Haha @TodkaVonicWell-reasoned and responsible. I totally get the unwanted attention thing. Not the part about the distasteful direction, no that’s hardly ever an issue. I mean the part about talking motorcycles when you really just want to get on with your errands. Oh yeah? You had an R60? That’s great. All original you say? Yeah. K. Ear plugs going in. And you’re still talking. Ok. I’m putting on my helmet…
Enjoy the RT and know that you’re always welcome back!
No way. Your bubbles are fine. The R18 is a beautiful motorcycle by anybody’s standards. The RT is functional and can grow on you, but the R18 is a ‘motorcycle’ (according to my daughter). Her first words on seeing my older XR - ‘you bought a scooter?’
All excellent, sensible reasons! Good luck with your new ride...
I am a member of the RT forum, from when I had my 2021 RT, which I traded for my R18TC, lol. The forum was pretty much stagnant imo. The RT is a great bike. I am sure you will enjoy it.
I have a 2022 RT Triple Black, still learning the TFT connect stuff. Long time RT rider absolutely love my RT. See you over at the other forums.
I feel my R18 Transcontinental is a beast, definitely the heaviest bike I’ve ever owned. Riding with my wife, she had me do some last second turns which had me stop and turn around. The bike felt like it was going to drop a couple times but I held it up. The next day I found I had pulled a back muscle which lasted a few days. This happened a couple times now and I’m wondering if this is the bike for me. I’m 64 and not getting any younger.
Only you can decide, if the bike will work for you. Age, is not the deciding factor, as I am 65, 5'10 and 165lbs, and have no problem handling the TC. Granted, I have to consider, what I am gonna do, before I do it. That said, the bike is wonderful imo. It has transformed me from a hooligan on my RT, to a laid back cruising guy, on the TC & R18FE cruiser. I am so enjoying both bikes. I think you will too...
The problem also is that I still have some hooligan in me as well, but I can only have one bike in the stable. And the TC is definitely not a hooligan bike.
I'm just a year older so I appreciate your comments and there is no doubt the R18 is a big girl and for anyone to pretend she's not is silly. You're fortunate to have SWMBO enjoying riding with you and the best way to pick a bike for the two of you is to test ride two up. I have also been on smaller and lighter bikes that were very awkward to maneuver too and overall one of the hardest was the LT as it was a stretch for my stump legs and a bit tipsy to boot. Anyway, With so many outstanding motorcycles available there is no reason to stay with one that just isn't getting you in your happy place especially if one has the means and opportunity to continue the quest.
Hi Vikki I find my R18 very easy to handle, its low center of gravity helps a lot, I think you needed some pointers to make your problems go away, but best wishes for your new ride.... jpHi all
With bittersweet feelings, I am no longer a part of this special and small community of R18 riders. A few days ago, I traded in my R18 for an RT. I am happy with the RT, but I also miss the sheer beauty and visceral presence of the R18. Here are some points that will hopefully justify why I did what I did
Why I got an R18
Why I traded in the R18
- Beautiful, unique, demands attention
- I came from an F900XR and needed something that could handle 80+ mph without screaming it's head off
- Got a good deal on a first edition
- I wanted to go on longer rides up the west coast and the XR just didn't seem like it was a good choice (turns out the R18 wasn't it for me either, but I didn't know this then)
I think that's everything in my head. Maybe I will be motivated enough someday, and in a situation, where I can get back on this beautiful motorcycle. Until then, its the RT for me.
- I commute to work everyday in moderate to heavy traffic about 25 miles round trip. I am 150lbs and 6' and I'm not super strong - come midweek, I was finding myself exhausted which would almost inevitably make me take my car to work. Basically, the R18 was just too much work for me in a commuting mindset. For a weekend experience where there isn't the typical added stress of work traffic, making meetings etc, it's great - but it just didn't step up for me as a vehicle to commute with; a result of my poor decision going into this a year ago.
- Height. Compared to the XR, and now the RT, even with a Corbin seat, the bike was way too low for me. Again, not an issue if I'm just using it to leisure cruise - constant legs up and down in work traffic got really tiresome really quick. Combined with this, medication I am on gives me muscle cramps easily, and every morning was a painful experience until I was 'acclimatized' for the day. Not an issue with the RT.
- Wind noise. I think this is self explanatory; even with a biggish Givi windscreen, it was loud. The RT is shockingly quiet in comparison.
- Weight. Like I said earlier, it was tiring me out.
- Luggage and accessories. I made the HUGE mistake of getting an R18 without cruise control. Coupled with commuting duty, this was a nightmare. Also, I needed more room to cart all my stuff - laptop, purse, work clothes etc, and I was able to make this work using the BMW saddlebags; but the lack of additional options, and the lack of being able to secure and lock my stuff was an irritant.
- Beautiful, unique, demands attention
yes, this was a pro for me but got a little irksome pretty quick. Yes, I loved the conversations the bike would trigger...but...I'm not enough of a motorcycle enthusiast to drop everything else for said conversations all of the time; sometimes I just want to get my stuff and go. Also, some of these conversations seemed to turn away from motorcycles and towards a direction I'm not interested in so...yeah.
Thanks for reading!
Vikki
I suppose its an individual thing. This morning I did about 70 miles on back highway, the interstate and the rural roads to my house. I've found that if I'm the right gear/rpm at the lower speeds, the buzz on my rear isn't as noticeable. I'm convinced the R18 (I have a Classic) is much better suited for the 70mph-80mph of the interstate than many have expressed. Locked in at about 75-80, the R18 smooths out and the buzz in both handlebars and seat go away. The seat is a definite first upgrade for most but for me, not as much. Weirdly, the Classic windscreen reenlisted is perfect for me at 6'3". Now if I was planning on a long trip over 4-7 days, I might not be so forgiving. I do think I could do 350-400 miles over a day though.The R18 exhausts me to ride if the trip is over 50 miles, doubly so on roads with lots of traffic lights. Luckily, when I get too old to ride her, I have a '71 BSA Lightning to fall back on. I can throw her around all day.
With the annual motorcycle inspections, I spent an afternoon shuttling each of my bikes to the inspection shop, so I got to do a lot of back to back riding. The weight is definitely more noticeable on the R18 vs my GSA which is 250lbs lighter, but my S1000R is still 100lbs lighter than the GSA, so it was easier still. The Vespa is 100 pounds lighter than the S1000R, so feels almost like a bicycle in comparison to the R18C given it is 455lbs lighter.
Good summation. You summed up my sentiment about the R18C perfectly. It just pulls my heartstrings harder than the other bikes. That said, like you, I would have the R1250GSA hands down if I only had one in the stable. Glad I'm blessed with a couple more options.
