R12R Touring

[RadRider]

I'm heading to the BMW MOA Rally in July on my new R1200R. My long distance tours have been on my old R1200RT. This year its South Florida to Redmond Oregon and back. Any R12R long distance riders out there? How does the bike perform on long distance (6000+ miles) tours? I have outfitted the bike with larger windscreen, luggage, GPS, etc

[ka5ysy]

You are riding an "RT Lite". It is the identical bike without the fairings on, down to the same exact luggage plus weighs in about 80 pounds less. Have fun without any concerns. Except the stock seat maybe. It sucks.

[RadRider]

It sure feels "lighter" and in my opinion more fun to ride than my old RT. I have a 20" CeeBailey with the tilt back mod, saddlebags, smaller topcase, Motolights and a Sargent seat. Can't wait to take off!

[Bill Stevenson]

Several months ago my dealer, 441 Cycle, loaned me a new R1200RT while my R1200R was being serviced. I felt the weight of the fairing transformed the bike. At the time I characterized the difference by saying it would be like making a ballerina dance while wearing combat boots. For a long tour, though, the RT has several advantages starting with superior wind protection and very effective cruise control. You might compensate by taking more frequent breaks. I have a Thottlemeister and you might want one of those if you don't already have one. Of course when you have time and can avail yourself of riding more interesting secondary roads, your R-R will reward you with it's greater maneuverability, lighter more lithe feel, and sheer competence. Getting out of South Florida will be the price you pay to get to the many good roads north of us. Crossing the Great Plains will also be a challenge, but then you get in the mountains out west where again your R-R will reward your effort. Oregon gets interesting particularly west of Redmond, so be sure to find time to explore the western most parts of Oregon while you are there. FWIW, I lived in the Pacific Northwest for several years (my alma mater is the University of Washington) and really miss that area of the country a lot. I wish I could find time to join you, but that is not possible for me. Have fun.

Bill

[Don C]

So Jose, How is the tilt back mod working out for you?

[TT RDHS]

You are riding an "RT Lite". It is the identical bike without the fairings on, down to the same exact luggage plus weighs in about 80 pounds less. Have fun without any concerns. Except the stock seat maybe. It sucks.

+1
It's a great bike for longer trips!
I just finished a 6500 mile trip up into Canada and back...
The bike performed flawlessly.
(although I did loose a couple bolts out of my nippy normans hugger along the way. some zip ties got it home in good order, though.)
If you still have the stock seat, get yourself one of those inflatable seat pads, and you'll do just fine.
And for wind protection, I just use the BMW "sport" screen. (clean & quiet air, taking the weight off my wrists)
Brad (TT RDHS)

[rpoppen]

Right after I got my R12R in Mar. 09, I rode it to FL, about a 1000 mile trip, and back via NC. I learned the stock seat feels like an ironing board after a few hours, the bars are too far away for my short arms, and the little sport screen is useless in rain. Since then I've fitted bar-backs and a Sargent seat, ordered a Parabellum scout fairing (which I'm told will arrive before the end of the month), and fabricated a larger luggage rack for camping gear. Looking forward to the trip to Redmond. Maybe I'll see you there.
--Roger
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Roger Poppen
<http://mypage.siu.edu/drrock/>

[rokinrider]

How do you like the sargent seat???? I want one soon!!

[rpoppen]

Sargent is much more comfy than original. I ordered the 'low' option but it seems no different from the standard height of old seat.
--Roger

[RadRider]

The tilt back mod for the windscreen made a big difference in terms of the buffeting and noise, it brings it to a more tolerable level. I purchased the bike with the low seat, purchased a used standard seat and of those two the standard seat is the worst. I now have the Sargent standard height and it is much more comfortable for me. The real test will be on my trip to Redmond. Last summer I did a 6000 mile two week tour to the rallies in TN and WV and the 1200RT I had at the time was flawless. We'll see how this summer's tour on the R12R goes!