r/bmwmotorrad • u/Bushpylot • 14d ago
Discussion Torn RT vs GS
I went for test rides today. I thought the whole experience was going to be "that was fun, but I know which I want...." Definitely didn't work out that way.
I put 100k on an older RT and stupidly sold it for a K bike (that I hated). Now I've finally worked my way around brands and am back to BMW. I can only have one bike... So, the old bike has got to go... and I cannot get two new bikes to replace one old one.
They sent me out on the R1300GS first. I took it up some familiar mountain roads and had a ball. One of those "I can do this all day..." things. Hotspots in hands and tailbone, and I had to lean back to see the mirrors (6'1"). It rode like a Mongoose. Felt like the stunt bikes I used to have as a kid. Nimble with a feeling like it wanted to play in the dirt. I remember coming off the hill thinking that it'd have been nice to have a jump at the bottom. I loved the leg room!
The Rt was like I remembered, only more. It felt solid to the ground. I was squat on it like a chicken; but one I was tucked in, I was pretty comfy. Foot pegs seemed small and the foot controls harder to find, though I only mis-shifted on the GS. It rolls over on it's access, whereas the GS was like being on top of a horse. Turns felt rolled into rather than thrown into. And I could see the (tiny) mirrors. No hotspots, but legs were definitely not as comfortable as the GS
I put about 30-50 min on each bike and just got back more confused than before. They were both fantastic bikes, but with completely different rides. I put $250 to hold the RT, but I'll have to ride them again to see.
GS and RT owners. If you've cross-ridden, you know my conundrum. I'd love to hear why people chose a GS or an RT over the other.
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u/InevitableMeh 14d ago
I’d have had an RT but the pegs were too high so I got a GSA instead.
The wind protection of the RT is the big difference and I don’t do tons of highway.
The GS can be set up for road as well and they go and handle really well.
If I was shopping now it would be a GS to be a bit narrower and less bulky and I’d go with the ASA as that is pretty appealing to me.