The RT is such a great bike. The only "touring" bike really that is light and capable enough to be more fun on twisty roads than the heavier touring bikes. Also love how it still feels like a motorcycle, and not an electric scooter.
If you don't plan on doing any off road work then I'd get the RT over the GS any day. They are pricey though but the RT's seems to hold their value pretty good.
After 30+ years on Harley I decide I wanted to tour Europe (I live in the UK). My HD dealer wanted $10k more for a Road Glide than an RT. It was a painful decision but man I don't regret it. My 6 month dilemma was Road Glide or RT. As I have had spinal surgery I doubt I will ever ride off road and you have to think passenger. My partner loves the weather protection the RT has over the GS.
good choice. Ive been Harley for 40 years now on a 24 RT. Ok it doesn't have the same soul but at $10k difference in price (Road Glide) it work for me. In 4 years I put 5k miles on my Fat Boy. In 4 months I have 4k on my RT - Point made. I love riding it on long rides/touring.
But the RT is not perfect - what motor cycle is? I hate the connected ride app so after 4 months iIfound a bracket that I can attach a Garmin Sumo to. No illuminated switch gear at night is also a pain but ok.
My partner and I are touring the Loire Valley in France (wine region) next week on the RT and my sister will be on her 1250 BMW 1250 RS which she bough after a 25 mile test ride 3 months ago. We are UK based by the way. I never did anything like that on the Fat Boy - wrong bike for what I wanted to do I guess.
I have one, they’re fantastic , they’re engaging, economical, characterful, sporty, comfy , they tick more boxes for me than other bikes mine suits me fine … only one thing… the dollar….
@@BlackRiverRider Yep, that was the case for me, too. So I bought a used 2021 model (saved some cash) and joined the club. Now I have a 1250GS and an RT.
I sold my 2022 1250GS late last year with the hopes of purchasing an RT. It took me nearly five months to find what I wanted. It is a 2022 1250RT in the sport blue color with all the options. It only had 3,000 miles when I purchased it in June this year. There are so many motorcycles that I like but this one checks all the boxes and does everything I want in a sport touring motorcycle.
@@andrewbarnes1851 1st to 2nd is clunky, going through neutral, and the gear ratio is wide from 2nd to 3rd gear. 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th, and 5th to 6th are all close ratio shifts, where the quick shifter does quite well. I limit my quick shifts to 3rd- 6th. Far less clunking and thrashing of the cardan joints on the drive shaft and shock loads.
Riding in America looks actually fun. In Australia everyone is so petrified they just form rolling road blocks where they go. 9/10 cars can't do the speed limit because the driver is petrified, they dribble around corners too. You can't get enough speed to lean the bike anywhere, there's always some gronk blocking you haha. I have a 2020 R1250RT and I love it, but it has taken a little to get used to it from my other bikes, mainly trusting the lean or tip-in.
@@Playtechy it definitely has its moments but police like to write tickets like there's no tomorrow. People generally drive pretty crazy regardless so there's plenty of opportunity to open up.
@@pneumaticman5927 I’m sorry that you were in that situation. I hope all is well with you and d your family. I wasn’t trying to be insensitive or anything like that.
@@jhonnydumeny9816 Hey, Johnny, zero worries, brother. It was an excellent question. My stepson’s death aside, I did not fully appreciate how great the bike really was - it spoiled me. There’s a reason the cops all love them. If you think about it, cops are on those things 10 hours a day, in and out of traffic; on and off the bike. They want to go home safe at the end of their shift; they want to accelerate quickly and catch the bad guy, but they often need to stop even quicker. But thank you for your kind comments, amigo. Not much of that on social media these days. I pray God bless you and yours today. ✌🏼
@@BEFastPhotography ehh, it’s all relative. The transmission felt fine, I was referring to the quickshifter. It’s not smooth to me because I’ve rode many different motorcycles with varying levels of quickshifter. This is definitely the most granular and rough feeling. It should shift fine regardless of throttle input as others do on Japanese models. The R1300GS did not have the same problem in my experience.
For the price of the RT in Northeast, I was able to buy a new Goldwing DCT Tour. That is a value to me. The BMW is very expensive to repair and not many dealers around anymore. Yes, nice bike, but you need to look all around it as a value for the dollar.
After just watching your HD Street Glide review . And seeing Your BMW 1250 RT review. You have been on both in the last 2 weeks. If you were going to spend the $30k plus to buy one. Which would it be ?
Just sold my 2022 Street Glide ST and just ordered a Triple Black 1250 RT. With the BMW RT you will not have to practice for hours and watch all the instructional videos on how to do tight 12 foot u-turns as the RT just makes it soooo easy and is 200 pounds lighter. Oh and the insurance is half as much for the BMW and has 3 year warranty.
I like it a lot, but I just can’t agree with the huge fairing. Surely BMW could achieve similar protection characteristics with a better fairing design. It just looks too bulbous and front heavy for my liking.
my experience, which led me to buy one thankfully, is you need a longer test ride. it takes an hour or so just to come to terms with its size. fortunately the salesman said 'go out again for two hours'. brilliant and never looked back.
I have a 2014 (wc). They are not that expensive. Less than half than a brand new one and rides like a charm. A frickin police bike! The best compromise between handling and performance.
@@mihokradovan I addressed it around 1:09. It should work in all gears just fine as most other bikes do. Not just 3-6th smoothly or at the high end of the revs.
@@BlackRiverRider it is a boxer. It will never work like inline 4 engine. Unfortunately. Despite of how "gut" it is. I dont use it. However, gear up = under gas (no hand movement ) Gear down = gas closed.
@@mihokradovan I know how to use a QS. The R1300GS doesn't have the clunky feel in its QS that this does. All of you that have these bikes just make excuses for it. Even the $9,500 Suzuki GSX-8R with a parallel twin is much better. I basically praised the bike the entire time and you pick out the one thing I didn't like. Go waste someone else's time.
@@BlackRiverRider no, I do not excuse it. I do agree, this QS sucks. This is why I dont use it. I am happy with the clutch. Even with the clutch is changing gears not so smooth (especially 3rd gear). Bmw has never known how to make a good gearbox with the boxer engine. Even in 1600GT (inline 6) is the gearbox a comedy. Yes, I have the RT. The reason for it is in something else. I dont need such a QS at all. This is not sportbike. I would prefer a good working automatic gearbox by RT. Not a QS.
5:20 They should keep people like you off of demo's if you don't know how to break in the engine properly. Maximum 5000 rpms for first 600 miles. RTFM, before you go ride.. Show some mechanical sympathy. You don't know what torque feels like until you ride a long stroke motor like a 2018 or newer Harley Davidson on a softail chassis. It starts at 1750 rpm on the 107 and 114's. Gobs, and Gobs of torque on a Harley. A short stroke motor that's overbore, like a BMW, just doesn't make torque. I own both a Softail Sport Glide and a 1250 GS Trophy. Two completely different power plants. One makes torque, the other makes horsepower. Quick shift is useful 3rd - 6th gear, the gap is clunky 1st-2nd due to neutral being in there too, and 2nd - 3rd is a big jump, hard for motor to rev match.
This bike is part of a demo fleet, from the driving academy. It's already broken in and meant to be ridden however you want to, otherwise it wouldn't be given to the general public to ride. I've been on almost every newer Harley, even on the latest 121 CVO. It's actually the next video after this one if you did a little checking before making this post. They make torque sure, but due to being 300+ lbs heavier it's not nearly as noticeable. Thanks for showing your ignorance.
According to the old interwebz, this thing gets 60+ mpg highway with 6.6 gallon tank. 350 mile range at highway speed. 5 hours in the saddle straight doesn't necessarily sound attractive, but it nice to know you can do an Iron Butt on less than 4 fill ups if you have to. 😂
The RT is such a great bike. The only "touring" bike really that is light and capable enough to be more fun on twisty roads than the heavier touring bikes. Also love how it still feels like a motorcycle, and not an electric scooter.
If you don't plan on doing any off road work then I'd get the RT over the GS any day. They are pricey though but the RT's seems to hold their value pretty good.
Agreed, it's definitely a better road bike. Maybe one day I can afford one of them at least.
After 30+ years on Harley I decide I wanted to tour Europe (I live in the UK). My HD dealer wanted $10k more for a Road Glide than an RT. It was a painful decision but man I don't regret it. My 6 month dilemma was Road Glide or RT. As I have had spinal surgery I doubt I will ever ride off road and you have to think passenger. My partner loves the weather protection the RT has over the GS.
I’m trading in my HD Pan America Special for a 2024 RT1250.
You won't be disappointed
good choice. Ive been Harley for 40 years now on a 24 RT. Ok it doesn't have the same soul but at $10k difference in price (Road Glide) it work for me. In 4 years I put 5k miles on my Fat Boy. In 4 months I have 4k on my RT - Point made. I love riding it on long rides/touring.
But the RT is not perfect - what motor cycle is? I hate the connected ride app so after 4 months iIfound a bracket that I can attach a Garmin Sumo to. No illuminated switch gear at night is also a pain but ok.
My partner and I are touring the Loire Valley in France (wine region) next week on the RT and my sister will be on her 1250 BMW 1250 RS which she bough after a 25 mile test ride 3 months ago. We are UK based by the way. I never did anything like that on the Fat Boy - wrong bike for what I wanted to do I guess.
@@garyogden5873 I like the fact the RT
Is fully loaded compared to HD RG.
I have one, they’re fantastic , they’re engaging, economical, characterful, sporty, comfy , they tick more boxes for me than other bikes mine suits me fine … only one thing… the dollar….
The dollar is the only thing keeping me from getting one too haha
@@BlackRiverRider Yep, that was the case for me, too. So I bought a used 2021 model (saved some cash) and joined the club. Now I have a 1250GS and an RT.
I sold my 2022 1250GS late last year with the hopes of purchasing an RT. It took me nearly five months to find what I wanted. It is a 2022 1250RT in the sport blue color with all the options. It only had 3,000 miles when I purchased it in June this year. There are so many motorcycles that I like but this one checks all the boxes and does everything I want in a sport touring motorcycle.
@@Jim-ub9qy That's what it takes sometimes to get the one you want. Congrats!
Quick shifter smooths out as the engine breaks in.
Ahhh I see. Good to know!
Mine has 7k on it and is very smooth, just dont use it below 2k RPM, it’s totally happy above that in all gears.
@@andrewbarnes1851 1st to 2nd is clunky, going through neutral, and the gear ratio is wide from 2nd to 3rd gear. 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th, and 5th to 6th are all close ratio shifts, where the quick shifter does quite well. I limit my quick shifts to 3rd- 6th. Far less clunking and thrashing of the cardan joints on the drive shaft and shock loads.
My friend found one for 17K two or three years old, very nice and with tons of accessories, he loves it
Riding in America looks actually fun. In Australia everyone is so petrified they just form rolling road blocks where they go. 9/10 cars can't do the speed limit because the driver is petrified, they dribble around corners too. You can't get enough speed to lean the bike anywhere, there's always some gronk blocking you haha.
I have a 2020 R1250RT and I love it, but it has taken a little to get used to it from my other bikes, mainly trusting the lean or tip-in.
@@Playtechy it definitely has its moments but police like to write tickets like there's no tomorrow. People generally drive pretty crazy regardless so there's plenty of opportunity to open up.
Sold my 2020 8 months ago. Regret it daily. That bike is perfection.
get another one!
Why did you sell it?
@@jhonnydumeny9816 Family tragedy, and I do mean tragedy. Needed a lot of cash immediately.
@@pneumaticman5927 I’m sorry that you were in that situation. I hope all is well with you and d your family. I wasn’t trying to be insensitive or anything like that.
@@jhonnydumeny9816 Hey, Johnny, zero worries, brother. It was an excellent question. My stepson’s death aside, I did not fully appreciate how great the bike really was - it spoiled me.
There’s a reason the cops all love them. If you think about it, cops are on those things 10 hours a day, in and out of traffic; on and off the bike. They want to go home safe at the end of their shift; they want to accelerate quickly and catch the bad guy, but they often need to stop even quicker.
But thank you for your kind comments, amigo. Not much of that on social
media these days. I pray God bless you and yours today. ✌🏼
I bought a 2006 for 4000$ last year, I love it, it has all the options you need
The transmission seems clunky to you because you don't know how to shift it. Do NOT release the throttle at shift points, just shift.
@@BEFastPhotography ehh, it’s all relative. The transmission felt fine, I was referring to the quickshifter. It’s not smooth to me because I’ve rode many different motorcycles with varying levels of quickshifter. This is definitely the most granular and rough feeling. It should shift fine regardless of throttle input as others do on Japanese models. The R1300GS did not have the same problem in my experience.
For the price of the RT in Northeast, I was able to buy a new Goldwing DCT Tour. That is a value to me. The BMW is very expensive to repair and not many dealers around anymore. Yes, nice bike, but you need to look all around it as a value for the dollar.
@@alp3781 understandable for sure.
After just watching your HD Street Glide review . And seeing Your BMW 1250 RT review. You have been on both in the last 2 weeks. If you were going to spend the $30k plus to buy one. Which would it be ?
R1250RT all day, everyday.
Just sold my 2022 Street Glide ST and just ordered a Triple Black 1250 RT. With the BMW RT you will not have to practice for hours and watch all the instructional videos on how to do tight 12 foot u-turns as the RT just makes it soooo easy and is 200 pounds lighter. Oh and the insurance is half as much for the BMW and has 3 year warranty.
@@ericjames7680 Congratulations.
@@guinnessstjames3627 Thank You!
@@ericjames7680 Looking forward to some vids showing off the new bike.
Nice review.
Very good video, i'm french, i am owner Tiger 2023. Do you think GS is more handy than 1250RT ? Thanks
The GS is more versatile and still handles very well on the road. If you wanted the ability to go off road at all I would go for the GS over the RT
@@BlackRiverRider
OK, thanks
No it is not. GS is much taller and centre of gravity is higher. I rode both.
In agility is the RT winner. More sporty, subjectivly lighter.
La RT est très maniable, je n’ai pas préféré la GS pour ça.
I just traded my2019 1200GS in for a 2023 R1250RT, I can feel and see the differences.....
@@blick5815 good choice. Amazing machine.
Have you tried the Tracer GT+?
I've tried a 2019 Tracer 900 GT, but not the latest model. It was very fun, just so much wind buffeting. Loved the engine and ergo's though.
I like it a lot, but I just can’t agree with the huge fairing. Surely BMW could achieve similar protection characteristics with a better fairing design. It just looks too bulbous and front heavy for my liking.
@@MHeadroom it is a bit large, but the new 1300RT looks like it will be a little more streamlined
This is how to sell an 1250rt. Just let a prospect ride one! 🙂
my experience, which led me to buy one thankfully, is you need a longer test ride. it takes an hour or so just to come to terms with its size. fortunately the salesman said 'go out again for two hours'. brilliant and never looked back.
This bike want's to cook! SHEEEEESH
LET... IT... COOK!
Looks like a great bike, but out of my price range.
Same here, I ride an MT07 haha
I have a 2014 (wc). They are not that expensive. Less than half than a brand new one and rides like a charm. A frickin police bike! The best compromise between handling and performance.
Another one who does not know how to use the QS.
@@mihokradovan I addressed it around 1:09. It should work in all gears just fine as most other bikes do. Not just 3-6th smoothly or at the high end of the revs.
@@BlackRiverRider it is a boxer. It will never work like inline 4 engine. Unfortunately.
Despite of how "gut" it is. I dont use it.
However, gear up = under gas (no hand movement )
Gear down = gas closed.
@@mihokradovan I know how to use a QS. The R1300GS doesn't have the clunky feel in its QS that this does. All of you that have these bikes just make excuses for it. Even the $9,500 Suzuki GSX-8R with a parallel twin is much better. I basically praised the bike the entire time and you pick out the one thing I didn't like. Go waste someone else's time.
@@BlackRiverRider no, I do not excuse it. I do agree, this QS sucks. This is why I dont use it. I am happy with the clutch. Even with the clutch is changing gears not so smooth (especially 3rd gear). Bmw has never known how to make a good gearbox with the boxer engine. Even in 1600GT (inline 6) is the gearbox a comedy.
Yes, I have the RT. The reason for it is in something else. I dont need such a QS at all. This is not sportbike.
I would prefer a good working automatic gearbox by RT. Not a QS.
5:20 They should keep people like you off of demo's if you don't know how to break in the engine properly. Maximum 5000 rpms for first 600 miles. RTFM, before you go ride.. Show some mechanical sympathy. You don't know what torque feels like until you ride a long stroke motor like a 2018 or newer Harley Davidson on a softail chassis. It starts at 1750 rpm on the 107 and 114's. Gobs, and Gobs of torque on a Harley. A short stroke motor that's overbore, like a BMW, just doesn't make torque. I own both a Softail Sport Glide and a 1250 GS Trophy. Two completely different power plants. One makes torque, the other makes horsepower. Quick shift is useful 3rd - 6th gear, the gap is clunky 1st-2nd due to neutral being in there too, and 2nd - 3rd is a big jump, hard for motor to rev match.
This bike is part of a demo fleet, from the driving academy. It's already broken in and meant to be ridden however you want to, otherwise it wouldn't be given to the general public to ride. I've been on almost every newer Harley, even on the latest 121 CVO. It's actually the next video after this one if you did a little checking before making this post. They make torque sure, but due to being 300+ lbs heavier it's not nearly as noticeable. Thanks for showing your ignorance.
Of course the "until you ride a Harley" but was coming lmao 💀
According to the old interwebz, this thing gets 60+ mpg highway with 6.6 gallon tank. 350 mile range at highway speed. 5 hours in the saddle straight doesn't necessarily sound attractive, but it nice to know you can do an Iron Butt on less than 4 fill ups if you have to. 😂
@@stevenwright6573 I can’t confirm, but wouldn’t doubt it haha.
Those might be UK gallons, but, the ranges and mpgs I've seen around are pretty good.