I'm not surprised these bikes don't sell well given the media

Started off road but switched to road bikes at 17: RD250/350LC, GPzs, GSXRs, ZX12R, Blackbird etc. Broke my wrist in my 30s and have a touch of arthritis now so was finding the wrist comfort an issue so last year I did what lots of 50 something men do, sold the Blackbird and the Gixer and bought a GS. It was fantastic in that I could ride with no discomfort, loved the shiftcam engine, shaft drive and electronics. Did 8000 miles on it, so I gave it a good go, but I didn't like the looks, didn't like how common it was, didn't like not getting nods back from other bikers, found it a little under geared, and although it handled well, found it less sharp than I was used to.

When it went in for its 6600 mile service, I took an RS out for an hour and it was like coming home after a year away. Went home a read every review I could find but I found them incredibly frustrating. Most seemed say it was a great bike but conclude by comparing it less favourably to another BMW: so it's not as sharp as an S1000RR, not as comfortable as an RT and not as versatile as a GS. True but surely this is looking through the wrong end of the telescope. If you only want one bike for the road it will tour with 95% of the comfort of the RT and scratch with 95% of the confidence of the RR, and (for most) do everything a GS will but with more poise. And better still, you can set off with one thing in mind but enjoy another if the fancy takes you without wishing you'd brought your other bike.

Anyway, I took it out again to be sure and decided it was the perfect road bike. Torquey, sharp, comfortable (my wife says she can't tell the difference between the RS and the GS except the RS is easier to get on), good looking and no front wheel roar or valve-gear clatter. Better still, because of the popularity of the GS, it only cost me £500 to swap a 21 base-model GS with 8,000 miles for a 21 SE model RS with 2,500 miles. I've put 1,000 miles on it in 3 weeks and am loving it. What a shame it doesn't get better recogntition in the media.

Sorry for the moan but I feel better for getting it off my chest.

Zitat von Jocksa im Beitrag #1

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Started off road but switched to road bikes at 17: RD250/350LC, GPzs, GSXRs, ZX12R, Blackbird etc. Broke my wrist in my 30s and have a touch of arthritis now so was finding the wrist comfort an issue so last year I did what lots of 50 something men do, sold the Blackbird and the Gixer and bought a GS. It was fantastic in that I could ride with no discomfort, loved the shiftcam engine, shaft drive and electronics. Did 8000 miles on it, so I gave it a good go, but I didn't like the looks, didn't like how common it was, didn't like not getting nods back from other bikers, found it a little under geared, and although it handled well, found it less sharp than I was used to.

When it went in for its 6600 mile service, I took an RS out for an hour and it was like coming home after a year away. Went home a read every review I could find but I found them incredibly frustrating. Most seemed say it was a great bike but conclude by comparing it less favourably to another BMW: so it's not as sharp as an S1000RR, not as comfortable as an RT and not as versatile as a GS. True but surely this is looking through the wrong end of the telescope. If you only want one bike for the road it will tour with 95% of the comfort of the RT and scratch with 95% of the confidence of the RR, and (for most) do everything a GS will but with more poise. And better still, you can set off with one thing in mind but enjoy another if the fancy takes you without wishing you'd brought your other bike.

Anyway, I took it out again to be sure and decided it was the perfect road bike. Torquey, sharp, comfortable (my wife says she can't tell the difference between the RS and the GS except the RS is easier to get on), good looking and no front wheel roar or valve-gear clatter. Better still, because of the popularity of the GS, it only cost me £500 to swap a 21 base-model GS with 8,000 miles for a 21 SE model RS with 2,500 miles. I've put 1,000 miles on it in 3 weeks and am loving it. What a shame it doesn't get better recogntition in the media.
Sorry for the moan but I feel better for getting it off my chest.

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I have a friend that works at the Hopp Rider Training events. On the last session this year RS's outnumbered all other bikes.

They are a 'grower' methinks.

I get so many positive comments and expressions of interest in my IAM role too.

I was sold on it last summer, and since then (plus the agonizing wait for the delivery of mine over the last few months) I get really happy when I see one on the road. Most often the XR will make me turn my head due to the similar LEDs before I figure out the height difference.

And, at least SEE, they are rare as hell even with all the ITA/GER/POL/NL tourers going by in the summer.

My count since August 2021 is 6 RS of various colors and nationalities and all were 2019- models.

Compared to that i see 6 GSs on my daily 20min commute to work.

Zitat von Jocksa im Beitrag #1

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Most seemed say it was a great bike but conclude by comparing it less favourably to another BMW: so it's not as sharp as an S1000RR, not as comfortable as an RT and not as versatile as a GS. True but surely this is looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

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Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #5

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Zitat von Jocksa im Beitrag #1

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Most seemed say it was a great bike but conclude by comparing it less favourably to another BMW: so it's not as sharp as an S1000RR, not as comfortable as an RT and not as versatile as a GS. True but surely this is looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

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Love the analogy and totally true. I have read the same from the motorbike press and have thought, they’re missing the point, it’s a great all rounder.

The other thing is yiu will often see a road test of various similar bikes, and then they will mention alternatives, but none of them ever mention the RS, and they call themselves motorcycle journalists.

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #6

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Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #5

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Zitat von Jocksa im Beitrag #1

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Most seemed say it was a great bike but conclude by comparing it less favourably to another BMW: so it's not as sharp as an S1000RR, not as comfortable as an RT and not as versatile as a GS. True but surely this is looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

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Love the analogy and totally true. I have read the same from the motorbike press and have thought, they’re missing the point, it’s a great all rounder.

The other thing is yiu will often see a road test of various similar bikes, and then they will mention alternatives, but none of them ever mention the RS, and they call themselves motorcycle journalists.

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The editor of the Revzilla Common Tread blog/discussion site is honest about this...........trade magazines, electronic or print, aren't written at a journalistic standard. The content supports the ad revenue. So, critical review or assessment is always going to be soft-pedaled or pointed to the popular alternatives.

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I’m also still loving my early 2015 RS which will roll over 40K in the near future.


As others above, from track to touring (I don’t commute).

Looking forward to a few more years till someone tears up my licence.

For a few reasons, I can only have one bike right now. My use is occasional rides around town and then all day rides on the weekend. I tend to ride up in to the New Hampshire mountains or west and the roads are windy. I also came back to riding after 15 years off and tried a Triumph Tiger 1200 first after that hiatus.

For me, the RS is ideal. I do get uncomfortable at the end of a long day and having test ridden an RT, I'm sure I'd be more comfortable on that. However, it just wasn't as engaging a ride. Same goes for the GS. The Triumph was nicely put together, but the CoG was way too high and it baked me.

The RS is the best compromise for what I want. Nothing's perfect but the RS does a lot of things very well, and the engine is pisser.