If you had to get rid of your R1200R

[craigleo]

So, is the K1300R available in USA? Did the front wheel on your K come up a bit too easily and too often? When I got my R there was no sit up straight K1200 or K1300 at the dealership. Just the bend forward variety. Is ASC really necessary? I fully agree that ABS is mandatory...even on a Vespa.

[Ashveratu]

I just stumbled across the Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS. Looks like it would be a good R1200R substitute, no idea though on how it actually performs.

http://www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Model/3 ... rview.aspx

[sproggy]

I just stumbled across the Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS. Looks like it would be a good R1200R substitute, no idea though on how it actually performs.

http://www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Model/3 ... rview.aspx

It has a 76bhp engine, automatic gearbox, chain drive and a fairing. Other than the fact that it's got two wheels I don't see it being anything like the R1200R! It's half bike, half scooter.

[ka5ysy]

Ok.. I finally found a worthy candidate if I had the money:

BImota DB6 Delirio




Only real problem is they cost $30,000. Yikes ! Must have something to do with all the handmade parts and the Ducati engine.



ENGINE

(DUCATI 1100 DS)
Type: Ducati L-twin cylinder, 2 valves per cylinder Desmodromic; air cooled
Displacement: 1079 ccm
Bore x Stroke: 98.0mm x 71.5mm
Compression Ratio: 10±0.5:1
Engine Redline: 9000rpm
Cooling: air/oil-cooling
Max Power: 67.6 kW (91 hp) @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque: 9.0 kgm (65.1 ft-lb) @ 4500 rpm
Valve Angle: 28°
Valvetrain Type: Desmodromic
Intake Valve Diameter: Ø 40mm
Exhaust Valve Diameter: Ø 35mm
Fuel Pump: Bitron 3.5 bar, electrical
Fuel Injection: Electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body
Lubrication System: Wet Sump
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16 l (4.2gal)

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox: 6 speed
Gear Ratio: 6th 4:1 - 5th 4.5455:1 - 4th 5.263:1 - 3rd 6.25:1 - 2nd 8.333:1 - 1st 12.5:1
Primary Drive: 32/59 teeth
Final Drive: Chain, 15/40 teeth
Clutch: Dry multiplate with hydraulic control

CHASSIS

Frame: 20/25mm (0.8/1.0in) tubular chrome molybdenum steel trellis with lateral plates in aircraft alloy
Rear Frame: 15/25/30mm (0.6/1.0/1.2in) tubular chrome molybdenum steel trellis with lateral plates in aircraft alloy
Swingarm Length: 525mm ±20 mm (20.7in ±0.8in)
Front suspension: 50mm Marzocchi upride-down fork with TiN treatment
Rake: 24°
Front wheel travel: 120 mm (4.7in)
Rear suspension: Extreme Tech Mono Shock, fully adjustable, straight connection
Rear wheel travel: 130 mm (5.1in)
Trail: 100mm (3.9in)
Wheelbase: 1425mm (56.1in)
Seat Height: 830mm (32.7in)
Foot Rest Height: 385mm (15.2in)
Front Wheel: 3.50x17.0 Al Alloy
Front Tyre: 120/70ZR17
Rear Wheel: 5.50x17.0 Al Alloy
Rear Tyre: 180/55ZR17
Front brake: 2x320mm Brembo floating discs, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear brake: 220mm sigle disc
Dry weight: 177kg (390lb)

[papasong]

Most likely a K1300R with ABS. I owned previously a K1200R but without ABS. With the ABS feature I would have never sold this bike. A wonderful touring bike which fit my frame perfectly but safety at my age is very important so after two light mishaps which never would have happend with ABS, I opted for the R1200R.
Peter

Agree. I would definitely get the K1300R (if it were available in the US).
Next in line would be the K1300S (or K1300GT).

Ideally, I would have a "couple" of bikes...
R1200R
K1300R
K1300S (or GT)
R1200GS

[sproggy]

Ideally, I would have a "couple" of bikes...
R1200R
K1300R
K1300S (or GT)
R1200GS

It sounds to me as if you should look for a job with a BMW dealer, then you could ride any of their stock........

There are other makes of bike out there, you know

[Sander Abernathy]

I'm on-board with the BiMoto but for that kind of cash I'm getting the Tesi 3-D without the front fork if only so I can figure out how that thing works.

They have a very lightly used Confederate Wraith on consignment at Blue Moon Cycle which happens to be my BMW dealership. The owner decided one was enough so he is selling his second one. It's going for $95k which is $5k off the sticker price.

Actually, no one has mentioned the bike that is most like the R1200R but better. It's a boxer, has 20% more horsepower, weighs about 8% less, and with only a quarter fairing and a belly pan it is nearly a naked bike. The HP2 Sport. Sure it's $26,995 with ABS and destination charge but they are offering 0.9% financing. (It's not a $27,000 motorcycle it's a $460 a month motorcycle.) Plus I can't think of a farkle it needs. Then again I could get the Tesi 3-D for just a little more.

[rex akro]

I'd get one of these
May be happening soon

[JohnM]

For me, it must have some "legs."

Coming off a K75RT, it was either the GS or RT, or more importantly Honda's NT700V. The newer FJR was also on my radar screen before I bought the R12R, but I just couldn't get around the weight of the FJR, plus its lack of farkles. :-)

If Honda had updated the Deauville before making it available here in the US, I seriously would have looked at it. (IMO, needed better-defined luggage, not the PC800-type integrated stuff, slightly larger engine (750-800cc), couple of liters more in the tank capacity, and a 6th gear.)

Hope it sells well here in the US anyway.

[kidtwist]

Either a Triumph Street Triple R or a Harley Super Glide Custom. Of course, these two are very different bikes, but I like variety.

[Bill Stevenson]

The other bike in my life is a Vespa GT (200 cc, 20 hp). The Vespa is more fun than anything else I can do with my clothes on and their newest fuel injected 300 is very sweet. I wish Vespa would import their 300 with ABS, currently only on offer in Europe. I would buy one of those in a heart beat. As for my R1200R, if something happened to it, I would buy another one without a second thought. If I had to do with just one bike it would be a tough choice. Some days I think Vespa, other days Beemer. Probably Beemer all things considered. I have also read glowing reviews on the new Kawasaki standard liter bike and it looks terrific, but no ABS. I had a Triumph Sprint ST and it was really very good and worth consideration too. Ducati is neat, but they don't seem to like the heat in S. Florida, which several friends have discovered the hard way all reporting reliability issues. The Japanese bikes (all brands) generally seem quite reliable. Harleys are popular down here and seem to handle the heat well, but I find them heavy and not as fun to ride as my R. But my partner sold his R1200RT preferring his new Ultra Glide. There are plenty of good choices depending on what you like. Of course if I won the lottery a big barn to house a fleet of bikes would be required. :-) Basically, if it has two wheels in line, I am enthused. Some day I will tell you about my bicycles, which I ride at least as many hours per week as my motorcycle and scooter combined.

Bill

[Josh_S]

My Ducati Streetfighter... I would hate to have to choose just one.

[Mollygrubber]

[hoflix]

Multistrada

[celticus]

Most likely a K1300R with ABS. I owned previously a K1200R but without ABS. With the ABS feature I would have never sold this bike. A wonderful touring bike which fit my frame perfectly but safety at my age is very important so after two light mishaps which never would have happend with ABS, I opted for the R1200R.
Peter

Agree. I would definitely get the K1300R (if it were available in the US).
Next in line would be the K1300S (or K1300GT).

Ideally, I would have a "couple" of bikes...
R1200R
K1300R
K1300S (or GT)
R1200GS

All of the "K" bikes mentioned are too long and heavy for the kind of riding that I like best.
They may be good for other people or other types of riding but not for me.
I wish BMW would make a adult bike that was meant for light touring. I used to own an K1200RS and it was just too long for me. My speed of riding in the twisties picked up noticeably when I got the R1200R.

Mark

[Mark_1]

I'd take a serious look at a S 1000 RR. 193 hp and half the price of the HP2.

Mark_1

[dodi]

[quote="Caroanbill"]The R1200R killed my bike lust. Sad, isn't it. It just suits me so well .. shaft, brakes, telelever (and sport/touring suspension generally), luggage, great weight (neither too light for touring nor too heavy for fun), great power (again, not too much but more than enough!).

I sat on a few new BMWs on Tuesday - most most disappointing was the F800R, the bike I waited for only to be very glad I got the R12R. Quite apart from the chain (why why why?) it feels like there's no bike underneath you, even though I can only touch my toes. I already know the F800ST won,t ever "fit" me, even though I like it. If I lived outside a major city, the R12RT has appeal - but I'd never want ride it through tight streets even to get to the freeways outta town.

I love the Multistrada idea (4 bikes in one), but I can't flat-foot it and I hate chains. Ditto the Tiger. A little shorter and a shaft or belt and I'd be very interested, especially with ABS.

Brutale, Streetfighter and Monster 1100 all appeal but their wheelbases are too short and steering to quick for touring (the R1200R is such a great compromise in these areas).
Quite like the Breva 750 but it is under powered and over weight. Ditto the Bonneville.

All the Japanese bikes are too big / heavy, unnecessarily powerful, or wheelbases too short, suspension too juddery. An updated XJ900 Diversion might have won me ... apart from lack of ABS. The Deauville is nice but waaaay to heavy .

That leaves the Guzzi V7 and the Ducati GT1000 - if I had to, either of those would do ... 'cept no ABS.


Great response, couldn't agree more.
I am 5'4" tall with an inseam of only 27'' ......This hasn't stopped me from owning over 24 bikes since 1996 ( no , I am not rich, actually just making ends meet, but I love bikes. )
Many of the bikes I have owned except for cruisers have been lowered for me and at the end of the day were not keepers for many of the same reasons pointed out in your post. Japanese inline fours are very smooth, high revving bikes, but ultimately not very versatile. Bikes in this category I have owned are Honda 600 F3 Honda 600F4 Suzuki SV 650, Honda CB1 and a Kawasaki z 750 , crazy fast, but not a great tourer. I have owned a 1999 Ducati Monster 750 and ironically not a very good city bike despite the raised handlebars. Stiff clutch, short wheelbase, poor running motor at low revs, etc.... Owned a Vstrom 650 ...too top heavy, buzzy, not pretty to look at....no abs, some older bikes, and commuter bikes. Ultimately one of my favorite bikes was a Bmw R850R with abs. Comfortable for longer rides, low seat height, enough weight to not get blown around on the freeway, nimble enough for city riding, and good storage capacity with hard bags. I regret selling it. A few years later i purchased a R1150R and unfortunately for me not a bike I ever gained enough confidence in. The seat height was taller than the 850 and it was a heavy bike. Also i could never get comfortable with the servo-assist brakes. And now to the whole point of my response, after owning several bikes and reading the responses, i want to add my take on this thread and that is to say after looking at most of the bikes out there I want back into the BMW community. The R1200r is a better, lighter, more modern and powerful improvement on my 850 r and the 1150r. If you add in the low seat, low frame version I am set. An all round bike that ticks most of the boxes , most of the time.
P.S. My present bike is a Yamaha Fz6r, an inline four with higher bars and more of an all rounder. It is still quite sporty, and can also be capable of light touring. Would be a great second faired bike alongside my R1200R.

[craigleo]

I have no experience of either of these bikes except what I have read. The Horex(sp?) or how about the 6 cyl BMWK1600GTor GTL. None of these bikes are in production or available in the USA yet... I am looking forward to their arrival to the motorcycle market. The idea of getting rid of the R1200R even to be replaced by another 'better' motorcycle is something my mind cannot yet comprehend. I think I would keep the R even if I felt there was a better motorcycle I had to have.

[Rocket]

KTM 990 SMT.

Raises the concept of "fun on a motorcycle" to a new level.

[TT RDHS]

KTM 990 SMT.

Raises the concept of "fun on a motorcycle" to a new level.

+1 on that!
The SMT would make my Superduke and my R12R redundant.