R1150 v R1200R mmmmm..

[mrsteve]

Hi everyone.
I'm planning to get my first beemer moto. My goal is the R12R but the budget is tight and they are scarce at the moment, especially in France. I have not seen any user comparisons between the the R1150R and the R1200R. Was it really a quantum leap forward when the R12R appeared or would an R1150R be a good starting point into flat-twin-beemer world? I currently ride a ZX-7R which is great fun but over long journeys on twisty back roads is a bit of a nightmare. I've got crotch rockets out of my system now so now need something a bit more comfortable. However it needs to have good torque and less gear changing than the average high revving 4 pot jap offering. The boxers offer that in spades, it's just the decision that must be made. The chase is fun though. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks

[MikeCam]

The hexhead engine is a big leap forward over the oilhead from the 1150 series. Lighter, more powerful, more efficient. Electronics on the Hexhead series are more complicated than on Oilheads. Here is a good comparison thread...

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15855

[ka5ysy]

The R12R has a counterbalanced engine, very smooth, better injection mapping (to me) really fine antilock brake system, less weight, more power, oil cooler is down low and does not dump hot air on your knees, is "King of the Alps", can embarrass a lot of crotch-rockets, and gets great gas milage (I get 250 miles per tank regularly). Stock seat is a problem for me... I have a custom seat on order.

Either bike is better than NO bike


Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulet

[AllanCook]

I've had both. The 1150 was a bit heavier, but it was still a very nice motorcycle. Handled well, had plenty of power and torque. The suspension was nice, the seat was comfortable. It was more a classic Beemer. The 1200 is a lot lighter, sportier, has a good deal more power and torque and excellent brakes. I'm not as happy with the suspension or the seat. The lack of a useable power socket is a real minus. But I don't see how you could go wrong either way.

[mrsteve]

I knew that would happen and I think I really knew the answer before I sent this post. It's really the R12R that I should go for. The budget that won't quite go the distance prompted the question. Whichever model I choose, the seat will have to go and Givi boxes will be the luggage of choice. Thanks to everyone for all your responses and I will see you somewhere in Beemerworld once I 've found that dream R12R.
Steve

[Bill Stevenson]

While I would agree that my R1200R is an all around improvement over the previous R1150R, and all of the reasons stated herein cover the topic well, I must say that the R1150R is still a lovely bike and I would not hesitate to buy one were I in your shoes. In fact my R1150R was just as smooth in the sweet spot, and the seat was better. On both of my bikes Bill Mayer provided a custom saddle, but the R1150R two piece design is nicer than the one piece arrangement on the new model. Also, the BMW tall windscreen for the R1150R is better than anything available for the R1200R. A lot better. I think you should go for the R1150R, which is still a damn fine motorcycle.

Regards,

Bill

[Rockosmith]

I must agree with Bill...The R1150R is a fine bike. I bought mine slightly used in March 2006 with 6900 miles on it, currently it is at 74200. While it is down on horsepower versus the Japanese 4 cyl's., the R has very usable, smooth power. It handles well, is a competent tourer (properly outfitted) and gets between 45 and 52 mpg doing it. I wouldn't hesitate to have another should anything unfortunate happen to my current one. My goal is got reach 100K miles and then decide whether to move to a hex head or not.

[mrsteve]

Thanks Bill and Rockosmith. I'm seriously considering a couple of R1150R's at the moment. The prices are falling a bit here in Europe so I will probably wait a few weeks, Maybe 'till after Christmas as my hands are full with a restoration of an ancient Brit Bike. A 500 Speed Twin which I'm gradually screwing together from boxes of grimy bits.
Would you advise a Rockster as they seem to hold their prices quite well and have some mid-life updates that seem to be worth having? E.g. wider rear tyre, twin spark ignition, ..er nice paint job?? Anyway I'm sure the right machine will come along if I wait.
My ultimate goal is an R12R. maybe when I can afford one of those there may be some improvements from the factory tha will make an even better buy.
Sincerely,
Steve
PS My new grandson is called Rocco

[Rockosmith]

I have never ridden a Rockster, but the dual spark plug engine is in the 'R' as well, starting in 2004. I don't know if it is on all the '04's, but mine is. The seating position is somewhat different due to lower bars, some like it, some don't.

[Lost Rider]

My ultimate goal is an R12R. maybe when I can afford one of those there may be some improvements from the factory tha will make an even better buy.

That's unlikely since the R1200R is perfect.



Here's a comparison I can think of from my experience:
All fine, good looking machines designed around the same time...

R1150R = Apple PowerBook G3 292MHz, 8GB hard drive, 6.1 pounds




R1200R = Apple MacBook Air, Dual 1.86GHz, 128GB Solid State Hard Drive, 3 pounds





I think I would search daily and wait until I found a R1200R I could afford, or get a second job, but that's just me.

[Dan-A]

I've had both. The 1150 was a bit heavier, but it was still a very nice motorcycle...... The 1200 is a lot lighter, sportier, has a good deal more power and torque and excellent brakes. I'm not as happy with the suspension or the seat. The lack of a useable power socket is a real minus.

What is the issue with the power socket, location?

[ka5ysy]

good comparison on the Macs

it is easy to add a power outlet on the RT. Should not be An issue

[lewellen]

R1200R = Apple MacBook Air, Dual 1.86GHz, 128GB Solid State Hard Drive, 3 pounds
I think I would search daily and wait until I found a R1200R I could afford, or get a second job, but that's just me.

Mmmm... I have a MacBook Air configured as above, and it ain't perfect by a loooong shot ... but that's another thread.

(There are similarities ... Apple did some really, really dumb things with the Air, and the R1200R has some glitches too. Such are all new models, I suppose. But overall, I'm far happier with the R1200R than with the MacAir.)

My smiling local friendly BMW repair shop uses R1150Rs for loaners, so I get a back-to-back comparo every time I bring my R1200R in for service. They are very different bikes.

The 1150's in the loaner fleet have windshields put on 'em, so this might skew my opinion; but the 1150R, to me, feels more like what I'd expect from an "RT." There's more bodywork, the instrument cluster seems higher and certainly has a larger "face." The lights are a collection of "idiot jewels" on a metal backplate, and the whole assembly seems, well, just bigger and more ostentatious than the 1200R's. I took a little while to get used to the R1200R's asymmetric cluster, but I find it intrudes into my riding "cognition space" much less than the 1150's does yet still provides me with more information. Some of this is just familiarity, but much of it is the packaging of the cluster's gauges and indicators. Similar comments re appearance and feel to the brake and clutch levers and switchgear.

The 1150R has a somewhat more relaxed riding position to me; slightly more upright, slightly less bend at the knees. Handling is heavier ... not bad, just heavier. And there are more flourishes on the body, e.g. the "falsies" on the sides of the tank, the bifurcated Telelever arms, etc. The engine is certainly strong enough, and feels smoother to me than the 1200's does ... but that might be a mileage issue, at just over a year old my 1200R has only 5.5k miles. (I travel a lot....)

The R1200R's transmission is, in my opinion, markedly better than the 1150's. Easier to shift, "1st" has a hard stop at the bottom, smaller lever throw, less klunky (when both are warmed up).

They're different enough that, frankly, if I didn't know better I wouldn't have said they fill the same slot in the lineup for their respective years.

My suggestion (probably echoed by others above): Ride both bikes back-to-back if you can. See how you fit on both of them, how naturally you read the cluster, how each feels when you're riding. Both are fine machines and will do well by you. I probably would have been quite happy with an R1150R, had I been in the market a year earlier; but I prefer the R1200R. (Obviously, I guess, or I wouldn't be posting here.)

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[AllanCook]

good comparison on the Macs

it is east to add a power outlet on the RT. Should not be An issue

As it turns out, I've had a few Mac laptops, too, and that's a great comparison.

It may be easy to add a power outlet; my point that I shouldn't have to.

[MikeCam]

So the power outlet is Firewire while many would prefer that it be USB 2.0?

[celticus]

Fer crying out loud it is SO easy to add a usable power outlet to the very lovely , fun , and powerful R1200R BMW that it is not an issue.

Mark

[ka5ysy]

Fer crying out loud it is SO easy to add a usable power outlet to the very lovely , fun , and powerful R1200R BMW that it is not an issue.
Mark

About 10 minutes total for me.