R1200R Long Distance Impressions

[Kieran R1200R]

888

[MrPMS]

I was on the road for 19 days and 7000 miles going to the Redmund,OR Rally from MI, then up thru Canada, and back via MT, ND, etc. My first long trip on the R12R and my answers to the comfort/baggage questions are as follows:
1. Wunderlich tall windshield (18") with Don C. block and custom top mounts for max rake and minimum sail area. Looks great IMHO and worked very well in heat, cold, rain etc. No buffeting but I learned to appreciate earplugs (Walgreen foam Hearos) to minimize wind noise in my Shoei RX 1100, especially with any vents open.
2. Bill Mayer low seat (I'm 5'8", 29" inseam) with Aerostich sheepskin pad. Did mostly 1-2 hour stretches, and many 500-600 mile days.
3. Cortech midsize tankbag for rain gear, and Axio tailbag on passenger seat for gloves, sunglasses, hat, tools, bungees,etc. This item is very handy for easy access and to lean back on. (Thanks Don!)
4. Wolfman 11X19 drybag attached to luggage rack with Rok straps. Carries every needed clothing item, shoes, laptop, etc and weighed 28 lbs. loaded.
I moteled at night (68-too old to camp!) and by the end of the trip felt like I could keep going for another 7000!
Also, I left the side bags and top box at home, and was very happy with the reduced weight and width. I'll save them for trips with the girlfriend...

[deilenberger]

Back after ~2,850 miles in about 12 days.. (several days spent lazing around doing little riding in Bennington VT for the RA Rally..)

Bike performed flawlessly. I was quite pleased with about everything - except perhaps the seat, but I have a difficult butt, even custom made Russell-Day-Long seats on my K bikes caused me pain after 2-3 hours. I used a Sargent modified low seat for this trip. Cee-Bailey 18" shield on a modified (tilted back) BMW touring mount worked just fine - finally - no windshield complaints. And I can't think of much else I'd want on the bike..

I was also ready to just keep going at the end of the ride, which tells me the bike is doing just fine for long distance adventures. I really can't wait for my next one (probably next summer - after retirement - coast to coast to coast..)

[websterize]

I really can't wait for my next one (probably next summer - after retirement - coast to coast to coast..)

I know you're considering taking Route 50 — Ocean City, Md., to San Francisco. Geography gets real interesting west of Kansas. Utah is jaw-dropping. I can recommend a great hotel in Ely, Nev.

[angellr]

I really can't wait for my next one (probably next summer - after retirement - coast to coast to coast..)

I know you're considering taking Route 50 — Ocean City, Md., to San Francisco. Geography gets real interesting west of Kansas. Utah is jaw-dropping. I can recommend a great hotel in Ely, Nev.

+1 for Utah. Living here I get spoiled; the "twisties" continue to be fun.

Vowing to take more pics on the next rides near home ... as an aside, would like to go coast-to-coast, but not for awhile. Timing is everything.

[psycle.vt]

I really can't wait for my next one (probably next summer - after retirement - coast to coast to coast..)

I know you're considering taking Route 50 — Ocean City, Md., to San Francisco. Geography gets real interesting west of Kansas. Utah is jaw-dropping. I can recommend a great hotel in Ely, Nev.

Hotel Nevada in Ely, right? - funky, fun old place even if you don't gamble. "Biker friendly" with 10% discount for bikers. My days were mostly around 600 miles - shortest 380 from Ely to Grand Junction (and an oil change), longest 720 Buckhannon,WV to home(Vt) - gave up on US 50 after St Louis due to too many towns too close together. Was fun riding up until then - even Missouri and Kansas have some hills - my next coast to coast will probably have to wait until retirement too, but unfortunately not next year - too little time to stop and enjoy the sights.

[xprof]

If you are on the I-80 and are near Winnemucca around dinner time, treat yourself to a fine Basque meal at The Martin. Consider turning south at Reno, take 395 down to Lee Vining (eat at Nicely's) and over Tioga pass through Yosemite, rather than stay on I-80 over Donner pass, which is just a freeway grind with very rough pavement.

[Bheckel169]

Whatever you do, don't believe anyone who tells you his seat is the best! I've had more seats made for me based on initial reports and none of them worked for me (except the Rick Mayer). The key is to go to the seat maker and determine if he's going to be able to make the seat you need. I don't know of too many people who will admit after spending $500 or more they've made a mistake or how would they know it's the best if they haven't tried the others?
I will tell you after living 25 years in northern Utah and having a cabin on 100 acres 40 miles south of Bryce Canyon National Park, if you travel on a motorcyle in southern Utah you will have experienced a once in a lifetime moment.
bruce

[bmwdave52]

I first bought a Corbin. What a mistake. A $500 piece of junk. My Russell gathers miles while my Corbin gathers dust.
+++ for Southern Utah. It's motorcycle heaven.

[Caroanbill]

I did 4,500km (2800mi) in 6 riding days as my first trip on my brand new R12R. Airhawk / Wilbers assisted and with Cee bailey 16" screen, barbacks & lower pegs. I'd have to say it was as relaxed trip as I've had, even though the daily distance was significant. It's comparable to my K100RT with Koni shock and comfort seat - but I was 20 years younger!!! My K1100LT was more comfortable in seat / ride position, but its 292kg bulk made it more tiring on a long day.

I've since done a number of similar runs - this bike really only does distance work - and it's always the same easy run.

There is an exception I've noted in other posts. If I push it to 500km+ without a real break, then I have only 45mins in subsequent riding sessions before pain sets in form the stock seat, even with the airhawk.

[Fazerden]

Hello!
I'm novice here as I just bought R12R (but due weather condition haven't used it yet )

Here and in some other posts was mentioned Don C. block for windshield tilting.
Could you please explain, or better show, how this divice looks like. I tried to find it through Google but without success.

I'm going to install on my bike high windscreen (20' CB) and trying to choose right solution for it.

Thank you!

[dbrick]

Welcome aboard, Fazerden.

Read this thread: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19676&p=176581&hil ... in#p176581

[GregM]

Do all of you guys ride solo? The wife and I hit 19 states, 7000 miles in 16 days this past summer. We did 850 one day, and could have done more, but we had to shop! I have the Wunderlich fairing, and a bill mayer 2-up seat, and a wife that loves to go fast. I think I caught her trying to drag HER knee in a corner on hwy. 20 in washington. We love the R1200R, its a great do-everything bike, and we rarely see another one in our part of the country(KY).

gregM

[dbrick]

Mary passengered for a few years, then rode an R65, then a K75, and then one day said "You know, this isn't for me" and stopped. So yes, I ride solo.

[vodka]

Like others have done distances Adelaide to past Melbourne approx 1000km in a day from early am to early evening 14hrs in the saddle almost nonstop,refueling and drinking only. Have the lowest seat but with Airhawk. No screen. (Speed cops wont allow aeronautical testing above 100km..unless they're not there.)
Felt as fresh as a daisy at the end. I think the moderate upright position is perfect for this purpose and the ability to change positions, leaning back with 2 fingers on the throttle,lying on the tank. Having perfecting functioning ear plugs makes an enormous difference to any long trip IMO although this has little to do with the bike.

[red baron]

I drove last week 540 miles leaving at 7 AM and returning at 6:15 PM with stops for breakfast and lunch. According to the computer my average driving speed was 64 miles. Route Dallas to Mena, Ark and back. I have the tall seat from BMW and I am 73 years old. In my opinion this is the most comfortabe motorcycle I ever owned. Don't understand the constant complaining of riders with regard to the stock seat. By the way I have the BMW sport shield and I am 6.2 tall with an inseam of 33. Anyway a wonderful bike for long distance purposes.
Peter