Keep um both

 

If you have money for a new bike you have money to rent one for a month and decide if you like it. Your will answer your own question.

 

If you've not ridden a newer RT ( not the 1250, but the last of the 1200) I warn you not to, you will take it home. I can only imagine what the 1250 is like. It's night and day difference from your 2005 to the newer motors

 

I’ve owned a 2009 rt and a 2016 gsa and currently own a 2018 FLHTK. I do a couple of long trips per year so a bike capable of long distance comfort is important. Both BMW’s provided suitable comfort on long trips but the Harley is the winner for long distance comfort. In addition, the dealer network for Harley is amazing in North America. I’ve had issues on trips with both the BMW and Harley, the BMW required a 460km tow and 4 days layover (apparently bwm doesn’t work on weekends and communicating with the mother ship takes time) whereas Harley had my 2011 FLHTK up and running in about an hour on a Sunday (they called a mechanic in just to get me going). I’d recommend recommend renting for a few days to see if the riding style appeals to you and then make a decision.

 

Having come from a BMW backround, I will tell you that you should rent first. I did, and the first impression I had was weight - so much of it. It was off putting, and after spending a couple days on the rented Ultra Limited I was very happy to be back on my BMW. But there was something about the Harley I found intriguing. And there were more occasions to rent them (I travel for work and sometimes rent bikes at my destination). It took awhile but I came around to the weight and comfort of the bike. I will say that dating a woman who wanted to ride with me factored heavily. They are great bikes for two up riding. Heavy, but with a low center of gravity and seat height - both make low speed stability very good as opposed to the higher BMWs.

That was ten plus years ago. Since then I have owned a few of them. But I always have other bikes in the garage too. It serves it's purpose as a heavy touring bike, which plays well here in the Midwest.

But considering your handle, I would suggest you check out the Moto Guzzi California Touring. Fantastic bike. It may be the direction I go next for our dedicated tourer.

 

I just rode the new R1250RT over the weekend at my dealer's factory demo day. So, a guided ride and couldn't peg the throttle. But I can tell that the engine is much better then my 2005.

 

I am looking at the K1600B for my next bike. My local dealer had a K1600 Grand America demo bike that I test rode for a weekend. The demo bike was fully loaded and it was awesome. If you shop them you can find the fully loaded K1600B for around 20,000. It is a lot of motorcycle for that price. The major services are expensive but they are every 18,000 miles. I am also going to be test riding the RT this weekend. Good luck with the search.

Phil

 

it took me a lot of miles to really understand the complete benefits of the K1600GTL over my Ultra Classic; and some features on the Harley are still a lot better; such as the bags. I road my Harley for 9 years and about 90,0000 mile and was ready for something difference. I was pretty set on a new 2018 Gold Wing when the BMW dropped in my lap at a price I couldn't turn down. I'd like to own another Harley Touring bike but I think I'd have trouble going back to one after the amazing performance of the GTL.

Something I did on the GTL that I should have done on my Harley is a Russel Day Long seat.

 

While I like the looks of the K1600B and the Grand America, the side bags are smaller then the K1600GT, and GTL and are not easily removed. Also, the last few years they've changed the mapping of the K1600 engines to meet Euro emissions limitations, and limited the B and Grand America even more then the GT and GTL. Granted you can get them flashed in the after market, but it might void the warranty. They also claim that they limited the speed on the Grand America because of stability.

 

Yes, one of the voices in my head is saying that, and another voice is saying go for the big touring bike. I can't post in a public forum what all the other voices say, I might get to ride in a padded truck.