Why did you choose a R1200R?

[Enjoy-Rider]

Hi guys,

I just bought a new R1200R, I will get it in about two weeks.
It will be my first motor. I got my motor-driving license last december.
Because of my hubby has a K1200GT and we are member of the BMW Club Netherlands, it just hád to be a BMW for me
So I first thougt of a used R1150R (not too expensive, even though they cost the same as a new R1200R with you )
I made a test drive, but the R1150R is só heavy in weight! (I'm a woman ).
The dealer said a F800ST would be a perfect light motor for a beginner. So I made a test drive. But I didn't like it after the first few minutes of fun. Yes, it is very light, but also nervous and unpredictable. I didn't feel very safe on it (don't forget I'm a beginner!). I also didn't like the noise, it was just like a sewing machine. The whole motor felt like a sewing machine!

Then I took a seat on the R1200R in the showroom. It felt perfect!! And I asked for a testdrive.
I was sold! It was easy to handle and to steer (very light in weight) and I loved the new ASC-system (Anti Stability Control). I think all this, including the ABS, makes it a very safe motor for a beginner.

I also love love love the looks!!! I got mine in Kristal-Grau, with the top and side cases also painted in the same color.

How are your experiences with ASC?

Kind regards,
Jouke (from the Netherlands, so please forgive me my sometimes poor english )

[Nippess]

Hello Jouke, it's good to hear about your decision to go for the R12 - I am also a lady rider, and bought mine on 7th December! I had an R1150R but found it heavy, but I wasn't confident with the servo assisted brakes. I too tried the F800ST, lovely fun but I also found it rather light after the previous bikes I have had. It would have been a step back for me, so decided the expense was worth it for a new R12! The weather here is preventing me going out on it - only done 45 miles... but salt & wet roads are not good for new bikes, hurry up so I can play again!!
I hope you enjoy your new toy when it arrives - stay in touch so we can swap stories

[AllanCook]

This is a little OT, but reading the last two posts gave me an idea: Would either of you be interested in a house/bike swap for a couple of weeks? I would love to ride in Britain or the Netherlands a little bit and I can offer a well-maintained R1200R and a comfortable house in the lovely Texas Hill Country.

[peckhammer]

So what made you get a R1200R and not the KR or a used 1150R?

I was thinking about getting a Bonneville, but my woman told me it was boring. Then she told me to go test ride a BMW. We went looking at the X-Series because we do so much off-road riding, so it seemed like a natural choice. When we got there, we saw the R1200R and quickly lost interest in everything else.

After the test ride, she told the salesman, "I like za power." I knew I'd be writing a check soon.

If you are interested in my quick video overview of the bike, you can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKy6LpxeZg

[deilenberger]

Just a FWIW - I've posted it before - how I became an R1200R fanatic..

http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm

[jomo]

After a little "break" from motorcycling (11 years..), I decided it was time to start riding again. This was five years ago. Since then I´ve had the following bikes:

-02 Honda Hornet 600 (Honda 599 in the US I think)
-04 Yamaha FZ6-S
-03 BMW F650GS
-06 BMW R1200GS

Now I am the happy owner of an R1200R -07!

For me it´s easy: I´m home! The R12R has a lot of power (real world, usable power), it has ABS, it´s light, it feels like it´s cut from solid rock AND I think it's great looking! A small plus is also that I can flatfoot it.

None of my former bikes has all these qualities. The GS came close, but not even its mother can call it pretty.. It was also a bit big for navigating through Stockholm in rush hour.

In a couple of days it will be farkled up with a new exhaust too, then maybe she will sound as pretty as she looks!

I envy you guys (and girs) who can ride today, we have 10 inches of snow and below freezing here..

[celticus]

Hi guys,

loved the new ASC-system (Anti Stability Control).
How are your experiences with ASC?

Kind regards,
Jouke (from the Netherlands, so please forgive me my sometimes poor english )

Same with me, the less stability control the better Too much stability OR control and a person gets sleepy and bored.
Mark

[parkec]

Looks baby

I have an 02 Aprailia Falco (sport//sport touring ), and a
06 Ducati Sport Classic 1000, and a
02 Kawasaki ZRX1200
and I found myself riding the bike that I hadn't ridden while...rather than the bike I wanted to ride.
so.
The Falco being my first love stayed, the Ducati had to go, and I didn't care for the ZRX transmission - so it was also going. I traded the Sport 1000 and ca$h for the r1200r, just sold the ZRX, and almost have the Falco back together after my altercation with Ms Asphalt on labor day..btw the r1200r has been a god send for my shoulder which I reinjured in the asphalt meet, and susequent dock grasp while stepping into the drink (and we hadn't started celebrating our 5th place finish in the regatta.)

All in all very happy with her in Black w/ a full remus power cone system, and moto lights.

[Ottoman]

there's only one possible reply to that question: looks and feeling

I have bought mine 2 months and i love every second i spend on it!!! I think it's one off the most beautiful naked bikes on the planet.

[Mr Episkopos]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

[vielzebub]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

I've never ridden the 1150, but with 48-52MPG the gas tank on the 1200R takes me as far as I need.

No complaints from the passenger either about seat comfort. In fact, one young lady has ridden both the R and my previous 1100S and she found the seating on the R much, much better.

There are so many pluses from the 1100-1150 series to the 1200 series that I wouldn't let tank range and seating stop you from making the move.
I'm really thrilled with my bike and can't wait for the snow to melt in Vermont so I can get the old girl out of storage...

[deilenberger]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

Given the excellent mileage I get on the R1200R - tank range hasn't been an issue.. on a trip I've gotten over 300 miles on a tank.

Can't speak to the passenger seat. My riders seat is surprisingly comfortable for a stock BMW seat.

[Mr Episkopos]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

Given the excellent mileage I get on the R1200R - tank range hasn't been an issue.. on a trip I've gotten over 300 miles on a tank.

Can't speak to the passenger seat. My riders seat is surprisingly comfortable for a stock BMW seat.

300 miles on a 17lt tank!?!?!?!?

I believe you mean km (which is VERY VERY good consumption). If its miles allright (487 km), im going to order it tommorow!!

[Caol]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

I can't respond to the comfort of the passenger, as I haven't one!

However, I expect to get 400+ km out of a tank of gas and routinely run about 425km. And that's with the bags on.


Oh! Yeah! Why did I buy an R1200R? Because my '87 K75T was getting a little long in the tooth and the K1200R is way too much bike for my style. Not too big, not too small. Just perfect!

[deilenberger]

Yes but what about smaller fuel tank and uncomfortable passenger seat?

Im asking that because im about to change my 1150 to 1200.

Thank you.

Given the excellent mileage I get on the R1200R - tank range hasn't been an issue.. on a trip I've gotten over 300 miles on a tank.

Can't speak to the passenger seat. My riders seat is surprisingly comfortable for a stock BMW seat.

300 miles on a 17lt tank!?!?!?!?

Your mixing metric and English.. a fwiw: 1 get 50mpg (> 21km/ltr) easily from the bike when cruising at semi-legal highway speeds (60-70 mph (aka 100-110km/hr)) - the tank holds over 6 gallons (> 22 liters). Do the math. The OBC projected fuel range after filling up is often >325 miles (523km).

Strangely - the tank capacity IS larger than BMW claims. I believe it's roughly 1 gallon larger than they claim... I have gotten over 55MPG from the bike (backroads at 50-55mph in 4th and 5th gear) on several occasions, which would give a projected range of 335 MILES, or something over 500km. In both instances - it's way further than I can sit on the bike at a time without getting off and getting some blood circulation (or stopping to pee..)

I believe you mean km (which is VERY VERY good consumption). If its miles allright (487 km), im going to order it tommorow!!

It's miles. Go order it..

[Enjoy-Rider]

Yesterday I found myself without fuel left while riding on the highway
The board computer said I could drive another 13 kilometers, but then the tank was empty!
Strange isn't it?

I do an average of 18 kilometers on a liter petrol.
But on a rough and fast ride, it can go up to 15 or 16 km's a litre.
Were not that quiet drivers in Europe

[eisen]

Yesterday I found myself without fuel left while riding on the highway
The board computer said I could drive another 13 kilometers, but then the tank was empty!
Strange isn't it?

WOW, you are brave! I would never trust the fuel guage down to 13km.
I usually average around 290-320km to a tank and refuel when the computer tells me i have 50+km to go.

[Enjoy-Rider]

Yesterday I found myself without fuel left while riding on the highway
The board computer said I could drive another 13 kilometers, but then the tank was empty!
Strange isn't it?

WOW, you are brave! I would never trust the fuel guage down to 13km.
I usually average around 290-320km to a tank and refuel when the computer tells me i have 50+km to go.

Oops yes........it was 50 kilometers until home (where also the fuel station is), and my BC said I could drive another 52 kms.
This is my first bike, and from my car I am used to that when it says : Refuel RIGHT NOW!!!", I can drive another 80 kms or so.
So I really wasn't prepared I couldn't even drive this 52 kms!
Well......everyday you learn something don't you?

[celticus]

"I can't respond to the comfort of the passenger, as I haven't one! "

Just get a new seat or buy her an Air Hawk pad. I bought a Rick Meyer seat for me that was made with just the rider in mind. The Air Hawk made comfortable the wife's lovely butt. They seem costly but they are well made and do the trick nicely. The Air Hawk that is.
Mark

[Caol]

"I can't respond to the comfort of the passenger, as I haven't one! "

Just get a new seat or buy her an Air Hawk pad. I bought a Rick Meyer seat for me that was made with just the rider in mind. The Air Hawk made comfortable the wife's lovely butt. They seem costly but they are well made and do the trick nicely. The Air Hawk that is.
Mark

I would happily buy an Air Hawk, or an Alaska Leather sheepskin pad or even a Gel/Memory Foam/Sheepskin pad from American Motorcycle Specialties, if only I had a passenger!

Oh, well....

It leaves me with more room for stuff and is easier on gas!