New 2011 R1200R...Impressions.

[janoll]

I bought a 2011 R1200R (Red) recently and have put about 300 miles on it so far. My previous bikes have been.
2004 C50T Suzuki
2007 F800ST (Blue)

I'm mostly a day trip/commuter. I bought the R1200R because I wanted a bike to outfit as a touring barge, but could still leave it naked and run the twisties. I would have kept the F800ST (Lovely bike), but the riding position was a little agressive for me, and my wife wasn't comfortable on the back of the bike. Using those excuses I went shopping

My impressions, are as follows:

1. Power - Uhm....yeah, lots compared to my previous bikes. So much so it surprised me when I was on the test ride. The power is very useable, I love the torque curve of this bike. Much nicer than the ST.

2. Comfort - A big improvement over the ST, even with the stock seat. I feel more a part of the bike. In commuting situations on secondary roads, its great, but on the highway, not so much.

3. Wind - Its a naked, of course it has wind issues. What I find surprising is that my ST took buffetting from other cars on the highway better than the R1200R. I would think that the heavier bike would feel more planted on the highway, this is not my experience. I think its the more upright riding position. I found that the front of the bike skated/shook/felt vaugue at between 60 - 80 mph more than I was expecting. Maybe it's me, maybe I need a bigger shield (I have the fly shield right now.)

4. Suspension. I'm likely not as experienced as many riders on this forum, so it's hard for me to tell if it's the suspension or my riding, but I think the ST had a better stock suspension. I'm 230lbs, and have the preload increased two notches and the rebound adjusted about 1 turn past standard. I feel lots of bumps on the secondaries, and it doen't seem to fall into or hold the line in the turns as well as the ST. Now the ST is a differnet bike, but I would expect that the RR, being based on the RT would at least have a smooth ride. Am I wrong? Do I have the suspension adjusted incorrectly?

5. Usability. This is where the RR shines for me. Everywhere, except the highway, the RR is more fun and comfortable to ride. I feel this is due to the better riding position, and the very usable power.

6. Accessories - I have BMW bags and topcase on order. So I can't comment yet.

7. ABS/ ASC - I haven't had a chance to try these out, and hope I don't, but the peace of mind is worth it.

In conclusion, so far so good. I still have to get to know her, and she's a bit qwerky (suspension), but I think we are going to be happy together.

Joe

[rockbottom]

Interesting. I also rode a (blue) F800ST before my R, but my experience has been different.

I find less buffeting on interstates on the R than the F, particularly behind trucks. My Ztechnik screen could account for that. I find the suspension much better on the R, particularly the lack of nose dive. Had I kept the F, I would have replaced the springs with Hyperpros to deal with that.

I also find the R riding position a bit more relaxed than the F. But the biggest change was reliability. In two years, my F had six major warranty repairs and three calls to roadside assistance. Several times it spent weeks in the shop awaiting parts from Germany. Other than one fuel strip, the R has been flawless in 1 year/21,000 miles.

I did prefer (slightly) the immediate torque from the F's belt versus the slight lag getting the shaft moving, but I've adjusted to that by using more throttle when starting from a complete stop. And I didn't like the $500 to replace the F's belt at the recommended 24,000 miles.

[Woland]

Funny, I went from a grey F800ST, had the R for 11 days and some 2000km.

1. Power. Cant say I experience a huge difference in power. More torque for sure, especially down low. What I found interesting with the boxer engine when I first tried it (and still do) is how much it likes to rev. For being a 2 cyl 1200cc engine its surprisingly sporty, which I like ALOT.

2. Hate the stock seat on the R. But over all it suits me much better than the F800, since I´m 6'4" that's hardly surprising.

3. Wind and highway speeds. You need to relax your grip on the handlebars, once you do that you´ll find its amazingly stable even at high speeds and windy conditions. I found it just like you initially to be a tad unstable, then I relaxed my hands, arms and shoulders, and it became smooooth.

4. Suspension. I find it to be firmer than the F800, and not having the nose dive like a swan when you brake hard is nice.

5. Usability. Indeed it is a more allround tool than the F800. Being able to fit a case of beer in the side panniers without a hitch is also very useful. It just feel like a very substantial bike without any cumbersome weight with a very naturally relaxed riding position which makes it very easy and fun to ride. I do find the dry clutch a bit awkward in city traffic though, but I expect to get used to it.

6. Love those big side panniers. Topbox is very useful, but darn fugly. Its gonna take me a long time to come to terms with that one on.

7. Haven't provoked the ABS into action yet, gonna put on new tires monday and we´ll see if I don't get an opportunity to do some hard breaking then. Love the linked brakes, never been much of a rear brake user, but there´s a noticeable difference in breaking power between the R and the F8 (which I thought had very good breaks) and I suspect most of that comes from the linked breaks.

[janoll]

okay an update....

Got more seat time on the R1200R this weekend, and took it out on the highway again. I'm thinking the shimmy in the front is me. Got some good advice to lighten up on the bars a bit, and that does seem to reduce the feeling, though not totally. On another note, I'm becoming very impressed with how easy the throttle and clutch are on this bike. It makes low speed/traffic riding much easier than the F800.

I can't wait to get a windshield for the R12R, I think that will make a lot of difference on the superslab.

Any recommendations for a shield on my 2011 R12R?

Thanks.

Joe

[rockbottom]

Any recommendations for a shield on my 2011 R12R?

Thanks.

Joe

I like the shorter Ztechnik

[AncientMariner]

I'm very happy with a Cee Baily's 20". Had the 22" on my first R. That was slightly too tall. If they had a 21" size I would go for it.

Can't stress enough the importance of raising the mounting point up as much as possible, about 1-1/8" to reduce wind noise and buffetting. Use the search function to find lots of information about buying a block from Joe C., or making one my way out of aluminum.

A properly fitted windshield makes a huge difference riding above 50 mph.

Bruce

[RadRider]

I have tried several tall, short and the sport screen and can't get rid of the buffeting and noise. I have also used the tilt back mod. No windscreen with a Schuberth C3 has the smoothest and most quiet ride.

[websterize]

No windscreen with a Schuberth C3 has the smoothest and most quiet ride.

+n. The best set-up for me, too.

[angellr]

No windscreen with a Schuberth C3 has the smoothest and most quiet ride.

+n. The best set-up for me, too.

Sport shield for me and Shoei RF1100 with ear (or Etymotic) plugs while riding. So far, so good at 90+ mph.

[janoll]

No windscreen with a Schuberth C3 has the smoothest and most quiet ride.

+n. The best set-up for me, too.

Sport shield for me and Shoei RF1100 with ear (or Etymotic) plugs while riding. So far, so good at 90+ mph.

I wish that were the case for me. At 80 with sport shield, and an Arai Quantum II my head was bobbing like I was at a death metal concert.

Joe

[Jedi5150]

Any recommendations for a shield on my 2011 R12R?

Thanks.

Joe

None. At least right now. (I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record). The 2011 model has NO (as in zero) aftermarket windshields available for it at this point (that I am aware of). According to one of the gazillion dealers I have stopped by/ called, as of 2 days ago (7-18-11), the BMW "touring screen" brackets should have become available in Germany. They say it takes a few weeks minimum after that to get them in the states. That bracket will fit the BMW touring screen, CeeBaileys, and possibly more. ZTechnik does not have a shield available for the 2011 (unless it changed within the last week or two), and neither does Wunderlich.

I haven't experience the shaking you described at 60-80, however I can tell you that even fully loaded down, the 2011 R1200R's feel very stable at speeds FAR higher than those you listed (as I discovered on my trip to Utah last week). As a side note, don't believe the maximum speed that is listed in the owner's manual...it is a bit on the conservative side.

As for suspension, I spoiled myself by riding GS's up until now. Compared to my GS's the R1200R feels like me teeth are going to rattle out of my mouth on secondary roads. I honestly believe that the R1200GS is the best "sport touring" bike in BMW's line-up. It pretends to be a dual-sport but it's mislabeled. The R1200R, however is both better looking and more fun for me. I'm happy with my choice.

[GBag]

Well I had an 09 R1200R and traded up to a 2011 R1200R.
LUGGAGE:
On my 09 I put Givi luggage on it, V35 sides V46 top and all the mounts for $1020.00. I already had the BMW side mounts. The sidebags, top bag and the top mount if I had gotten the BMW luggage would have been $1700.00 Wow that's equivalent to 3.5 bike payments difference. Now that I have the 2011 Givi says they don't have the mounts out yet....Hmmm Well not exactly... The side bags mount straight up with no mods. The top bag will mount up with no mods if you are willing to give up the cute handle they now have on the new bike but that leaves a couple of holes in the side panels so, I'm running the sides only for the time being. I ran sides only about 85% of the time anyway and only added the top bag for really big trips.
WINDSHIELD:
On the 09 I had the tall frame with a Cee Bailey 18". Well they changed the way the mount attaches on the 2011. I called Cee Bailey about a new windshield for the 2011 & they said they wouldn't be making one unless there was a high demand. A little research reveals that BMW uses the same tall windshield part # from 07 to present so all I needed to do was buy a new frame and the Cee Bailey windshield bolted right up.
THE BIKE:
The suspension is much improved, On the old bike I had to have the rear shock cranked to the max when the luggage was mounted or it would chap the front tire. On the new bike I'm only 2 notches in from the standard setting with the luggage on.
Handling is better. On the old bike turn is was really sharp going in and it would push on the way out. On the new bike turn in is not as sharp going in but it doesn't push as bad on the out.

The seat is way better it's wider and actually supports your cheeks. The old seat was too rounded down and put a lot of pressure between the jewels & the output vent. My left knee doesn't go numb anymore.

The engine is smoother and there is less handlebar vibration. Throttle response is smoother and more controllable when going slow. I don't have to feather the clutch as much.

All in all I'm much happier with the new bike. Your experience may be different as we are all physically different but for me the bike is better.

[pittsy]

I bought an R1200R 2 weeks ago and have racked up 1500 miles so far. I would class myself as an experienced biker having been biking since 1976, albeit with an 8 year interlude in the 90's. I have owned dozens of different machines of varying capacities and engine formats. This is my first "beemer".

I took a demonstrator out for a day before buying so had a reasonable idea of the machines' abilities. I fancied a big twin and thought the machine which would fit the bill would be a guzzi 8v griso. I tested a stelvio (all that was available) to get a good feel for the motor (same motor as griso). To me, the guzzi motor felt like an old design which had been dragged into the new millenium, only really happy on an empty open road. Whereas the R1200R felt slick and classy by comparison. The beemer got the vote.

My favourite type of riding is back roads, in brisk fashion, with plenty of bends. Our roads here are badly maintained and have suffered from 2 bad winters. The scenery is good however and there are lots of hills and bends. I'm not a fan of screens and prefer the feel of the wind on my chest. Having said that I don't do much long distance touring so that's ok.

Impressions of the bike so far:-

Loving it! The riding experience is greatly enhanced with the addition of an akrapovic end can and heated grips. They are the only additions I have to an otherwise stock bike. I have tried the bike with and without the silencer's end muffler removed.

The handling feels good at moderate speeds but takes a bit more adapting to at higher cornering speeds as the bike feels a bit flightier than I expected. It refuses to be shook off line however, and as the confidence builds so does the lean angles! The bike came fitted with bridgestone bt021's and I think that these are making the bike feel that bit flightier than I remember from my test run. (the demonstrator had Metzeler z8's on, and ESA suspension). That said, overall I think the Bridgestones are good. (I have had Bridgestones on all my bikes for the past 4 years.)

The motor doesn't seem to be using any noticeable amounts of oil but the fork seals are passing oil quite badly so any comments on this issue are appreciated. I'm sure the dealer will respond to this but I suspect they'll only swap seals and I'm not convinced this is the issue. Looking at this forum it is obvious the problem is more widespread. I'd be interested to know how the top staunchion bushes are lubrcated. ie: how is oil getting up there? Pumped as the suspension moves?

Bye for now.

Safe riding.