Got me a new toy...

[Karamazov]

... after a month without a bike (still arguing with the offender's insurance company) I decided to go out and get myself a bike to play around on while I was waiting for the money to buy my replacement R1200R. I'm back in Wisconsin for a few months, and Milwaukee BMW had an '07 G650 Xcountry marked waaay down. I bought it this afternoon. It's a fun bike. It's tall, but very light and well balanced. It actually jumps off the line faster than my R too. It's also kind of nice to have a bike I can beat the crap out of and not worry too much about. I think it will be a nice baby brother to the new R the insurance company buys me (whenever that may be.)

Pics coming...

[Graf]

....good to hear that you are back on your feet......i read your "flying karamazov" post.....happy riding

[Karamazov]

Here she is:

I removed the decals, passenger pegs, a very bulky (and well secured!) license plate/reflector bracket, and the evaporator canister... Keeping busy keeps me from crying over my RR.

[jf]

you are exactly the guy i have been looking for. i have a 650 x-country and thinking about trading up to an r12r. i am enticed by all the gizmos, the looks and the extra power. i have about 5k under my belt, primarily city driving - still a relative novice. i'm 6'2" with a 33 inch inseam. what do you think - insane or a good idea?

[Karamazov]

jf,

I guess there really isn't an easy answer to your question. For me, the R1200R is the ultimate bike. It does everything I want it to, and it does it well. I don't own a cage, so my bike needs to be a good commuter. I also love to tour and enjoy sportier riding - both well suited to the RR. Obviously, the creature comforts on the RR far exceed what you have on the G650. For $10k more that should be expected. I am having fun on the G650, but can't imagine doing long distance touring on it. I also can't imagine jumping curbs on my RR, so it works both ways. As far a power goes, the RR clearly wins, but the torquey single on the G650 is plenty of fun and pulls really well in nearly any gear.

I love the G650, but there isn't much for accessories or luggage, and the fuel range is pretty limited. It will be a great second bike, but wouldn't cut it as an "only" bike. If you feel like you're ready for a bigger bike, I think the RR is a great one to move up to.

Hope that helps.

[jf]

excellent feedback. my first bike was a 250 dual sport and, i must confess, i find the 650 nearly as nimble. i really don't do any offroading and use the bike similar to you - commuting with occasional longer day rides (100-300 miles, no marathon treks planned). how would you compare the nimbleness/maneuvaribility and stopping of the two bikes? i know the simple answer is to take an r12r test drive, but it's nearly impossible for me to arrange that in the foreseeable future, so i'm groping to those, like you, with both bikes - apologies for my ignorance.

[BigEasy]

JF, I don't have a G650 but I do have a Suzuki DR 650 and an R12R. The DR is pretty comprable to the G size and weight wise and it is a little more flickable than the R but that is merely because of the weight difference. For its size I don't think you'll find an easier to ride bike than the R, it's very nimble (more so after upgrading the shocks) and feels much smaller than it is once your running down the road. It handles well enough to do steering stop lock U turns no problem. Power wise, well it got a bunch, but it's delivery is very linear and predictable, kind of turbine like it just builds smoothly. Stopping wise with the ABS it's hard to describe how good it is. It feels much more controlled, but that could also be a function of better suspension than a dual sport. I don't know if you have ever had the privelidge of driving a car or truck with out power brakes then getting into a power brake equipped modern vehicle but that's a good way to tell the difference in the R and the DR. The R brakes are solid and spot on, the DR brakes are spongy and soft, again that's probably a function of equipment.

[Caroanbill]

i have a 650 x-country and thinking about trading up to an r12r. i am enticed by all the gizmos, the looks and the extra power. i have about 5k under my belt, primarily city driving - still a relative novice. i'm 6'2" with a 33 inch inseam. what do you think - insane or a good idea?

JF - I ride an F650CS around the city, and when I feel like a country fang (aussie for quck, fun ride - or does it also mean that ova theah?) and have the R1200R for touring. While I'm a long-time distance rider (see the tourers in my sig) I'd lost a lot of riding confidence and the F650 made a new rider of me. I find a lot of big bikes intimidating - mostly for power or ride position, but I am short at 172cm (5'8"). The R1200R simply fitted and is the easiest large bike I've ridden, and the ride position is the most similar to the F/G650 (barring prehaps an R1200GS) ... the G--X country is similar to the CS, just a lot taller (well, I got a nose bleed up there ).

I don't know how your G650X is out of corners (is it the German or chinese motor? Chinese is slighly down on hp), but my F650 with a Staintune pipe (+4hp, esp in mid-range) will almost stay with an R1150XX, and while an R1200XX will pull away much more quickly, it's not like chasing an R1. If you can manage the 650 and can tame your right wrist until you get used to the R1200R, you'll have little trouble, I think. I have the ASC in part because I inadvertently lifted the front wheel on a test ride - if you're concerend about too much power, ASC would help tame it (and it can be switched off).

You'll be fine on the R1200R with a little caution ... and this from someone who's still quick on the F650 though really tight bends ... and yes, it really IS best to have both

[jf]

Lifer - thank you very much for the feedback. (To answer your question - "Country fang" is not part of my vernacular and, as a city kid, it conjures an image of something I would look for in the zoo. That said, I like it a lot and will try it out on some of my riding buddies.) i'm interested in your loss of riding confidence - was that after an accident and how did the 650 help? The 650 x-country is rated at 53 hp, so i guess it's comparable to your bike. sadly, due to some minor financial commitments like 2 sets of twins and a wife who controls our finances, i am only going to be able to own one motorcycle. i could trade up, but i'm struggling with whether or not that's the right move. although the most fun are the country fangs, 80-90% of my time will be spent commuting in the city and the 650 is pretty swell for that. Do you think the r12r is too unwieldy for the city or would it still be a convenient commuter as well as a superior distance ride?

again, many thanks to you and the others for your thoughtful and helpful input - JF

[ka5ysy]

JF
Don't worry about the RR in traffic. It is a great street combat tool for daily driving, and is outstanding on the road for long runs with proper windscreen and seat . As my mechanic observed, it is the only bike you might ever need! It is a really, really fine motorcycle.

Doug


P.S. If you have not been there, here is my report thread with lots of photos:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... php?t=2378

[jf]

Thanks Doug. I followed your link to the other site and enjoyed the post (but couldn't find any pics). Do you think the ABS system in the r12r is the same as the ABS system in my 2007 G650 x-country. That also works with the power off, though it's unclear to me if the front and rear brake are linked. My xc is still in the shop - over a month!! - with some sort of stalling problem the dealer can't figure out. the posts in this thread are bringing me ever closer to telling them to keep it as a trade in and buying the r12r without even taking a test ride. i just can't carve out the time to drag my ass out to new jersey for the test ride. i've followed some other threads where riders have made the purchase without a test ride because of you guys and i'm a hair from joining that small, and particularly insane and impulsive, group. thanks again for the advice and great posts. JF

[ka5ysy]

Good morning again:

The brake system is fully functional without power, so no worry like the old system. The system is partially linked... application of the front brake also applies the rear. The rear brake pedal only applies the rear if you need to do that.

You will not be disappoined to purchase this machine without a test ride. We warn everybody that a test ride is very hazardous to your checkbook. All of us that have done that have purchased the bike instantly. It is just a perfectly balanced machine with all-round utility. I even followed a bunch of the dual sport guys around on some gravel roads, which I think impressed them for a street bike. Only thrill was having no brakes down a turning corner downhill. Solved that by using the engine braking as the antl-locks were useless in that situation.


Im not sure why you cant see the pictues on the site... there are lots of them. Check your browser setting to see if it is not set to download photos. One accessory I would strongly suggest is the Southwest Motech engine guards:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... stcount=87


Saves a bunch of money on buying new rocker arm covers when you do a slide!

Doug

[Caroanbill]

Lifer - thank you very much for the feedback. Do you think the r12r is too unwieldy for the city or would it still be a convenient commuter as well as a superior distance ride? JF

At your height, the R12R will be just fine as an only bike. I keep the CS for sentimental reasons and because 5'8" is a bit .. um .. short to on the steep, steeply cambered and often slippery streets around Sydney harbour, where I live, and the tiny lanes of the inner city, where my friends and great coffee can be found - I use it like a scooter (but SSSHHHHH - don't tell it so!)

The good news is the R1200R is a bike in the same vein as the F650CS (or mabye G650X Country): nice ergos, easy and quick handling, relaxed and flexible ride position. It has the added benefit of better brakes, more competent suspension, and great luggage capacity - and it's versatile - commuter, sports bike (country fangs and all) and tourer.

i'm interested in your loss of riding confidence - was that after an accident and how did the 650 help?

One small, unavoidable accident (diesel spill) - split collar-bone - and a few other things, and my confidence just ebbed away. I sold my too-big-for-me K1100LT and tried a few wee BMWs - an R80 I loved - but I really needed a bike that was small, light, and forgiving. A (then) partner got an F650CS to learn on and after a couple of rides, I was hooked and got my own. I don't need to tell you how chirpy that single is (and the Staintune pipe ampflies its character). It's such an easy, capable (with ABS) bike that I could simply enjoy riding - without needing to "manage" the bike (unlike the R1150RS I had at the same time) - and so I got my confidence back enough to want a bigger bike for long trips. The R1200R has been the same, only mroe competent!

[BigEasy]

Thanks Doug. I followed your link to the other site and enjoyed the post (but couldn't find any pics). Do you think the ABS system in the r12r is the same as the ABS system in my 2007 G650 x-country. That also works with the power off, though it's unclear to me if the front and rear brake are linked. My xc is still in the shop - over a month!! - with some sort of stalling problem the dealer can't figure out. the posts in this thread are bringing me ever closer to telling them to keep it as a trade in and buying the r12r without even taking a test ride. i just can't carve out the time to drag my ass out to new jersey for the test ride. i've followed some other threads where riders have made the purchase without a test ride because of you guys and i'm a hair from joining that small, and particularly insane and impulsive, group. thanks again for the advice and great posts. JF

JF I think that you have to register on the Dual Sport Riders website to see photos IIRC, and I am am proud member of the impulsive and insane group that you refer to. When I bought mine the closest dealer was 2 hours from home, as well as a widely known PIA. So I bought mine at a dealer 3 hours from home and unfortunately loaded it in a truck and drove it home. The truck ride was a matter of convience actually, I was working on a month long project and traveling home on weekends and driving by my selling dealer on the way home for weekends.

Like many others I am committed to the R and the plan for now is to keep it till it dies or I do, the DR maybe not so long term.

Just buy it

[famousperson]

i've followed some other threads where riders have made the purchase without a test ride because of you guys and i'm a hair from joining that small, and particularly insane and impulsive, group. thanks again for the advice and great posts. JF

I am one of that "small and particularly insane and impulsive group." I had no idea what I was getting into, trading my HD Sportster for the R, and was just totally amazed at what a different riding experience it was! I am impressed by all of the riders on this forum who have owned a slew of other BMWs as well as other bikes, and claim that the R1200R is the best bike ever. From my experience (which is more limited than many of them), I would have to agree

[jf]

Well, I don't know what it's like to ride an r12r, but I now know what it's like to order one. Thanks for that guys. she'll be an '09, black, tall seat, pretty much all the bells and whistles - sans side bags or white tail lights. My current plan is to ride the 650 xc to the dealer and ride back on the R some weekend when my wife is out of town. She is the financially responsible partner in our mariage and I'm a little nervous as to her reaction as to how it was OK for me to make this purchase concurrent with an impending crash of the entire global economy - the centerstand option, for instance, is worth more than Lehman Brothers. Here's what I came up with: After giving the dealer my credit card, I immediately swapped out the 100 watt bulb in our garage for a 75. Over the next six weeks, during the order delay, I will drop it to a 60 watt and, ultimately, a 40. It should be plenty dark in there by November when it arrives. Hopefully my wife will not develop some sort of x-men night vision frivolous purchase-sensing super power during that time. I am counting on the black bike to remain invisible under the cloak of darkness, never have her notice it's not the 650 and never have to explain. That's plan A, arguably a little half-baked, but it's the best I could come up with. I'm open for other suggestions. In all seriousness, thank you all for your guidance and I look forward to sharing riding experiences with you in the future.

[Caroanbill]

JF - if you plan to tour at all, panniers are one pruchase you'll never regret. The R12R/RT side bags are the best BMW has yet produced, IMHO - and I've had 5 previous incarnations (old Airhead R, Mki and MkII K series, Oilhead R, F series and now Hexhead R). Watertight and secure. They have no discernable effect on stability, sidewinds, speed, wind noise or economy - that's pretty much "wow" compared to some other options. No aftermarket setup comes close, no matter what the cost saving - they're all as wide as barn doors.

If you don't fold them into the deal, why not get the dealer to agree a discount should you order them within 12 months of purchase? Tha way, once you 'get' the capability of this bike, you'll be able to exploit it!

[deilenberger]

jf,

Love "Plan A" - it's called subterfuge. How about getting some 650 stickers and putting them on the plastic side-panels below the seat. Each cylinder is close to that so it wouldn't really be lying..

[BigEasy]

Not only am I a member of the insane group I am also a memeber of the emasculated wife handles the finances group, not that it's a bad thing mind you because if I was in charge we wouldn't have a pot to pee in. I do like your style "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission", I bought my DR on a I'm just gonna go look at it mission, but that was only 3 G's. Good luck with the groveling, the bike is worth it

[celticus]

jf,

Love "Plan A" - it's called subterfuge. How about getting some 650 stickers and putting them on the plastic side-panels below the seat. Each cylinder is close to that so it wouldn't really be lying..

You need to learn to lie better. Embrace lying so that you can do it and pass a lie detector test. Your face doesn't change , your heart rate likewise as well as your pupil dilation. Learn to lie in the face of overwhelming incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. Consistency is important in lying. Lie when you don't need to just for practice.
My wife gave me permission to buy my R1200R. You will love it. Honest.
Mark