Hi Everyone,
I have been riding for about 8 years, starting with a little Nighthawk 250 and for 4 years on Monster 620. I love the Monster, but am interested in the R1200R for more comfort/longer rides. I m 5'8" with 31" inseam. I had planned to head down to the nearest dealer for a test ride...BUT now someone has convinced my hubby that this bike is too big for me, too much to handle etc. Any feedback regarding riding difficulty of this bike, especially from those of you who may have ridden Monsters, would be greatly appreciated!
....go test ride it.....just make sure you bring the check book.....
r12r is light and easy to handle.......with your hight and inseam you should have no problem flatfooting it with the low seat.....once you get it, your SO will want to borrow it all the time.........
.....so.....get it and enjoy it.....
alex
Alex G. - San Francisco Bay Area - Member # 642
08 R1200R
07 GSX R600 - Totalled by EX SO
I have an R1150R with 60,000 kilometres on it and have also ridden the R1200R, with low seat. I plan to update to the R1200R in the coming months. I recently spent a day on a Monster 620 in Seoul and found it to be a fun little bike which would be great for commuting or short day trips. If you plan to ride for a few consecutive days and cover a decent number of miles each day I would definately go for the R1200R. It also has a huge advantage of being able to add luggage. However, I have to disagree about the low seat suggestion as I found it a bit uncomfortable, I am 5'9 and had no difficulty with the height of either bikes. It will be interesting to see your comments after the test ride
The point to be made on the seat height is that if the normal seat makes the bike feel too tall then DO test ride with the low seat. The ergos are extremely comfortable, so if you don't feel quite right, try the lower seat. I'm 5'9" and while I was fine with the normal seat for the first 6 months, the lower seat is a better fit for me. I have no comfort issues.
Sassa wrote:Thanks for the replies and advice! I'll be testing riding one Saturday....hopefully posting pics of my new bike on Sunday.
Actually, you will be buying one on Saturday. See my signature line below.
I have a 29" Inseam and have no problem flatfooting the bike with the normal seat. I am about to change to a custom Rick Mayer seat to solve the long-range comfort issue I have. You can also check over here and see what else you can spend money on:
Wow, everyone has been so helpful. Quite a difference from the ducatimonster.org forum....
I will definitely be checking out both seat heights, just to be sure. Now as for buying one on Saturday, don't know about that. The dealer has two in stock....one black, one white and neither have ASC. I was hoping for granite grey...interested in ASC, but not sure how beneficial it really is. I never have been very patient....maybe black isn't so bad after all....
Sassa wrote:Wow, everyone has been so helpful. Quite a difference from the ducatimonster.org forum....
I will definitely be checking out both seat heights, just to be sure. Now as for buying one on Saturday, don't know about that. The dealer has two in stock....one black, one white and neither have ASC. I was hoping for granite grey...interested in ASC, but not sure how beneficial it really is. I never have been very patient....maybe black isn't so bad after all....
It may be hard finding one with ASC - apparently dealers haven't been ordering bikes with it so BMW thinks it isn't popular so they're not making as many with it.. sort of a catch-22 situation. Given my druthers - I'd like to have ABS (have that), computer (have that), centerstand (have that), TPM (don't have that) and ASC (don't have that.) Unfortunately - TPM and ASC can't be retrofitted (dumb on BMW's part.. I pursued it as high as I could in North America, haven't found someone to bug in Berlin..) TPM can be done with aftermarket - which I intend to do sooner or later (probably sooner since I'm getting very close to new-tire-time.) ASC isn't doable if the bike doesn't come with it.
IMHO - the white one is going to be a classic. Sort of like the black with pinstripes is. Both refer back to BMWs of the 60's.. and the white one just looks so great, if I was looking now, that's what I'd be looking for.
And for farklemania.. http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm - not everything is on there yet. Some additional farkles have been added, one is in the works (adding heat to my seat) and some have been modified. Gotta get the update article for the BMW Owners News done, and update the website.. real soon now..
Don Eilenberger - NJ Shore
2012 R1200R - I love this bike!
I am only 5'2" with a 28" inseam and I currently ride a 1985 Honda Nighthawk 650. Since I live in the Great White North I cannot test ride the R1200R until the spring. I have already been booked for a Women only test ride day that is being held in my area but I have to wait until May...Ultimately I will order one with both the lowered seat and the lowered suspension. I have ridden my boyfriend's 2008 Bonneville T100 and it is the same height as the low seat R1200R and I had no issues riding it. I have never really been able to touch the ground fully flat footed on any bike so I have gotten used to dealing with being vertically challenged.
I figure the move from the Monster to the R1200R is the next logical step. Especially if you want to do longer rides.
I am sure you will do just fine!
Celeste
2009 R1200R Biarritz Blue
1982 Yamaha RD350LC (IT LIVES!!!!)
I've always thought to myself that if there was ever a bike I could teach my wife to ride ( a non rider) it would be the 1200R. Thats how easy to ride and forgiving it can be. Don't worry about ASC...make sure it has ABS though.
I finally got got an RT!
'11 R1200R Classic, '07 R12R, '99 R1100R. Gone but not forgotten
daveyator wrote:I've always thought to myself that if there was ever a bike I could teach my wife to ride ( a non rider) it would be the 1200R. Thats how easy to ride and forgiving it can be. Don't worry about ASC...make sure it has ABS though.
Please, for her and your sake, let her take an MSF or Riders Edge course to learn to ride properly before she attempts the RR. It is easy to ride, but definitely not a beginner motorcycle.
MSF #127350 NAUI #36288
2011 RT WARNING: TEST RIDING THE R1200R IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR FINANCES
You should have no problem with the R1200R for sure.When I purchased my R12 in 07 [was just going on a test ride] my wife who ride's her bike with me for years said if you get that low seat I might be able to ride this one also.So I got the seat,I am sure getting tied of swithching that seat.I might add she is 5'2" about 125lb's,54 yr's young. Good luck
Good advice. A safety course is a must (I took one when 16 and have yet to crash one of these things although its probabaly more luck at this point!). My wife won't be riding anytime soon (darn it), was just trying to show how well mannered I feel the 1200R is but definitely not a beginners bike.
I finally got got an RT!
'11 R1200R Classic, '07 R12R, '99 R1100R. Gone but not forgotten
Well, today was the day to see the R12R for the first time and possibly go on a test ride. When I first saw the bike in person, I have to admit it looked BIG. But, nerves and all, I test rode one with the low seat and....it was AWESOME. The Monster probably weighs 50 lbs less, but I would never guess. The r12r is so balanced. I took it pretty easy on the ride, but had the chance to take a few curves here and there and I was amazed at the handling. Before we left I decided not to take my checkbook or my truck to avoid temptation of buying one on the spot.....BUT, I couldn't resist and now I am the very proud owner of a Night Black R1200R! I was going to hold out for Granite Grey, but whatever. color is secondary to everything else about this bike. I will have it Tuesday....I can't wait.
thank you all so much for all the advice. I never would have ridden one let alone pulled the trigger without all of your input and encouragement.
my wife who ride's her bike with me for years said if you get that low seat I might be able to ride this one also.So I got the seat,I am sure getting tied of swithching that seat.I might add she is 5'2" about 125lb's,54 yr's young. Good luck
