BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

What all you have to change on the R1200R to make it accept a GS windshield? Seems like that change would open you up to all of
the options available to the GS.
I was appalled at the lack of goodies made for the R1200R at both the MOA and RA rallies this year.
Mark

mtl-R12R wrote: 58 and nowhere near sitting back in a rocking chair

60 and not participating in this "aging" stuff. Too much fun riding and chasing (and embarrassing) crotch rockets, scuba diving, flying,... etc. The RR is great !

snag wrote:Howard,

Not to be contrarian, but my GS experiences have been great. Each winter I go south to Arizona with my Harley buds and rent a GS. This year, two of us rented '09 GS's. The other guy is 20 years my junior and an accomplished sportbike rider; my last ride (dearly departed) was an '09 Hayabusa. My pride made me try to lose him in the twisties, his made him try to keep up. We had great fun, see my tag line below. You can hustle a GS through the twisties at an alarming rate if you have a mind to. This year's ride was absolutely the most fun I have ever had on a bike.

Like Quebec, Canadian winters turn the Alberta roads to crap. There has been many an occasion that I wished I had a GS instead of beating my 12R to death on the frost heaved Alberta "pavement".

I agree wholeheartedly with trying the suspension upgrade first, but if that doesn't solve your issues, the GS will certainly fill the bill. I'm 6'2" and find the GS more comfortable on those long days in the saddle; particularly with the always present windshield issues that a lot of us experience. YMMV. Having said all that, I'm not about to trade the 12R in on a GS.

Doug

Thanks Doug ... my concern is that after uprgrading the suspension on the RR I still wouldn't have enough travel to absorb the bad road conditions, and would be out a substantial amount of money .. .and then possibly make the switch to the GS.

How would you describe the differances between the two bikes ? ... you seem to be saying that I could have as much fun in the twisties on a GS as I'm having with the RR, but with a smoother ride ...

Well the GS is not even on my radar....at 5'2" the R1200R is the biggest bike I can safely ride. Good thing I love it so much...plus I am a road rider. I plan on buying a dirt bike in the next year or so to play off road...I have a lot of friends that play in the dirt so I am going to start with a cheap used dirt bike to learn on...perhaps a small dual sport is in the cards as a second bike for me in the future. My height pretty much rules out most of the dual sport bikes.

Celeste

celticus wrote: I was appalled at the lack of goodies made for the R1200R at both the MOA and RA rallies this year.
Mark

Well Cee-Bailey was at the MOA with one windshield, and EPM Performance (YSS/Hyperpro) would happily sell you shocks or an adjustable steering damper at either rally, and Wunderlich had some goodies at the MOA rally - but all in all - it was a bit disappointing. I bought one name-tag from the BestTagLady Helen-2-Wheels, and a pair of gloves. Didn't find a single farkle I needed for the R12R.

I was really suprised that BMW had *no* R12R's in the demo fleet, and no brochures, no mention of it at all. At the RA Q&A session with the boss of BMW-Motorad - someone (who was it? are you here?) asked if the Roadster was going to be continued, and the answer was a very firm "Yes".. that it's BMW's tradition to have a Roadster in the lineup and there were no plans to discontinue it.

I did see an interesting R12R parked near the Wunderlich tent one day - had a really interesting set of adjustable bar-backs on it, and some off-set mirror mounts. Took some pics - will have to upload them and make a link.

Howard,

This is all subjective for me, so take it with a grain of salt. What surprised me about the GS was that you can dive into an apex and just climb all over the brakes and then torque out the other side, just like the 12R. There doesn't seem to be any tendency for it to want to stand up as you get harder on the brakes which makes line adjustment a non-issue. And for some reason, I feel like I'm sitting down in the GS further than in the 12R. It just doesn't feel as tall as the 12R, which for most here probably sounds like nonsense. Like I said, it's a real subjective thing for me.

Hope that helps.

Doug

Test ride(s) is the only answer. As you said, too much money and ultimately your riding enjoyment are on the line.

If you want good (real off-road) suspension then the 800GS is the ticket. I've ridden plenty of 12gs's and really don't see much of a difference than the R.... I know, it has a little more travel, but it's still way more biased towards street riding than the 8GS. I can literally ride over cement parking blocks with little effort.
Now, personally I think the R is the true, better all around bike between the two, since it's WAY better on the street, and the 12GS is only slightly better in the dirt ( but loses points cause it's heavier).

Have you tried lowering you tire pressure? say, 31 in back and 27 up front? I've gone lower on my R, but don't want to give advice that could be bad... I guess if you've bent a wheel... even I haven't done that on my R.
It makes a huge difference of how much traction, and how rough gravel roads will feel especially with street tires though.

sounds like you need two bikes....

Good luck with your choice.

ChiTown wrote:If you want good (real off-road) suspension then the 800GS is the ticket. I've ridden plenty of 12gs's and really don't see much of a difference than the R.... I know, it has a little more travel, but it's still way more biased towards street riding than the 8GS. I can literally ride over cement parking blocks with little effort.
Now, personally I think the R is the true, better all around bike between the two, since it's WAY better on the street, and the 12GS is only slightly better in the dirt ( but loses points cause it's heavier).

Have you tried lowering you tire pressure? say, 31 in back and 27 up front? I've gone lower on my R, but don't want to give advice that could be bad... I guess if you've bent a wheel... even I haven't done that on my R.
It makes a huge difference of how much traction, and how rough gravel roads will feel especially with street tires though.

sounds like you need two bikes....

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for the input Chi ... I'm not looking to go in the dirt as such, just something to smooth out the terrible road conditions that we have up here. The F800GS, although I haven't ridden one, seems much more dirt oriented than I'm looking for, and not nearly as well set up for touring as either the RR or the GS IMHO.

I test rode a Honda Varadero yesterday, and frankly, was quite impressed, although nowhere near the level of quality finish that we are used to on the Bimmers. The factory presently has a $2500.00 rebate on the 08 models, bringing the sticker price to $11,000 Cnd ...

1000 cc, abs linked braking included, seating position and fairing very similar to the GS, although heavier, 600 lbs wet, 25 litre fuel tank, less scheduled maintenance, chain drive, V twin, water cooled , lots of torque, wide powerband, 90 HP ... not sure if this bike is available in the US or not ... any of you heard anything about this bike ?

http://www.wheels.ca/Article%20Category/article/244692

http://www.usedbikeguide.com/features/211_varadero.htm

Howard

I had a 2000 Varadero (1000), that I brought back from the U.K..
I just sold it this spring. It is a very capable touring bike. Although not quite as sharp handling as the RR.

TT RDHS wrote:I had a 2000 Varadero (1000), that I brought back from the U.K..
I just sold it this spring. It is a very capable touring bike. Although not quite as sharp handling as the RR.

I was comparing the Varadero to the GS, which I don't feel handles as sharply as the RR either ... and a huge price differance, as the GS with abs retails for about 19,000 Cnd here.

Thanks for the input.

Howard

mtl-R12R wrote:

TT RDHS wrote:I had a 2000 Varadero (1000), that I brought back from the U.K..
I just sold it this spring. It is a very capable touring bike. Although not quite as sharp handling as the RR.

I was comparing the Varadero to the GS, which I don't feel handles as sharply as the RR either ... and a huge price differance, as the GS with abs retails for about 19,000 Cnd here.

Thanks for the input.

Howard

The Varadero is more comfy and offers better wind protection and handles quite well, but GS is a slightly sharper handler and has higher quality suspension.
If price were not an object, I would say the GS is a better bike. But when you factor money into the equation it makes for a difficult decision.
If you would like to talk about this, just P.M. me and I'll send you my phone number...
P.S. The Varadero is WAY better for wheelies.

Wheelies ARE important.

Mark

celticus wrote:Wheelies ARE important.

Mark

I currently own an '07 GS Adventure and an '07 R1200R. I have not owned the R1200R very long but it is the the best BMW bike I have owned (best bike I have ever owned).

My first ride on an R1200R was on an Arkansas trip and I swapped my '05 R1200RT with my buddy's '07 R1200R and we went like bats out of hell. He is a better ride than me but I was on his butt like glue. I belive the R gives you the confidence and ability to push the twisties harder. The RT is a great bike but the R beats it in all areas except wind protection. I found the K1200GT pretty mediocre in handling and comfort. The R1200R just plain handles better than any of the other BMW offerings and of course has loads of torque. It is easy to power wheelie the thing without even trying.

I am taking the GSA on a Utah canyon trip in September. My R1200R isn't set up for touring yet. I am hoping the GSA isn't disappointing now that I own an R. My GSA has Ohlins. If it is I guess I will sell the GSA and get the R prepped for touring.

I have blabbed a lot. As good as the R is I would definately take long demo rides on the GS, GSA, and RT (assuming you have narrowed your choice to the R bikes). Two of my riding buddies have K1200GTs and love them.