K1300GT or R1200RT for 3 day rental trip in Cali?

[Tyrroneous]

Just called the rental place (California Motorcycle Adventures) and they will have an R1200RT in addition to their K1300GT by the time our trip rolls around this July?  Which one is better two-up and which one handles the twisties of Nor-Cal better?  I know the K1300 the rental place owns has all the bells and whistles on it.  Price is the same.  

Just for some reference points: Me short and skinny 5'6" and 130lbs.  Wife is a little shorter but she looks better in a bikini than I do.  

[kevin_stevens]

I'd go with the RT.  The GT is a significantly bigger chunk of metal.  I suppose technically it has more room two-up, but y'all aren't that big and should be fine on either.

KeS

[Scratch33]

RT, definitely.

[DangerMoney]

I've ridden both. Did two trips across western Canada on a 12RT totaling three weeks and over 3000 miles. For me it's no-brainer: RT. The steering is telepathic.

[Dan K]

Cali = twisties being more important than miles, so RT for sure.  It handles better, just doesn't have the same get up and go.  I never liked that rocker engine.  The K1300GT is bigger, faster, and blockier which makes for a great two up highway ride.

A nice k1300S would be a PERFECT compromise...  but of the two, in California twisties, and based on the fact that you and wifey are tiny, RT for sure.

- Dan

[Tyrroneous]

Thanks for the replies y'all.  The RT has been reserved!!  

[Oilcruzer]

Careful!  Anyone under 6 ft will find either bike very tall. Riding two up in traffic at 5 foot 6 could be very tiring if stop and go, plus a serious danger of the droppsies.

[Cablebandit]

Well the RT won't drop as far.  

[eng943]

Tough call. I think the 13GT handles noticeably better than the 12GT, and is almost on par with my RT in the tight stuff and better on sweepers.

I think with my RT I was able to get into a corner a bit quicker (maybe), but with the GT I rocket out of the corner.

My answer....umm both?  

[GooseMan]

Careful!  Anyone under 6 ft will find either bike very tall. Riding two up in traffic at 5 foot 6 could be very tiring if stop and go, plus a serious danger of the droppsies.

happened to me on my last RT rental    its a big bike, especially fully loaded with bags and passenger. I'm 5'9, 160lbs and found it rather large and tippy. Stalled the bike and dropped it (on a weird, uphill, slanted part of the road)

[Tyrroneous]

happened to me on my last RT rental    its a big bike, especially fully loaded with bags and passenger. I'm 5'9, 160lbs and found it rather large and tippy. Stalled the bike and dropped it (on a weird, uphill, slanted part of the road)

Crap.  Not what I wanted to hear!    I'll just have to learn how to split lanes so I never have to stop.    

Since we're flying out there, we'll be packing lighter than usual.  So hopefully that will help some.  

The company I've rented from seem eager to help, so maybe they'll let me rent something else if seat height is just unmanagable.

[GooseMan]

Hehe...it was just a freak thing, stalled at 5mph, I wasnt expecting it and dropped the bike. From that point on, I just felt uncomfortable on the thing and didnt want to ride it any more.

I rented from eagle rider...thankfully we came to an agreement of $250 to repaint the saddebag and mirror, I though it was going to cost me $1000! I'd recommend opting for the insurance...all kinds of stupid stuff can happen on a bike that you're not used to, on roads you're not used to.

The Honda ST1300 was another option, its technically heavier, but feels a lot lower....might have been a better option for me (and you!)  

[BobW]

Sounds like a great trip. With either bike there is a low seat option and the RT also has a "low bike" option. People use height as a qualifier when it is more about inseam, the various versions will offer seat heights unladen at 29.5 to 31.0 inches, pretty manageable based on your listed bikes. Maybe the shop could advise on what seat/heights are on the ones they are offering for rent.

Safe travels

Cheers

[Geoff]

RT