Considering the R1200R. A few Questions

[amerjan1965]

My 7 year old, trustworthy, F650CS was involved in an accident (with me on it !!) and declared a total loss. Given my familiarity with the brand and the dealers in NYC, I'm considering the R1200R.

The F650 was my first and only bike and I had to have it lowered but it served me well. Since I'm only 5'6"; I'm going to have to get the lower suspension + seat combo for the R1200R. I would be grateful if someone could address the following concers:

1. How hot does the boxer engine get in summer and would it be practical to ride without heavy gear? A pair of jeans is what I usually have on.

2. Having just totalled a bike in a minor collision, I'm concerend about the cylinders sticking out. If the bike falls over, is that the end of the engine ??

3. How bad is the vibration ? I'm not looking for a vibration-less bike, but if it is anything close to what my thumper did at high speed, I would be disappointed.

And of course, any other tips, ideas, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I live in NYC and would prefer a bike that's pretty maneuverable. Other than the relative low power and vibrations, the F650CS was just about perfect.

Thank you all for your advice.

[MTBeemer]

Take a test ride. Your questions will be answered. Post pictures of your new bike.

[amerjan1965]

Kevin;

Thank you for the prompt reply. From your reply, it seems you have no doubt I'll like the R1200R. That's one vote for the bike. Much appreciated.

[bk1017]

Hi

I ride in NYC and the bike is phenomenal. I find it very handles traffic very well, although you do have to get used to the engine sticking out while filtering at lights. It has not been that hot yet, but so far I have not seen the engine temps go up except one time when I was stuck in traffic next to some cops on the west side hwy for about an hour. It then dropped quickly and was normal by the time I made it out of the battery tunnel.

In regards to your question about riding in jeans, I guess it is fine as long as you do not crash, but you can probably answer that better yourself. I ride in jeans since I have not had money for gear yet, but I should probably know better.
Here is what was on my bike in terms of engine protection, and it looks pretty sturdy. I have seen these on other R12R's.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/3076

I have gained a lot of insight from reading the posts on these forums and you can get a lot of farkling ideas.
Someone here truthfully said that you should think of the purchase price as a downpayment on all the future farkles.

ion

I love this bike

[xprof]

1. How hot does the boxer engine get in summer and would it be practical to ride without heavy gear? A pair of jeans is what I usually have on.

I have had it through Vegas/Death Valley at over 108°F with no problem. You might want to shut off the engine at long stops, as it has no fan. And in 51 years of riding, I've never worn anything other than jeans (though sometimes a snowsuit over the jeans).

2. Having just totalled a bike in a minor collision, I'm concerend about the cylinders sticking out. If the bike falls over, is that the end of the engine ??

You want the cylinder trashed in preference to your leg. Only the boxer engine offers that.

3. How bad is the vibration ? I'm not looking for a vibration-less bike, but if it is anything close to what my thumper did at high speed, I would be disappointed.

Though not as smooth as a 4 or a 6, mine is silky at 80-90 mph. It is WAY smoother than any single, for sure. As MTBeemer suggests, take a test drive. Bring along your checkbook...

[amerjan1965]

Mike and Ion;

Thanks for the insight. It seems you folks are passionate about the R1200R.

With the cylinders sticking out, isn't all the heat transferred to the rider's legs ? It seems in summer, your legs would be toast !!! No ??

[bmwk100]

Greetings,

I live and ride in South Florida and it can't get much hotter than here. The heat from the boxer engine is not an issue with this bike. I have had bikes with fairings (BMW K1100RS, K1200RS and Triumph Sprint ST) and all of them were much hotter than this bike. The fairings radiate heat towards the rider which does not occur with this bike. I am very happy with this bike after 21K miles.

[xprof]

Like he said.

[psycle.vt]

Engine heat is not an issue. I have ridden boxers since the late 60's (partly because my first one sacrificed its cylinder to protect my leg when trying to go between a left turning car and the u-haul trailer he forgot he had behind - newbie rider too). Normal tip overs etc are not an issue either. I (and a number of others here) have ridden it cross country including through the deserts with no problem. In fact I often will rest my leg for a while on the top of a cylinder when my knees start to give out (a slightly tighter riding position for my 33" inseam than on my prior GS).

[ka5ysy]

Mike and Ion;

Thanks for the insight. It seems you folks are passionate about the R1200R.

With the cylinders sticking out, isn't all the heat transferred to the rider's legs ? It seems in summer, your legs would be toast !!! No ??

It's not a Harley !!!


BTW: Read my signature line. Take heed !

[Snapping Twig]

If you have the money to buy one, you have the money to buy gear. Tourmaster or Cortech for @ $300 should get you off to a good start.

As to the heat, I'm going on a trip to N. California this week, it'll be hot so I'll have to get back to you but I don't forsee any issues.

By way of a warning...

My first ever ride on an R1200R was the ride home from the dealer.

[Clem]

Take your checkbook, test ride one, and after you can stop laughing,
walk calmly back into the dealer with a grin and
BUY the 2012 Roadster and never look back.
You will NOT regret it.
PS: the grin never goes away.

[AlecMyrddyn]

Hi,

I'm 5'6" as well, and went for the normal height & seat, and they work just great. My inseam is 30". I can get the balls of both feet down at stops.

Try sitting on a couple to see if you really need the lowered suspension.

-Alec

[michael Tobias]

just to add my .02

it is a fantastic bike. of all the bikes I ever owned, not the smoothest but certainly in the top few and definitely one of the best handling and most fun. I have ridden it to So. Fla in the summer, Paris, Ak in July and it was over 100 much of that ride. no heat issues.

I would strongly recommend getting some good mesh gear. especially for riding in the city. there are some new very good mesh jackets with body armor available. my fave is a Motoport http://www.motoport.com they are not cheap but i think offer the best protection you can get. from experience, road rash is no fun.

as stated above. take the test ride...you will be another victim ;D

[ammolab]

For Sure LEG LENGTH counts more than height. I am 5' 10" but cursed with a 28" inseam. Factory Short seat gets me to the ball of both feet...good enough for 40 years of riding with only one tip over (foot slid on a big puddle of tranny fluid at a light).

I have ridden BMW boxers in Texas Heat since 1972. No issue with engine heat while on the road in Summertime. The heat from the cylinders blows right past your feet and it is not really enough to even help you out in the winter.

You will feel some in stop and go traffic if you have the need to ride in such a silly place.

[angellr]

just to add my .02

it is a fantastic bike. of all the bikes I ever owned, not the smoothest but certainly in the top few and definitely one of the best handling and most fun. I have ridden it to So. Fla in the summer, Paris, Ak in July and it was over 100 much of that ride. no heat issues.

I would strongly recommend getting some good mesh gear. especially for riding in the city. there are some new very good mesh jackets with body armor available. my fave is a Motoport http://www.motoport.com they are not cheap but i think offer the best protection you can get. from experience, road rash is no fun.

as stated above. take the test ride...you will be another victim ;D

+1 on Motoport gear. Well worth the investment and keeps me within a reasonable weight range to boot (when you spend $$ on good gear, you want to not have it shrink on you )

Bring you check book for the test ride, you will need it.

[crewzzn88]

Had my Kawasaki ZR7 since it had 79 miles on it, sold it with 18,000. Thought I would never forget it. Got on the R12R, glad I sold the Kawa. Great all round bike.

[sdavidp]

For Sure LEG LENGTH counts more than height. I am 5' 10" but cursed with a 28" inseam. Factory Short seat gets me to the ball of both feet...good enough for 40 years of riding with only one tip over (foot slid on a big puddle of tranny fluid at a light).

Sounds like we have another thing in common: I too am 5'10" with a 28" inseam. I have the low seat but normal suspension and can get both balls of my feet down, slightly more with boots, and both flat when my lady is on the bike. The bike is easy to keep handle and it won't disappoint.

Like everyone else said, bring your checkbook when you go for a test ride. I did.

[badbs101]

I've got an '05 F650 GS and a '12 R1200R. The F650 is a GREAT bike albeit a bit underpowered. The R1200R has LESS vibes than the F650 and has a little less engine heat than the F650 too.

I also owned an '08 F800ST that vibrated/tingled through the bars worse than the F650 GS and pumped out a lot of heat. The F800 twins DO have alot of bad vibration that caused my hand to go numb and put out some heat too. The R1200R has little vibration or heat in comparison.

I've owned 7 bikes in the past 6 years and the R1200R is the best yet. My F650 GS is the second best of those seven bikes. You're taking a step in the right direction with the 1200R.

[r1200rclassic]

the only vibration is at idle at a stop, the fuel tank seems to vibrate a bit, otherwise runs like a singer sewing machine... this is by far the smoothest running, silkiest power curve bike I've ever ridden. It took me literally a 10 minute test ride and I was signing the paperwork. This is the best it gets.

btw, I bought all BMW nano mesh gear and an Arai Vector-2 helmet, all but the pants are in loud yellow (high vis).. the pants are the BMW Summer 3's in Khaki and the jacket is a Boulder Neon... both with the nano-type armor, light weight and very comfortable.