My Sport vs loaner GT

[Doraemon]

As the weather is getting nicer here in Seattle area, I prefered to have my servicing done early. I figure to have it done now and then not have to worry about it thru the riding season. Ride West is the closest shop for me and overall has proven to be fairly accomidating. Puget sound BMW was the one that changed my clutch out for Dr. Pulley, for $100; my dyno guy has good repore with them. Anyhow, I recieved a loaner GT, and these are my impressions:

1. the lower fairing foot well is more narrow on the GT by 1/4" or so; on the riding around cool air was blown up my jeans where it never did on the sport.
2. the seating is WAY mor different than I thought. On the Sport my arms reach out with minimal elbow bending; on the GT they are almost 45 degrees.
3. As my sport is modified, I can still feel the decent amount of power available in the GT, it's still very good off the line; just not hitting the speed as fast. I think stock sport or GT is this way compared to mine anyhow.

Just an observation, even if there wasn't the sport available, I would take the GT over the Burg I had anyday. just something to think about. Were I th have the GT the biggest thing I can think I would do it to add the plastic wind fairings to the lower fairing to take the wind off my legs.

By the end of the day I was glad to get my baby back. the report showed at 5000 miles I was at 60% remaining on the tires, only just starting to show the center flatening; I try to avoid it by leaning whenever possible .
the front brakes will be good for a while, but I think I will need to change the rear out earlier, they were at 50%, I use for slow balance control.

they did the annual and the 6000 mile service early at my request, along with the sidestand and instrument recall. total damage was $330.
I know that as I have no stock parts left in the clutch and variator, I will opt to perform that service myself, but I don't mind them doing the rest.

 

[SteveADV]

You got a good deal on the 6000. Mine was $100 more.

 

[SteveADV]

Also, interesting that your elbows are more bent on the GT. On my GT my arms have minimal bending just as yours do on your Sport. Could it be you have 40" sleeves? Gotta be riding position.

Added this edit: The more I thought about it the more I started thinking that with your experience you would know if it was riding position. So, I went to http://cycle-ergo.com and sure enough, it looks like the way the Sport is set up your arms are extended more so than on the GT. Maybe I lean back on my GT and that's why my arms have so little bend.

 

[Doraemon]

I believe the rake on the sport is different as well.

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[Xian Forbes]

I think it's the bars on the gt that are different. I'd venture a guess that the steering geometry is the same. As should be the wheelbase.

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[yellasei]

I think it's the bars on the gt that are different. I'd venture a guess that the steering geometry is the same. As should be the wheelbase.

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yes, different handlebars on the GT. i also feel more cramped and arms out on GT's, one of the reasons i chose the sport.

 

[JaimeC]

The bars on the GT are higher and further back, encouraging an upright riding position. The bars on the sport are lower and farther forward, encouraging a more aggressive, leaning forward position.

One of the criticisms of the new TMAX 530 vs. the older TMAX 500 is the lower bars forcing the rider into a more forward leaning seating position. More fun in the twisties, less comfortable for droning on the highway. The forward position is fully in line with the expected "mission" of the Sport. It's why BMW makes TWO scooters around the same basic platform.

 

[Doraemon]

I've had no problems with 6 hour rides on the Sport. I did however have some discomfort with the backrest on the GT, if I had one, I would probably remove it.

for the other item I thought, the way motorcycle.com evaluation was written, it mentioned the rake of 25.4 while talking about both bikes but didn't specify both or the sport they were just mentioning. My mind assumed it was only the sport and the rake of the GT was different. For sure the handlebars different.

 

[JaimeC]

That backrest can be adjusted forward or back a couple of inches (set increments). Requires tools. I was fine with the way it was delivered. I'm "average" that way.

 

[SteveADV]

I use the backrest for napping when putting in a long day of riding...but only on the highway.