I had a 2018 RTL and currently ride a 2021 RT base. The only reason I traded was for the leg room. I have bad knees and just didn't fit on the 2018 very well (the 2018 and 2019 are identical). You said you didn't like the 2020+ floorboards. Why not? You don't have to use the entire 'boards but they're there if you decide you want to stretch your legs out (there are highway pegs available for the 2020+s now, too). I'd rather have something I don't need than to need something I don't have.
The 2020+s DO handle better than the previous generation but it's not night and day. It's more like you feel more confident in a curve rather than you can necessarily go faster although one produces the other. I take curves faster because I'm more confident. You sit about an inch lower on the current gen but I don't think anyone would really notice that unless they were told. I also think the current gen is a bit smoother.
As you mentioned, one of the benefits of the current generation is the handlebars. Most don't care for the stock bars but the 2020+ RT uses ANY of the F3 bars (although the drag bars require a riser). You also have the option of a 2" spacer (thank you, Lamont) or Helibars (which I've got). (I guess, in theory, you could use the 2" spacer AND the Helibars.) F3 bars are dirt cheap. They run from $100-$150. This means you can try different bars without dropping serious dime. I had (3) different sets of bars on my 2021 before I settled on the Helibars. I sold 1 set, I have another for sale and I'll keep the stock bars so I can put them back on whenever I trade up again. The ONLY way to change handlebars on the previous gen was to install the TriAxis bars. They're about $600 and unless you're comfortable completely removing the front of your bike, you'll spend another $500 on labor to have them installed.
There's a little more room on both drivers and passenger seats on the '20+, too. I think an inch more for each seat. I ride solo so I don't care but it might make a difference to your passenger. You also have the OPTIONAL trunk now. The Limiteds come with a trunk but you can buy a cover to put in place of a trunk for around $150. If you opt for the base model (as I did), you can add a trunk although it's pretty freakin' pricey at $2049. There are other trunk options if you're willing to do a little bit of fab work and think outside the box (see? I said "box", like trunk but different
). I just bought a LinQ base plate (which should arrive in the next week or so) and just ordered a Shad top case. It won't look quite as integrated as the OEM box but should look good. Speaking of LinQ, if you don't want the top box, you can buy the LinQ base plate then add any of 6 or 8 different pieces of luggage (for lack of a better word) to that. Everything from tool holders (not really sure what those would be good for) to small waterproof bags good for a days food to bags big enough to take 3 or 4 days worth of clothes and a few inbetween sizes. There's even an insulated cooler you can attach to the LinQ plate. (I think it would look stupid but if your plan is to ride a few hours to have a BBQ, it might be a good way to bring your food, I guess.)
There are other advantages to the 2020+ RT but they're more subtle like there are (2) different "wings" on each side of the new RT instead of just 1 on the previous gen. This mean, if you buy the BuRP adjustable wings/vents, you can better fine tune the extra (or less) air flow. The windscreen seems to be a bit stouter. The one on my '18 moved around quite a bit. The one on my '21 seems pretty rock solid. This is important as one of the "common" (relatively speaking) issues with the previous gen was the main windscreen arm breaking.
Anyway, I say, you can probably find a good 2020 base model for about the same price as a 2019 Limited and you'd get more. If you have to have the Limited model, I'd still look around for a 2020 but you might save some money by buying the 2019. There might be better incentives/rebates on any leftover new 2019s although there aren't many leftovers out there. One thing you might check into is to see if any of your local dealers participate in a riders education course. My 2018 was purchased from a dealer who participated in that. They "donated" 1 each, F3T, F3L, RTL and Ryker to this course. Riders rode them around a big parking lot so they could pass their 3 wheel test but the dealership retained the title. I bought mine new (never titled) but 2 years old and got a really good deal.
