Happy birthday to you.
It's a bit different from the ST ? Having been going through a similar thought process over the last couple of years, and aging at almost exactly the same rate as you (one day at a time), that difference is the bit that I am interested in.
Your thoughts and feelings that crop up - before you get used to it and everything becomes second nature - well, I would enjoy reading those.
First thoughts, I felt right at home in the pilot seat. Very natural. With the seat in the high position, I can easily flatfoot when stopped. (I'm 5'11")
I'm thinking some kind of 'bar-backs' may be in order. I felt I was up against the tank with lots of seat behind me.
Not sure what's available.
For me, it feels like you ride 'in' the bike like the ST, as opposed to 'on' the bike like my friends FJR.
The wind protection is better than the ST, almost too good? Riding yesterday in 66 degree weather, I felt warm, wearing riding jeans, long sleeve turtle neck shirt, T-shirt, and mesh jacket (sans liner). Right (exhaust side) foot felt warm (or is it just my imagination?)
It's easy to ride standing up. Tach and speedo are visible looking down.
I've only taken it up to about 6K RPM (redline 9k), but if feels like it has more power than the ST. I wonder if some of that may be the hearty exhaust note? (Much louder than the ST)
Possibly because of the exhaust note, I always feel the need to upshift, even though The engine is only running 3500 RPM. I think it will be that you will almost never be in the 'wrong' gear, but just not in the most 'optimum' gear, just like the ST.
Of the @150 miles, 14 mile were on the freeway to get home. The rest were all on the local canyons. The bike falls into the turns like the ST, but it holds the line much better than the ST. On the ST, I always had to make line corrections. (ST bike setup?)
The RT has two tiny pockets in the fairing. The ST's are much larger and useful.
The panniers are much larger on the outside, than the inside.
The panniers are wide. Great care to throw a leg over. Already one black scuff mark and counting.
No built in Sat/Nav on the RT.
Appears you must use your cellphone and data. Unfortunately(?), most of my riding does not receive cell service.
The bike has a built in radio. Don't have a known need for that. (Maybe helps with Sat/Nav?) Again, most riding, no radio reception.
As Mellow mentioned, the side stand is hard to find and raise up.
Chrome exhaust. Much prefer the ST's SS.
It has CC, bit I miss the ST's Go-Cruise throttle lock for those few seconds I want to relax/flex my hand. I don't want to constantly set and reset the CC. That may be my first farkle.
It has Hill Assist?, which I think will come in handy while stopped at hilly places other than stop signs/lights. Too bad it only functions with the engine running. I will miss the ST's Pendle parking brake. (A great product.)
All in all, I think I'll really enjoy this bike.
Now to find the ST a good home.