Change to R1250RT

[Timsound]

Considering switching to a BMW R1250RT. I love the ST, but am missing come of the more creature comforts in these shoulder seasons (heated grips, seats, cruise control etc….)

Has anyone switched either way and what did you find?

Any other recommendations on bikes? I want the same or better wind protection.

Thanks

 

[Cortina]

Must be an American term ..... what is a shoulder season ?

I had a R1200RT - w/c - kind of the same thing - great bike , nothing really to complain about . Much more economical than the Pan (better mpg)

 

[Bug Dr.]

A whole bunch of people have switched from an ST to a RT. I converted in 2012 and haven't owned a ST since. My guess is that you will probably like it. However, the foot pegs on the RT are higher than they are on the ST.
Other bikes would be the Goldwing, FJR, K1600 series (GT, GTL, B, Grand American), GSA, and older Concours. These would have good wind protection. Less wind protection would include RS, FJ09GT, Triumph 900GT, etc. You've many choices......almost too many.
Mike

 

[Timsound]

Must be an American term ..... what is a shoulder season ?

I had a R1200RT - w/c - kind of the same thing - great bike , nothing really to complain about . Much more economical than the Pan (better mpg)

The shoulder seasons are spring and fall.

 

[Nexus]

Considering switching to a BMW R1250RT. I love the ST, but am missing come of the more creature comforts in these shoulder seasons (heated grips, seats, cruise control etc….)

All that stuff can be added with aftermarket kits:

Koso Apollo Heated Grips - RevZilla

When it's cold enough to use heated grips the roads probably aren't in the best shape. The last thing you want to do is take a hand off to adjust a he…

www.revzilla.com

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Honda ST1300 | 800-538-7035

Corbin Motorcycle Seats, Saddles, and Accessories Online

www.corbin.com

Cruise Control for Honda ST1300 / ST1300A servo

(10% GST will be added in the cart for Australian orders only) The Motorcycle Cruise Control unit is specifically designed for this vehicle. The motorcycle cruise installation instructions and specific cruise manuals and supporting documents can be found here. NOTE: - The optional low switch...

www.mccruise.com

I have the grips and tne cruise control. Both work very well. I haven't bothered with seat as I also have heated gear.

 

[dduelin]

I went to an older RT (2007) about 5 years ago. I thought I would be riding an ST forever but the RT was a good switch for me. I absolutely am in love with mine. RTs are a good deal lighter and their balance and handling are step above not to mention the comfort features you mention. If a dealer is involved service and maintenance can be expensive but most owners know that going in.

 

[Bmacleod]

I recently moved from an ST1300 to an RT1250RT and while I do like the RT, I'm not sure it is worth the cost and that is a completely personal opinion. The RT is more refined. The ST engine is, IMO, better. It is much smoother. The RT is lighter, nimbler and handles better. The tech is more advanced on the RT. Yes, you have the comforts of Cruise control, heated grips and seats. I love the cruise and dont think I will use the heated grips and/or seat. The RT stock seat is better than the ST stock seat, by a mile, but still not suitable for long distance riding. I can ride for a couple of hours comfortably on the RT, while the stock ST seat was uncomfortable by the end of my driveway, but to be fair, it is a long driveway... LOL. I upgraded the ST seat to a Russel seat and I will be upgrading the RT seat to a Seth Laam seat in the spring. This is a personal thing... some may find the stock RT seat fine. The RT has just as crouched a riding position as the ST, maybe worse. Keep this in mind if you have long legs. Wind protection is the same, for the most part. Fuel range is a bit less on the RT, but it doesnt seem to bother me... YMMV
In summary, the RT is a great bike but so is the ST. While the RT is more refined, I'm realizing that the ST was not that far behind to begin with. I do LOVE the lighter weight and the nimbleness and improved handling... I'm just surprised that the RT was not leaps and bounds better. You can upgrade the ST with cruise and heated grips for alot less than the cost to upgrade to an RT. I dont think you can go wrong with an RT upgrade, as long as it is worth the cost to you.

 

[Mellow]

Engine wise, some hate the boxer coming from a smooth v4 or flat 6...I like it just fine myself and obviously you get lots of tech. Some like that and some don't, I love it.

Take one for a ride, only you can know if it will work for you.

 

[Bmacleod]

Take one for a ride, only you can know if it will work for you.

...this...

Also, forgot to mention, the engine heat issue of the ST is gone. The design of the boxer, having the cylinders down low, while lowering the center of gravity also moves the cylinders away from in front of the rider's crotch and under the fuel tank. While I never considered my ST that bad, heat wise, now that I ride the RT I notice the difference is huge

 

[Uncle Phil]

FWIW, cruise control, heated grips and a better seat can easily be added for a lot less than a new motorcycle ...
But it's your nickel and you get to spend it like you want!
BTW, even with the 'expensive' MCCruise and Russell Daylong seat you are talking about way less that $3,000.
But it only makes sense if you are going to keep the bike long term.

 

[Daboo]

You have so many choices. We'll be glad to help you spend your money.

I think the first question to ask, is what do you want out of the bike? This is a good opportunity to reevaluate your riding and the tool to do it with. For instance, maybe you thought about riding on some forest roads, but didn't think the weight and fairing panels were conducive to that kind of riding.

How old are you? That's a factor. Do you buy a motorcycle for today? Or five years down the road when you're deep into your 70s, and maybe not as strong as you'd like to be.

I wouldn't rule out the mid-sized bikes? I would've thought years ago that you got great wind protection only from the big sport-touring bikes. I was surprised at my BMW F800GT with how well it kept the wind off me. If I put my hand down on my knee, it was in calm air. If I moved it out an inch or so, it hit the full blast of the wind. The aerodynamics of the newer mid-sized bikes has them performing as well as the larger bikes in cross-winds. And they are much much easier to fling about when canyon carving.

And then...compare the costs to modify what you have already, with what you'd like to get. Heated grips are cheap. It doesn't take buying a new motorcycle to get cruise control.

Chris

 

[canada_67]

All that stuff can be added with aftermarket kits:

Koso Apollo Heated Grips - RevZilla

When it's cold enough to use heated grips the roads probably aren't in the best shape. The last thing you want to do is take a hand off to adjust a he…

www.revzilla.com

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Honda ST1300 | 800-538-7035

Corbin Motorcycle Seats, Saddles, and Accessories Online

www.corbin.com

Cruise Control for Honda ST1300 / ST1300A servo

(10% GST will be added in the cart for Australian orders only) The Motorcycle Cruise Control unit is specifically designed for this vehicle. The motorcycle cruise installation instructions and specific cruise manuals and supporting documents can be found here. NOTE: - The optional low switch...

www.mccruise.com

I have the grips and tne cruise control. Both work very well. I haven't bothered with seat as I also have heated gear.

I can personally recommend the cruise control from MCCruise… not cheap, but an excellent product complete with everything you need, comprehensive installation instructions and great support.

You can also opt to add the ability to calibrate the speedo/odometer +/- 20%.

 

[dduelin]

"All those upgrades are available aftermarket for ~ $3000."

I paid $3500 for my RT 5 years and 72,000 miles ago. There are deals on used bikes now that the market has flipped from Covid years.

 

[MR Q.]

I had a ST with 122,00 when I sold it this spring, bought a new 1250RT in July of 2023. I haven't missed the ST as all. I enjoy all the tech updates, I did send the seat to Laam and bought a larger screen as mine had the small sport screen (great for hot weather, but no real protection for long trip and spring/fall riding) from the factory.