If you had to get rid of your R1200R

[Sander Abernathy]

A Moto Guzzi V11 donor bike and a Furia or Monza kit from Ghezzi-Brian.

[Northernbiker]

I would almost certainly be looking at the 1200GS. It's taller and looks much more comfortable for someone of my height.

Chris

[Stef.]

I like my bike so much that for me the only alternative would be one that comes as close as possible to the R1200R...so the R1200RT. I test rode one and did like it a lot- not as much though as my R1200R.
Stef.

[Acpantera]

Need to add to my list, Rocket III roadster w/ ceramic coated manifold, or smuggle a K1300R in from Canada.

[Tarmac]

Second choice would be a modern Bonneville, although I'd have to spend a fair amount of cash on engine, brakes and suspension to make it go, stop and ride in a way I'd be satisfied with.

I owned a Thruxton a couple years ago, and if it wasn't for a shipping pallet falling off a truck, I still would. Hopping up a Bonnie is a whole lot cheaper then doing anything to a BMW. You could do the suspension and exhaust for less then the price of hard cases for a R12R.

[fastdogs2]

I would probably get another R1200R.

I would consider another R1200RT....IF they could make it with removable fairing pieces, for summertime riding, and with a seat height of 28 inches, comfort seat, of course. The RT needs to seat you "in" the bike, like the R1200R does,
instead of being perched "on" it.

Also, the RT could stand to lose about 100 pounds, to make low speed handling and parking lot movements easier. The weight loss and the 28 inch seat would probably cure both of those problems.

[craigleo]

Cannot get one new but how about an R1200ST. It is really a cafe racer style R12R. I rode one when choosing the R and it steers a bit quicker than my R. It is just a bit forward not terrible, just not sit up straight comfy.

[boxerpaul]

I'd have to go with the Rocket III Roadster as well.

I've been to two Triumph dealers looking for one and they're nowhere to be found. Apparently they are selling as soon as they hit the dealers.

I think it would be more fun to ride than the R1200R and do most things as proficiently, except maybe 2 up touring.

[basque]

KTM 950 SMR or Super Duke

or the new Horex...

[ShinySideUp]

I'd have to go with the Rocket III Roadster as well. I think it would be more fun to ride than the R1200R and do most things as proficiently, except maybe 2 up touring.

Looks way cool, but at 800 lbs. I do NOT think it would do most things as proficiently, like slow turns, twisties, stopping, for example. But at 146 ft. lbs of torque, it WOULD be fun at getting off the line and high speed passing. Oh yeah, and it looks cool.

[gbagen]

I already have my alternative. It's a Suzuki Bandit 1250SA. When I was in the market for a R1200R, and did not find one in the range that I was willing to pay, I found the Bandit. Same weight, a little more power, ABS, a few grand cheaper. Shortly after I bought it, i got a call from Max's BMW that they had the R that I wanted. Now I have both. If I had to give one up, it would be the R. If I did not have an RT, too, it would be the Bandit. I find that if I'm not going to be out for more than a few hours, I almost always take the Bandit. It's faster, more agile, and just more fun.

[sproggy]

I had a 1250SA for a year and I'm amazed that you consider it to be more agile than an R12R - IMO it's not even in the same league. It has very cheap suspension with what most riders consider inappropriate damping in the forks and contrary to what you say it's way heavier than the BM. And less powerful by a few bhp, with a lower torque peak.

It does make a passable cheap touring bike but for riding satisfaction on fun roads I found it fell way short of what I wanted. Incidentally, by the time I'd finished with it my 1250SA was putting out around 130bhp at the crank but it still wouldn't touch the R12R down a twisty road - not in my hands, anyway.

Each to his or her own on bike preference but the Bandit is a much cheaper bike and you generally get what you pay for.

[craigleo]

I'm also in on the new Horex. I wonder if Triumph will bet ABS on their big triple street bike before Horex makes it to USA. Regarding the Rocket, I think 800 pounds is a bit too Goldwing for my taste. At that weight (Goldwing & up) I think I would just get a Mini Cooper.
Like Sproggy says though,
'to each his own'
The R rocks and by the time something comes out that is more appealing on paper, the newest version of the R will probably be even more evolved. I can imagine an R1200R with the fuel under the seat (think of the flicability then), latest engine mods(even more torque and bhp), lighter, more disco alternative settings through electronics, etc.
Who would balk at that future R?

[boxerpaul]

The Rocket may be heavy, but it's getting rave reviews and seems to be an excellent performer despite its bulk.

Am I the only one who finds the R1200R to be a little lacking in the "character" department??
Many other bikes just seem to have that "je ne sais quois" quality, and I'm missing it with the R.

I get the feeling that I'm alone in that respect.

[Sander Abernathy]

I'm also in on the new Horex. I wonder if Triumph will bet ABS on their big triple street bike before Horex makes it to USA. Regarding the Rocket, I think 800 pounds is a bit too Goldwing for my taste. At that weight (Goldwing & up) I think I would just get a Mini Cooper.
Like Sproggy says though,
'to each his own'
The R rocks and by the time something comes out that is more appealing on paper, the newest version of the R will probably be even more evolved. I can imagine an R1200R with the fuel under the seat (think of the flicability then), latest engine mods(even more torque and bhp), lighter, more disco alternative settings through electronics, etc.
Who would balk at that future R?

You seem to think that Horex is going to hit our shores any day now. I heard they scheduled the press intro and Bernie Madoff will be the celebrity guest as he will be out of prison by then.

Actually, whether it arrives next week, next year or never, it's a beautiful bike. However, I have some real concerns about a six cylinder supercharged engine. I find the idea of positioning a supercharger that will heat up to around 2000 degrees f between one's knees a generally bad idea particularly when it rides atop six cylinders and six exhaust manifolds. Maybe it's just the sweltering heat and humidity outside talking but I bet that is going to be one hot motorcycle. (Speaking of which I'm still at the office and I think they have not only turned off the AC but they must have turned on the heat. I need a towel.)

Compared to the R12R it appears they had to reduce the compression ratio from 12:1 to 9:1 in order to supercharge it reliably. I didn't get to google translate the site and read it in english yet so I'm not sure what the output is so I can't judge if that is a good trade-off or not. However, normally aspirated engines producing more than 200 hp are probably going to be fairly common in the next-gen big sport tourers and liter bikes. BMW's replacements for the S1000RR and the K13S will surely break that barrier. Why opt for a supercharger when a normally aspirated engine can produce 200hp? Also, MotoGP permitted six cylinders but they didn't offer any advantages that offset the small weight penalty. I wonder what advantage they offer in a street bike? Generally they provide less torque but higher hp at a higher redline. They have forums for people that but this is the R1200R forum where people with big 8000 rpm redline, 12:1 compression ratio, normally aspirated twins hang out. It sounds great but very different.

For all my cynical nit-picking it would be great if it became available. By my count the current pool of available large displacement, german naked bikes consists of the K13R and one other I just can't recall at the moment. I think I'll quit reading, writing and thinking about it and go hop on mine and take the long way home.

Another good option would be great.

[sproggy]

Compared to the R12R it appears they had to reduce the compression ratio from 12:1 to 9:1 in order to supercharge it reliably. I didn't get to google translate the site and read it in english yet so I'm not sure what the output is so I can't judge if that is a good trade-off or not. However, normally aspirated engines producing more than 200 hp are probably going to be fairly common in the next-gen big sport tourers and liter bikes. BMW's replacements for the S1000RR and the K13S will surely break that barrier. Why opt for a supercharger when a normally aspirated engine can produce 200hp? Also, MotoGP permitted six cylinders but they didn't offer any advantages that offset the small weight penalty. I wonder what advantage they offer in a street bike? Generally they provide less torque but higher hp at a higher redline.

The Horex will put out "betwen 175 and 200bhp" (i.e. they haven't finalised the specs yet) at around 8,500rpm so it'll be far lower revving than things like the S1000RR which make so much power because they rev so high. Supercharging only really works effectively for lower-revving (by bike standards) engines anyway and I guess the blower is a way to get high power and torque while retaining a relaxed, un-revvy engine.

The requirements of MotoGP and street bikes are very different - MotoGP wants ultimate power with minimum weight and fuel consumption (so minimal friction - fewer cylinders) while street bikes need ridability, smoothness and character with weight and size less of an issue. The VR6 should give smooth running and, if they tune the exhaust right, a beautiful exhaust note and of course it also gives the bike a unique feature.

Incidentally 6-cylinder bikes are on the up - the new BMW K1600LT has been seen in testing (1600cc, 6 cylinder across-the-frame motor) and is apparently due for release next year with, you have to imagine, other variants to follow.

K1600R, anyone?

[spoonyfork]

The motorbike that got me interested in motorcycling was the R1150GS Adventure thanks to Ewan and Charley's epic ride around the world. However I live in a very Buy American city so I wanted to give Harley a chance. I tried. I mean I really tried (multiple dealerships) to get their then new Sportster XR1200 but the best I could do was give them a down payment to sit on a 6 month waiting list for an opportunity to buy one in black. I couldn't wait that long so I test rode an R1200GS and that became the motorbike I wanted. But after renting an R1150R in Hawaii I fell in love. So when I finally had enough money to get a new motorbike I was conflicted. I went into the dealership fully expecting to get an R1200GS but I saw a black R1200R in the corner and had to give it a test ride. Probably not surprising to anyone on this forum I left with the R1200R and never touched the R1200GS.

Fast forward 1.5 years. When I look at my web browser history I see that I frequently look at the Triumph Street Triple and Thruxton. There's something about the classic cafe racer look that really appeals to me. Ever see this guy's bikes? Anyway, where was I. Oh yeah, a co-worker has a K1300S which appeals to me from a sport touring perspective but you really can't beat the versatility of the R1200R.

[Bheckel169]

I had an 06 1200 RT and liked it but didn't love it. The gadgets and windshield were great but the bike felt top heavy once I'd ridden the 1200 R and certainly the extra weight always made me unsure about where I planted it and me at a stop. So, the RT would not be my choice. Other than that, I don't see a bike out there that comes close to the 1200 R. It's either too fast and too forward in the lean for me or a cruiser style which I don't like. I think I'd probably give up bikes until something like the 1200 R came along.
Bruce

[craigleo]

I guess minimum requirements for me on a 'replacement' for the R would be; sit up straight, no uber fairning, ABS, screaming torque, cannot be ugly.(I'm sure the Multistrada is a fine motorcycle. It is however a butterface bike).
Also, I think we should take a pole as to date and time of Bernie Madoff being free from prison and Horex arriving in the USA with ABS and ESC. My pick for both is....7 years. Bernie will promise to consult for the IMF and Horex will get bought by the Chinese and go into mass production. Isn't Ducati funded by a Chinese company now?
Sorry, too many non thread ramblings...need my pills.

[red baron]

Most likely a K1300R with ABS. I owned previously a K1200R but without ABS. With the ABS feature I would have never sold this bike. A wonderful touring bike which fit my frame perfectly but safety at my age is very important so after two light mishaps which never would have happend with ABS, I opted for the R1200R.
Peter