2011 - R1200R - First impressions

[2wheels]

Collected my red R1200R to day! Mercifully a bright sunny day - 15 C.

Engine: spins more freely and picks up quickly if you blip throttle on change down. Definite improvement in midrange power and acceleration. Probably smoother.

Ride quality: mine has ESA and 'high comfort seat' and ride is more comfortable on poorly surfaced roads. But still juggling with ESA settings.

Handling: a bit more precise and stable and corners easily.

All this as compared to 2 year old R1200R(6000mls).

Very happy so far...

Will keep you posted as miles build.

You know what it looks like so little point in posting a picture, but if someone could PM me with instructions how I will!

Brian

[Lost Rider]

Thanks for sharing, I likey the new Roadsters looks, and potential improvements.


as for posting, take a look here, it's basically the same thing but on this forum you use the Img button found right up there.
I highly recommend SmugMug, as I use it for all my image hosting.


http://www.smugmug.com/help/picture-sharing

[gregor]

Is this a new DOHC R1200R? BMW UK have just announced availability while selling off the older engine in the Classic version.

From a brief look at the photos, there seems very little difference. What are the visual cues and differences from the older model? And has that radiator been put in a more sensible position?

[Catchina]

What are the visual cues and differences from the older model? And has that radiator been put in a more sensible position?

The front fork is thicker, the muffler shorter and the cylinder heads have 2 bolts instead of 4. I also just picked up a red one, I only have 200 miles on it so far. Love this bike.

[deilenberger]

From a brief look at the photos, there seems very little difference. What are the visual cues and differences from the older model? And has that radiator been put in a more sensible position?

There is a problem with the radiator position? Could'a fooled me - I've never heard of anyone having trouble with it, including ChiTown (Joe Finn - above) who has taken his R12R in places GS riders are afraid to try..

[Sander Abernathy]

Style differences include the following:

On the 2011 Classic the engine block remains silver. On the 2011 R1200R's other than the Classic the engine block is black.

The telelever, paralever and wheels were silver on 2010 and prior. For 2011 they are a darker grey with metallic flakes.

The wheels are a different shape for 2011. Still round in case you are wondering. The 2010 and prior where kind of snowflake shaped whereas the 2011 are pinwheel shaped. They basically stole the pattern from the K1X00S bikes and the like.

New colors including the red and a matte finish grey with metallic.

New mirrors which are oval rather than round.

New instrument panel which is symetrical with the LCD display in the middle and a tach and speedometer on either side. The tach and speedometer are equal sized.

The comfort saddle may now be standard or a requisite option but I'm not sure.

The area behind the passenger seat has grab handles now which are excellent tie down points.

Grey valve covers rather than silver.

From the seat of a 2011, the 2010 appears to be a rapidly shrinking headlight. From the seat of a 2010 and prior, the 2011 appears to be a rapidly shrinking tail light. I jest of course but I regularly find myself skipping along at 90+ on the new bike. Didn't have that problem with the 2009. The tiny and illegible speedometer may be a contributing factor. I'm learning to read the speedometer like a clock. Nine o'clock is 37.5 mph, 12 o'clock is 75 and 3 o'clock is 110.

Apparently a new 2011 with zero miles on the odometer will have between 10 and 15 miles on Trip II. Mine was delivered that way and the next one to come into the dealer had the same quirk.

[deilenberger]

Apparently a new 2011 with zero miles on the odometer will have between 10 and 15 miles on Trip II. Mine was delivered that way and the next one to come into the dealer had the same quirk.

Wonder how they did that? The dealer is supposed to do a test ride of any new bike before delivery - of more then 10 miles IIRC.. it's a BMW requirement.

[websterize]

I rode a 2011 Classic with 14 miles on it. Was told those were dealership test ride miles, and I was the first customer to ride it. (They allowed me go only two miles.)

[websterize]

Nine o'clock is 37.5 mph, 12 o'clock is 75 and 3 o'clock is 110.

Wow, has the <4,000K rpm limit increased with the new engines — my ’09 manual said to keep the rpms under that for the first 600 miles.

[websterize]

Oh, they did raise the RPM run-in limits. See page 61 of the 2011 owner's manual.

Starting RPM limit at <5,500 rpm and ending at a "maximum engine rpm for short bursts" as early as ~370 miles. Whoa.

[Catchina]

Oh, they did raise the RPM run-in limits. See page 61 of the 2011 owner's manual.

Starting RPM limit at <5,500 rpm and ending at a "maximum engine rpm for short bursts" as early as ~370 miles. Whoa.

I am following the guidelines however the dealer said these bikes run in well if you push the engine as long as you don't ride at the same speed for too long during the first 1000 miles.

[Sander Abernathy]

Nine o'clock is 37.5 mph, 12 o'clock is 75 and 3 o'clock is 110.

Wow, has the <4,000K rpm limit increased with the new engines — my ’09 manual said to keep the rpms under that for the first 600 miles.

How dare you think I succumb to the temptation to explore the upper limits of the tachometer?

Actually one doesn't have to go 110 mph or even turn the bike on to determine that 110 mph is at 3:00 on the speedometer. The numbers all appear on the dial even when the bike is standing still...they are just too damn small.

And what makes you think I've ridden less than 600 miles?

Sander

[gregor]

We've been through the radiator position debate before and I'll agree to differ about it's suitability. I get a few bugs/insects in the dual rads of my R1150R , that's all; but passing road deposits through the R1200R aluminium cooling fins does not bode well for their functionality , durability or appearance.

I have ridden an R1200R and the added lightness made a huge difference to the maneuverability in traffic and parkability; I'd still love to convince myself to swap. Maybe the loan bike next month will help if the weather is dry.

[cutfinger]

Hello All, does anyone know if the 2011 model comes with lowered suspension, thanking you Cutfinger.

[Catchina]

Hello All, does anyone know if the 2011 model comes with lowered suspension, thanking you Cutfinger.

Yes, you can get it with lowered suspension and a range of seat heights.