Don't know what I don't know

[aks801]

Greetings R-heads, this is my first post.

After much deliberation (years), I've decided today that my next bike will be the R12R. My riding background: took MSF course in Phoenix in 1995; then did a few demo rides on Honda VFR, Triumph Thunderbird. Fast forward to 2005: picked up a sweet '79 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD, owned it for about 6 months, did some commuting on it, local rides, a couple of 3-4 hour rides.

I'm 48 and it's time to get a new bike and get some riding in! Not especially knowledgeable on the R bike, or with its purchase process (do have a brother that has BMW ownership experience, so have picked up info talking with him). I do realize there are excellent deals on used bikes out there, but it's really got to be a new one this time around.

Questions and such: what is the purchase experience like? Do I work with a dealer to use his network to find a bike optioned the way I want? Or do I work with the dealer to order from the factory (if such an option exists). What are the preferred options to go for? I've seen reference to a High comfort seat, and that sounds good. ESA sounds good. I've seen a Touring package that has a good list of options. Anything in particular, then, I should look for?

I'm looking to buy the bike in July, so I'll be learning as much as I can here in the meanwhile.

Thanks in advance, and it looks like y'all have an excellent site here.

[websterize]

Welcome, Alan, here's a link to a 2009 R1200R order sheet. I seem to recall most of the options for 2010 are similar. The new touring package includes a higher-grade seat than is standard.

With a 6-month lead, you can probably custom order the bike from the factory through your local Motorrad dealer. The safety options — ABS, ASC and TPM — were highest on my wish list.

Good luck with your search. I was in your shoes last year at this time and am coming up on the 6,000 mile service. Can't think of a better way to start and end the work day.

[AncientMariner]

aks801,

Welcome aboard. I recently bought a 2010 R1200R. Back in August-September I had worked with my dealer to put together a bike with exactly the options I wanted. It turned out that the Touring Option was perfect fore me. My build date was set for Thanksgiving week. Early in November my dealer called to tell me that production schedules had been revamped in order to ramp up production of the the RR in anticipation of extraordinary demand. He suggested a couple of alternatives to my dream bike. I explained that I would wait as long as it took to get exactly what I want. Two days later my dealer called to tell me that my bike was on its way from New Jersey - exactly as I had specified. Thge next 4 days were all like the night before Christmas.

Find a dealer you like working withand you should be all set. The R1200R is a great bike. It is replacing my 1995 K75 which I also bought new and was reluctant to give up.

Right now I'm sorting through all the postings about windshields and spacers. The sport shield that came with my bike lifts my helmet up against the chin strap at speeds above 70. The BMW Touring shield is reportedly not much better, unless you ask Chitown. He likes it!

Bruce

[Northernbiker]

Welcome Alan, I bought both of my bikes off the showroom floor because they happened to be almost exactly what I was looking for. Some options like a higher seat for one bike and the sport windshield for the current one were no problem for them to get in short order.

My impression from talking to the dealer (don't necessarily take this as fact) is that each dealer is allocated a certain number of each model with different configurations, ABS, color etc. to be delivered throughout the model year. Can't say at all if they will make a deal with another dealer if the exact bike you want is in stock there. If you are looking at a purchase in July, talk to the dealer now and let them know what you want. They will be able to check their delivery schedule and give you a rough idea of when they will have it.

If they have the perfect bike for you in the showroom, plunk your money down and go for it!

Chris

[Mollygrubber]

aks801,

The sport shield that came with my bike lifts my helmet up against the chin strap at speeds above 70.
Bruce

That's not the shield so much as the devilishly shaped scoops on the front of the tank (IMHO).

I usually have a Dowco Fastrack tankbag on, that helps mitigate this effect.

Sorry for the thread jack.

Welcome to the club aks801!

In my experience, BMW is more than happy kitting it out however you like (within the scope of their option packages).

It's like sitting down with Santa!

Get all the accoutrements you are thinking about worked into the financing, as they are all covered under the bike's warranty if bought at the same time. (ie. system cases, windshield etc.)


Peter

[celticus]

Bruce , I'm sure your K75 was a great bike and all but you must be tickled pink with your new R1200R. When I got my new hex head I wanted to share the experience with a frien so I let him drive my new bike for a few miles while I drove his K75. It was ...........not what I was used to. He still rides it. His wife rules with an iron fist.
Welcome.

Mark

[Tarmac]

From: The new guy
To: The next new guy

Ok,
I test rode the R1200R a couple months ago, and decided that was the bike for me. 1 problem, the $16k OTD price. So I decided to look for a used ride. Took me some time, but in the end I found a MINT 2007 (Premium Package, sold in 2008, still with over a year on warranty) with only 215 miles on it. Cost: $10k

From my experience, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the used market (EBay, Craigslist, local swap meets) before buying new from the dealership. By doing a little leg work, and cooling my jets a bit, I got the bike I wanted and saved $6k... that NOT chump change.

Your mileage may vary

[deilenberger]

Bruce , I'm sure your K75 was a great bike and all but you must be tickled pink with your new R1200R. When I got my new hex head I wanted to share the experience with a frien so I let him drive my new bike for a few miles while I drove his K75. It was ...........not what I was used to. He still rides it. His wife rules with an iron fist.
Welcome.

Mark

I rode THE K75S (my highly modified '87 K75S) after getting the R1200R. Nice bike still, love the view of the instruments and fairing from the rider position (especially the turnsignals - look like a BMW 3.0CSL), but found myself underwhelmed by the power, and annoyingly aware of the top-heavyness. The brakes weren't much to write home about either.

Nice bike in it's day. Nice bike if you haven't ridden a modern BMW, but still felt like an almost 25 year old bike. I wouldn't want to go back to it, as much as I loved it for quite a few years.

[celticus]

From: The new guy
To: The next new guy

Ok,
I test rode the R1200R a couple months ago, and decided that was the bike for me. 1 problem, the $16k OTD price. So I decided to look for a used ride. Took me some time, but in the end I found a MINT 2007 (Premium Package, sold in 2008, still with over a year on warranty) with only 215 miles on it. Cost: $10k

From my experience, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the used market (EBay, Craigslist, local swap meets) before buying new from the dealership. By doing a little leg work, and cooling my jets a bit, I got the bike I wanted and saved $6k... that NOT chump change.

Your mileage may vary

Sounds like you did well to me.

Mark

[aks801]

From: The new guy
To: The next new guy

Ok,
I test rode the R1200R a couple months ago, and decided that was the bike for me. 1 problem, the $16k OTD price. So I decided to look for a used ride. Took me some time, but in the end I found a MINT 2007 (Premium Package, sold in 2008, still with over a year on warranty) with only 215 miles on it. Cost: $10k

From my experience, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the used market (EBay, Craigslist, local swap meets) before buying new from the dealership. By doing a little leg work, and cooling my jets a bit, I got the bike I wanted and saved $6k... that NOT chump change.

Your mileage may vary

Point well-taken. If I can find something along those lines, that matches what I'm looking for, then it would be very hard to pass up. Those savings can buy a lot of gear and farkles and general whatnot.