RT vs S vs RS: What I can tell

[Chuey]

Riding the different configurations of early eighties BMW airheads has answered a few questions. Mainly, the differences are the position in which the rider is situated. I am concluding that much of that position, as related to comfort, is going to vary with individuals.

I have now done eight hundred mile days on RT,RS and S configured R100s. First, it was on my RS. The bike is capable and fun to ride. I love the riding position (stock bars and screen) in general but I get sore in the neck and shoulder area on a really long day. 800 miles is a long day for me. I have been hankering to do 1,000 in one day.

In hopes of experiencing less neck/shoulder pain, I tried my S fairing bike, which has stock handlebars and screen. It was just as much fun and it was much better in the extreme heat of the California, Nevada, and Utah deserts. The RS had literally burned a blister on my leg through my vented pants.

I bought an RT in order to see if the more upright sitting position would alleviate some of my neck pain. It did, to a small degree. I think it may have done so to the degree that I may be able to do my goal of 1,000 miles. My neck and shoulder area is still very sore but it is less so than it was on the other two bikes. Sitting upright would put more weight on my butt and I was expecting some butt pain and lower back pain from the different position. That didn't happen. Very unexpected was some discomfort from what I conclude to be the weight of the helmet bearing more directly down on my head. On the other two bikes, that hasn't been noticed directly. I say directly because it's entirely possible that some of the pain I experience is from holding my head up which would be lessened with a lighter helmet. I would like the helmet to be lighter.

As far as the bikes go, I will say that they all have enough power to give me the feeling that they will do anything in traffic, including high speed freeway traffic, that I need.

My RS and S bikes have drum rear brakes and the RT I just bought has a disc rear set-up. It is a much nicer brake than the drum set-ups. Duane made a disapproving comment and said that my drums should be able to skid the rear tire of any BMW. It surely will not do that on clean dry pavement. Of the three bikes, the front brakes are, of course, used more and are the same but have small differences in the master cylinders. I like the smaller (?) master cylinder on my S bike. That bike was put together from parts and I'm pretty sure the difference in the brakes is due to a bit smaller master cylinder.

At first, the handlebar position on the RT felt as if it wouldn't lend good control. After I got used to it, it was fine. I found myself doing a more conscious counter steer with those high, swept back bars. It may be that the lower position of the other two bikes means they steer more with the body lean.

I should say that the screen on the RT is not stock. It looks to be about the same size as stock but is attached with only the four outer bolts. Buffeting from wind when passing trucks is less (almost none) on the RT than on the other two bikes. I would have expected the opposite. It's not a negative for the RT, but I like that feeling of being buffeted by the dirty air behind trucks.

Gas mileage on the RS and S are about 40 mpg and the RT was 33-35. I'm thinking the carbs may need some work (diaphragms?). It ran beautifully and idles better than any airhead I've ridden. I can get 33 mpg in a car, so I don't like that low mileage.

On the RT, the stock stand works very poorly for me in a long ride situation. The bike has bags on and I'd like to deploy the stand before getting off. I really like the Brown side stand on my RS. I don't like the looks of it but it is much more safe and secure for me, especially when I'm getting physically tired or on uneven ground.

Chuey

[Sibbo]

. I have been hankering to do 1,000 in one day.


Chuey

You could just get someone to beat you around the shoulders with a bat while watching travel video .
Cheaper too.

[melville]

. I have been hankering to do 1,000 in one day.


Chuey

You could just get someone to beat you around the shoulders with a bat while watching travel video .
Cheaper too.

He's in San Diego, not San Francisco.

That said, I'm happy for the first person comparo-review. Thanks, Chuey!

[Zombie Master]

What exactly does a 1000 mile day prove? I would think that at your age you would have learned to smell the roses, and ride roads on which a 1000 mile day would be impossible. Curvy roads rather than droning on Interstates and other boring straight stretches. When I was in Europe last year, I was encouraged to ride on the Autobahn, after a short stint on what was basically an Interstate, I avoided them as there were twisty backroads to enjoy. Is this some kind of bucket list thing?

[bbelk]

You could just get someone to beat you around the shoulders with a bat while watching travel video .
Cheaper too.

+1

I also appreciate the comparison as I have never quite sorted out the RT, RS, R something mystery.

[Major Softie]

My RS and S bikes have drum rear brakes and the RT I just bought has a disc rear set-up. It is a much nicer brake than the drum set-ups. Duane made a disapproving comment and said that my drums should be able to skid the rear tire of any BMW. It surely will not do that on clean dry pavement.

Chuey

I'm with Duane: there's something wrong. I've owned 4 or 5 bikes with drum rears, and they could ALL lock the rear brake without difficulty - that is, with a strong push, but not ridiculously strong. The drums I've had were on a 64 BMW, an 84 BMW, and assorted Japanese bikes. Virtually all of them had better feel (to my tastes) than any of the rear discs I've had. I would prefer them for anywhere other than a track, a hack, or towing - all of which can produce the fade to which discs are more resistant.

Keep in mind, I have dismantled, cleaned, lubed, and generally restored the drum brakes on every used bike I've ever bought. It's probably the second thing I do - right after adjusting all the controls to my liking.

[Chuey]

What exactly does a 1000 mile day prove? I would think that at your age you would have learned to smell the roses, and ride roads on which a 1000 mile day would be impossible. Curvy roads rather than droning on Interstates and other boring straight stretches. When I was in Europe last year, I was encouraged to ride on the Autobahn, after a short stint on what was basically an Interstate, I avoided them as there were twisty backroads to enjoy. Is this some kind of bucket list thing?

I already posted about that in another thread. Somehow, I don't think I have to defend my desire to do a thousand mile day.

Chuey

[Chuey]

Keep in mind, I have dismantled, cleaned, lubed, and generally restored the drum brakes on every used bike I've ever bought. It's probably the second thing I do - right after adjusting all the controls to my liking.

In the past, I've owned a Honda CL350, Kawasaki 550 and a Honda 55 trail model. All their rear brakes worked very well. So did the brake on my R1100S. All of my BMWs have been cleaned, scuffed, lubed the cams and lever pivots and some of them have had new shoes installed. Not one of them works well. I use the front brake primarily but would like more rear brake.

I rode a Paul Smart Ducati that belonged to a friend and that bike had a rear brake that probably wouldn't hold you on a hill.

Chuey

[bbelk]

Not one of them works well.

I am 0 - 2 on rear drums on BMWs. They will lock, but you have to really work at it.

[Garnet]

Not one of them works well.

I am 0 - 2 on rear drums on BMWs. They will lock, but you have to really work at it.

Or just have to scare yourself enough.