LT to RT

[harleydog]

I think I have seen a thread about this switch before but could not find it today. I have had the LT for a couple months now and think it its is the greatest touring bike available. Just spent a week on the Goldwing and in my mind the LT is far better. That said, I am having a hard time getting used to the bike on my commute, it is short and in a big city, so not really the place for this beast. I think I have decided to trade it for a RT. Well, I told the dealer to get it ready I will pick it up on Wednesday. I could back out as I have not written the check yet but that would not be nice. So... I know I am the only one that can answer the question, but there is a ton of insight on this board and would like to here of similar situations, LT to RT. BTW they have a GT as well but I found the low bars a bit more than my old body could take. Not that I would not love the power... Any experienced RT riders reading here? Ideally I would get a R1200R and keep the LT but that is just not in the cards(or the wallet).
Thanks for any insights before wednesday...
David

Oh, Last week I just ordered --- LT BMW --- for my plates...

[azpilot06]

The RT is certainly lighter, more maneuverable, and less plush. I commute daily on an RT (albeit a 1100RT - different animal than the 1200), and after picking up the LT, the RT feels like a dirt-bike. Certainly better suited to city parking lots and tight quarters, but at the expense of absolute comfort when cruising, and some wind protection.

The 1200RTs are reportedly a quantum leap over the 1100/1150's, and have apparently resolved many of the quirks intrinsic to the earlier oilheads. If your primary mission is lightly loaded touring, sport-oriented riding, and commuting, you may ultimately end up liking the RT quite a lot. However, if you do ultra-mileage, 2 up and heavily loaded, the RT will probably not feel as good at the LT.

Incidentally, if you're wanting to keep the big gal, you may want to look at picking up an older RT (or a retired police RT, which is what I did), and put it in service just as a commuter. I picked my RT-P up for $2200 at the auction, and proceeded to put another $2K into it to make it a commute-worthy asset.

[fpmlt]

Any consideration to keeping the LT and getting a smaller bike for commuting? I use my HD to commute with, but I've also considered a good used dual sport for that purpose too. Guess I only consider that because my wife would kill me if I even thought about trading the LT for anything else.

[edbremer]

I moved from a Goldwing to an RT then added an LT when my wife just couldn't get comfortable on the RT. I ride both to work but do prefer the RT when its just me. However, if I were to have only 1 bike it would have to be the LT. Comfort on any trip is hands down over the RT for me. Ride the LT for awhile and I think the size won't be a problem!

[Steve_R]

I can't help ya buddy. I comute around Atlanta daily on a LT and I don't find it an issue at all. JM2CW

[harleydog]

Thanks for the replies, it's not the size as the RT has higher seat than the LT, it is just not as fun to ride as the other bikes i have owned. I don't mean to put the LT down as I do love it. It's just that i can't have both, so i'll try the RT. The amount of touring i can do is severely limited by living in the city and being a working stiff, fun time is important. I do not want to go back to Harley as they are fun, so i hope this is the ticket... Did i mention that i had never ridden an LT before i got it, nor have i ridden an RT yet...

Cheers,

David

[KMC1]

You will LOVE the RT.... I hear about it everytime I ride with our resident RT owner (you know who you are :p ).... and he's a great rider with LT experience. You would have to shoot him to get his RT away from him.
As has been pointed out, if you will have a passenger for any length of time the LT is the way to go however in my opinion.

[niobium]

I can relate. We just returned from a 6000 mile trip to Colorado, and there is not another bike better than the LT for two-up touring. However, I do sometimes feel like riding the big girl in town on short trips is like trimming your nose hair with a chain saw. We had an 05 LT for awhile and sold it for that reason. But after trying a big cruiser and then an FJR, nothing else worked for us on longer trips. So we bought a GS for lighter riding, and then bought another (used) LT for the big trips.

It was an expensive lesson.

[EricSuz]

I put 30,000 miles on my 05 LT. Traded it for an 06 RT.
RT is much better for me. My wife doesn't ride with me very much. I think the wind protection is better than the LT. The RT has all the creature comfort features--cruise, heated seats and grips. With the large topcase and tankbag, has more room for gear.

RT is much easier for me to handle. I dropped the LT so many times that I lost count.

I'm leaving next Saturday for CCR. I'm riding the RT.
Trailered the LT to 3 CCRs.

I think you will be happy with the change since you expressed problems with city driving. Good luck with your choice.

[jrlakin]

Why don't you go to the dealer and get an RT to ride for a bit before you decide?

[XMagnaRider]

Why don't you go to the dealer and get an RT to ride for a bit before you decide?
...or you can rent one for a day. Rentals aren't cheap, except when compared with the cost of buying something that doesn't work out for you.

[harleydog]

Thanks guys... I prolly should ride one first but I am just kinda nuts like that. I got the urge a couple months ago for a touring bike and bought it on the phone. No research, no problem though the LT is absolutely perfect for what I thought I wanted. I think it is prolly the best bike out there, bar none, for touring. I will miss it, if that is possible after such a short ownership time. This time, I have done a lot of reading on this site and others and just feel that the RT is better suited to the type of riding I do. The reasons seem to me to be number 1, the brakes being partially integrated seems much better. Number 2, the better low rpm torque. Number 3, Visible engine and all that implies. Number 4, removable top and side bags. Number 5, low CG. And some intangibles. I am just not wanting to go back to Harley D for a number of reasons. I am sure this is the correct bike for me....

Check back in two months...LOL :rotf:

Cheers,
David

[cdrprn]

I can totally relate. I commute daily on my LT and have really never taken a trip farther than 150 miles in one direction. Last week I test rode a RT then a GT at my local dealer (A&S). First thought: this RT is so LIGHT!!!!!!! Second thought: the GT is light and fast (think holy s@#$ batman!!!!). Fell in love with the GT and did not stop grinning for an hour afterwards. Sadly, the depreciation on the LT is staggering news to me. My dealer made me a generous offer of $12k but then the GT was fully loaded and $22-23k plus tax etc. Have to think about making that loan for awhile. Anyway got on the LT to ride home and was struck with it's (top) heaviness and width. On the plus side, I've ridden it for 3 years now and have become pretty comfortable with it's low-speed flaws, enjoy the storage capcity, protection, and these days great gas mileage. You cannot beat an LT on the open road. If I was buying a new bike and no trade-in I'd be looking at the RT and GT too. BOL

'05 LT Goldfinger

[dsauer608]

Here's another thing to consider: Used GTs are pretty cheap these days, and run nearly as strong as the new gen ones. The seating is pretty comfy once you get used to it, and the faster you go, the more comfy it is. And the low end torque is a thing of beauty! I'd have a hard time going back to the boxer after having the 4 cyl.

You could have two mighty beasts in your stable - the LT and the GT!

[jayjacobson]

I really like the RT. If not for my GT, I would have a RT.

[BCVBeck]

Been there, done that. Liked my LT, LOVE my RT. Don't miss the LT. Gotta ride! :dance:

[Stixx]

I havent had an LT but I just traded my R for an RT and found the new R12RT to be nimble as can be , feels super light under way and scoots through traffic with aplomb. I would think a K GT would do the same if it's just the weight of the LT that bothers you and I could certainly understand that which is exactly why I bought the RT.

That said the R's all have those jugs out there and considerable width so in parking it can be a handful as well at times. My advise is try the RT and if you don't buy it on the spot I'd be surprised. There is a reason it outsells all others except the trend GS that has taken that spot here in US , but Europeans the RT is still the top dog. Also you can't argue with the 52 mpg I got on my first tank so far. Geez what's it going to do when broken in.

:dance:

[DanForker]

I haven't had an LT but went to a 2005 1200RT from a GL1800 GoldWing and can say w/o a doubt that the RT is the bike for me. Comfortable, as much or more wind and rain protection as the GW and 400+ pounds lighter, quicker, more nimble and after putting a Russell seat and CB+3+3 windshield don't get any complaints from the SO. I regularly ride 750 to 1000 mile days with my father in law on his GL1800 and at the end of the day I'm ready for more and he's ready to quit, and better yet, as good a rider as he is he can't stay with me in the curves. Love the RT. Wished I could quit wondering if the FD is going to quit me at the most inopertune time but other than that can't fault the bike in any way. Just change the oil every 6000 and replace the tires about that often or sooner and ride, ride & ride. I also ride with another rider that has a R1150Rt and have ridden his so I can say that the two bikes are not comparable. The 1200 is an entirely different animal that the 1100/1150 series.

Too many deer in our part of the world to ride at night so I could go on forever about the virtues of the RT.

Did I mention that I really like the RT?


Dan Forker

[NLeeGibson]

Bought an 05 and rode it from Austin Tx to Fairbanks Alaska then on to the Artic Circle. Great on most of the roads, not the right bike for mud and big stone gravel, etc. After 5 months with the bike (just over 30k miles) I traded for a 2006 RT. THE PROBLEM is passenger seat confort for long rides. There is no mute button on the love of my life, soooooooo, I bought an older LT for a long road trip....kept the RT. Now I have the LT for sale and am putting custom seats on the RT.

In my mind the only reason to have the LT over the RT is passenger confort.

Good luck. Nathan

[BMWphreak]

As has been pointed out, if you will have a passenger for any length of time the LT is the way to go however in my opinion.

And mine too... ;)