My first mountain ride on my R1200R

[Josh_S]

Saturday I took a ride with a four of my friends up the Angeles Crest Highway, it was early and so there was little or no traffic, we had breakfast at the Rock Inn (outside of Palmdale), and came home by Little Tajunga Canyon rd. I have only had my R1200R for a month, and have been very happy with how well it handles the L.A. commute. But once we hit those wonderful curves I knew I had chosen the right bike for me. I leans in and hugs the road, the breaks are fantastic with almost zero front dive. My last bike was HD softail, and boy was this a different feeling. However at 6'4 I am going to need a taller seat (mine came with the short sports seat) if I'm going to go and longer than a couple hours. I have lowered pegs and although they helped my knees, I did touch down with my boot toe on a couple of curves.
Once I get the seat sorted this will be as perfect a bike as I have ridden.
All in all, Feel very lucky to live so near to such amazing beauty, and to have a great bike from which to enjoy it.

[celticus]

Welcome aboard! The R1200R IS wonderful on the tight mountain roads. It is my belief that it would be more than a match for the R1200S what with the "R"s wide handle bars and the leverage they impart. I don't see how the "S"s clip ons could be as easy to ride with when the roads get very twisty. Am I alone in this belief?
Mark

[Paul-from-VA]

Well....I for one think the bars provide a bit too much leverage making the bike feel a bit flighty. Guess after over 40 years of this stuff I still prefer something that requires a bit more heft at the helm, but that might just be a reflection on my historical perspective. I'm hoping the change to F800St bars, lower and shorter, might make it more suitable to me. In any case, I still think this is right about the best bike I've owned over the years.

[Dan-A]

Well....I for one think the bars provide a bit too much leverage making the bike feel a bit flighty. Guess after over 40 years of this stuff I still prefer something that requires a bit more heft at the helm, but that might just be a reflection on my historical perspective. I'm hoping the change to F800St bars, lower and shorter, might make it more suitable to me. In any case, I still think this is right about the best bike I've owned over the years.

My bike felt nervous too. I dropped 2 psi from the front tire, and reduced the rebound on the rear shock. I cannot remember if the the stock front shock had rebound or not, but if it does, take some out. This settled the bike for me.