Advice Needed on Switching from LT to RT

[Billy]

I am 63 and extremely cold intolerant. I have an '06 LT which keeps me plenty warm with a heated jacket. I hate the weight and poor slow speed handling (or I should say the fear of it going over at slow speeds). I dropped it once but that was enough.

My question is, if I buy the RT and add a larger windshield and possibly the Wunderlich Wind Deflectors will I be able to achieve the same protection as I have with the LT? BMW Sant Cruz is the Wunderlich distributor and they have wind deflectors that mount between the windshield and faring and also another set to increase the width of the lower faring. They are easily taken off and on.

Thanks ahead of time for your sage advice,

Billy

[messenger13]

I have read many times that the RT actually has greater wind/rain protection than the LT. I think you'll be fine.

[ATDRS]

I have made the switch and with the large Aeroflow screen believe that the protection is as good as the LT's.
For the legs I wear a good pair of overpants. Mine are Belstaff" Ezeon's.
I love my RT but it is not a LT. Nice choices to have to make though. :)

[JPSpen]

I like the crap out of my old RT... The wind protection is just as good. And I have these little air vents that I can turn on when I want.. Don't know if they're on the newer ones.. Probably not..

My feet are getting a little toasty in the summer heat but that's to be expected being only a few inches from the cylinders.

Good pants, Dry boots and you'll be fine.

Just take her for a ride and I'm sure you'll like it...

Way more fun to crank around than the LT.
Way easier on the knees, And back. So much lighter.
Not as "smooth" but it's a boxer and it has it's own charm..


Good Luck

John

[Billy]

The Boxer is great and I do like to scrape my oegs once in a while. If I'm cold it takes the fun out of it. If I can be as warm and have a better handling and lighter bike then I'm in!

[Billy]

John...............I have a question. You as well as many others say it is easier on the knees. How is this if your knees are bent more on the RT than LT? I've heard many times that taller folks are more comfortable on the RT than LT. I just can't figure out why that is.

[ATDRS]

hey Billy.
You didn't ask me but I am 6'6" and have the peg lowering kit installed . I am much more comfortable on the RT than the LT. I believe that it is because of the grip relationship as they are not as far back and therefore not in my lap as the LT's felt.
The foot pegs are also a little further back more beneath you but not as much as the new GT's..
When you really want the power, don't be afraid to rev it up and twist the throttle all of the way open. The throttle cam is shaped so that the more that you twist the less cable is pulled. This means that you really have to twist it all of the way to open those throttles. I think that this may be why some that test the R12's do not feel all of the added power over the 1100/1150 series. It can feel flat if you restrict the air . Throw your arm into it at 5800RPM and you will see why we owners grin so much.
Enjoy. :D

[motoguy128]

I didn't know about the "degressive" throttle cam. I personally prefer the throttle linear, especially with a engine with such a flat torque curve. I definitely feel the difference between the 1150 and 1200 motor. I guess I'm not afraid to give the throttle a good wack. I've made a couple 3rd gear passes on 2 lane roads and 1 from 2nd gear and whoah!!!! hold on. It doesn't have the top end punch of my old ZX9R, but with the upright seating position it feels almost as fast.

I've only sat on a LT, never test rode one, but the difference in weight was very noticeable. My wife didn't liek the LT, because she felt too far away and uninvolved with the ride. She said she didn't feel like she was on a "real" motorcycle, more like an open air car.

Now, if they put the new K motor in the LT and shed 50-100lbs and lower the CofG, in 5 years when my RT is paid off, I might give it a harder look.

[ATDRS]

I too am waiting for a new LT. But I was told to not hold my breath.
So I didn't. Instead I bought another RT.
It sure makes me grin.
Glad to hear that you like to use that engine! Fun, aint it??

[jtbvaca]

I believe you will not regret the change. With the RT the comfort level is almost as good, the wind protection is good ( an aftermarket windshield would help), but the fun level is much greater. You can put a full face helmet in the saddle bag on the RT I never could on my LT and the RT is much easier to handle at slow speeds!

[karp]

I think that the rider protection/comfort is just as nice on the RT as the LT. The passenger on the RT does get less weather protection and comfort though.