GTL to RT

923 Views 18 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Audi403, 13 d ago

Wardo

Discussion Starter · 20 d ago

Good morning everyone. I presently ride a 2015 GTL Exclusive. I love the bike especially the engine; but find it a little more difficult to manage especially at slow speeds because of the weight, I am 5'6" 220lbs. with a 30 inch inseam. I thought I would try a S1000XR on the recommendation of GaryClub aka Doc. After sitting on one my concern with it is it won't have the same wind protection. I am now leaning towards a R1250RT simply because of the weight difference, I will have to have it professionally lowered which I have a guy to do that for me as he did my GTL. Just wondering if anyone else has switched from a GTL to an RT and if so were you happy with the decision to switch. Thanks in advance for your input. If you have any other suggestions I'm all ears.
Thanks
Donald

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

kbob12

· #2 · 20 d ago

Hi Donald! Welcome! Have you looked into Daytona Max Sports GTX Boots?
I am able to flat foot my '00 KLT with my 30" inseam wearing the Daytona boots.
It may be a less expensive alternative.
Cheers!
Bob

Steve Aikens

· #3 · 19 d ago

I had half-inch lifted soles put on my BMW All-round boots years ago. They still work just fine to get me firmly planted.

29 inch inseam here.

Reactions: 1

joeducati

· #4 · 19 d ago

[/QUOTE]

Yes, the 1250RT is an incredible machine, just as much wind protection and 150 lbs. less. Power to weight ratio is about the same as a GTL as well. I have no regrets!

Reactions: 1

Wardo

Discussion Starter · #5 · 19 d ago

Hey Steve what bike are you riding? Do the 1/2 inch soles cover the full bottom of your boot? meaning from heel to toe. If you could send me a picture of them I would really appreciate that. Also if your riding an RT do you have the lowered seat or the standard seat the comes with it?
Thanks
Donald

Steve Aikens

· #6 · 19 d ago

Currently have an 07 RT that's flirting with 170K and a 15 RT that just slipped past 55k. Russell on the 07, Russell has the 15 factory seat as I type and the bike has a Sargent on it. Both standard seats set in the high position. I can't flat foot but close enough that I'm confident I'm stable.

They're a little worn but still close to the 1/2 inch they were originally.

Leg Human body Bicycle saddle Sleeve Waist

Outdoor shoe Synthetic rubber Walking shoe Sportswear Automotive tire

Boot Font Electric blue Fashion accessory Durango boot

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Reactions: 2

gary45

· #7 · 19 d ago

2012 GTL to 2018 RT, no regret, I do miss the 2000 LT I had.

92merc

· #8 · 19 d ago

Before you splurge on the full lowering kit, I'd suggest getting a Sargent low seat first. My wife is 5'5", 30 inch inseam. She came from a Honda cruiser with a fairly low seat height. She was able to adjust to the RT quite well with a low seat.

Reactions: 1

Wardo

Discussion Starter · #9 · 19 d ago

I know your not supposed to ask this of a lady but what does your wife way and is she driving the RT and if so what year and is the sargent seat comfortable. I have an RDL on my GTL and it is great

Steve Aikens

· #10 · 19 d ago

Wardo said:
is the sargent seat comfortable. I have an RDL on my GTL and it is great

See my post above about the Sargent. If you're riding long rides, the Sargent is not the saddle you want under you for full days - IMO. Short local rides, it's fine, but not long days. Is it worth the cost of the Sargent, yes, again for mostly shorter day rides.

92merc

· #11 · 18 d ago

Wardo said:
I know your not supposed to ask this of a lady but what does your wife way and is she driving the RT and if so what year and is the sargent seat comfortable. I have an RDL on my GTL and it is great

She's about 180 I'd say. She has auto-immune issues that cause joint pain. So she can typically do at best 450 miles most days. And yes, she has her own 2017 Alpine white. I have a 2015 RT.

I have the RDL. But it added about an inch over stock seat in height. I have 32" inseam, so I could afford it.

The Sargent I wouldn't say is as good as the RDL. It's hard to beat the RDL. But there's no way an RDL would work for the wife. Just too much height being added. Which is why I recommended the Sargent low. She had the BMW low previously. That got hard to ride real fast. Sargent is much better. But with her auto-immune issues, she just has her limits no matter what. Some days better than others.

Wardo

Discussion Starter · #12 · 18 d ago

I'm leaning towards a new 22rt or 23rt I would like the 22 in mineral white if I could find one with the brown seat and then have the bike professionally lowered so if anyone out there knows where I can find a new 22 in mineral white 719 option I'd like to buy it. I live in canada but will go to the states to buy it.
Thanks everyone for your help

Donald

Mellow

· #13 · 18 d ago

92merc said:
She's about 180 I'd say. She has auto-immune issues that cause joint pain. So she can typically do at best 450 miles most days. And yes, she has her own 2017 Alpine white. I have a 2015 RT.

I have the RDL. But it added about an inch over stock seat in height. I have 32" inseam, so I could afford it.

The Sargent I wouldn't say is as good as the RDL. It's hard to beat the RDL. But there's no way an RDL would work for the wife. Just too much height being added. Which is why I recommended the Sargent low. She had the BMW low previously. That got hard to ride real fast. Sargent is much better. But with her auto-immune issues, she just has her limits no matter what. Some days better than others.

Height-wise, the Corbin is good. I didn't like the Sargent for me, felt too thin and just didn't feel like the Sargent I had on my ST1300 years ago. The Corbin doesn't feel taller and I've done 1100 miles on it in a day.

FL_RedWing

· #14 · 18 d ago

Saw this identical post on the K1600 forum. Nice to see more civilized, and less testosterone laden comments/feedback present here. I have done the RT - GTL dance and settled on a Goldwing several years ago. Your stature will not change no matter what you do, so maybe look at the carriage, not the baby. After a 40 year love affair with BMW airheads switched to a Goldwing. First a used 2015, now a used 2020 Tour MT. A quantum leap in comfort, and reliability at a most reasonable cost. Now live to ride, not to schedule the next service appointment. A low center of gravity, and seat height are key. Still LOVE my RT but tipsy is tipsy, and I do not drink.

terminalarms

· #15 · 14 d ago

I went from an 18 Gtl to 19 Rt I put the low Sargent seat on it but found with the low seat my knees would hurt on a long ride. I then installed a peg lowering kit on which solved the comfort issue and there have been no cornering clearance issues.

Reactions: 1

PatM55

· #16 · 14 d ago

I too have a 30" inseam and ride '16 RT. I have the aformentionned Daytona boots and IMHO I don't see why you would need to lower an RT. Just set the ESA to minimum.

dpickens

· #17 · 14 d ago

I just came here to say that I too have a 30" inseam and ride a '21 RT with a stock seat. I can flat-foot it with regular Joe Rocket boots if I'm all the way forward in the seat. I can easily steady it sitting back in the seat but my heels are about 1/2" (if that) off the ground.

I would not lower the bike - it handles pretty darn well as-is. I'd try a factory low seat or Sargent low before I'd do that.

Rambler358

· #18 · 13 d ago

Steve Aikens said:
See my post above about the Sargent. If you're riding long rides, the Sargent is not the saddle you want under you for full days - IMO. Short local rides, it's fine, but not long days. Is it worth the cost of the Sargent, yes, again for mostly shorter day rides.

I have to disagree. I’ve had Sargents on my past 3 bikes, and don’t do just short day rides. I’ve done 4 day road trips, riding 8 hours a day and no issues for me. But everyone’s butt is different, so there’s that.

Reactions: 2

Audi403

· #19 · 13 d ago

Rambler358 said:
I have to disagree. I’ve had Sargents on my past 3 bikes, and don’t do just short day rides. I’ve done 4 day road trips, riding 8 hours a day and no issues for me. But everyone’s butt is different, so there’s that.

In my experience, the Sargent seat is slightly more comfortable than the OEM, but not by a lot. I'd imagine the RDL is much better for long distances. I may use my old seat to get an RDL of Laam built.

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