BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I have a 2021 gold wing tour dct which is a great bike but I’m thinking of downsizing to an RT. I’ve had RTs before. I was just wondering if anyone else made this move, and if so, what’s your thoughts?

I didn’t come directly from a GW to the RT but…

Definitely two different rides (obviously, I know). Immediately after buying the GW, I rode to Long Beach to have the suspension rebuilt to the tune of $2500+. Still wasn’t close to what I wanted. Then it dawned on me (yep, I’m a little slow sometimes). No matter what I did, I wasn’t going to make a 900 pound motorcycle into what I wanted. Two bikes in between and now we’re on the RT.

I describe the GW to be a great bike if you want to take interstate 80 from coast to coast. Not the best choice if you want to get off the interstate and have some fun.

The RT does both very well.

I owned a 2001 GW before buying a new RT. I did miss the comfort and style of the GW. I would put the bikes in 2 categories. GW for long-distance rides and tours and the RT for the everyday rider and long-distance tours. One major thing i do miss is the legroom of the GW.

Sold my gold wing today and put deposit on an RT. I had a k1600 grand america before the wing. It was fun in the twisties but surprisingly wiggly at highway speed. I’m thinking the RT will be fun in the twisties and stable on the highway. The gold wing was very stable and not bad in the twisties, but not as good as BMWs in the twisties.

i looked at a GW but the thought of manoeuvring it around put me off that said its a great machine .I own a 2019 RTLE shift cam for weather protection
reliability etc its the best i,ve had .

Hello from France

I owned a GL1800 from 2010 and today I have a RT1250 from 2019.
As already explained, the Golwing is a fantastic motorcycle for the highway and especially the roads in good condition.
My passenger liked the comfort of the seat of the GL1800 but she liked less the suspensions of the GL1800 on the road in poor condition.
Personally, I didn't like driving my GL1800 in the mountains where its characteristics are detrimental, especially during hairpin bends.

My RT is much more comfortable from a suspension point of view and makes it possible to envisage long journeys on fast tracks with better protection against the wind.
It's much more fun and easy when the road gets twisty.

sgl wrote: ↑Tue Oct 18, 2022 12:24 am I have a 2021 gold wing tour dct which is a great bike but I’m thinking of downsizing to an RT. I’ve had RTs before. I was just wondering if anyone else made this move, and if so, what’s your thoughts?

Made the change from 2008 GW to 2013 RT this autumn. This is my 2nd RT and 9th BMW. I have owned about 27 bikes give or take in the last 30 years.

Gold Wing is a fantastic motorcycle and my experiences of it are purely positive but at the same time it is one BIG bike - almost dropped it twice in my garage and I'm no lightweight myself. RT feels like a sport bike compared to GW but with almost same comfort and accessories.

I do not regret the change one bit.

sgl wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:10 am Sold my gold wing today and put deposit on an RT. I had a k1600 grand america before the wing. It was fun in the twisties but surprisingly wiggly at highway speed. I’m thinking the RT will be fun in the twisties and stable on the highway. The gold wing was very stable and not bad in the twisties, but not as good as BMWs in the twisties.

The RT is not stable on the highway.

texrex3234 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:55 am

sgl wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:10 am Sold my gold wing today and put deposit on an RT. I had a k1600 grand america before the wing. It was fun in the twisties but surprisingly wiggly at highway speed. I’m thinking the RT will be fun in the twisties and stable on the highway. The gold wing was very stable and not bad in the twisties, but not as good as BMWs in the twisties.

The RT is not stable on the highway.

Are you saying that your RT is not stable on the highway or that all RTs are not stable on the highway.

If the latter, should you not be contacting the NHTSA?

I’ve been in company with a Goldwing a couple of times going around the IOM TT course, it’s certainly a big heavy bike but can be hustled along at a pace that belies its appearance.

I came from a 16 year spell of riding the Honda ST’s to the RT, primarily for the need for a lighter bike due to having rotator cuff issues on both shoulders, so the RT fits the bill admirably - very light (in comparison) and far more nimble, and comes fully equipped with all the bells and whistles.

For me, I’m very happy with the RT..

texrex3234 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:55 amThe RT is not stable on the highway.

I would check tyres, tyre pressures, wheel bearings and effect of removing of the possible topbox.

I find my RT to be completely stable on highway.

I got it!

Nice bike enjoy

Now you have an everyday bike. As much as i loved my old GW it wasn't an everyday bike. Long European trips no problems but a bit on the large size for popping down the shops.

texrex3234 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:55 am

sgl wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:10 am Sold my gold wing today and put deposit on an RT. I had a k1600 grand america before the wing. It was fun in the twisties but surprisingly wiggly at highway speed. I’m thinking the RT will be fun in the twisties and stable on the highway. The gold wing was very stable and not bad in the twisties, but not as good as BMWs in the twisties.

The RT is not stable on the highway.

I’ve found my RT to be quite stable on the highway solo and two up and loaded