R or GS? Help please

[dokotela]

Hi Guys,

I currently have a Triumph Street Triple, but am having to change bikes due to some arthritis in my neck, meaning I need a much more upright bike with decent wind protection.

2 weeks ago I test rode a 2010 1200GS and fell in love, but found it quite tall and very heavy in traffic.
I am seriously considering the 1200R, but my main worry is the lack of wind and weather protection. I tour at least once a year, so I need a bike that can plough down the motorways and cover big distances with minimal impact on my neck or shoulders.

My question is, with a decent screen, will the 1200R do as good a job, or even better, than the GS.
I'm 5 foot 10 inches, so will easily fit the R.

Cheers,

Dokotela

[Kieran R1200R]

If you are not after the R1200R for its handling then go for the R1200RT. It handles, not as good as the RR but good enough. Has the best wind protection and enough gagetry to keep you amused on those long halls. The RR can be fitted with an array of screens, seems to be the main subject here on which one and seat options, but in all honesty don't go there.
Your in the UK so take advantage of the RT and all the heated goodies it has to offer. The GS is tall even for 5' 10''.
I was going to get the RT but settled on the RR because I am in Australia and it gets to hot behind all that fairing.

[mogu83]

The R definitely has both the GS and RT beat in the weight department, both while rolling through a parking lot or on the highway. As far as weather protection - bolt on a Parabellum and GS hand guards and your all set (IMHO). I normally run a 12" screen but in the winter or when traveling some distance I put on a 20" screen for extra protection. I usually ride 500/600 mile days, and more if needed, through whatever Mother nature dishes up and have never wished for more fairing out in front of me.

12" screen and City bags - replaced by 20" screen and stock (fat) bags when I go for a ride.

[fastdogs2]

I agree with Kieran. You should go for the RT. With your predominantly cold and rainy weather conditions in England, you will appreciate the fairing of the RT much more that the naked configuration of the R1200R.

The GS is a very tall bike and can be top heavy (especially the GSA). It is built that way so it can accomodate the ground clearance necessary to fulfill the off road function (Gelande) that its name (Gelande Strasse) describes. While the GS is an admirable performer for touring and many folks here in the U.S. use it for that purpose, the RT is much better suited to your conditions.

I had a 2005 RT, but I did not desire the wind protection of the fairing in the 90 degree and 90 percent humidity that we experience in the summer in North Carolina. The R1200R is an excellent bike for providing the cooling airflow that I need for my riding in the hot and humid south of the U.S.

Bill

[staves]

Coincidently, I also recently had to get rid of my Speed Triple due to discomfort in my neck and upper back. I had spinal surgery, two-level disc replacement and the Speedy was killing me. After months of deliberation, I replaced it with a 2007 R1200R.

If you're doing city riding with an occassional longer tour, I'd strongly lean toward the RR. I've ridden a GS and wouldn't want to be muscling that bike through city traffic daily. With regards to the increased protection from the elements with the RT, I'm guessing that if you've been riding the Speed Triple in England you already have proper weather-proof gear. I've ridden my RR in all kinds of crappy weather with the short sports screen and made out just fine.

I did a longer write up of my experience with the RR thus far on ADVRider, if anyone is inclined:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622089

- Scott

[deilenberger]

I'd have to agree with Scott.

Properly equipped - the RR is ready to take on bad weather without a problem. I've done an annual "long ride" every summer, and sometimes it's been a long wet ride some days. Never had a problem doing it on the R12R, and you're not lugging around the extra weight of the RT (and heat on the dog days of summer..)

[TT RDHS]

Bad weather???
What kind of bad weather, you talkin' about?

[dokotela]

Scott and others,

thanks for the really useful replies.
My neck is the main issue, with arthritis causing a trapped nerve and referred pain to my right hand, leaving several fingers permanently numb.
What I need is an upright bike, but I am definitely NOT looking for an RT; its too bulky for what I want.
Scott, your blog on AV rider was really useful, as it pretty much sums up my position, and has got me thinking that with a little bit of fiddling about with the screen, I should be able to have a bike that I can tour on, commute on , and then scratch away on at the weekends.

I have a test ride booked for Friday, and the forecast is terribly English: pissing rain and strong winds. I guess it'll be a good test of weather protection!!

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Julian

[ka5ysy]

I have a test ride booked for Friday, and the forecast is terribly English: pissing rain and strong winds. I guess it'll be a good test of weather protection!!

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers,

Julian

Bring your checkbook Julian... see my signature line. You are about to become a member of the "Test Ride Victims Club"

[Jed]

Hi, I'm Jed, . . . and I'm a R12R test ride victim. All it took was a 10 mile test ride, . . and I bought the bike immediately upon returning to the dealership. BMW dealers are some of the most treacherous out there. Be careful, be warned.

[staves]

Julian - Check back in with your thoughts after the test ride. Enjoy!

- Scott

[markgh]

Hello all,

First post and thought I would chime in - I just traded in my GS (2004) for a 2009 R. To echo what the others have said, it boiled down for me on where/how I do most of my riding.

I take 1 long trip (3000-4000 miles) a year. I do 2 or 3 400-800 weekends a years. I ride around Atlanta commuting, hitting the N. Georgia mountains, etc. about 150 days/year.

I sacrificed some of the longer day comfort and range (I had the Adventure tank on my GS), that I will miss 1 week a year, for the lighter weight, much better handling of the R for the other 150+ days I ride. I never took the GS off road, I was a 100% street rider.

Longest day I have so far on the R is 200 miles. It is bone stock right now, I have ordered the sport screen, GS handguards and a Sargent seat, which I am hoping will make it better prepared for my one long trip per year. I had no problem with the comfort or the wind (other than the god awful stock seat) on that 200 mile day, but it did involve several stops.

Both the GS and the R are great bikes - just made more sense for me to get the R with the kind or riding I do.

Good luck with your decision and ride safe!

Mark

[spenserj87]

I rode my brother's GS for a year and also did a trip in Europe on a GS. When I went to the dealer to check one out, I tested a GS and an R...once I road the R, I was smitten. I don't do much dirt riding - just fire roads. I do 4-5 three-day camping trips a year (800 mile trips), lots of weekend 200 milers, and the occasional 500 mile day. I have a sport screen but for long trips I may put on a 20" Cee Bailey (two minutes to change). Best of both worlds having the 20" screen available. I use an Air Hawk for longer trips for the bum - hope to get a custom seat this next year.

Nothing wrong with the GS, but the R is way more fun on twisty foothill roads - and I like the look.

[dokotela]

OK chaps and chappesses,

bit of an update.

I have done 150 miles of test riding on the R1200R, in dry warm sunshine, followed by torrential rain and wind.

AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.

This bike blew away my Street Triple in terms of real useable power in everyday situations. More importantly, it was extremely comfortable, and I can see myself touring on it with ease, perhaps with a slightly taller screen. I just loved that "lazy" boxer engine, that is a stonker when you ask it to be.

At the end of the day, I loved it, and need one NOW!!!

Julian

[deilenberger]

I have done 150 miles of test riding on the R1200R, in dry warm sunshine, followed by torrential rain and wind.

AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.

This bike blew away my Street Triple in terms of real useable power in everyday situations. More importantly, it was extremely comfortable, and I can see myself touring on it with ease, perhaps with a slightly taller screen. I just loved that "lazy" boxer engine, that is a stonker when you ask it to be.

At the end of the day, I loved it, and need one NOW!!!

Julian

Another test ride victim.. So what color are you getting?

[goo]

i'm sure they are outstanding machines.however, i suspect that most gs/gsa drivers rarely use them to their full capabilities. a bit like most SUV's

[genka]

This is very simple. If deep inside you know you want an R-R, you ask the question here. If you want a GS, you ask on www.r1200gs.info

[ka5ysy]

Financial justification:

Generally , the R1200R can go almost anyplace a GS will get you, and cost considerably less. Search the term "Chitown". His RR thinks it is a GS. Most of us find that to be a telling argument, plus it is a more versatile bike, imho (slightly biased opinion).



Oh... I sat on, and will test-ride tomorrow, a R1200GS with the low suspension . It sits precisely like the RR, so I am curious how it rides. It does have the new engine, so should be an interesting experiment while the shop is doing my brake recall-recall (!). For those interested the new brake line has some reinforcing tube at the ferrule ends apparently to avoid stress cracks.

[goo]

would one be totally wacko if he were to put a set on knobbies on hs rr?
hey, you don't know if you don't ask.

[me&mybmw]

Dokotel I bought the RT, for the distance between the seat and the footpegs for the passenger. I'm married does that say it all? I trully love the ride, take it to work every day, live in Canada......gettin ready for the snow. After looking at the pics....I am not the only one. Can you really get knobbys for a RT?