r1200r

[dg123]

does anyone have any experience with this bike? it was recommended to me so in a few years, maybe. it's certainly bigger than my k75. thanks.

[BradfordBenn]

I moved this to Oilheads where it will get more applicable traffic.

-=Brad
Forum Moderation Team Member

[DSBMW1]

The R1200R just came out this year. The 1100 and 1150's were the previous selection. All are GREAT bikes. I moved up from a K75S to a R1100R and have never looked back. It has more get up and go than the K and a lot lower center of gravity. I talked my friend into a 1150R and that bike is the same, only with better brakes. The new R1200R was sent from the heavens. One of the best bikes I have ever ridden. So much power and so light weight. Just be warned. Once you jump on a new boxer the old brick just won't be the same.

[Troutluck]

Motorcycle.com has a comparison of "naked Euros" that includes the r1200r. They were ambivalent about it.

Have you looked at the F800 specs?

[DarrylRi]

Motorcycle Consumer News has a review in the Feb. issue (just arrived yesterday). They seemed to like it a great deal, except that they found the stock shocks a bit harsh and the seat was not comfortable for long distances. However, in their general excitement for the bike, they seemed to have forgotten to complain about the BMW switch gear, so it must really be a great bike!

[kbasa]

Cycle World's review started something along the lines of "Let's get one thing clear, this bike hauls ass."

:ha

[lenrt1200st]

Maybe like the R1200ST, which I own (ESC, ABS, C-B Euro windscreen, hard bags, mv bar risers) the press and test riders just don't get the R1200R. My ST may not be as fast, nor is it as quick as the latest eye candy, sport bike from Japan or even from UK, but it is a very satisfying motorcycle. I like the description used for the ST in an early review, "a gentleman's express w/ a hint of malice." - Cycle World

It's fully capable of getting you a "reckless operation" level speeding ticket from the GA state patrol.

The overwhelming stability of the bike is what keeps me coming back! I can absolutely rail through a corner w/ complete confidence in the brakes. If a deer or road scrabble appear around the bend, the ST has an uncanny ability to slow, swerve, and avoid the problem. Having owned a Honda VFR, and several Triumph models, lately...I'm not looking back, longingly.

Len

[ka5ysy]

I luckily happened to be driving by the local dealer when it was rolled out of the shop after dealer prep. See the results here:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2378


CONSUMER WARNING: R1200R IS HAZARDOUS TO YOU WALLET: DO NOT TEST RIDE THIS BIKE UNLESS YOU INTEND TO SPEND MONEY IMMEDIATELY !!!:deal

Bottom line: Fantastic bike. I am a Very Happy Rider :D :clap

Doug

[DavidBrown]

CONSUMER WARNING: R1200R IS HAZARDOUS TO YOU WALLET: DO NOT TEST RIDE THIS BIKE UNLESS YOU INTEND TO SPEND MONEY IMMEDIATELY !!!


Doug,

I have a 2002 R1150R with about 38,000 miles. I've drooled and drooled over the R1200R. My question: is it really that much different? Also, I'm about 6'1", what windscreen do you think will work best for me?
Thanks.
David

[AllanCook]

I've got about 1,200 miles on mine. I had an R1150R, and this bike is a whole new beast: Much lighter, much more power, much more torque. Cycle World wasn't exaggerating when its reviewer wrote that it "hauls ass." It has much more of a sportbike feel to it than the 1150.

The handling is superb, as you'd expect, and the bike is very flickable. But because the new, more powerful R1200R is 35 pounds or so lighter than the 1150, and because the weight savings seems to be all in the front end, it doesn't feel quite as "planted" on the road as the 1150. (Many riders have reported that it is very easy to loft, although I haven't tried.) Apparently to compensate for the lightness in the front end and the resulting instability, the engineers have installed a steering damper. It's a trade-off.

The new non-servo brakes are fantastic; you'd never know it was an ABS system. The bike stops quickly and is very stable under hard braking. They are both linked through the front brake; the rear operates independently if you want to trail a little rear brake. The suspension does not feel as luxurious as the 1150: a bit stiffer, not as smooth over washboard streets and potholes. I have found the seat reasonably comfortable so far, but I haven't had her out on any lengthy rides yet. I am using the BMW sport screen, and it works fine up to about 80 mph, but I probably will replace it with a Cee Bailey's touring screen for rides of more than a couple of hundred miles.

The stock Conti Road Attacks are great and grippy in all kinds of wet. The lighting is bright and the instrument cluster is easy to read. The blinkers are self-cancelling after some combination of time and distance. (I usually turn them off manually before they go off on their own.) I don't know if I'd have bought the optional on-board computer if it hadn't come with mine: I don't seem to use it much. The cases are the same ones you'd get for an RT, ST or GT, and are more nicely produced than the old System cases and plenty roomy.

Overall, it's a great bike, and a very satisfying all-around machine, but much different than the 1150. There's a little hooligan in there.

FWIW, YMMV.

[Mika]

Here is a link ( http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/R1200R/index.asp) to a review by AMA Magazine.

I have a ’02 R1150R. I have only managed a spin around a parking lot at low speed I noticed several things right away.

Weight: The 1200 is pegged at 30 lbs lighter than the 1150. This was very noticeable as I muscled the bike of the stand and maneuvered it around so that I could mount and ride it. At parking lot speed the bike felt substantially lighter than even loosing 30 lbs would make you expect.

Tank: Narrow. I like the looks of the tank on my 1150, yet it is a wide mass in front of you and between your legs. I had a mental flash back to the first Ducati that I slung a leg over.

Power. POWER...the 1150R is not a hooligan bike. The new bike has the power and can deliver it to the road. There may be more powerful bikes. Bikes with better track or strip times. I suspect that for the street squid hooligan this will be a fine tool.

When I purchased my R1150R I was looking at several different bikes and trying to choose. One of the final deciding questions was to mental picture the bike in five years and ask myself would I still want it. It is five years down the road and I still want my Roadster. As I sat on the new version I asked the same question. Yes I think I would still want it in five years, the trouble for the salesman is I still want the one I have now.

[ka5ysy]

Doug,

I have a 2002 R1150R with about 38,000 miles. I've drooled and drooled over the R1200R. My question: is it really that much different? Also, I'm about 6'1", what windscreen do you think will work best for me?
Thanks.
David


Hi David; based on the experience I am having with the Cee Bailey 18", I think you would be better off with the 20" touring screen simply because the 18 will probably put the wind burble right on your faceplate. That is the situation I noticed with the BMW tall screen. It was buffeting the helmet horribly.

An interesting possibility you would have is to use the BMW sport screen because your torso height is such that the wind burble would be just over your shoulders, allowing the helmet to be in clean air. I am slightly too short for the sport screen as it places the burble at my chin bar level and buffets the helmet. I am actually thinking of cutting down the sport screen about half an inch to tune where the wind hits me. This would allow using it in hot weather.


I have no experience with the R1150R but friends tell me that the comparison is startling. The R12 has more power and is lighter weight so is much more agile. The R12 will definitely cruise at 80 mph all day effortlessly.

As I have been telling everyone, dont take a test ride unless you intend to spend money immediately. Or, leave the wallet and checkbook at home. Problem with this is the instant depression that sets in when you cannot buy one!

Doug

[DavidBrown]

As I have been telling everyone, dont take a test ride unless you intend to spend money immediately. Or, leave the wallet and checkbook at home. Problem with this is the instant depression that sets in when you cannot buy one!

Doug,

Thanks for the info. I definitely need to explore the windscreen question more.

I fear you are right, I am already suffering from a kind of depression just thinking about a new bike. The only cure I know is to ride my bike a bit, I generally forget all other things then. The problem is the ice, snow and freezing temperatures. The bike is in the garage, and I'm dreaming of new...oy vey.
David