R1200R.......... A Photoshoot and Trip to Iowa

[ChiTown]

Yesterday was the day that I traded in my 1150R for this black beauty.
Originally I was looking for a different color, but this is what I ended up with.
I couldn't be happier with the black with stripes, going to be a PITA to take care of, but....... Pictures do not do justice for this bike, the stripes rock!
There doesn't seem to be many pics of this flavor 1200R, so here ya go!
Here's some shots from the North-side of Chicago, it was a wonderful 50ºF sunny day today.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1180/img0263ql9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/2892/img0222hq0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8562/img0240ws0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3672/img0225dx6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6176/img0230bm1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7121/img0233hs3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6915/img0250yv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8600/img0253ua3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7781/img0258hv6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1146/img0265xq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Goodnight!


http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7120/img0289ok1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ChiTown]

This morning I set out with the goal of putting on 500 smiles on my 1200R, so as to have it ready for the 600 mile service appointment I have in the morning.
It was meant to be it seems, the weather was forecasted for and turned out to be absolutely perfect. Started out about 50ºF this morning and by 2PM it was a perfect 75º, with pure blue sky's.

In a hurry to get out of the city, anxious to feel how the new Roadster is on the open road, I jumped onto I-290 and headed West. After riding about an hour, in Dekalb I jumped off the super-slab, and started zigzagging my way west and south.

I stopped by this place I used to hunt with my Dad as a kid.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/49/img0294ii3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

After about 10 miles of riding on loose gravel, this is what the oil cooler looked like, I think that we don't need to worry about road debris on the 1200R oil cooler.


http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2759/img0297rd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Even though it was a perfectly warm and sunny day, there was still reminder's of Northern Illinois', um shall we say, diverse weather.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3271/img0303sa7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




For GyspyRR
:)

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8734/img0306cz7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




Dixon, Illinois Home of President Ronald Reagan

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4286/img0308cg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Mississippi River, playing with color effect's on my new Cannon


http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/7868/img03112oa7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Wow! This is a rare sight in the midwest, I was so pleased to find a good stretch of twisty road I had to rise it a couple times. Sweet!


http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/5696/img0313ui8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Lots of this.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6112/img0314ti3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


There's a good amount of this around these parts from the hot/cold/hot/cold weather we have.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7464/img0318lh9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


A typical Midwest farm.


http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1917/img0319br0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


More of the Mississippi river

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4127/img0322qj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



If you've been through Iowa, you've seen this more than likely. The worlds largest truck stop, or so they say.


http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3087/img0324cy1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



University of Iowa, Iowa City. This is were I turned around and started heading back East.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3067/img0325ql0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Um...... Yeah.....

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6945/img0326tz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



This is what the rear tire looked like after a high speed super-slab run.
These conti's sure are soft...

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5690/img0328rb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



I was now in a race with the sun, the temps were dropping fast and I decided to super-slab' it back home for the last 200 miles. The temperature dropped from 75º to 49º in 2 hours.


http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/6373/img0335vf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)






http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1657/img0344vh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Mission Accomplished!
I dropped the bike off at the dealer with 600 miles as promised.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8963/img0346fw3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


What a great first little road trip this was. I'm very pleased with the 1200R. It's a wonderful bike. Did I mention that it's FAST AS HELL.
The front wheel will come up even in 2nd gear if your not paying attention....

The stock seat.......
Well in all fairness I think the best way to describe it is....
It's much better than the 1150R stock seat, but not even close to a Sargent. 500 miles, no problem. 500 miles day in and day out........... hmmm we'll see. I did get a Alaska Sheepskin pad to fit the seat, but for purely scientific purposes I went without it today. Next trip I'll use the pad and compare.

:D


-Joe

[Professor]

Great ride! Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[03K12RS]

Very nice bike and great pictures. If you want to put a bunch more miles on the bike and ride with fellow riders for coffee meet and greet, check out www.sport-touring.net website and look at Region 4 section (Midwest).:bikes

[dancogan]

Beautiful bike. Can't wait to see one first hand. Neat ride report, too, with great pics. Thanks!:thumb

[RebeccaV]

Great pictures and beautiful bike.

[kbasa]

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8562/img0240ws0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




This is a very nice picture. I like how you used the rule of thirds to place the bike in the corner, which allows the eye to travel around the picture.

Rule of thirds explained. (http://tlc.ousd.k12.ca.us/~acody/digi4a.html)

[carter]

Beautiful Bike.. I look forward to see how you get it set up.

[ltljohn]

If you've been through Iowa, you've seen this more than likely. The worlds largest truck stop, or so they say.


http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3087/img0324cy1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



I thought Fresno was the worlds largest truck stop:stick

Great report and pics!!!!:thumb

[mtfrench]

Thanks for sharing the details of your interesting ride. Since you traded your R1150R for the R1200R, you can probably help me with my current dilemma. I had an R1100R a few years ago and it was a perfect commuter bike for me. I sold it to be able to afford a new R12RT and love the RT for long rides, but it's not the best option for my daily commute. So, I'm trying to decide whether to buy a used R1150R now (which I can probably afford), or wait patiently until I save enough $ to buy a new R12R (maybe end of this year). Living in South Florida, buying a bike at the end of the "riding season" is not an issue for me.

What are the most noticable and appreciated improvements on your R1200R over your R1150R? Are these improvements worth the price differential (~ $7-8K) given that I will be using the bike primarily for commuting rather than touring? Thanks in advance for any observations and suggestions!

Mike

[ultracyclist]

How do you have your GPS set up in your tank bag?
What kind of rig is it?

[jwhite518]

Pretty pitchers.

[ChiTown]

How do you have your GPS set up in your tank bag?
What kind of rig is it?

The bag is a Bags-Connection "Engage" Quick-Lock Tankbag for SW-MOTECH Gascap Mounting System.
works great, and no ram mounts on my handlebars, good stuff.
The bag doesn't even touch the tank, so no worries about scratching it, ever.
Works great, very secure, quality materials, a raincover that works, good styling, etc....
I also have the optional GPS holder for my Streetpilot 2820, that also works great. Puts the GPS in a great place for viewing IMO. I installed the XM antenna on the bag, making things even easier for me, and it seem that the placement has no ill effect on the reception. Takes about 30 seconds to remove the whole setup

Hope this helps

-Joe


I bought it here:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/246/



http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8250/picture1cz6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8135/img0284ee2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5323/img0287yt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Thanks for sharing the details of your interesting ride. Since you traded your R1150R for the R1200R, you can probably help me with my current dilemma. I had an R1100R a few years ago and it was a perfect commuter bike for me. I sold it to be able to afford a new R12RT and love the RT for long rides, but it's not the best option for my daily commute. So, I'm trying to decide whether to buy a used R1150R now (which I can probably afford), or wait patiently until I save enough $ to buy a new R12R (maybe end of this year). Living in South Florida, buying a bike at the end of the "riding season" is not an issue for me.

What are the most noticable and appreciated improvements on your R1200R over your R1150R? Are these improvements worth the price differential (~ $7-8K) given that I will be using the bike primarily for commuting rather than touring? Thanks in advance for any observations and suggestions!

Mike

See here, and PM me with any more questions. ;)

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=200604#post200604

[jld2872]

Thanks for sharing the details of your interesting ride. Since you traded your R1150R for the R1200R, you can probably help me with my current dilemma. I had an R1100R a few years ago and it was a perfect commuter bike for me. I sold it to be able to afford a new R12RT and love the RT for long rides, but it's not the best option for my daily commute. So, I'm trying to decide whether to buy a used R1150R now (which I can probably afford), or wait patiently until I save enough $ to buy a new R12R (maybe end of this year). Living in South Florida, buying a bike at the end of the "riding season" is not an issue for me.

What are the most noticable and appreciated improvements on your R1200R over your R1150R? Are these improvements worth the price differential (~ $7-8K) given that I will be using the bike primarily for commuting rather than touring? Thanks in advance for any observations and suggestions!

Mike

I currently have a R1100R, which I thoroughly enjoy riding. I had the good fortune to rent a R1200R when I was in SFO recently and headed south to Santa Cruz for a day ride on the PCH and nearby roads leading through Boulder Creek, San Jose, etc. The R1200 is, of course, a number of iterations removed from my regular ride and the difference was quite impressive to me for that reason alone. The R12 feels lighter, quicker and more nimble. It has more power and pulls impressively. It also has more gears and I found myself shifting a lot more than I am accustomed to. The factory windscreen is not very effective and buffeting/wind noise was prominent. (I have a Parabellum screen on my R11 which does a nice job). The ergonomics were otherwise just fine and the factory seat was comfortable. Overall, the R12 is a great bike-would I pay for the upgrade? Unless you ride a lot, it's a lot of money. Personally, I would buy the R1150, bank the $7-8k and use it to finance some nice trips on the RT. Good luck!

[mtfrench]

What a coincidence! My wife offered the same recommendation about 10 minutes ago! :love

Not sure if she was reacting more to the $ for a new bike or the fact that the R12R does not come in yellow or red. Pretty strange that BMW did not stretch out the color options on this model. My 05 RT is a beautiful red (probably like your R11R) and now it is hard to find that color on any of the new models. Seems like a perfect color for the R12R

In any case, another good reason to save the extra cash and use it to finance the long trips I have planned for this summer on the RT. Thanks for the advice.

[ChiTown]

What a coincidence! My wife offered the same recommendation about 10 minutes ago! :love

Not sure if she was reacting more to the $ for a new bike or the fact that the R12R does not come in yellow or red. Pretty strange that BMW did not stretch out the color options on this model. My 05 RT is a beautiful red (probably like your R11R) and now it is hard to find that color on any of the new models. Seems like a perfect color for the R12R

In any case, another good reason to save the extra cash and use it to finance the long trips I have planned for this summer on the RT. Thanks for the advice.


I've thought something similar. I had a 5 week Alaska trip planned for this spring on my 1150, but that has been put on hold. I can't finance a new bike and a expensive trip like that. I chose the bike, but understand the logic in your wife thoughts.

[ian408]

Thanks for the trip on that swank new ride!

[larrydk]

I liked your original trip, I live in the Chicago area and go to Iowa a lot since my wife is from there (Quad-cities). In the summer, there is a significant rally that I have attended many times, sometimes with a bike, sometimes without.

I'm interested though, after your 500 mile trip, you too the bike in for the 600 mile service, was it worth it? What exctly do they do, and how much did they charge for that service?

LDK

[Jamming]

My greatest motorcycle regret is trading in my 03 R1150R for my R1200ST. Don't get me wrong I adore my ST, but I loved my R. I'm buying another soon. I still have the Touring and Sport sheilds for the 1150R. I'll have the best of both worlds.
I test rode an R1200R and it is a wonderful bike, however, I'll bank the cash and buy the 1150. The 1150 will be my commuter.

[kybele01]

Good story and pics. thanks for sharing.

[franze]

That's a lucky bike to be taken in by such a nice owner. Can't help but thinking you should go out to the garage and read it a bed time story to make it feel comfortable. Something along the lines of Dr. Seus's Oh, the places you'll go would be appropriate. I'll get it started from page one.

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

[ChiTown]

Wow, back form the dead. My first 1200R post...

"Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!"

Seems quite appropriate, lol.



Ocean to the left,

http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/247418680-X3.jpg


Ocean to the right,

http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/247418800-X3.jpg


And a few places in between.

http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/247417035-X3.jpg


http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/247424729-X3.jpg


http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/249085485-X3.jpg


Even under the rainbow..


http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/249085801-L-0.jpg







So many great places to see, so little time... 9 months later.


http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/247411533-X3.jpg






Even now I'll take her to bed to read a story to when I can...

http://ChiTown01.smugmug.com/photos/249087766-L-0.jpg


:D




Good story and pics. thanks for sharing.


Welcome to the forum! First post on my little ride report, I'm honored. :blush

[franze]

http://chitown01.smugmug.com/photos/249087766-L-0.jpg

Won't be long until you're on the floor and the R is catching Z's in the bed. That bike is way luckier than I thought:D

[SIBUD]

Excellent posts. Loved the first post ( a teaser it turns out) and thought that's a nice ride report on a new bike.

But then, as they say "the rest of the story"!

Great pictures from all over the country.

Thanks for taking the time to share you memories with the rest of us.

[decorah]

Next time you travel to IOWA forget U.S. 80. iInstead travel up to Dubuque and take the twisties North along the Mississippi. Incredible scenery!