A year after buying the GT, I miss my RT

[eng943]

I bought mt GT last year, mainly because I wanted the smooth and abundant power it offers. I had convinced myself that the vibration I felt on my 06 RT at 90-95mph cruising was intrusive.

Here I am a year later, and I just cannot get as comfortable on the GT. Despite raising the bars, lowering the pegs, and a Corbin seat, the bike is almost painful to ride at times. Moreover, the transmission and FI just aren't as smooth, and consequently, it's not as enjoyable to ride at times.

I am seriously thinking about a blue RT. I miss the comfort, smoother shifting, and throttle delivery, not to mention the comfort.

Anyone else here give up on their GT and go back to an RT?

[jeffdean]

I understand your problem. I rode the GT once and that was that.

Once I got use to an RT -- back in 1995 -- nothing else sufficed for a modern motorcycle. A team of wild horses could not drag me from my R1200RT.

http://bmwdean.home.att.net/blue-rt.jpg

[mser]

I was the same way when I took a 9 month hiatus from BMW ownership and went with an '07 FJR. The Yamaha was a great bike, but it wasn't a BMW. Quality wasn't the same, no cruise control, etc. Before that was an '07 RT and before that was an '06 GT. IMO the RT beats 'em both in comfort, throttle delivery and shifting smoothness Now I'm back on an RT and all is well again.

Mike

[eng943]

I was the same way when I took a 9 month hiatus from BMW ownership and went with an '07 FJR. The Yamaha was a great bike, but it wasn't a BMW. Quality wasn't the same, no cruise control, etc. Before that was an '07 RT and before that was an '06 GT. IMO the RT beats 'em both in comfort, throttle delivery and shifting smoothness Now I'm back on an RT and all is well again.

Mike

Relative to your journey, it appears our affliction is quite similar. Sometimes you need to sample something else to appreciate what you have.

[rlv]

It's a sickness, and we all have it.

[ATDRS]

i have done that twice now. Once for a GT and once for a LT.
Now I am looking for an 07 or newer RT to trade my 08 GS for.
If it is indeed a sickness then I am the carrier. :rolleyes:

[Vffr1]

Thank God I don't have that particular sickness.

Michael

[Vffr1]

Relative to your journey, it appears our affliction is quite similar. Sometimes you need to sample something else to appreciate what you have.


I like that, "Hey honey it's not what you think, after spending time with this cute blond I now appreciate you so much more"...LOL

Michael

[scout70]

I had a 2004 RT then ended up with a 2007 GT. I now have a 2008 RT and will not go back. Loved the open road feel and the power of the GT, but, the bike simply cannot handle or "flick" like an RT. The RT has better wind protection, is effortless to drive and nimble as hell. The throttle control is better, the GT is either instant on or off. GUess it's what one prefers,. I had no problem with the ergonomics of the GT. Even with the RT, the stock seat suits me fine and I did not need to change a thing.

[OU812]

I am on bike number 36. My 1st RT. I hope it is not contagious. :rotf:

[JRESURF]

The 2008 R1200RT is my first bike EVER; so I am sure I will enjoy it as the best bike around because I will not know any different.... Still excited; although I did spend about 8 months researching both the GT and RT before pulling the trigger... I hope it all works out...
Jed

[BCVBeck]

Let's see...

First it was an '04 R1200C Montauk

Then it was an '06 K1200LT

Then it was an '05 R1150R

Now it's an '08 R1200RT.

For me RT = Happiness.

Check back tomorrow, this is a funny disease...

Cheers! :dance:

[Mag]

Same here, RT is the first bike ever. I road the GS, RT, and GT all in the same day, the RT is an awesome bike...... :dance:

[Flash9677]

It took a long, 2 hour + test ride on a GT to do the trick for me. 1/4 mile after I switched to the RT I knew I was home. Coming from a 2001 HD Sportster "Paint Shaker", the vibration was not an issue, rather a welcome sensation that speaks motorcycle to me. Everytime I ride I'm more enthralled with this bike.

[wsteinborn]

...the vibration I felt on my 06 RT at 90-95mph cruising was intrusive...

What are you doing cruising at 90-95 ?

[Nebish]

After losing my LT to a fire, a switched to the RT, with some reluctance.

After one month and 4000 miles, I am delighted to have made the switch. The agility and superior power delivery of the RT outshine the LT. I loved the LT, and depending on what the replacement LT looks like, I hope to buy a used LT in a few years as a second bike. But for day-to-day commuting in a crazy, crowded urban environment, the lighter weight and nimble qualities of the RT make it my bike of choice.

[rshondo]

I simply can't imagine giving up my Rt

[mljmd7]

What are you doing cruising at 90-95 ?

You don't ?

[eng943]

What are you doing cruising at 90-95 ?

Behaving myself? :D

[switz]

While I like my GS Adventure, I love the RT. My wife has made it "perfectly clear" that "we" will ride the GoldWing. Ah! All is well in the world.

I ride the H-Ds to remind me of how much I like the other bikes.:)

[haughty]

Switz has the disease.. I knew I wasn't the only one that had it..

Thank god I got rid of the beegees disease.. Kenny Rogers had it too!

[R12RTJohnny]

It's a sickness, and we all have it.

I'm happy that I have sick days for that! May I never be well again.

[meese]

What are you doing cruising at 90-95 ?Because they'll pull you over if you ride above 100. :D

I've ridden RTs several times, and just never got used to that motor. Some guys are Boxer guys, and some are inline-4 guys. Nothing wrong with that, and that's why we have so many choices.

[Fergie]

1985 K100LT :( Sad she's gone

1999 K1200LT :wave Tank but nice tourer

2006 R1200RT :D Nice boxer

2006 K1200GT :wow: I'm in love

I know, went over to the dark side.

[OU812]

Well I know how you feel. # 37 and my 2nd RT in 4 months. Just an upgrade but 2000 to 2008 was a big one for me. And I traded my Harley in with it. Just one bike for me now. RT feels like a sport bike with such a light front end. Love again!

[etracey]

I agree that nothing rides like a RT. I have owned a Ninja, Yamaha 600, Harley Roadster as well as Road King. Oh yeah, I had a ST1100. When I test rode the RT, I also checked out the GT. While the latter was faster, it was just not as comfortable as the RT.

I find myself staring at my new bike and wanting to ride it all the time.

Ed

[OU812]

I would like to try a GT, but that would make me want another bike and the SO said this one must stay for at least 4 years.
Ya, RIGHT! :histerica

[lovetomotor]

I have owned a 2002 RT, now an LT. I have never ridden a GT, but just looking at the way the pegs are set back makes my knees hurt just looking. I really like the smoothness of the K motors, but something about the RT is unique. I suspect my next new ride will be the RT, but somehow the LT keeps me happy for now after 57,000 trouble-free miles.

[batdriver51]

Bought a new LT in 03 and put over 50k on it before buying a new Buell Ulysses. Sold it and got an 06 GT last August. Rode it back down the coast from Oregon to LA and back to Alabama, was perfectly comfortable. Traded it to a friend for an 04 RT 1150 and some money to boot. I thought I would really be heartbroken over the loss of the GT and I was for a couple of weeks but now I love the boxer. I'd love to have a GT and a RT but if I could only have one I think it would be an RT. The one thing I do know for sure is it would not be another LT.

[tdtflyboy]

you folks may have just saved me. i've been on the brink of catchin' the disease for the last few weeks.

when my '93 KLT hit a hundred k, i picked up an R12RT ... last oct. 6K miles later, and can't say we've really bonded. saw a sweet GT for sale a few weeks ago and guess i picked up a few germs of that disease.

next week it's a trip to AZ on the RT. first really decent chance for a good trip since i brought her home. maybe we'll finally bond.

we'll certainly keep all y'all's experiences in mind ...

[Bails]

I test rode both, being a boxer owner for 12 years I thought I'd try the inline four. Took the GT first 1.5 hour ride over set course. Then the RT, as soon as I hit the corners my mind was made up, at the start I was 90% sure I'd buy the GT, walked away with the RT.

GT is a great bike, for me the decision was based on my riding style , we have a lot of good cornering type roads were I am, GT would be a bike that would only give me a grin for its power, the RT gives me a grin all the time.