be fitted with 3rd party windshields which can reduce the wind blast. As far as the seat goes, well I bought the bike for me, and not too take a passenger on long rides; rides being over 1 day long. If I want a bike for 2, then I would consider the RT or even the GT. The RR in my opinion is for 1 rider getting the best of both worlds, sporty yet can tour.

[Ray R]

I currently own both the R and the RT. Both have their purpose. If you're going to carry a passenger, or do some serious traveling, get the RT. And get it without ESA. The stock suspension on the RT is terrible...ESA or not. Save the money and buy Ohlins (or Wilbers or whatever) after you get the bike. I put Ohlins on mine and it transformed the bike. I used to only use the RT when my wife came along. But now I ride it because it's fun! I also put Ohlins on the R, but the difference was no where near as significant as on the RT.

I used to own a GS and '04 RT. Both of those seemed more top heavy to me than the newer RT. And if you get an RT, get an '07 or newer so you don't have to listen to those servo brakes whine!

[JadeRider]

Oh Well, here is one I can pitch 2 cents into. I rented an RT for a day and took it out onto back roads, which is what I like to ride. I tend to stop often and pull onto road shoulders to take photographs. During that weekend I took a lot fewer photos than usual. With a smaller bike like the R, I have no issues with back roads shoulders, which tend to be uneven, gravel and often times banked to the right. With the RT it felt like a tricky proposition often times.

[deilenberger]

I did take an R1200RT on a test ride - got about 65' and turned around. It was a 2006, and had the whizzy brakes, plus being short of leg, it was important that I know where my foot was going to end up when I stop. The RT fairing effectively blocked my view of the pavement for about 10' in front of the bike - making this impossible. Between grabby brakes (now fixed) and limited view to the ground, I was afraid of dropping their $20k bike, so I turned around and took it back. It just wasn't for me. The R12R was just the opposite - I didn't want to get off it after the test ride, and bought one within an hour of finishing the test ride.

[ka5ysy]

At the urging of the significant other, I went by the local shop yesterday to ride an RT. It is a 2008 model with ESA cruise, etc. and the low seat option. We mounted up and ran down the road a bit with the ESA set up for 2-up comfort.

The first thing I noticed was that the bike was noticeably taller with the 2-up setting, making for a ride position for me kinda like the GS: I was on the balls of my feet unless I slid over to one side for a flatfoot. That really does not bother me, but an immediately noticed problem is that the fairing behind the cylinders hits the chins of my Motoport kevlar pants, restricting the ability to move my legs forward for a stop like I do with the RR. Ok, so we move out and start riding down US-61, I set the cruise intending to run over to LA-22, a great motorcycle road, to see how the twisties work on this machine. About 3 minutes later, Judy asks me if the seat heater is on. I check the switch on the handlebars and say "nope, it is off". About 3 minutes later she starts moving around a lot on the rear seat and says to go back to the shop she is uncomfortable. (see what is coming?). We get back to the store not having gone 8 miles, and get off. She tells me to feel the seat. It is hot. She says she is burning up. One of the sales people comes out and we ask if there is a separate rear seat switch, telling them that Judy's buns are baked . After much laughing at Dr. Judy's expense, we were shown the rear seat switch hiding under the right front of the rear seat

I pointed out that that makes us even for a trip to Florida several years back where she had accidentally turned on the seat heater on my side of the car when I was driving. I had to stop on the Turnpike at a stop area to see why my butt was burning. Payback and all that....!


Result of all this is that we will probably make another try at a test drive, as she really likes the rear seat of the RT for 2-up. We will definitely be certain the heater is turned off!

I did figure out that the ESA 2-up turned down to single rider comfort makes for a much shorter reach to the ground for me, and is probably ok to use for Judy on the back as she is a textbook Phd Dietitian: Tiny lightweight Cajun lady.

Other things I noticed... you hear a lot more mechanical noise from the engine with the fairing, as compared to the quiet of the RR. With the windscreen full up, great wind protection. The feel of the bike is definitely heavier and less stable than the well balanced feel of the RR 2-up, but probably that is because I dont have a lot of seat time on the RT. Cruise control is cool, but the Throttlemeisters do fine for me on the RR.


Group Query: Anybody find a good aftermarket seat for 2-up on the RR? This would seem to make more sense than a new RT.

TIA, Doug

[deilenberger]

The Sargent redo of the seat on an RR does have what looks like a more comfortable pillion section. It is at least concave instead of convex, and it's available with heat if you want it (kinda sorry now I didn't get it for the front on mine.. mebbe next year..)

[celticus]

Just take a picture of Judy sitting on the stock seat and send it and her specifications to Rick Meyer and her will fix you up. I LOVE my Rick Myer seat.
Mark

[Bill Stevenson]

Doug,

Bill Mayer builds a custom saddle and it can be specified for the use with a passenger or not. Take a look at his website for the whole story. Mine is set up for two up riding and it is comfortable for my wife.

Bill