Motorcycle rant - BORING!!!

[wolds]

You rode the bike before you bought it right?

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

My late neighbor and riding buddy sold his last (he thought) Harley in the mid '90's and bought a brand new Goldwing. His brief, to the point assessment was "riding it's like fornicating with a condom. You eventually wind up in the same place, but getting there isn't nearly as much fun." He sold the 'Wing in just a couple of months and went back to an outdated, slow, vibrating, ill-handling Harley and never looked back. His wife thanked him and started riding with him again.

Jeff...Yep, I can see this. Rings a bell.

Bob S., I'd agree if she actually would ride. Seems there's always a good reason not to. Perhaps just not the time in our lives for two-up touring. Kids home from college, dogs, tennis schedule, etc.

This is the second boxer I've owned (had an 04 GSA a few years ago) and wasn't thrilled with it either. May keep an eye out for another RK. Fat, slow, vibrates, heavy but reliable, has a removable windshield for summer and decent wind protection with it on. I actually liked that bike. Time will tell, but the RT and I will not be bonding!

Sent a note to a guy in NC selling a 96 Duc 900SS/CR. Hmmm.

[petrolhead611]

Why not sell the BMW and get a kitcar(Caterham?)instead? Far higher cornering speeds, equally wind in th hair motoring, and room for the wife. Even my wife used to come in my Sylva Leader( the Vindicator she hasnt ridden in, claiming that the car should at least have a windshield).

[Gogar]

Or maybe a Crosley!

[jwasbury]

Hey Choc, sorry you don't like the RT...a bit surprised though. I adore my 1998 RT. I'm 43 years old so its not an age thing. Yes its big and has a large fairing which provides excellent protection from the elements, which is perhaps a liability in hot weather. When its pouring rain, or 29 degree out (like when I rode the bike yesterday), that big fairing is a godsend. I think the bike handles very well and I've gapped guys on sportbikes on twisty roads while aboard the RT (mine is equipped with Ohlins dampers FWIW). Mine has 90hp and at 600lbs its not particularly fast but its not slow either. The last bike I logged serious mile on was a 1995 Ducati M900 Monster which I also raced in AMA CCS at Loudon, so I know how to drag a knee.

My fondness for the RT is based on the last 6 months where I've logged over 12,000 in saddle "combat commuting" from Bucks County, PA to midtown NYC daily (85 miles each way). The big fuel tank is great...only have to fill up every other day. I can think of no better machine for the purpose. All bikes are one compromise or another, but if I could only have one bike, make mine an RT because I don't know another bike that can do as many things as well.

Luckily I don't have to limit myself to one bike, so I've bought a KTM Duke. When my home renovation is complete my commute goes from 85 miles each way, to <5 miles. The Duke will be my NYC urban assault vehicle, and the RT will retire from daily service. I'm keeping it for sport touring and longer distance work.

[Chocaholic]

Petro....too many wheels. Already have an 87 Carrera for those duties.

Jacob...your cycling needs are way different than mine and I suspect the RT was designed accordingly. For the use you describe, yep, the RT has everything you need. I mostly ride for recreation and live in a much warmer climate (going to be 85 this weekend). Funny, I've pulled off the helmet soaking wet a few times and thought that this bike is made for the North...not the South.

[greglepore]

I was an RT "pusher" when you were looking, sorry.

Wife #1 liked the RT. I found it pretty tolerable, an excellent bike for a 3 day tour and more capable than its riding position would suggest. I didn't really like the screen either, but have to admit that if you had to do 6 hrs in the rain or god forbid on slab it was nice.

I also had a k1200rs. Wife #2, being batsh=t crazy, liked that bike. Much more engaging to ride one up, whereas the rt not so much.

Anyway, sorry for your loss...I get it, and if the missus isn't into it, then yeah, an rt is not the ride. Miss my k bike, still have batsh=t crazy #2.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Funny, I've pulled off the helmet soaking wet a few times and thought that this bike is made for the North...not the South.

^ I hear ya Choc. I ride full gear (Aerostich Roadcrafter 1 piece over my business suit). I place my suit jacket neatly folded into the top case. When it was over 85 this summer, I'd be ok in the AM commute inbound because it generally wasn't hot enough yet, although somedays I'd unzip the top half of my 'Stich and strip to dress shirt for the Lincoln Tunnel (its 100+ degrees in there during the summer).

On the way home in the afternoon/evening was a different story. I'd generally strip to my underwear in the parking lot before donning the 'stich for the ride home. Otherwise by the time I got home my suit pants would be steamed into wrinkled ruin. I find that the RT fairing is designed pretty well to keep engine heat off the rider, which is good in hot weather. It also keeps the cooling breeze off you too. Putting the windscreen down helps to get some more airflow to the rider, but I generally run it all the way up to keep down on the wind noise and buffeting which is favorable in a daily driver to minimize rider fatigue and brain-fade.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by dlockhart

I need to sell a few of my street bikes first but oh yeah.

That one looks familiar. Scorching hot bike.

[Brando]

Sorry to hear about the RT Chocaholic. Silver Lining: Maybe it's time to swing by a few dealers and go for some vigorous test-rides.

I wanted to upgrade from my Vulcan earlier this year, test rode a few different bikes (cruisers) and found something that fit me perfectly. Maybe it's time to do the same, if the Cadillac Beemer isn't the right fit?

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Rant over.

Now put that post in the MOA Forum. We need some excitement over there.

If my wife wanted to ride with me two up, I'd have a tough time picking a suitable bike, and it would probably be boring (the bike).

But your RT should be easy to sell.

[Chocaholic]

Ha....as a card carrying MOA member, I'd probably be quickly admonished to the door...or told to buy a $26K GSA and ride it across muddy rivers in a $2000 riding suit.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Well get it out of there and try something different!!!! Sounds like you wanted style and you bought function.

If the wife balks, tell her what you told us.

You could probably go straight across for a Hypermotard and get years worth of smiles for free!

^^^ Agree re: the 'Tard.
I balk at saying this because I've had wonderful relationships with many of the 20 - 30+ bikes I've owned in the past 55 yrs., but my '12 'Tard (oil cooled 1100) holds a special place. ***
Especially since the Power Commander & dyno tune.
Of the 5 bikes I presently own, the one that barely comes close to your RT is the BMW R1100S - but it's surely not boring. It's my two-up bike these days.
.
I must say, reading your first post was entertaining...humorously written, as you captured your experience. I almost got sweaty as I read.
I hate riding sweaty.
.
*** Believe it or not, three of my all time favs were the dead stock Yam RZ350 and two tuned Yam TDR250s.
Like peteremsley, I like the feel of small but spunky bikes.

[Walter_Middie]

Mike,

I have a similar bike from 1995 – but it’s an RS, not an RT. I’ve always wondered what an RT was like to ride, but I always thought the front fairing and windscreen was just too big. My fairing is much smaller, it has ABS but no traction control, no electronic suspension settings, no push button windshield, and no audio system or GPS. Just a really comfortable long range cruiser that’s not too big to use everyday around town.

I’ve read others say the RT is not very interesting to ride. But for me, the RS is great. I’ve always wanted a big heavy bike that is very comfortable at freeway speeds but still a little sporty. All my smaller older bikes (like the Yam RD400) have struggled to get to the back roads that I want to ride. My rides always need a stretch of 60 MPH roads to get to them. And touring on a smaller bike is not my cup of tea either.

There is a person for every bike – the RT is obviously not for you. I ride with a group that all have Harleys. I wouldn’t want to ride some of their bikes, and they probably would be bored riding mine. I like the smooth quiet ride my bike gives me, but I’d also like to have something more anti-social and politically incorrect when I’m in the mood for that.

Keep looking, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Right bike for the right job. The RT is for touring, serious miles and comfort along the way. I have found my GS does that for me and when I want to go off road, it does that pretty well. I took off the huge "pope shield" fairing the PO had installed to get some air. It's a bit old and crude compared to the newer GS line but was relatively cheap and can haul a ton of gear with confidence.




The other BMW is for going to old bike gatherings, having a pint, talking about slingers and putting back home.



The Duc puts a smile on the face, sounds amazing, corners well, looks very good doing it.




The KTM is for more serious dirt riding with my friends who generally only ride on dirt.



They were all bought used but in good shape, less investment in total than a new BMW. Looks like you have a fun and sporty bike to replace the RT sell the boring bike and have fun riding.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

Mike,

I have a similar bike from 1995 – but it’s an RS, not an RT. I’ve always wondered what an RT was like to ride, but I always thought the front fairing and windscreen was just too big. My fairing is much smaller, it has ABS but no traction control, no electronic suspension settings, no push button windshield, and no audio system or GPS. Just a really comfortable long range cruiser that’s not too big to use everyday around town.

I’ve read others say the RT is not very interesting to ride. But for me, the RS is great. I’ve always wanted a big heavy bike that is very comfortable at freeway speeds but still a little sporty. All my smaller older bikes (like the Yam RD400) have struggled to get to the back roads that I want to ride. My rides always need a stretch of 60 MPH roads to get to them. And touring on a smaller bike is not my cup of tea either.

There is a person for every bike – the RT is obviously not for you. I ride with a group that all have Harleys. I wouldn’t want to ride some of their bikes, and they probably would be bored riding mine. I like the smooth quiet ride my bike gives me, but I’d also like to have something more anti-social and politically incorrect when I’m in the mood for that.

Keep looking, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Rex, my first BMW was a 2002 K12RS. I loved that bike for all the reasons you love your RS. Perfect balance of sport and touring. My K13S fills that slot perfectly these days. A bit more sport than touring but that suits me fine.

Will try to sell the RT outright as a dealer trade-in would be a pounding, especially since I only bought the RT a few months ago. Will look for something that can allow for an occasional pillion while also feeling like a motorcycle.

[dlockhart]

Bike envy.. I imagine doing wheelies between every corner all the way over Angels Crest hwy. How are the electronics? I have yet to ride a modern 1K with all the gizmos, but have heard some very impressive lap times even with them turned up.

Originally Posted by speeder

That one looks familiar. Scorching hot bike.

[speeder]

It is not mine, belongs to a friend who has it in for some upgrades. Have another friend w the RSV version but I like the Tuono even better. They are absolutely insane performing bikes, you'd rarely get in over 25% of throttle on the street. They also have multiple modes that can make them more forgiving on the street, less throttle sensitivity, etc.

I just happened to take that pic on the same day you posted that.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

I’ve always wondered what an RT was like to ride, but I always thought the front fairing and windscreen was just too big.

^my '98 RT is essentially the same bike as your RS. Different plastics, tank, seat, handlebars, and footpeg placement is likely different. Strip the tupperware off, and they are virtually identical, so riding/handling dynamics are very similar. If you aren't bored by your RS, I'd be surprised if an RT of similar vintage would bore you.

When I first starting riding the RT, the size of the fairing was really noticeable. After 12k miles on it, the bike has shrunk in my mind. I've hustled the RT through really dense NYC traffic/gridlock, traded paint with cars/taxis on 1 or two occasions. Its surprisingly nimble in those situations.

Now I just bought the KTM Duke, and the bike is so tiny it feels like a toy so I feel totally exposed on it and I have to get used to that.

[greglepore]

Yeah but all that extra stuff on the rt is a hindred pounds or so up high. Agree that its not unmanageable but you feel it. Still, an rt is surprisingly capable when pushed, it just doesn't egg you on to do it.


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