Lurker finally commits!

[bmwk100]

After a few years of lurking around your sight, I finally dived into the pool and placed a deposit on a blue 2010 R1200R. I'm scheduled to pick it up Saturday after trading in my 2006 Triumph Sprint ST. This site was a great resource into answering all of my questions and I would like to especially thank Bill Stevenson for taking time out of his weekend and giving me the pros and cons of this bike via a lengthy phone conversation.

I can't wait to pick it up on Saturday! This is my first boxer after 15 years of K-bikes (K100RS, K1200RS) and the past four years on a Triumph. Looking forward to participating on this site.

[fastdogs2]

BMWK100,

Welcome and congratulations on your new R1200R. You will soon discover what we all know, that the R1200R is the most underestimated bike in the BMW line. I have only ridden one K bike, a K75, and that was to test it out for a friend.

You may miss the smoothness of the K engine, but you will soon succumb to the charms of the boxer engine.

I have owned three boxers, a R1200C, a R1200RT and now the R1200R. The R1200R is the best of all of those.

Enjoy your new ride. I hope you have opted for the Comfort Saddle. If not, you probably will want to change the stock seat for something more comfortable.

Bill

[Kieran R1200R]

Good luck on the new purchase and welcome aboard.
This is my 4th boxer, 2 x R1100S, 1 x R1200S and now the R1200R, this bike is very verstile and is a corner carver!
I had a K100RS for 20years, put 190,000 km on it. In that time only replace a clutch cable and a couple of oil leaks. The luggage consept on that bike has not been equaled on any BMW bike todate as it fitted so well to the bike. Today apart from the RT all the rest looks like add ons!!!
You will get similar gas milage but the K will take the trophy on that one still.
Where you will notice the biggest difference is that the R is not effected by side winds like the K was, big difference. But you will miss the fairing protection. The handling on the R makes up for all the losses.
For me the bigest concern is in hot weather above 36c and having to run through traffic and stop lights. I start to smell oil like the motor getting real hot. Don't like that at all, would like a fan bringing air over the cooler like the RT has as a option, but apart from that alls good.

Cheers

[Caroanbill]

... Where you will notice the biggest difference is that the R is not effected by side winds like the K was, big difference ...

Amen! This was my biggest surprise on the Roadster - it just shrugs off side winds, even with the panniers and topcase on. My little F650 was a sail by comparison, and let's not even think about the K1100LT.

[bmwk100]

Thanks for the information. The dealer I'm buying from is about 250 miles away, so I should have a nice run home to break it in.

[ka5ysy]

Commitment is GOOD !

Welcome to the group and enjoy the new ride. You will absolutely love this bike. I spent all day yesterday running around doing lawyer stuff and put 185 miles on in beautiful weather. Probably going to do the same thing today !

Doug

[Kavan]

Commitment is GOOD !

Welcome to the group and enjoy the new ride. You will absolutely love this bike. I spent all day yesterday running around doing lawyer stuff and put 185 miles on in beautiful weather. Probably going to do the same thing today !

Doug

Never seem someone riding with suit before, interesting to find out. how do you keep your hair from being flat after you take out your helmet?

Kavan

[Rocket]

I moved from a Triumph ST1050 Sprint to the R1200R last year. The BM is more flickable and more fun to ride IMO + the lower COG means it is easier to move in /out of the garage. Miss the wind protection , however, but still prefer the more upright riding position. Sprint is a gorgeous looking bike and sounds fabulous but the R1200R "fun to ride" qualities more than make up for that.
Good decision, you will not be disappointed. Welcome to the fold.

[ka5ysy]

Commitment is GOOD !

Welcome to the group and enjoy the new ride. You will absolutely love this bike. I spent all day yesterday running around doing lawyer stuff and put 185 miles on in beautiful weather. Probably going to do the same thing today !

Doug

Never seem someone riding with suit before, interesting to find out. how do you keep your hair from being flat after you take out your helmet?

Kavan

Actually, the only time you will ever find me in a suit and tie is when I have an appearance in the courtroom. Mostly when this happens, I will go in the X5 and stay nice and neat. Much of the time I am casual, and I generally wear a polo shirt with my BMW Summer pants. Most people don't even realize they are armored biker pants. I have some good looking Oxtar Matrix boots, or the Sidi Slash short boots that pass for street shoes (no weird graphics). On some occasions I will put the Motoport kevlar pant over some dress slacks, and that works pretty well and I obviously shed the armor before putting on the coat with the dress shirt and tie. The hair is well stuck down with some of my wife's hairspray, and that generally only requires a quick slick-down or combing to fix helmet hair. I have never had anybody object to my appearance and generally they all think it is pretty cool for their attorney to ride a BMW motorcycle. Several Judges I know actually are riders, which helps considerably. Unfortunately, they ride HD iron

A really great benefit is that when at my home courthouse, I can pull up under a big oak tree and park right in front, 50 feet from the door, without having to fight for parking space like the cars do. This really aggravates my fellow attorneys ! Awwwww...

So far, the only "disadvantage" I have noticed is that it takes me a lot longer to go from "A" to "B" mileage-wise and the roads seem quite twisty in places.

So today, I put on another 140 miles finishing up the week. Life is good

[xprof]

Yeah, I really hate it when my wife sends me down to the corner store for something and it takes me 40 miles of twisties to get there and back.

[bmwk100]

Picked up the bike today (Blue, hard bags, sport shield, premium package) and traded in the Sprint. It was a 250 highway ride home so I modulated the speed a lot but ran at about 5K rpm. most of the way. The manual says you should not exceed 4K rpm. Oh well.

The Boxer engine is new to me and it was a great ride home. Very happy with my purchase and look forward to riding with fellow BMW riders tomorrow morning. I'll post pictures in the near future.