[Bob1200rtc1]

Wife and I went to the dealer to get an oil filter and a t-shirt. We saw a loaded GTL. sat on it . Inquired about the features. I took a test ride on a demo. All I can say is I was in lust and overwhelmed at the same time. It actually felt liter than my RT but I think that was due to the lower seat. I didn't like the way the windshield went up in the middle as opposed to my RT dipping in the middle. Over all, I want this bike. Has anyone gone from an RT to the GTL? If so can you give me some input? I was put off by having to use the multi-controller for everything. I like just having the switches on my RT. Was this hard to learn? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[meese]

Many folks have moved from the RT to the GT/GTL. And a couple of those ended up moving back to an RT, although that's pretty rare.

The Multi-controller wheel takes a bit of getting used to, but it does its job well enough. You very quickly learn the order of the menus, and can usually adjust things without hardly looking at it.

The GT windscreen dips down in the middle, but there are many aftermarket screens that work so much better.

There's lots of great info over at K1600forum.com. Spend some time reading through the threads there. But be a little cautious, as they have some great contributors who know a lot about these bikes and are very helpful, but they also seem to have a high proportion of whiners . . .

The Slant/6 bikes do have some downsides, but those are relatively minor compared to the power, comfort, and agility of the Big 6.

Then again, you rode one, so you know. :bike:

 

[Richie1]

I have a 2011 rt with 9000 miles on it and am thinking about the switch to a k1600.

Have a concern with the two hundred lbs, more bike. The rt seems a little top heavy at times and not sure the lower seat and lower cc will make it handle about the same or not?

The longer wheel base will also make it less agile.

Would like to hear from people that have made the change.

Not sure just a short test ride will tell the complete story.

Richie

 

[ken6217]

Only you can decide. Take it out for a longer test ride and see.

Call me Mr. Rare. I went from and '09 RT to 1K600 GT, and back to a '12 RT. I had the GT for exactly a year and decided to go back. After the novelty to wore off, I missed the RT.

Btw, no way the GTL should feel lighter than an RT, and I'm mot just saying that because the RT IS lighter.
Ken

 

[Ric]

I guess I am somewhat fortunate because my son has a 1200RT so I can take his for a spin every now and then to compare his to my GTL. For "ME" there is no going back to anything else. The 1600 is the one do it all motorcycle for me. Most of all it put the FUN back in riding. It has a few short comings but nothing that would make me sell it for something else. My son one the other hand likes his 1200RT more than my GTL so it proves what I and others have always said.....take a long test ride or two and see if the demo bike makes you smile. If not walk away and call it a day, but if you look back at the bike as you walk away and you have a smile on your face well, that's the bike to own.

Rick

 

[Full_Speed]

Sold my '05 RT for a new GT a few months ago.

Weight: GT's center of gravity is lower, as is the bike in general. I only notice the difference when I'm pushing the bike around the garage. The GT feels nimbler to me once it's rolling, at any speed.

Agility: Not even close. The GT is far more confident in corners. The long wheelbase makes it more stable, as does the lower COG. It rails like no 700 lb machine should.

Quirks: Yeah, I read them before I leaped. Many of those were new model issues that have mostly been sorted out already. Mine has 1000 trouble free, smile filled miles.

Multi Controller: forget about it while you're riding. Mess with it in the garage before you take off. It is pretty intuitive though, it has a steep learning curve for most. I had it sorted by the time I got home from my first ride.

Seat/Windscreen: The overwhelming majority prefer the GT stock over the GTL stock, but a lot of folks replace either. I have the stock on my GT, and each are very good for me. I had aftermarket on my RT; I thought those stock parts were lousy. I can ride for a few hours on the GT seat w/o issue, and the GT screen gives me just enough wind to remind me that I'm not in a cage. Though the GT seat has more foam than the GTL seat, it does have a high/low position like the RT has. I was not flat footed on the RT, I am on the GT in high position.

I thought the seat/bars/pegs triangle on the GT was a lot more similar to the RT than the GTL is to the RT. That made for a natural, quick adjustment to my new steed. The riding position is a tad more aggressive than the RT which I thought would compromise comfort; it did the opposite. I can put more miles comfortably on my GT in a day than I could on the RT. Strange but true. It just fits.

The RT is a great machine, but I do not miss it. For me, the GT is the perfect package.

 

[RAS100]

I just picked up a red GT about a month ago having owned two RTs. I agree with several other posters that the GT actually feels lighter and better balanced than the RT unless you're moving around in your garage or driveway. I think it handles better in the corners and is rock solid in the twisties. The engine is incredible in its power and the sound it makes as you run it through the gears. My bike has all possible accessories compared to a somewhat stripped-down 08 RT. The multi-controller works well manipulating the many cool features of the GT. Not too hard to learn. Easy to get distracted while you're driving. Not a perfect bike and one that has taken more work to operate smoothly than either of my RTs. Loved my RTs but the GT is on a different wave length. I also agree that the stock seat is much better than the RT. No need for me to buy a custom seat at this point in time. One last thing. I much prefer the handling of the GT on the freeway. I always felt the RT got pushed around a bit too much by wind gusts and wakes. The 700 lbs pays a dividend on the highway. Hope this helps.

 

[DanDiver]

I've never been on an RT so I can't help there, but as far as the "Controller" wheel type switch, I initially felt as you. I prefer a few simple switches. I'm still a little concerned about the complexity of one switch doing it all, (actually two because you toggle a switch between pages/function/modes and then use the wheel to move about once there....

BUT, so far, everything works as advertised and after several rides and some down time in the garage, the controller wheel has almost become instinctive. I've gotten to like it.

It would be nice if I could change the order of the screens that you must toggle through, but there are a few shortcuts and I'll probably realize someday, that there is a reason for the order! The windshield is very easily replaced and there is one on the market that will almost completely eliminate all back pressure.

The audio/radio, on the other hand, is a PITA to work. A lot like the one on the K1200LT. It could not have been designed any more complicated! Maybe I'll understand the whys of that too someday///

I do love the bike though and it is the best that I have ever owned for many reasons.. Not one problem after 7,000 miles and just over a year.

 

[lolwest]

Hi,
I don't know if you've made the jump yet, but here's my opinion, fwiw.
I changed from an '07 RT to the K1600GTL recently, and I have to say I'm vey happy so far. It's an incredible machine and very capable, far more than me, but I hope to learn over time.
Strangely, the change was for the partly for the benefit of my SO (honest). She found the RT to be a little difficult to mount & dismount and the seat to be uncomfortable after a short time (she has 2 fused discs). On the test drive, she found the K to be much easier mounting/dismounting and far more comfortable on a run. She found the seat & suspension (admittedly on the 'comfort' setting) to be a big improvement over the RT. Incidentally, we took a long test ride on a Goldwing and although the seat was probably the best of them all, the suspension was intolerably 'crashy' on our UK roads, and gave her too much shock through her back.
For myself, I find the K1600 to be superior in all departments. It's much more comfortable for me (6' 1'') and the pegs don't bend my knees up as much as the RT. The engine is addictive, with a howl I didn't expect in the upper range. It'll pull happily from low revs in all gears and it's the smoothest of any I've ever owned.
It's stable at speed and is as nimble as the RT, if not more so.. I'm getting used to the electronics & displays and although not entirely "intuitive', it's still pretty good and fairly easy to find my way around.
Downsides? Not many so far. The luggage capacity is a bit less than the RT, it would seem. The top case isn't as 'planted' as the RT, and it's very slightly down on MPG (46 as opposed to 50 on the RT), but it's a bigger engine, so I still think that's still pretty good. The SO found a bit more buffeting at higher speeds, but at and around legal speeds, it's fine. I felt that the weather protection wasn't as good as the RT, but I rode through a British deluge the other day and apart from getting wet shoulders, I stayed dry, much to my surprise. There is some definite 'shunt' in the drive that others more expert than I have commented on, but I'm guessing that's a combination of new engine, transmission and my ineptitude. However, I'm beginning to learn how to reduce it and remove it altogether with careful driving & shifting.
So happy with my purchase? So far, very much so. I originally came from a LT to the RT and always felt that although it was a fine machine with lots of character, it was just a bit too 'small' for me. The GTL now gives me back the feeling I had with the LT, but it's a much superior machine to both the LT and RT, in my opinion.
Apologies for this being such an anecdotal account, but I haven't had it too long (less than a week), so I haven't been far enough on it. But as a final indication of my current impression, I felt confident enough to take it up to and into central London to visit an Olympic event on the 2nd day of ownership. It was a joy to ride and I felt perfectly comfortable in amongst the traffic and crowds. If I'd had any doubts, I wouldn't have gone near the city, but it was fine.
So, take a test ride, but a word of caution. If you're in any doubt beforehand, leave your wallet at home, because there's a high likelihood you're going to like it and you'll want to buy it on the spot.
I could post a more technical appraisal as the miles grow.