RT TEST DRIVE.....

[tatt2r]

Test drove RT today ....first off i kept an open mind not trying to think of good or bad points that everybody has said ... me and dee rode 2 up on it .... we rode about 75 miles took me about 10 minutes to get used to the squishy handling and front end dipping .... braking was fine didnt stop on a dime like gs but stopping was no problem... we went the backroads of NH to the coast i wanted to put this thing to the test ...all the while being aware that dee was on the back ... which she said the back seat was very comfy.... i didnt like the front drivers seat at all maybe used to corbin on mine but to me seat was too soft and i'm short but thought it would be cool if i could have slid back maybe 3 more inches.... i kept i light grip on bars while steering and had no problem banging the RT around ...i must admit i did over steer a couple times till i was about 20 miles into our ride.... power windshield was cool it was windy at beach and i had my helemt fliped up and at top position had no buffetting at all ...i didnt like the soft flyby wire .....i also noticed that maybe it was because of the quiet exhaust but it seemed to me the rpm's didnt seem right at 5500 it sounded like 3500 ... stereo was cool ..... was too warm to try out the grips.... all and all i liked the RT i ran along side tractor trailers behind the in front of them and had no problem one handing the RT not saying it didnt bounce around a bit but not bad enough to have to use 2 hands ..... would i buy one??? no i wouldnt buy one .... thought it was what it is ... a touring bike not meant to be driven like and idiot such as my GS is but i'm not ready for touring .... i like cornering fast enough to almost slide off the seat bangin my GS around like i stole it .... but i have to say for a touring bike i would recommend highly .........

[barb36jack31]

Good review. I felt as if I was riding with you. Nicely done!

[fastfraser]

+1 Great honest write-up ! Thanks Tatt2r

[tatt2r]

Would have liked heated grips on way home tonight

[Ronsam]

Good review

[BajaRon]

Good review. I have not tried the RT for pretty much the same final determination you're getting at. I'm just not really interested in a touring machine. Not that there is anything wrong with touring. You get some big pluses with the RT but you also give some things up.

Nobody has it all and that's what makes it so personal.

The pluses I get from the RS are more important to me than those of the RT. It's just the type of riding I want to do. If I were in the market for a very stable, very comfortable, awsome touring machine I'd be putting my money down for an RT.

My feeling is the handling is probably just fine for many in the stock configuration. Most of the complaints I've heard are in comparrison to the RS and that is really not completely fair. You can't honestly compare the handling of a sedan with a sports car, nor can you honestly compare comfort. They are 2 different machines.

You go with the one that gives you the most of what you really want. You just can't have it all.

Still, I think the RT's handling will improve greatly as aftermarket products catch up to this new machine. That will surely put a big grin on many faces that are less than thrilled with current handling characterists.

[tatt2r]

let me correct myself.... i would buy one if i had enough money to have both .... it would be nice on those nights that dee didnt want to ride hers and we could go out for a nice relaxing cruize .... not that she doesnt want to ride most of the time ...

[bodymanpainter]

It is fun to have both the RTS and the GS my wife and I trade bikes once or twice every week so we can play with both!

[bone crusher]

Good review. I felt as if I was riding with you. Nicely done!

You two would make a cute couple! (just kiddin')...would almost pay to see that...hehe!