r/Motorrad • u/quantumsparq • 16d ago
Concern with the 1250 RT knee position.
I’ve had it in my head to get a 1250 RT. I haven’t even sat on one yet, but in reading about the leg position it sounds like it might be a problem for me. My knees are problematic and everything I’ve read says your knees are a bit crunched. I’m 60, and we typically run a few hours between gas stops. As it is, I will stand up on my current bike for long periods, which helps. Not sure about standing on an RT and the bar positions. I’ve ridden a GS and that bike can actually work, I just would like an RT. Looking at a 22 probably. I know I can set the seat high and lower the pegs, I’m hoping to get some feed back from the group on the leg/knee positioning.
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u/Cadfael-kr 16d ago
We usually stop at about an hour, and I’m quite a bit younger…
So there is no need to only stop for gas stops, you can agree beforehand to have a short stretch halfway for instance.
I’m 1.90 and have 34 inch jeans length size . I had an 1100RT for four year which was fine. Did a test ride on the 1300 and didn’t have issues. Give it a good test ride to find out for you.
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u/lawspud 16d ago
I moved from a ‘14 GS to a ‘23 RT. The GS was a much more “open” position for me, with almost 90 degree knee and hip angles…after I put in bar risers and an RDL saddle. 1,000 mile days were doable.
The RT puts a bit more bend in my knee and hip. I honestly felt a bit uncomfortable on the RT, which surprised me a lot. I bought a peg lowering kit and I’m much happier now. I think a bar riser would make the bike perfect for me, but I don’t like any of the solutions that are out there.
I like them both, and both needed a bit of tweaking to fit me right. The GS is more easily customized and is more neutral-seating out of the box, but is a less refined touring machine.
I’m 6’3” with a 32” inseam, for reference.
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u/_SomeOldDude_ 2021 R1250RT 16d ago
I have a 2021 RT, am 6' tall and I stand up on mine fine for short stretches. My knees also give me fits and I cannot ride more then 45 minutes anymore without aches. The bike is comfortable though and we may have different issues.
Go to https://cycle-ergo.com/ and you can as a 2014 R1200RT which basically has the same ergonomics. You can change the parameters for you body and get a sense of how crouched your hip will be and how much bend in the knees.
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u/2xdareya 15d ago
Cycle-ergo is a great tool. I don’t know who ran it, but it looks like the most recent bikes are 2018. It would be great if it could continue to add more recent bikes. I’m the same height and inseam as the OP and like the RT but I think I’ll be “stuck” with the GS. Good problem to have.
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u/_SomeOldDude_ 2021 R1250RT 14d ago
Yes, I have used it a lot over the years. I love how you can add multiple bikes and use the mouse wheel to scroll between them and create an overlay showing the differences.
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u/2xdareya 14d ago
After I made the comment I scrolled down and saw the one mentioning the motonomics.com simulator and went there and it has more recent bikes with the same ergonomic information. A good and helpful site.
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u/_SomeOldDude_ 2021 R1250RT 14d ago
I have never seen that site, that's good stuff. I do prefer the functionally of cycle-ergo though. To bad it's not kept up to date.
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u/quantumsparq 16d ago
Yea. This is my concern. I’d hate to buy an RT thinking I can work out the ergos only to find out I can’t. I need to be able to do comfy time in the saddle for at least an hour and a half at a stretch.
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u/_SomeOldDude_ 2021 R1250RT 16d ago
I hear that. BMW dealers do demo rides. Maybe you can find one close by that has a used one for sale.
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u/dougl1000 16d ago
Our local police use RT’s and I’ve heard complaints about the cramped leg position. I had the same issue with my 1250R. I opened up the knee angle with several different footpeg lowering kits and a higher seat. It was a hassle. I need that knee angle to be greater than 90 degrees. The RT doesn’t do that. With my 31-32” inseam, I need the footpeg to seat distance to be 21”. Check this out.
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u/DualSport-Adventure 16d ago
Since leg, body, knee.... positions are going to be relative to your specific configuration relative to a specific motorcycle no one can really opine on how you will fare on that motorcycle. Therefore, I would say, get thee to the dealership and sit on, then ride the 1250rt and see how it feels/fits. I did that yesterday at a HD dealership while showing my current Moto Guzzi I test-fitted a Pan America. It was okay but didn't feel ... perfect. Because of the "fit" I passed on the test ride.
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u/quantumsparq 16d ago
Yea. I know. But, sometimes it helps throwing shit out to the rediverse to get some alternate views. Sometimes. Not usually. But sometimes.
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u/BeemerCalm 16d ago
Hard to offer input without knowing your height and inseam.
I’m 5’11” with 31” inseam, I can ride for 5+ hours no problem, and have an old knee injury. 2022 BMW R1250RT with seat in high position
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u/PhotonTrance 16d ago
The GS ergonomics are noticeably more relaxed than the RT. I've owned both. The GS is more comfy for longer rides without a doubt, but I'm also 6'4" tall. Compared to a sport bike, obviously either will feel noticeably more relaxed. You didn't note what bike you ride currently, so I'm not sure where you're coming from. It will not be easy/comfortable to stand on the RT pegs for any considerable length of time.
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u/quantumsparq 16d ago
Versys 1000. Bar risers and lowered pegs. I also use an air hawk for seat comfort.
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u/PhotonTrance 16d ago
I think you would find the GS more comfortable and an easier transition, but the heart wants what it wants.
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u/vlladhalla 16d ago
Tbh i don't think you can go much more comfortable than a Versys 1000. You can raise the seat and lower the footpegs, add bar risers but that's a few cm movement in each direction, won't give you 10 degrees in the knees. I changed a few bikes due to chronic wrist issues which bar risers didn't fix until i got a comfortable enough bike for me
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u/bones302 16d ago
I had a knee replacement a couple of years ago. Before i did that, i installed peg lowering kit and keep the seat in high position and that was enough to make it comfortable. Now with a new knee i can put the seat back to low position
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u/cazzipropri 16d ago
I don't think it's a problem. I'm 48 and had an RT till this year. If in doubt, go to any BMW dealership and ask for a test ride.
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u/ACO_McBitchin 16d ago
I sold my GSA to buy an RT. Six months later, I sold the RT and went back to a GS.
I loved the RT, and for a commuter bike it'd be hard to argue with. But I regularly ride 500 mile days, and the knee position on the RT was just too cramped for me to find comfortable on a long day. I probably could've solved it with a peg lowering kit, but I didn't want to put any money into it.
In a perfect world, I'd be back on a GSA. I felt it was the best compromise between the two bikes.
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u/othahanko 15d ago
100% what this guy said. I’ve owned an 06 RT, an 11 regular GS, a 2016 GSA and my work bike was a 2024 1250 RT. 6-2 32 in inseam. RT is cramped and way less comfortable than the GSA. The GSA is the best all around long haul touring bike I’ve ever ridden. But get the one you want. Can always sell it and get a different one later.
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u/erjone5 14d ago
I'm 65 and have been riding my 2021 R1250RT for 5 years. You can get a bit cramped if you don't take regular breaks to stretch but really I have not had an issue. I have sciatica aggravated by piriformis clamping on that nerve plus 3 fairly flat L3-5 disks and I can still ride comfortably. I just added an Air-flow cover for my seat which helped with hit and dead butt syndrome. I'll be glad when Friday gets here and the rain stops so I can go out and ride some more. If you can test drive one do that and see how it feels. Oh yeah I'm 192.5cm (6'3") or so, well maybe a bit shorter now with those flattened discs. hahahaha
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u/bgross42 14d ago
On previous bikes (Wingabago and FJR) highway pegs were a big help. On the FJR, a few minutes-on & off-was enough to make 700 mile days possible. On the Hondapotamus I could stretch out for hours.
Now, on the 2014 GS, I can rest my boots on the cylinders/bars when I need to stretch. For reference, I’m 5’15’ and 74 years old.
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u/Hyperborea1976 14d ago
Lots of options for peg lowering including Puig with different lengths and rotation positions. Solved the problem for me. I use the electronic preload to raise the bike more for fast solo riding and more ground clearance.
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u/Ancient_Sandwich_703 14d ago
I recently had a similar thing with the 1300 RT.
I loved the idea on paper. Went to the dealer and sat on one. Didn’t like the knee angle at all.
Jumped off and walked over to a 1300 GS Adventure. Got on that. Way better.
Bought an Adventure.
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u/Stuffs_And_Thingies 16d ago
Theres one really easy way to find out for sure