To 1200R or not to 1200R. That is the question

[Basmaf]

I was having a bimble today to get some feeler gauges to check the valves on my steed and called in at Allan Jefferies BMW in Bradford just for a look on my way home.

I was looking at a new 1200R Camhead with the comfort pack, Sport Windshield, Luggage Grid with Pillion Grab Handle, panniers, low Seat and head protectors.
Now I was just having a look nothing more, honest.

There was this salesman who said hello….

I was offered £2600 for my 1150 leaving me £8829 to change.

My 04 1150r is in Yellow, 33k miles ABS and Servo with panniers and a screen and she runs sweetly. My tyres need replacing soon and the tax is due in 2 months. She was quoted in average condition, which is about right as she has some salt spots on the casings and some rust on some edges and bolts.

I can remove my Remus Y piece and pipe and put back on the originals and remove some other bits as well, like the hand guards, K&N air filter, sw-motec sat nav mounting etc and swap my low seat for the standard one

The panniers are really pricey, at £544. I like the look of them but not the price.
Can I get others cheaper that look the same elsewhere?

I am really torn now and I love my 1150, but the 1200 is soooo tempting…..

I was told the new water cooled engine is being put in the new R1200R next year so this may be my last chance to get an oil cooled one.

I am really undecided at present..

[Martyn]

I was having a bimble today to get some feeler gauges to check the valves on my steed and called in at Allan Jefferies BMW in Bradford just for a look on my way home.

I was looking at a new 1200R Camhead with the comfort pack, Sport Windshield, Luggage Grid with Pillion Grab Handle, panniers, low Seat and head protectors.
Now I was just having a look nothing more, honest.

There was this salesman who said hello….

I was offered £2600 for my 1150 leaving me £8829 to change.

My 04 1150r is in Yellow, 33k miles ABS and Servo with panniers and a screen and she runs sweetly. My tyres need replacing soon and the tax is due in 2 months. She was quoted in average condition, which is about right as she has some salt spots on the casings and some rust on some edges and bolts.

I can remove my Remus Y piece and pipe and put back on the originals and remove some other bits as well, like the hand guards, K&N air filter, sw-motec sat nav mounting etc and swap my low seat for the standard one

The panniers are really pricey, at £544. I like the look of them but not the price.
Can I get others cheaper that look the same elsewhere?

I am really torn now and I love my 1150, but the 1200 is soooo tempting…..

I was told the new water cooled engine is being put in the new R1200R next year so this may be my last chance to get an oil cooled one.

I am really undecided at present..

You need new tyres & tax soon ? Use "man maths" - buy the new one. It has new tyres

[swamper]

My dealer says the r1200r is the last to get the H20, so he says not until 2015 for it.

[Basmaf]

God… why did I not think of that one… don’t get tax or tyres… just get a new bike.. brilliant.
Arse

I did only go there to look, and you know that salesmen always tell the truth…

[Martyn]

God… why did I not think of that one… don’t get tax or tyres… just get a new bike.. brilliant.
Arse

I did only go there to look, and you know that salesmen always tell the truth…

Tell me about it. A few years ago I went into my local dealer for some new gloves, & came out having ordered a new 1200RT. He did soften the blow by giving me the gloves..........

[gregor]

As you are in the UK like me, think carefully about the ugly oil cooler getting plastered with salt and cow muck and mud and the paint flaking off and the corroded and bent fins.

If none of that is a problem for you, like our US cousins tell me, then go for it. A nice bike to ride. I had one on loan from a friendly BMW dealer in Rotherham.

[Basmaf]

One of the things I really like about the 1150 is the position of the oil coolers.
I think it really adds to the aggressive style of the machine and when I am sat on her the tank just looks massive. I love it.

Having a cooler right behind the front wheel is IMHO just a really bad idea.

High up on my list is a mudguard extender and I also plan to swap any bolts with copper greased stainless steel ones
(I did this on my rad mountings on my ER5 many years ago and it worked a treat 3 years later when I had to remove the rad).

Interestingly I paid £134 for my insurance with Carol Nash in April.
For a midterm change they want an extra £190.
If I cancel my current policy and take a new one it will cost £202 but I get £90 back so only pay £112 extra
I have just been online; Bennets are quoting me 90 quid for the year - the price of my refund.

A no-brainer really but I still have not yet decided what to do and I am expecting a call in the morning so it will then be make your mind up time.

[Martyn]

Chris Shaw isn't far from you. Although he doesn't list a 1200R, he'll have all the parts, & he'll make up a kit. He hadn't done a 1150R kit before, but when I contacted him in January before I refurbished my bike ( in the photo thread above ) he put a kit together, & they are top quality fasteners.

http://www.shawstainless.co.uk/www.shaw ... fo.php?p=1

[Dr. Strangelove]

My 2 cents.
I have both.

If you "love" your 1150, and she is still as reliable as ever, keep her. There'll always be a 1200 out there.

FWIW, I miss the oil coolers on the 12 for warming my hands.

The 12 is more refined, but the 1150 has more raw sexiness to it. I swapped because I was concerned about reliability of my 100K Stella! Turns out, because of the fuel strip issue on the 12, the 12 has been less reliable.
Disclaimer: my third fuel strip has performed well for nearly 7k miles. It's lighter too, and I like that. But when I ride the 1150, I smile more.

John

[Basmaf]

HI Guys, thanks for your comments

Well it was make my mind up time today.
I was offered a Light Grey Metallic 2012 registration 3120 miles with the Dynamic packages for £9995. I turned it down
I don't want a black bike again so that ruled out the specials, and the blue is, well blue and not a colour I like, and the beige, yawn. (Sorry if you have one in this colour)
BMW have stopped shipping the Light Grey Metallic to the UK and there are none left new.
Guess which one I want?

The reason I turned it down was I found a 09/2012 BMW R1200R finished in Light Grey Metallic.1 owner with only 135 miles on the clock for £8995 OTR
List price new for a new R1200R is £11565 OTR with the Premium and Dynamic packages
I have put a £50 deposit on it

This saves me £2570 and is in a colour I want

I have requested a luggage grid and panniers for the 1200 costing about £709
I have been offered £2300 for mine with original pipe and luggage.

It will cost me £7395 to change.

I will be making a trip to have a look in the morning, but so far it is sounding good but I will know more tomorrow

[Martyn]

I told you - "Man maths". You're quids in !

[Basmaf]

Deal done.
I added a low seat at 760mm seat costing £212
That gives me a new list price new for a new R1200R is £11777
I am getting£2300 px with original pipe and luggage

End deal is £750O to change, including the 760 mm seat, panniers and luggage grid

That saves me £1977 over a new bike (sorry but I got my figures wrong last time)

Result

Now I have to start striping my 1150 of the stuff they don't want for px.
Remus Y piece and tail pipe.
Sw-Motech Sat nav mount
Low seat
screen
Cruise control
Handle bar end protectors
and other bits.

I will be looking to sell these later and I got them from EBAY so will sell them for less that I paid for them on here.
I will supply pictures and let you know.

Thanks

-Basmaf