RS People

[VLT]

So what goes with the RS folks anyone out there no one has posted for weeks I've had my RS for 3 weeks now and been having a heck of a lot fun riding it and adding farkels. So far I've installed Givi racks for my V35 side cases & Givi top case (both off my F800ST), Clearwater fork mounted Darla's and a Billie Jr brake light, Wunderlich lifting handle and reworked the BMW tank bag mounts to use with my Cortech tank bag

[RichKerr]

I think you hit on it there. They're all out riding and having fun! Actually, I'm glad, I don't need any more posts to fuel my lust.

[Scorch]

I just had my 12,000 mile service on Friday / Saturday, and the bike just gets better and better.

(I did have an absolute hoot ​on the R nine T loan bike, though)

[VLT]

After 149K miles between two F800ST's the RS feels like I'm riding the 800's big brother. Bike is awesome and the gear shit assist pro has taken some time to get the hang of but it's great feature

[Scorch]

Yep, I've said before that it's the natural progression from the F800 series for those who loved the bikes, but wanted a little 'more' of everything.

The only place where the F800 still beats the RS is in stop / start city traffic with lots of filtering. Otherwise, the RS is a big step forwards in every respect.

[Bill the Cat]

I have to agree with Ross. The RS is a pig when trying to get it out of the garage. I'm used to riding in the city, and do miss the scooter-like qualities of the F800, but getting more used to handing the RS at low speeds. One thing that has really taken getting used to is that with the F800GT (and ST) when approaching a stop, I stick my foot out in front of the bike as I am slowing, and then roll up to my foot. I've been bonking my shins on the big-ass boxer cylinder heads with that schtick. So I still do the same thing, just less. One other thing is that I can't see the damn kickstand either when it is in the down position, again, obscured by the cylinder heads. Other than that, it's great fun, and has cruise control! Which just like keyless start, I never thought I'd need. Then when you use it, it's "baby where have you been all my life?"

[TelemarkTumalo]

Dave, I had a similar experience with my 1200 GS. It is so much taller, longer and heavier than my ST, that I had some apprehension when moving the GS around in the garage, and performing slow speed maneuvers in tight spaces. This summer, I signed up for one of the Team Oregon Advanced Rider Courses in my home town. I had enjoyed every one I had taken and looked forward to it. On the morning of the course, an intense and busy lightning storm rolled in, and the group voted to reschedule. About 6 weeks later, the course took place, but only 3 of the original 20 or so riders showed up. We had two Team Oregon instructors, and I was bummed because I thought it would be cancelled once again. But, we were all game and rolled off to our slow speed obstacles, slaloms and emergency brakes. Perhaps because there were so few of us, but we got to practice a lot. A lot! The instructors gave rapid fire feed back, and before I knew it, they had me opening the throttle and hammering down to tight corners, pinching the brakes, halting the bike and daring me to touch my feet after a momentary stop, scraping foot pegs and pushing slalom cones incredibly close together. I had this revelation that balance was king. The bike's heft seemed to decrease minute by minute. I guess this is what some riders feel on a good track day, in that their skills dramatically improve. I can't thank those guys enough. The boxer is indeed a heavy engine and requires a stout frame and suspension to carry it well. I would never recommend a rider to exceed their confidence or abilities, but I can also never recommend advanced rider classes enough. YMMV!

[Bill the Cat]

Mark, that sounds like a great class. I've always wanted to do one of those, but with someone else's bike!