Not new to boxers but new to R1200R ownership.Not wanting to preach to the choir
and bore people a few impressions about the R1200R for people not (yet) riding one.
I myself come from a R1100S a bike I love(d) for the last 10 seasons.
Sporty,good looking,fun to ride,solo fast or touring 2-up,it covered the whole spectrum almost perfectly.The tank range was a little smallish and later I started to lust over the smoother,faster revving and more powerful 1200 boxer engines.
Bought an R1200S.Great sporty bike but unfortunately challenged on the practical side of life.Definately no 2-up bike and after 300 miles or so your bum starts to burn where the old 1100S was good for 600 miles and more.I did 1200 on it and was still able to enjoy the evening afterwards!
The R1200ST could have been the logical choice.But looks and handling left me cold.
The R1200R is a very overlooked bike.Not a model but the girl next door...
Beauty is only skin deep...
I must say the R1200R is the most practical and fun bike I ever rode!
Much better than a GS which is already a very good bike.
The best BMW and probably the best motor-cycle,period!
And I will try to explain why I think so...
First the engine.Great.Very smooth and strong enough.Very good fuel economy and easy for do it yourselfers to adjust the valves.Try that on a japanese,italian or austrian machine...
Also much more characterful than any boring inline-4.
Put a full Staintune system on it.Beautiful boxer sound and 10 lbs less weight.
Worth the money if you like some music.
The handling is awesome.As easy to ride as a moped and still super stable.
For beginners and experts alike!
Did not get the ESA but put Ohlins on my.Not cheap but definately worth the money as the stock suspension feels a little soft/underdampened.
And the yellow springs look so purdy,especially on a black bike...
Very comfortable and practical.Have the high seat on it.No need for an often ugly looking "tractor" aftermarket seat.
Big bags,practical luggage rack,centerstand and underseat storage.A real BMW!
Just wish BMW would still put a quality toolkit and tire repair kit under the seat!
But we all know BMW never break down or catch nails in the tires...
The brakes are amazing.Better than even the great EVO-ABS system without the added complexity of the servo system.Very good.
The tranny on my 09 R1200R shifts smoother than on my 07 R1200S which clunks in the 1st and 2nd gear.Definately an improvement since they put in the new HP2-S trannys beginning in spring 2008...
Comfortable,sporty,practical,what is not to like?!
A little pricey but it is really one motorcycle that does it all without any real alternative on the market.Characterful boxer engine,great handling,powerful,smooth,easy on gas,cheap on maintenance,shaft drive,ABS,the whole enchilada
I'm very happy with the "queen of the alps" according to european moto mag "Motorrad".
Or as british mag "Bike" wrote,"Better than a GS"!
Besides the full Staintune system and the Ohlins I did a few other useful (for me) modifications.A lower LSL superbike handlebar to sit less upright.Coming from the S I don't like the sit up and beg seating position.Two PIA H11 bulbs for a very bright headlight.An oilcooler screen to prevent the oilcooler from getting pepperd by debris,BMW forgot to put on.And also a K1300S 14 LED taillight much better looking than the "baboon/tongue" K1200S taillight,that come stock on the 1200R.
The R1200R is much more than the sum of it's parts.
Don't judge the book by it's cover like I did...
The R1200R is a true sleeper and fantastic motorcycle
I'll keep the R1200S,though,for my shallow moments...
But beauty is only skin deep...