I'm always upgrading everything else in life, so once the 1200R was released this was inevitable. I thought I would get at least 1 more year form the 1150, but it was a must have after the test ride. Don't test ride till you're ready to buy...
While there is a certain feel, a familiarity to it that lets me know I'm on a Roadster, like the riding position or nakedness, but the comparison stops there. The 1200R has way more sport in her blood, without giving up any of the comforts IMO.
I like the stout female softball player verse the slim athletic cheerleader analogy that has been said elsewhere.
When you sit on it with your feet on the ground, it feels about the same, but when you take and roll on the throttle and the front wheel comes up, then shift and hit again with the front coming up again, you'll know your not on any R1150R.
Originally, I was looking for a different color, but it was just meant to be for me to have a black bike with stripes. The stripes rock!
I guess I'll start here.
Things I miss from my 1150R:
1. Sargent seat
2. Signal Minder. Even though the signals will eventually cancel themselves on the 1200, the signal minder is much better. Allowing me to just press and hold for quick flashes, then tap again to cancel. Plus I had it set to flash 8 times, so a rarely had to cancel it. I feel the running lights also make you more visible, and safer. Hopefully they will offer one soon for us 1200R owners.
2. Turn sign buttons are slightly smaller on the 1200, I like the 1150's better, a little more of a stretch of the thumb.
3. The mirrors. I had K-mirrors on mine and the rectangular mirrors give you better visibility, and less vibration, IMO.
4 Not having any kind of obsession about keeping it clean, the grey hides everything, the black shows it all.
Most of these things will be improved with time, as after-market stuff is released.
So I guess the only things I really miss are the signal buttons, and the smaller payment. This bike is that good.
I really does everything very well.
Engine:
Let me start by saying that I only have had my 1200 for a few day and 650 miles on her so far, so most of my driving was not done with any full throttle or redline's etc. Just spirited riding. I did get to ride a little after the service, and did bounce the needle off the redline a few times, feeling the pull through whole RPM range. I mean I always drive spirited when safe, but I haven't really seen what this thing can do yet. 6/10 maybe
I do know it was still pulling hard at 120mph before I ran out of road, that was when my 1150 was starting to fade out. Not that I'm all about going light speed, but it's nice know you have the option...
The engine pulls like the 1150 with plenty of torque at low RPM, but when the 1200 hits 4000 rpm's, hold on, the front wheel will come up in 1st AND 2nd.
This bike is a rocket. It will be fun embarrassing some squids while I'm in touring dress.....
The engine is smooth, with much less vibration, and it has a much better stock sound to it, though there is this little whine that's new to me with this engine., but I'll take it anyanyway, no problem.
The transmission is smooth, and no more clank clank so far. I think the gearing is good, 4300 RPM's is 80mph.
The brakes.
I will also admit this is my first ABS bike, along with the linked braking system. After hearing about how the older generation abs brakes felt, sounded, etc. I was skeptical about ABS. These feel the same as non ABS under normal driving, but when it's time to really stop these brakes rock, and don't take over, they just assist you and pulsate the lever to let you know they're kicking in.
" The BMW Integral ABS adapts the braking force between the front and rear , distributing the braking force according to current conditions. The dynamic load distribution between the front and rear wheel changes during braking. The heavier you brake the more the front wheel is loaded. The greater the wheel load the more breaking force can be transferred."
What this comes down to is awesome breaking.
Last year I took a BMW Performance Driving School course. The first thing they taught you was how to utilize the ABS, and how to break in an emergency situation properly. Being the kind of guy I am, I want to know how well all this great technology work's, on top of wanting to practice emergency stops with it.
I took my 1200R into a nice empty lot and did some braking tests.
Starting out slow, just like in the course I slowly built up my braking speeds, eventually up to 60 mph to full brakes with the ABS kicking in, just like if someone pulled in front of me on a 2 lane highway. 60 to 0 on this bike is insane, let me tell you.
Call me crazy, but I don't want the first time I mash on my brakes for there to be something in front of me to hit.
While on my trip to Iowa, I rode a few gravel roads, and did some similar tests with the abs on gravel, just not going quite as fast, maybe worked up to 30mph to full stop. Same great experience. A nice steady fast stop.
Speaking of gravel, I rode miles on real loose stuff, and here's a pick of the oil cooler after the gravel. I think that people's concern's about road debris damaging it are unfounded. Not going to happen IMO.
The bike is lighter, and feels lighter. Definitely very flickable. Just think about the direction you want and you're there.
It's an easy bike to ride, a very confident feel, no surprises.
I'll get into more detail about the suspension after I've been able to dial in the correct settings for me, wear in the tires more and get some more time on her.
There is only rear shock damper adjustments, unlike the 1150R.
So far she feels nice on the road, I can't wait to get it on some mountain switchback's.
The gauges are nice, I love the start-up test procedure, and wont be tired of that anytime soon. The computer is mildly cool, for a $15,000 motorcycle, why not have it.
Is it necessary?
Not at all. But I do like the engine temp, and gas gauge. I'll still reset one of the 2 odometers every time I fill up though. Old habit are hard to break.
It is accurate as hell too. I let the gas get down to when it said I had 4 miles worth of gas left. That tank took 5.9 gallons.
The problem with the computer is that it's one more thing to take your eye's off the road and be distracted by....
Instrument test video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G-5WTV-Kaw
The headlight is great, providing much better illumination IMO than the 1150. More even. The low beam has a nice cutoff line, then when you add the brights it's just perfect on the open road. Since it uses H11 lamps, I'm looking into some of those hyper white lamps to upgrade to, keeping it at 55 watts so as not to upset the canbus system.
At the very least, it's nice to know that I can get a replacement lamp at any car parts store, and since there's 2 H11's I won't be needing to carry a spare.
It came with a sport screen, and that's about worthless if you're going to do any serious miles. Looks nice, minimal protection.
I just installed the touring screen after the service, so I only have a little time with it, but it seems to be about the same as the 1150 touring screen, putting the wind right on my face shield. I'm used to the loud touring screen and always wear earplugs or headphone's when out of the city, so I don't care how loud it is. Maybe a laminar lip for it?
I'm not interested in any of the other touring screens out there that I've sen for, so this will have to do for now, at least until the Wudo fairing is available.
A cool thing about the screen in that both of them are only held on by 2 screws, so in theory you could change them out very quickly.
Here's a couple of pics:
First day
Adding farkles...
2nd Day, Iowa and back to Chicago-500 miles
3rd day, Touring mode...
Accessories DIY, farkel's, and mods completed report to follow...
So I think that will have to come first!
