Just did it, new (to me) 2007 R1200R

[jbim]

Well, yesterday, I put a deposit on a 2007 R1200R, BMW Exec Demo. The bike has 1500 kms on it, in service since september 28, 2007. It comes with ABS, ESA, Sport shield, heated grips, center stand, luggage bracket. It will stay at the dealer during the winter. When I pick it up in the Spring, it will take a place in my garage alongside my beloved 2006 R1200GS.

I test rode the R three times and each time tought it was a blast to ride. I was looking for a smaller bike for around town and pure enjoyment of riding. I thought of getting a Ducati but I couldn't convince myself it was OK to buy a non-ABS bike. Although the GS and the R come from the same platform, the two bikes are so very different that they will complement each other for my riding enjoyment. My GS has been farkled for touring. For that reason, I will keep the R as stock as possible. At this time, I plan to add engine covers only. I am looking for suggestions for a backrest as I will use the R for riding with my wife. She won't ride with me on the highway but she will ride around town. If I don't find a backrest I will get a Givi rack and use a Givi case as backrest.

I can't wait for the Spring. Hopefully it will come early here in Toronto Canada.

Thanks for any advice you can give me on the backrest.

[ScooterCop]

I will keep the R as stock as possible.

We'll remember you said this. Good Luck.

[celticus]

I don't know where to get a backrest. I could have used one Saturday during some spirited riding. I want to make the experience as pleasurable as possible for my wife but I just don't lke the looks of a top box.
Mark

[ka5ysy]

Ahhhhh.... Another Test Ride Victim to join our ranks!


Congratulations on the new ride. I will think of you tomorrow while I ride around in the 78 degree weather

BTW: It is absolutely impossible to avoid farkles on this bike. Not possible. Nope. No way. Don't ask me how I know this.

Doug

P.S. My Boss tells me that the BMW top case with the pad is a great back rest for her.

[NCGS]

Congrats.. hope you'll like your R12 as much as I like mine. Too bad she'll have to sit until the Spring thaw.. That in itself gives me reason to give thanks for living south of the Mason-Dixon line. We can ride here 12 months out of the year (when properly dressed for cold wx riding).

[Karamazov]

Congrats and welcome! Tough break not being able to ride it until spring. You should at least bring it home so you can look at it in the garage all winter. Being in Wisconsin, I know how that is. You'd be surprised how satisfying it is to sit in a cold garage atop an idle motorcycle shouting "vroom, vroom."

[r1200rforme]

I set up the big floor fan, turn it on high, get on the bike and instant 70 mph.

[deilenberger]

Congrats.. hope you'll like your R12 as much as I like mine. Too bad she'll have to sit until the Spring thaw.. That in itself gives me reason to give thanks for living south of the Mason-Dixon line. We can ride here 12 months out of the year (when properly dressed for cold wx riding).

Lucky for me - the Mason-Dixon line runs right through NJ - a bit souf' of me.. so I head that way when it's cold out.. :-)

BTW - year round riding is certainly doable in much of the US.. it takes some heated gear and the urge to ride. Once doing it - you'll find it's actually a lot of fun, and you'll meet the serious bikers on the road (when temps drop below 40F..) My goal is a weekly ride - every week of the year. I usually miss a few weeks when on vacation with SWMBO in the cage, and sometimes one or two in January, but that's a good time to do the deferred maintenance to my bike and my gear (last year - the Roadcrafter got redone by Aerostitch..)

[hirsty]

... You'd be surprised how satisfying it is to sit in a cold garage atop an idle motorcycle shouting "vroom, vroom."

LMAO!


Interesting combo of GS and R - are they different enough for you? What can you do on an R that you can't on a GS please?

I had a GS on Friday as a loan bike whilst I was waiting for new tyres & a gearbox seal. As I was riding it along I thought "I might get a used one of these, fit stickier tyres with smaller wheels & make it look less off-roady".

Hang on, that's the R isn't it?

[celticus]

Congrats.. hope you'll like your R12 as much as I like mine. Too bad she'll have to sit until the Spring thaw.. That in itself gives me reason to give thanks for living south of the Mason-Dixon line. We can ride here 12 months out of the year (when properly dressed for cold wx riding).

Careful with that information there NCGS. We'll be up to our eyes in Yankees before you know it.
Mark

[Phillo]

Congrats jbim - you will not regret your choice - I will also think of you when Im out in 28c weather tomorrow - I really feel for the guys who have to park up in winter while we ride all year round the lowest temp being around 12c - wish you all the best with the R.

[jbim]

... You'd be surprised how satisfying it is to sit in a cold garage atop an idle motorcycle shouting "vroom, vroom."

Interesting combo of GS and R - are they different enough for you? What can you do on an R that you can't on a GS please?

In some respect, I bought the R because I wanted a second bike, and I felt I could afford it. I suppose it would be possible to leave it at that. However, I wanted lighter, smaller and simpler. I looked at the Ducati Monster but only BMW makes a bike in that category with ABS, and I didn't want a bike with a chain. But, of course, this is not how I explained it to my wife:

1. I wanted a smaller bike, a bike that feels lighter with a lower center of gravity.

2. My GS is all farkled for touring with higher shield, winglets, PIAA, cases, GPS mount, etc. I wanted something simpler to just ride around town, go to the office.

3. My wife feels the GS is to high for her as pillion. The R is lower enough for her to at least try to ride with me once in a while.

The R has a sportier riding position and is more nimble for the city. They are both similar and different enough. However, there is no doubt I would own the GS if I could have only one. Luckily, I can afford both at this time and this is why I went for it. I guess you can say I wanted something different but still keep the GS. I think it could end up being voted one-of if not the best all-around bike ever.

[hirsty]

Good stuff jbim, I re-read my post & am glad you took it the way I meant it (not trying to knock your selection). It'll feel like a longer winter whilst you're waiting...

I can see why you'd want something 'nippy' for town if your GS is set-up for distance work. I borrowed one on Friday & I agree that 'urban' isn't it's natural habitat.

Once you've got the shaft-drive and ABS bug your options get limited! I do like the new Guzzi that's coming soon though, maybe a little underpowered at 50bhp, but this would be cool in town:

Moto Guzzi V7 Classic:

[Skippy]

Looks very cool in deed all though I don't realy dig all the retro bikes I rather have a future retro like the R1200R.

[jbim]

BTW - year round riding is certainly doable in much of the US.. it takes some heated gear and the urge to ride.

Oddly enough, the issue in Toronto, canada is not the snow nor the cold. Even when it snows, we get the odd rain shower that washes the snow away from the street. The problem is salt. As soon as it starts to snow and ices over, we start to get salt and/or snow/dirt mix. unfortunately, the bike is not made for exposition to salt. In the spring, most people wit until we've have 1-2 major rainfalls before taking the bike out.

[vielzebub]

Looks very cool in deed all though I don't realy dig all the retro bikes I rather have a future retro like the R1200R.

ditto.
The Guzzi is too retro in my eyes, the R is perfect.

Well, a perfect base to add on to I mean....