2-up on a 1200RT... Oh, I'm short!

[ckcondon]

Hey gang,

Noob to the forum. Hi!

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a new bike (for me). I've ridden lots of bikes over the years from dirt bikes to cruisers.
I currently ride an HD Street Bob. Love the bike and actually rode it cross country with my brother last year. You guessed it, he's got an RT. We ended up at the BMW rally in TN (Sorry about the pipes!). I enjoyed the rally and have a new appreciation for the BMW brand
I've spent some time riding my brother's and think it would be a great compliment to the HD. I like performance riding (Just sold a Ducati 749) and like to flog it a bit on the twisties. My first choiuce is a used 1200RT (New is just not in the budget). I'm also considering a Concours14 (Ducks behind desk...)

My biggest concern with this bike (and most every ST) is the height. I plan to travel with my wife and am concerned about feet on the ground. I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam. My brother has a lowered saddle and I have no problem with his bike, but I've never had a passenger.

I'm curious how others find the RT for two-up touring and if there are any short riders who do it and what you do to make it less challenging.

Thanks!

Chris

[Mr Sunshine]

I have a 29" inseam (5'9") and in 2008 I rented a R1200Rt in Europe for 7 days.  My wife and I went two up fully loaded through the Alps and what not.  I had the OEM lower seat on it and didn't ahve any issues.

But I did have 16k miles of experience two up and loaded on my R1150RT.  

When you add a passenger the rear compresses more and makes it easier.  

[ckcondon]

Thanks, that makes sense.
How did the missus like the 1200?

[propeller]

The Concours 14 is a tall bike.

At 5'10'' with 32'' inseam I'm able to handle the beast on flat ground (two-up or not) but adding an airhawk seat or on an off camber road beware! It is a compromise I'm ready to do so my legs are not cramped on long days.

Find a dealer to demo it and good luck with your purchase. The RT is a great bike too. Decision, decision...

[Mr Sunshine]

Thanks, that makes sense.
How did the missus like the 1200?

She loved it.  In fact I would have a R1200RT if the new Multistrada 1200 didn't come out.  

[falconati]

The RT would be much better for a short rider.  Not only is it shorter stock, you can get a lower seat, or can even lower the whole bike.

[Scoop]

I have a bit more inseam, but not much.  I went from a VStrom to the RT last year.  I love the RT.  I definitely don't find it tall and it is very well mannered with my wife and all her baggage on the back.  Then there's the luggage too  
Kidding, of course.  The bike is quite easy to handle two up.  The adjustable suspension helps too.  I have seen them lowered and with lower seats too, not too costly and very effective.  

[motoguy128]

When you add a passenger the rear compresses more and makes it easier.  

The affect is very noticeable.  The RT is an oustanding 2-up bike.  It doens't compromsie the performance nad handling as much as on any other biek I've used 2-up.  It almost seems liek it was designed for a passenger as much as for a solo rider.  I think the passenger actually has more legroom.

You can always have your seat custom made to shave off another 1/2".

To be safe, get some crash bars.

To be honest, I've been on some uneven trrain and have had my wife get on and off with only 1 foot on the ground.  It's all about how smooth the pasenger is, and your leg strength and balance.

I'm 5'11" wth a 32" imseam and I ride with the seat in the high positoin.  So 29" with a low seat i nteh low psotion might even be "lower" than how I'm riding.  I like the extra leg room and better visibility of sitting up higher.  If your off-balance and are going to fall over...well your going to fall over.  Another 1/2" won't make any difference.


When comparing the RT to the C14, I think you'll find the RT is not only lighter by about 80lbs or so, but it carriers it's weight much lower.  On longer trips in spring and fall, heated seat, heated grips and cruise control are great to have!!!  My wife wouldn;t trade her heated seat for anything.  I think it's the only reason I was allowed to buy my RT.

[Hardware]

The front seat has two positions.  I leave mine in the higher notch, but I'm 6'2".  

[Mr Sunshine]

I remember while in Italy going up a steep switch back road there was this one left curve where I was about to go into a corner and when I look up (I was going upwards) there was a freaking tour bus about to turn through the corner.  

This meant I had to go straight and then stop on the edge of the road.  When I stopped my left foot was oh...about 18" from the ground just dangling and I had my weight on the right leg.  Oh that was soooo much fun as if I had tried to put my left foot down we would have both falling off and gotten run over by a tour bus (yes they were that close).


The less is...I do'nt understand why people try to get both feet down.  You need to be able to handle the random one foot only down situations.  

[motoguy128]

I remember while in Italy going up a steep switch back road there was this one left curve where I was about to go into a corner and when I look up (I was going upwards) there was a freaking tour bus about to turn through the corner.  

This meant I had to go straight and then stop on the edge of the road.  When I stopped my left foot was oh...about 18" from the ground just dangling and I had my weight on the right leg.  Oh that was soooo much fun as if I had tried to put my left foot down we would have both falling off and gotten run over by a tour bus (yes they were that close).


The less is...I do'nt understand why people try to get both feet down.  You need to be able to handle the random one foot only down situations.  

I had hte same thing happen...I did fall over.  But neither of us wre hurt, only my pride and a few scrapes on th engien case, mirro and side case.

But having the seat 1, 2 or even 3" lower would not have made any diffrence.  If you can get the ball of one foot or both feet on the ground, you are pelnty low enough.  At most lights, I only put 1 foot down and only the ball of my foot at that.

Actaully, from years of riding bicycle with clipless pedals I avoid putting a foot down at all or even comming to a complete stop unless I have to.  I'll creep at 1 mph as long as I can if I think the light is about to change... and watch the rear view mirror.

[Lon]

I rented one a couple of years ago.  I'm 5'5" tall.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,22845.msg538815.html#msg538815

It is 150lbs lighter - and feels it - than the ST1300.  It's a few less horsepower, but higher power to weight.  The engine is less smooth (but plenty smooth enough).

The windscreen had some distortion, but I think the one I rented had an aftermarket one.

Touching both feet down is very helpful when you have 700lbs of bike + passenger, but I do not recall being nervous with only balls-of-feet down on the R1200RT.

Then again, I rode a KTM 690SMC last year at Americade, which is quite a tall bike.  

I wanted to ride the 690 Enduro R, but ... um, I wasn't even close to touching one foot down.

[ckcondon]

Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it!

I decided to get the RT. I found one not too far from home that was a great deal, so we picked her up on Fri.
2007 R1200RT w/only 6000 mi. First service already done. Immaculate conditions and came with three saddles.
It has the stock, factory low and Corbin w/backrest. It also came with hwy pegs and top trunk.
I left the Corbin passenger pad/backrest on and put the low up front. It fits great! With my thick-soled riding boots, I'm on toes solo and almost flat-footed with the wife on board. It feels very well balanced and I'm really happy I went with the RT.

We're definitely going to enjoy this bike and look forward to putting the miles on her!

Chris

[Scoop]

Enjoy it for sure.  I don't think that you will be disapointed.  I can't wait to get mine out of the garage.  It's very springlike here, but it's not fooling anyone.  We are still fair game for big snow until at least May.
Enjoy the bike.  We are quite happy with our Rt.