BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/fir ... ride-test/

I’ve got one of these on loan from a local main dealer and have done about 100 road miles or so in sunny weather. (They have smegged up a simple brake job on my bike, stripped a bleed nipple during the ABS fluid change, but will deliver mine fixed on Wednesday , I hope).
Would I want an R1200GS with a lottery win? No, I can’t say I enjoyed riding it and the computerised dashboard with infinite menus is distracting and crazily complex. Still can’t see the odometer or trip meters.
It no doubt is faster, but not stunningly so and the handling was not really different to mine. I don't like being faced with all that bitty and scrappily designed plastic. I’d probably be happier with a more basic boxer from the current range.
Some decisions are made for you.


TTFN

You get familiar with the settings. Takes about a week to learn how to run the infotainment. They sure are more of a tank now.

Now have had my bike delivered home with the receipt for £229.60 including tax (~$309).
The fluid change costs I did expect but there were additional unexpected expensive parts i.e.
Plug, bolt, nipple holder and a clamp at £42 plus tax. Are they normally needed or are they involved when changing a seized bleed nipple, which caused the delay?

When working on older equipment you need to expect unexpected problems. If something breaks that was seized you'd need to replace it so yes it's going to be charged for in my opinion.

Fair enough, but those extra components seem expensive to account for a sheared bleed nipple.

Agreed, all around. It is why I do as much of my own work on the bike as possible. No one will take care of your bike like you will. Dealer mechanics don't have time to give your bike extra love, and that's fine, since it would cost a fortune. Bleeding the brakes and clutch are things I do a few times a year, usually when the weather is bad and the bike is just sitting. I take my time and if something goes awry, I order up the part myself, usually through MAX BMW (in the US). This site and a Clymers manual will take you far. FWIW.

Agreed on doing your own work. You tend to find other issues to fix before they fail and also makes for a more confident ride/trip.
While I like the advancements in technology and the information systems, one of the most endearing features of my 2002 R1150R is the analog clock.
Old School Tom

Interesting to read your comments on the 1200 instruments. When I was looking to get another bike recently, I was focused solely on the R1150R having such good memories about my previous one. In searching around, I did come across a 1200 that I went to check out and the first thing that I noticed was the new display. As has been mentioned, it's probably just a question of getting used to the electronic display, but one of the things I really like about the R is the classic round instruments (and the analog clock)-it seems to fit with my personal aesthetics of what I like in motorcycle design.