RT handling

[Camel747]

To me, the biggest drawback of RT's with telelevers, is their lack of neutral steering. For example, in a left turn, the handlebars want to steer inward (left) to upright the bike. It takes substantial force to keep it at an angle.
I've had an '09 R1200rt for nine years now, and through the years I tried to make it steer more neutral, to no effect. In the end I simply assumed this was an inescapable side effect of the anti dive telelever suspension. Especially since other (pre-2009)RT's I've ridden also have this same characteristic.

Until I changed tire brands, that is. I'd gone through three sets of different generations of Pilot Roads, and stumbled upon a review from an independent source that favoured Bridgestone Battlax (t32 gt), so I decided to give those a try.

The difference is so big that I feel I have to get used to a whole new bike. I can't believe how neutral it is now, giving me much more confidence and control. Just wanted to share for anyone annoyed by that steering quirk (what is the proper term darnit) looking for a solution.
EDIT: Seems this may be the case only for pre-2009 models

[jesim1]

I can't say I've ever noticed this and mine is on PR4s??

It may be an individual bike thing?

Anyway, glad your sorted, tyres can make a massive different to handling.

[Stu]

As above! no issues from me either and I have the Road 6 tyres

I have also used Bridgestone and the bike handled the same

[Camel747]

That's weird, I assumed it would be a universal annoyance/thing that the r's do. For the life of me I can't explain why some models wouldn't have it and others would.

[Stu]

Model year?

Mines a 2016 model and @jesim1 is newer still

[Camel747]

Mine's an '09, so maybe it's restricted to the 2005-2009 model.

[Glenn]

The BMW's I've owned, a 2011 R1200RT and both 2019 R1250RT's have all had neutral handling, they just go where you point them, no fuss.

[Mart UK]

I had a 1250GS with Road 6s. Awesome tyre. Neutral and very responsive. Performed well each time for about 6,000 miles. My new 1250RT has Road 5s. Happy with them too. While it was in for a software update, I was leant a 2023RT with 2,700 miles, on Metzeler Roadtecs. Hated the handling. It required a serious push to get it to turn in, especially at lower speeds. Below 30mph the front felt like it was about to tuck under.

I was told the dealership had put most of the miles on the bike, on dual carriageway roads, between branches. So might have been tyre wear in the middle of the tyre. But, to state the obvious, it emphasised to me how significantly tyres affect handling!

[Arends]

I feel the same, the bike has tendency to lean into a corner more than I would like to. That is when riding on my own. I think it is more for me to get the bike tilted more than it has to be, as I like moving a bike under me.
It does not happen when riding with pillion. So it has to be me as rider.
I want to have Dunlop Mutants as my next tires, I hope to notice difference.

[GoldenWest]

This may be a defunct thread, but I’ll comment anyway. My takeaway reading here, and from experience, is the RT’s design providing steering feel, direction, input, response etc. are very much tire and air pressure dependent. I can’t stress enough how much air pressures has affected my tire behavior, to the point where I generally ignore the recommended pressures in favor of experimenting and seeing what works best.
I typically run around 42F and 41R to get turn in, cornering, road feel, etc where I want it. Not at all dissimilar from my experience dialing in more or less over/understeer on BMW automobiles.
From experience I’ve never cared much for the Pilot Roads or Roadsmarts on my ‘06 and ‘18 RT’s, which seem to have minds of their own. Favoring much more, are the Metz. Roadtec 01, Conti RA 3/4, and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR. In summary, I see the RT design being the constant, with tires and air pressures being the wild cards.