[TPadden]

I used same vernacular he used - I am not a "bride" sayer

I apologize for even posting my thought but it was the only one I had when considering the OP was asking for thoughts concerning bikes he had already owned and I assume extensive experience riding with and without passenger. :grin:

Sorry,
Tom

 

[PLAGUE]

I usually attempt to communicate at the same level as the people I'm discoursing with.

If he would have used other terms like: pillion, passenger, ole lady, better half, significant other, ball and chain, sweetie, honey bunny, or some other type of name; I would have repeated that one back too.

No apologies needed. I hope the tone of my reply did not come off as negative. If so, that is not me.

 

[nazdravanul]

What bike did you end up with ?

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I ended up with a 17 GT.
On which I've upgraded wind management with OEM GTL wind deflectors, Aeroflow Aerowings and a 7jurock screen (went through 4 screens to find this one). I've also changed the bars to the OEM GTL bars, because of back pain. But handling is slightly affected (it was perfect with the GT bars), and I'm still struggling with the decision of keeping the mod or not. Handling 2up is better, though, with the GTL handlebars.
Today I will most probably have the OEM GT seats replaced with Sargent seats. I pondered over the OEM GTL extra-high one piece seat, just because I needed the extra back support. But after swapping the GTL bars, more of my weight is being pushed against the GT seat, and not evenly distributed, because the OEM seats tend to be on the softer side. That is a problem for long distance riding, so I decided to take the plunge on a gently used Sargent seat. We'll see how that works out. The only other ergonomics change I will consider is adding the Sargent rider backrest - but I want to make sure I need it, first, so I'll postpone that decision for at least another 1000 miles.
Also, in the medium term (next 10000 miles), the GT suspension will get upgraded to Wilbers. The GT suspension is far better than the GTL one (on pre 17 models I liked the GTL suspension, better) but still, it's not up to the overall refinement, comfort and precision of the bike.
See, it's all about trade-offs and dialling the bike in, for the specific rider and riding conditions / requirements. But from a certain point onwards, once the bike is dialled in, one needs to stop chasing additional perfection (new bike, new farkles etc.), accept the shortcomings / compromises of the bike, and move on to enjoy riding. There is no perfect 1 bike, for anyone. Out of the box, no bike was good enough for me. My GT comes as close as possible to the perfect 1 bike And I've learned, the hard way, that once you are able to make a bike work for you, you should keep it for as long as possible.

 

[Zunaid]

I ended up with a 17 GT.

On which I've upgraded wind management with OEM GTL wind deflectors, Aeroflow Aerowings and a 7jurock screen (went through 4 screens to find this one). I've also changed the bars to the OEM GTL bars, because of back pain. But handling is slightly affected (it was perfect with the GT bars), and I'm still struggling with the decision of keeping the mod or not. Handling 2up is better, though, with the GTL handlebars.

Today I will most probably have the OEM GT seats replaced with Sargent seats. I pondered over the OEM GTL extra-high one piece seat, just because I needed the extra back support. But after swapping the GTL bars, more of my weight is being pushed against the GT seat, and not evenly distributed, because the OEM seats tend to be on the softer side. That is a problem for long distance riding, so I decided to take the plunge on a gently used Sargent seat. We'll see how that works out. The only other ergonomics change I will consider is adding the Sargent rider backrest - but I want to make sure I need it, first, so I'll postpone that decision for at least another 1000 miles.

Also, in the medium term (next 10000 miles), the GT suspension will get upgraded to Wilbers. The GT suspension is far better than the GTL one (on pre 17 models I liked the GTL suspension, better) but still, it's not up to the overall refinement, comfort and precision of the bike.

See, it's all about trade-offs and dialling the bike in, for the specific rider and riding conditions / requirements. But from a certain point onwards, once the bike is dialled in, one needs to stop chasing additional perfection (new bike, new farkles etc.), accept the shortcomings / compromises of the bike, and move on to enjoy riding. There is no perfect 1 bike, for anyone. Out of the box, no bike was good enough for me. My GT comes as close as possible to the perfect 1 bike And I've learned, the hard way, that once you are able to make a bike work for you, you should keep it for as long as possible.

Thank you for sharing your journey, enjoyed that. Safe riding buddy

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[MrBreeze]

OP here.
Ya, I was doing my due diligence and getting some numbers worked up with my local dealer on a possible trade, and ended up trading the B on a '19 GT.
Loved the 2012 GTL. Loved the 2018 B and I have no doubts I'll love the GT. They each have their own personality and like the GTL and B, but like most of us, I'll make modifications to suit my needs, riding style and style preferences.

While not the smartest from a financial perspective to trade in a bike that's only 6 months old and 3,000 miles, but fortunately with the B's being a new model and demand is still high, my dealer was able to get me close to retail on the trade (when factoring in tax savings).

With regard to the "bride" term - I use it often as a term of endearment. We are 5 years in (wife #2) and I plan on calling her "bride" until I'm road dust. Pillion/passenger is more practical, but she's supportive of my two-wheeled passion and solo rides/trips, so I prefer to call her my bride.

I enjoyed reading the banter and comments.

 

[TPadden]

Fair enough, I’d say congratulations on the new bike and my wife would say congratulations on the new bride .

Tom

 

[nazdravanul]

Another update from me, on this thread.
As I was having the 6000 mile service done on my 17 GT, I was offered a 1250 RT loaner.
Here are my impressions: I feel the improvements over the previous generatuon LC boxer. Slightly smoother, a bit more round, better acceleration and torque everywhere. Auto levelling suspension was nice, but not great.
BUT ... I couldn’t wait to get back on my K16. Even though in terms of 0-100 mph acceleration the 6 cylinder and shiftcam boxer are rather similar, the feel of the engine is completely different. The k16 is a much more refined bike. It was like stepping back in time, and not in a good way. The 6 cylinder packs an amazing punch in a much sexier, less obtrussive, more relaxing manner. After 15 years on boxers, and 8 months on the K, I didn’t really enjoy the vibration, anymore. The quickshift was rough, and not very useful, on the R.
In terms of wind management, the out of the box RT was really bad, even at low speeds , compared to my maxed out (in terms of farkles) GT.
Surprisingly, even in terms of low speed and B roads handling, my GT was nicer - more prescise, more confidence inspiring.
Sorry guys, but I don’t get it - there is no contest here, the K16 is simply better (at least for me) in every single respect. It’s a strange and great feeling - to lust only after the bike you already own

 

[Zunaid]

I also noted that in our market (south African), a good buy is to rather buy a GTL than a GT. The GTL cost only a few rands more, but I find that you can easily "convert" it back to a GT giving you the best of both worlds. We do not get radio and aux on our GT's, so converting a GT to a GTL is almost impossible.

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[earthling]

here we go again...

A GTL and a GT are closely related siblings but they are not twins, no matter how much you strip off the GTL. I have a GTL, it has been modified with quick detach armrests. I can go from full GTL to stripped down GTL in a few minutes. What i end up with is a more agile and somewhat sexier GTL.. its still a GTL. Riding position, throttle response, and suspension are different enough that you cannot compare them. Another analogy, both my wife and Charlize Theron are blondes.. similar results..

What's that honey?...

 

[justcharlie]

If you have the bike you love, you'll soon forget the money you spent to get there.

With that bike and your bride, you have two of the best things a man can have in life.

 

[K16Noob]

Bride? Someone here called his wife a 'backpack' :laugh::grin:lol