650 x-country to r1200r upgrade - need advice

[jf]

I'm a relative motorcycle novice, having about 3 years and 3000 miles of experience (mostly city riding). My first bike was a yamaha 250, which i traded in for the 650 x-country. I ride mainly in the Philadelphia, but occasionally take 150 mile rides to a vacation house. the abs, which attracted me to the bmw, has saved me several times from Philly cab drivers. Around town, the 650 is perfect. on the longer trips, i'm lusting for a bigger bike. I'm 6'2", 190 lbs - the 650 is a good size for me. I love the look of the r1200r, but have not ridden one.

3 questions for the board -
1) how does the ride/handling of the r1200r compare to the 650 x-country?
2) is it "too much" bike for me with only 300 miles experience?
3) is it a comfortable bike for someone my size?

I'd be very appreciative on any input/advice from the board members. many thanks in advance - JF

[MikeCam]

I've ridden a R1200ST and GS so I can only go so far but I have a 650x Country to complete the other half, so here goes.

650x Country single cylinder, light weight, Thumper is rougher, more grunty and less compliant than the R1200R. You will notice a smoother ride, more power delivery across the rev range and less 'effort' at maneuvering on the go. The weight will be noticeable at stops, when turning tight in parking lots and when carving tight twisties - but not much.

With 300 miles experience, every bike is too much for you! But with 3000 miles (note one of your entries must be a typo) you are at a stage where the basic skills are there. Experience alone will make you a better rider from this point. The bike, within reason, doesn't make as much difference. I think the 12 is within your range.

Comfort has as much to do with your build and butt as with the bike - very hard to answer. The riding position will be different. You might like it better.

[MJB]

I have had 3 bikes
Started on a 550, then a 750 now a 1200
When I first started many many years ago, I bought a used 550
All my friends told me I should start out with something smaller, like the old Honda 350
I chose the 550 because I felt that within a few weeks I would out grow the 350, which I did.

The 1200 might be a little big, however it is such an easy bike to ride, within 500 - 1000 miles you will be home on it.
You’re the same size as me, so you will not have any problems with supporting the bike at lights.
The bike is fine in the city, so 1 bike can do both: city and country riding.

May I suggest you take it out for a test ride or 2, and purchase the bike with the high seat.
Not sure if you are buying brand new or not, but may I suggest you purchase at least the ABS, and the OBC.
MY bike came with all the factory options, which at the time I though was a little much.
But now that I have all the options, I enjoy them all. Even the chrome exhaust.......the pipes turn blue and not brown..

As far as comfort goes....well the seat is in question....
Do a search for "Seat" and see what you find.
I'm thinking up upgrading to a new seat next year.....not sure which one right now..

[Caroanbill]

With a little self control, you'll have no real problems.

I came to the R12R from an F650CS (still have it for city riding). About the same urge and ergonomics as the G650X Country. The list in my sig is a bit misleading - I'd really given up on big bikes after a big loss in riding confidence and the CS was my only bike for a few years. I tried quite a few larger bikes, looking for better touring competence (the CS is surprisingly good, BTW). Had an R1150RS awhile, tested the R1150R a few times (but the R1150 series was simply too heavy for me) - even had my heart set on the F800ST (but I couldn't stand the cramped position).

Enter the R12R. Low-ish weight and ride position is similar to the CS / Country - easy stance, wide-ish 'bars. Height is OK and the upright position seems easier on tricky ground than a sportsbike (or even the F800ST). Bags more power - but how much you use that is up to you. Quantum leap in suspension competence (the telelever is the best open-road suspension for me). Fantastic brakes (the CS' brakes are good, but not superb).

Bottom line? Get used to the extra engine and braking power progressively and you'll be fine. Invest in a good training course - the R12R will take you out onto open (and twisty) roads, and roadcraft out there is NOT what you've been used to in the city. Take it EASY - a moment's over-enthusiasm can overcook a large roadbike if you're inexperienced. Don't crack the throttle open on a challenging road until you've practised on an easy road ... I was afraid of my first 'big' bike (Suzuki GS750B) but soon discovered it only went as fast as I twisted the throttle ...

But seriously - I've toured a BMW 650 single around open Aussie backroads, mountain roads, city roads and freeways. Chain aside, the G650X Country is a pretty similar - and similarly competent - bike. If you're worried, do another 10,000 miles on the Country - get out on challenging roads and find out how much fun a big single can be. I still take my CS out for quick copuntry blats - it's soooo much fun.

[hayabusafiend]

(I'm assuming 300 was a typo since you mention 150 mile rides)

In addition to comments above, the R1200 is doable with 3000 street miles, just take it easy. It has a mountain of torque and engine braking. Other than the power, the biggest item I noticed with the boxer engine is the lateral vibration at idle. It's taking me some time to get used to and I have nearly 60,000 street miles on a variety of bikes.

I second the recommendation of test rides.

[moxnix]

Small world (but I wouldn't want to paint it).

I have a XCountry, my first bike, and my dream bike is a R1200R.

I have been riding for a little over a year and have about 6,000 miles under my belt 4,500 of that on the XC, the rest split between a K100RS and a R1150R.

I borrowed a R1150R with low seat (I am 6'2" and 220#) for a 600 mile trip and fell in love~ even with a low seat.

When my XC was in the shop, the dealer lent me an R1200R, so after dropping off the XC I spent a day-off of work and rode the R for about 200 miles, then dropped it off and got back on the XC- these are my back-to-back riding impressions~ albeit limited.

I feel the R1200R is a mix of the XC and K100, the wide bars are about the same as the XC and the motor has the torque of the R. The handling of the XC is similar but the R feels less 'tippy', suspension height difference I suppose. The sport windscreen on the R (same as the XC windscreen) is nowhere as near as effective as on the XC.

"Too much bike" would be a turbo 'busa.

The high seat is a great fit for me, but makes the riding position more 'on' than 'in' the R. This is from my 600 miles on the low-seated 1150R.

If I could I would trade both the XC and K for a R.

As far as a 1200 for a newish rider, I would ask your age (those over 26 subconsciously access and accept risk differently) and your willingness to take a MSF Course. I highly recommend with any new bike purchase to re-take the course.

Good luck!

[jf]

wow! first, let me say that this is the single most helpful message board i have ever seen. thank you to everyone who answered my post. Your input is incredibly helpful.

To answer some of the queries, my chronological age is 49, so i have a reasonable grip on the risks of motorcycling. My emotional age arrested between 17 and 21 and that part is jonesing not only for the r12r, but for a harley v-rod as well. that said, i plan to heed your advice and stay with the 650 xc for now. yes, the 300 miles was a typo, i've logged on 3000, but the posts make it clear that 3000 is a baby step in joining the fraternity of experienced riders. safety training - I've read proficient motorcylcing and every other safety book i could get my hands on (and done all of the suggested drills), but I have not taken a course (i'm a surgeon, married to a surgeon, and we have 2 sets of twins so freeing up time for a course has been next to impossible).

Based on the posts, my plan is to take an r12r test ride for grins if i can manage a free afternoon, but i will plan to hang onto the 650 x-country until i have some more experience and have managed to take a course or two. many thanks for all of you for your thoughtful input. you can expect to hear back from me in a year or two when i've completed this logical assimilation of your cummulated wisdom - or immediately if i do manage to take out an r12r - in which case i will almost certainly buy one on the spot. again - many thanks to all. jf

[Johnny the W]

I know just where you are in your thought process. Earlier this spring I traded my 06 F650GS wiht 4,000 on the clock for a slightly used 07 R1200R. I also live in SE Pennsylvania and ride to the Jersey Shore. You will obviously notice the increase in power. For me the brakes took a little more time to get used to. They are very powerful, in a good way, compared to my old bike. Just ake it slow. I started by choosing less traveled roads on Sunday mornings. I also spent some time in empty parking lots practicing cornering and emergency braking. Since June, I've put 3,000 on ther R1200R and I can tell you that I much more confident on open roads and even in the twisties. The bike has been fantastic. No regrets.