Which bike to take question on the RT

[Old Dog]

I am thinking about a trip to Germany in February and originally planned to take the Skorpion but an (06)RT has become available, thing is I need to know what its useful cruising speed is? Also practical top speed? Tank range and MPG would help too and generator output for heated grips?

Many thanks

[stephendacosta]

I have several RT's. Performance differs between bikes. Performance improves a bit until broken in it at 5,000k. My best bike will do 120kph; the worst has a top of 100kph. (Thats pretty level) Hills drop the speed rather much. If you are on autobahn, you will be wide open throttle the whole time. I rather enjoy the lack of power.
130k/gallon petrol(US)is average unless you are full throttle where it drops to 100k/gallon.
Electric power output is good enough for electric gloves, Not enough for a full suit. 180W@5000RPM
---Steve

[DAVID THOMPSON]

my rt is geared with a 52 tooth sprocket on rear and runs 69 mph flat out
i have used it for 500 mile road trips but high speed roads is not where you want to be..
and works good to about 55mph beyond that it is pushing it too hard
mine is a 2002 and about 21,000 miles
i would take the rotax 500 or the traveller
dave
but on them ouch on the fuel cost
my traveller is a gas hog

[Tony the Skin]

Cold weather might dictate your speed more than other factors. Are you doing the Elephant?

[Old Dog]

[quote="Tony the Skin"]Cold weather might dictate your speed more than other factors. Are you doing the Elephant?[/quote]

Alte..

[arry_b]

If you do take the Skorp this time of year, budget for a new chain when you get back.

Slush / rain / salt killed mine in 3000 miles, even with the Scottoiler turned up.

[Old Dog]

Thanks guys, those I am going with say I need to cruise at sixty so it looks like the RT might be out unless I opt to ride pretty much by myself.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i like the rt125 about the best of any bike i have owned...
but it is a bit short in the tooth on a road trip...
i had a 1974 R90s great bike 28 years and 479,000 miles
but i like the rt best
if it had been made in a 350cc model MZ would still be in the the bike business..
Dave

if you can keep the rt125 do so it is a very nice daily driver ...for local use

[djsbriscoe]

MZ missed a trick by not developing a 250cc version of the RT125 engine with fuel injection. Honda and Kawasaki are presently fighting for market penetration with their 250/300c bikes. Suddenly smaller bikes are very popular.
I replaced my RT125 12 months ago as I needed something that I could use on the local motorways/freeway at a steady 50/60mph and still be able to filter through gridlocked traffic easily. My CBR250R can do 90MPH and returns 85MPG consistently. I used to get around 60MPG from the RT and I didn't feel comfortable going over 50MPH on it.
I loved the comfy seat but hated having to worry about cleaning out the carb every few months. The Honda is boringly reliable and trouble free.

David.