R1200RT vs R1200RS

General discussion of the BMW R1200RT/R1250RT
User avatar
F800GT
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:34 am

R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by F800GT »

If you had considered the R1200RS, besides the upright sitting position of the R1200RT, what else in the latter made you choose the RT over the RS ?
richardofyorks
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:42 pm

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by richardofyorks »

I have an RS Iconic (Sport SE spec) and have just ordered an RT LE sport style in mars red/slate grey. It's much more luxurious, has (for me) a better riding position, more luggage carrying capacity, and some worthwhile extras, e.g. hill start, electric screen, heated seat, and far better instruments. I like the built in indicators and mirrors too.
The RS is a great bike but the RT will do everything at least  as well and a bit more besides
BoB21
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:38 am
Bike Model and Year: 2017
Has liked: 117 times
Been liked: 68 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by BoB21 »

Did look at RS but  luggage space, weather protection, heated seats, comfort for wife, better clocks, etc only advantage I could see of RS was cooler in hot weather. In UK no brainer.
User avatar
Paggers
Posts: 440
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2016 9:53 am

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by Paggers »

Same as above - I couldn't really see the appeal of the RS. In my opinion, the R1200 'lump' is better for the long haul; if you want a 'sports' bike I can't see why anyone would buy an R1200 RS over an S1000 RR. But then I have never really seen the appeal of sports bikes anyway.
2016 (2017 MY) R1200 RT LE in white and black. Find me on twitter: @2WheelSolo. Also posting motorcycle vlogs on youtube: https://goo.gl/iM7y6X
User avatar
Taz
Posts: 106
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:50 pm

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by Taz »

As my wife would be enjoying the back seat, I took her along when I tried both the RS and the RT. We both voted for the extra comfort of the RT.
Last edited by Taz on Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
So when is this “old enough to know better” supposed to kick in?
User avatar
F800GT
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:34 am

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by F800GT »

I've been thinking back and forth between the R1200RS and the R1200RT for a while. I like the RT for its versatility, especially for multi-day trips. However, commuting with it when I need to split lanes everyday is not as easy as with the RS.
BoB21
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:38 am
Bike Model and Year: 2017
Has liked: 117 times
Been liked: 68 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by BoB21 »

Just quick search to confirm suspicion RT 982mm RS 925mm. wouldn't have thought would make much difference especially on wide US interstates!! London whole different story. 
mcwhirtj
Posts: 58
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:20 pm

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by mcwhirtj »

I commute on my RT in California, and lane split.  Occasionally I take my wife's F800ST instead, and am always amazed at how much more comfortable it is lane splitting, but it isn't that much skinnier.  A few inches make a difference.  But then I also occasionally take her ST on the open road, and after about 50 miles, I'm wishing I was on my RT!  The wind protection, seating comfort, cruise control, etc. win out big time in that case.  Wish they made an "RT" model based on the F800 - I'd buy one for my wife!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
BoB21
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:38 am
Bike Model and Year: 2017
Has liked: 117 times
Been liked: 68 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by BoB21 »

F800st is 860mm
User avatar
Paggers
Posts: 440
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2016 9:53 am

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by Paggers »

I have started folding the mirrors in on the RT when filtering through close traffic on the motorway. You wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it's surprising how much that extra couple of centimetres helps.
2016 (2017 MY) R1200 RT LE in white and black. Find me on twitter: @2WheelSolo. Also posting motorcycle vlogs on youtube: https://goo.gl/iM7y6X
User avatar
smileymiley
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:24 am
Location: Grantham
Bike Model and Year: R1200RT 17MY
Has liked: 6 times
Been liked: 11 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by smileymiley »

Paggers wrote: I have started folding the mirrors in on the RT when filtering through close traffic on the motorway. You wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it's surprising how much that extra couple of centimetres helps.
I put my main beam on... usually moves most out of the way. I have panniers on all the time.
Vini, Vidi, Velcro....... I came, I saw, I stuck around.
gogs01
Posts: 628
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:32 am

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by gogs01 »

smileymiley wrote: I put my main beam on... usually moves most out of the way. I have panniers on all the time.
Nothing will move everybody out the way, but I generally use main beam to improve the chances of being seen. I always have the panniers on too, so no point in folding the mirrors. I suspect filtering on a R1200RS (with no panniers) would be a little easier.
My 4th R1200RT = 2016 (2017 MY) R1200RT LE
BoB21
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:38 am
Bike Model and Year: 2017
Has liked: 117 times
Been liked: 68 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by BoB21 »

Sorry was never my intention to take thread off course. Comment about making much difference was in relation to which bike to choose not specifically  about filtering. Think we can all agree a thin bike is easier. If filtering was my main concern on bike choice I wouldn't pick either.
User avatar
F800GT
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:34 am

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by F800GT »

BoB21 wrote: Sorry was never my intention to take thread off course. Comment about making much difference was in relation to which bike to choose not specifically  about filtering. Think we can all agree a thin bike is easier. If filtering was my main concern on bike choice I wouldn't pick either.
Not at all. I want to thank you for bringing up that "RT 982mm RS 925mm" comparison. It does help me a lot to know the real width of each bike while lane splitting. So far my perception of the R1200RT is it is huge !!!  My F800GT is 902mm wide, so to compare to the R1200RT, it's like having 40mm more on each side of my F800GT.

Although the freeways are wide in the USA, many times cars don't leave much room, so every centimeter counts.

I am wondering how the R1200RT handles at low speed too ...
BoB21
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:38 am
Bike Model and Year: 2017
Has liked: 117 times
Been liked: 68 times
Great Britain

Re: R1200RT vs R1200RS

Post by BoB21 »

Take one on test you will be surprised at how balanced and easy to ride at slow speed even two up. First time  to BMW for me my only considerations were rt or rs didn't test rs because rt ticked more boxes especially two up. Wife liked rt over other makes I did try.
Post Reply