There is about an 80 pound difference in the bikes that is noticeable when really getting on the throttle, though the camhead engined RT is no slouch at all when you nail it. Around 2010 RT model year, if memory serves me correctly, there was a change in first gear ratio to account for the weight issue that was a problem with acceleration with cargo/pillion some were experiencing. You will notice a lot of comments from owners of older RT's about they being tricky to start moving with a load aboard.