Can an R1100S be as comfortable as an R1150RT?

Ricochet Rabbit · 11-22-2009, 04:20 AM

My wife is in the market for a more comfortable bike than her Speed Triple. Local dealer has an S (with "touring" bars and an RT, she like the S but the RT has a more upright riding position. Would this S w/ bar backs and a footpeg lowing kit be as comfortable as the RT?

AndrewA · 11-22-2009, 04:37 AM

It depends. If the two of you will be riding all day, and putting serious miles on the bike, the RT will be much more comfortable, because that's what it was designed for.

Although those mods can make the R1100S somewhat more comfortable than stock, I'm not sure how much different the bike would be than a speed triple.

Guest24 · 11-22-2009, 04:40 AM

Forget the boxers and go to the F650GS. She'll thank your later.

DanGreene · 11-22-2009, 04:50 AM

I have owned both the R1100s and the R1150rt. Personally I find the R1100s more comfortable for all day riding as the slight lean forward position is easier on my back. The RT is sit up straight and I find that more tiring. It seems to get to my lower back more. If she gets the R1100s, I suggest she put a couple thousand miles on it before lowering the pegs. I suspect she won't need to. You also lose a lot of your cornering clearance by doing this.

smallj · 11-22-2009, 05:16 AM

My 1100S was more comfortable than my 1150RT. You give up quite a bit of wind and weather protection, but it was easier on my back and arms. The slight lean has always been more comfortable to me. If passengers are involved, the RT is always a better choice.

The 1200S with helibars and a Puig is almost as comfortable touring as the 1100S was. Much better in the corners too.

Guest24 · 11-22-2009, 05:21 AM

You guys are thinking with testosterone, again. think light, agile and comfortable.

Unless you are thinking a back-up bike for yourself.

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Interesting.

When you said F650GS I was wondering why? Without knowing her riding ability, height, weight, or just what she might be looking for I was curious why you suggested that bike as the question was about two currently at the dealer. Do you have a fondness for the F650GS?

I've owned three F650GS's so far and they are great little bikes, but they are good second bikes. Although if I was on a budget, it would be the number one in my stable due to mileage, cheap insurance, and the bulletproof engine.

Or, are we talking the new F650GS...

Bob Hancock · 11-22-2009, 05:37 AM

Having put over 60,000 miles on two R1100S's and about 24,000 miles on an R11RT, as well as having ridden Dan's R1150RT, I agree with the consensus to go with the R11S. For one thing, unless she's real strong, the S is over 100 lbs lighter than the RT and quite comfortable. Never try to judge riding comfort by sitting on the bike in the showroom. Well designed bikes are dynamic beings and without the wind factor you can't get the full picture. And unless she has real bad knees, the peg lowering won't be needed, so take Dan's advice and ride it some first before lowering.

In summary, for me the R11S was MORE comfortable than an RT unless you are talking riding with a PAX....but that's a different question entirely.

Guest24 · 11-22-2009, 05:43 AM

Craig, I was really thinking about the reports that I have gotten from the wife of a riding buddy about the new 650GS versus the thumper.

I would like to have a thumper but the discretionary fund account will soon end.

Ricochet Rabbit · 11-22-2009, 06:40 AM

Thanks for the feedback.

OK, We're both early 50-ish and 5'10" tall, but her legs are about 4" longer than mine, hence the idea of the lowered pegs to give her a bit more room. She's ridden both the 650 singles and 800 vertical twins on Edelweiss tours but was rather underwhelmed by both of them. This will be her bike, no 2 up riding. Her back has been giving her some trouble. I suppose one idea would be to buy a set of barbacks for mine, install, and let her have at for a day.

Bob Hancock · 11-22-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricochet Rabbit

Thanks for the feedback.

OK, We're both early 50-ish and 5'10" tall, but her legs are about 4" longer than mine, hence the idea of the lowered pegs to give her a bit more room. She's ridden both the 650 singles and 800 vertical twins on Edelweiss tours but was rather underwhelmed by both of them. This will be her bike, no 2 up riding. Her back has been giving her some trouble. I suppose one idea would be to buy a set of barbacks for mine, install, and let her have at for a day.

Not that I care to get into the competitive sharing of our infirmities, but I am 63, 34" inseam and broke my back in the mid seventies, so we aren't that much different in what's needed for comfort. Please consider that comfort on the road for me is quite a bit better leaned forward some than sitting straight up. My lower back took quite a pounding on a '95 Wide Glide that put me bolt upright. No thanks. And then I also found myself looking for comfort on my R11RT by looking for lower bars so that I could be bent at the waist some. That's when I traded it for my first R1100S and have never looked back. Of course you can go too far to the other extreme which is why I had to get rid of the lovely Paul Smart Ducati I had. It found a good home so I'm happy with that. For my "new" R1200R, I've had to lower the bars some to get back to a good feeling but the pegs are perfect. If you decide to consider other alternatives, you might give the R12R a look.

And obtw, you are the envy of many of us having this challenge of helping your wife find a ride. A coveted task...good show.

noah 2 · 11-22-2009, 08:30 AM

I bought my S with Suburban Peg lowering kit and removed them due to scraping the brake pedal and pegs. It's a 2000, so the bars are a little higher than the '99 from what I gather. I have done back-to-back 500 mile days with little problem (oh yeah, I'm 5'10 and have a 32" inseam) except for the stock seat. I met up with a group on the Charahala highway and rode along with an RT up and over Deals Gap. He had no problem with his pegs and was riding at the same overall pace as I was and after 6-7 track days with my S, I hang off the bike, although rather conservatively on the road. I have since upgraded the seat and remounted the Suburban Kit and a set of Rapid Dog's Barbacks. For me, the most critical factor in fatigue with the S vs. the RT is the wind buffetting. If you ride at 70mph or lower (Blue Ridge Pky. speed) then it is not much of an issue, but if you are on open road at 65 and above, the wind is brutal (for me). I plan to add a Laminar Lip to help change that. I also have a little back problem (over 50 crowd) that is not an issue with the S. The S is one bike that I don't plan to ever get rid of.

Steve Carlton · 11-22-2009, 08:55 AM

If a lean forward on the S makes it more comfortable than an RT (for many), then why do so many say the GS is more comfortable than the S?

Bob Hancock · 11-22-2009, 09:06 AM

I can't speak for others Steve, but for me that was not the case. I put over 16k miles on my R1200GS to include a trip to Canada. The bike did great...loved it...may have another one. But I didn't like the seating arrangement....too upright especially on my lower back and butt. Easy to stand and ride....very R12Rish which is why I am trying to solve the GS problem on the R by installing lower bars. Anyway, the GS is the ultimate two wheeled SUV and can't be beat in that regard and that's the main reason I would have another.
FWIW.

lht · 11-22-2009, 11:31 AM

Triumph Sprint St 1050, more comfortable and lighter,quicker, better handeling,

markjenn · 11-22-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

If a lean forward on the S makes it more comfortable than an RT (for many), then why do so many say the GS is more comfortable than the S?

Because people like their own bikes and think they're the bestest.

A S may be "comfortable enough" or individual preference for a more leaned-over riding position may trump other considerations, but everything else being equal, an RT is in a whole different class comfort-wise, mostly because vastly superior weather protection. Do a few 800-mile days in weather (especially cold rain) and get back with us about how comfortable the S is.

- Mark