BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

When you look at the numbers, BMW currently has about 15 different models available in this market, which is double what they had available here in 1999. The F and G series of bikes are BMW's attempt to bring in a younger crowd, which they feel they need to continue bringing in new customers. There are only so many 40 -60 year olds that buy bikes, and Harley has much of that market. But getting back to the current models, 15 bikes in 3 different colors each in 2 or three possible configurations and the SKU's really start to add up. Bring in a bunch of each for anticipated sales, miss on the guess of how many of each will sell, and they are stuck with bikes at the end of year they have to dump before getting new models and you can see why they have to eliminate some bikes from the market.

I am glad I have mine and I am also happy that I don't see one every where I turn. However, that also shows that intelligent people like ourselves often have to deal with bikes like ours being discontinued because the mass appeal is not there. I hope it does not happen, it will be a sad day if it does. I read an article in the last year or so where a BMW exec said "we will always have a roadster in our lineup" But in tough economic times the money makers stay. Fact of life I guess..

Celeste

The Yamaha Vision 550 and TDM850, and the Suzuki VX800 come to mind. Great bikes, appreciated by Europeans but didn't sell well this side of the pond. I was able to buy a new VX800 for less than the sticker price and happily rode it for 17 years. Rejoice that we all have our "R"s.

One of the good things about having a popular model BMW is that there are lots of aftermarket gewgaws made for it and you never know when the urge to buy a carbon fiber clutch lever extender will hit you.

Mark

Motorcycle_Girl wrote: I read an article in the last year or so where a BMW exec said "we will always have a roadster in our lineup" But in tough economic times the money makers stay. Fact of life I guess..

Celeste

If the R12R goes away, they will still have a roadster in the lineup - the shiny new F800R. For better or worse. It would seem a shame that the iconic boxer roadster in production since forever would be replaced by the new upstart. C'est la vie I guess.

Peter

I agree with Mike, with so many different style bikes and motor configurations planning for the future (even a few years) must be a marketing nightmare. BMW has so many different machines available it rivals the big Japanese manufactures, the only venue they don't cover is the cruisers, and the cruiser that they abandoned is now a sought after model. I was involved with labor unions for my entire working career and when the guys started bitching about the "Company" I used to remind them of rule No 1: "The Company Has To Show a Profit". Same thing here, if the motorcycle division shows repeated loss for a few years were all in trouble. If the R has to go, so be it.
In 83 I bought a MotoGuzzi SP1000 new, they made it for only four years, it didn't sell well. After they dropped it people started to realize what an exceptional machine it was. I rode mine for twenty years, put 100,000+ on it and sold it for what I paid for it. I bought a Valkyrie in 99, same deal, Honda for some unknown reason dropped the model after five (?) years. In the last few years the prices of used ones is climbing rapidly as people discover what a great road bike it is. I expect in a few years it will be worth close to what I paid for it. Point is - sometimes having a model that only lasted a few years is a good thing. I was close to buying a Honda GB500 but didn't, same deal they couldn't give them away now their worth a fortune if you can find someone that will sell one.

Also I hate having a bike that someone else has (you can tell by my choice of machinery) and the thought of sitting at a light and having a bike that looks just like mine sends shivers down my spine. That's why I'm very glad that Don's R has those horrendous white stripes on it, I do ride with him on occasion. He thinks that the women are fighting to see him and his bike, but in reality they're climbing over his to get a better view of mine (Hi Don).

mogu83 wrote:That's why I'm very glad that Don's R has those horrendous white stripes on it, I do ride with him on occasion. He thinks that the women are fighting to see him and his bike, but in reality they're climbing over his to get a better view of mine (Hi Don).

Hi Harry!

I think it's the sight of a stark white ponytail that gets them.. but whatever - there are enough to go around.

mogu83 wrote:
In 83 I bought a MotoGuzzi SP1000 new, they made it for only four years, it didn't sell well. After they dropped it people started to realize what an exceptional machine it was. I rode mine for twenty years, put 100,000+ on it and sold it for what I paid for it. I bought a Valkyrie in 99, same deal, Honda for some unknown reason dropped the model after five (?) years. In the last few years the prices of used ones is climbing rapidly as people discover what a great road bike it is. I expect in a few years it will be worth close to what I paid for it. I was close to buying a Honda GB500 but didn't, same deal they couldn't give them away now their worth a fortune if you can find someone that will sell one.

That's why I'm very glad that Don's R has those horrendous white stripes on it, I do ride with him on occasion. He thinks that the women are fighting to see him and his bike, but in reality they're climbing over his to get a better view of mine (Hi Don).

Harry, it sounds like you know what you are doing. Those stripes ARE bad .
The girls you speak of may have a dead grandpa they need to take care of and are needing a mortician. They see the black bike with the white stripes and what else would they think?
Plus they slow a bike down.

Mark

Jersey girls can't hold a candle to a Cajun girl riding a Granite Grey RR

ka5ysy wrote:Jersey girls can't hold a candle to a Cajun girl riding a Granite Grey RR

Careful -- my Mother,Wife and Sister are Jersey Girls

I.m.o. the title of this thread should be: 'R1200R discontinued in USA and Canada' because as suggested above, if the rumor is based upon anything it must be the plans of BMW NA not of BMW Berlin.

Hi guys & gals, I've just traded in my F800S


for a black full options R1200R (production week 09/2010 ) with Akra and the F800GS mirrors, so I've been lurking here for a while.

Anyhow: the chief technician at my dealer asked if I'd not rather wait for the 2011 version of the R1200 (he said it's going to be a hex-head like the 2010 RT and GS but 1200 cc not 1250 cc) so if anything gets discontinued it will probably be the decision of BMW NA.

For what it is worth, this is the by-line of an article in the Dec. 2009 issue of On The Level magazine by the BMW Riders Association International:

With the 2010 models, BMW boxers will be available only in the GS, GS-A, and RT editions.

LumpyCam wrote:For what it is worth, this is the by-line of an article in the Dec. 2009 issue of On The Level magazine by the BMW Riders Association International:

With the 2010 models, BMW boxers will be available only in the GS, GS-A, and RT editions.

IMHO - It's really not worth a lot since Robert Hellman passed away. Robert had some connections in Berlin, and having a background as a CIA analyst was able to make sense out of what little tidbits of facts he could gather up. It's a unique skill set combined with a unique group of contacts. I rather suspect the new editor isn't quite up to speed on that yet, so I'd take what I read in OTL with a very tiny grain of sand.

Good lord, Don, is there anything you don't know?

deilenberger wrote:It's a unique skill set combined with a unique group of contacts.

He he he - I think we know who on this board does possess those skills of knowledge, contacts, and investigative fortitude! (I'm looking back at you, Don.)

Mollygrubber wrote:Good lord, Don, is there anything you don't know?

Hush now, That's crazy talk!!

Mark

celticus wrote:

Mollygrubber wrote:Good lord, Don, is there anything you don't know?

Hush now, That's crazy talk!!

Mark

Hey, quit clogging up the board with your unemployed, all the free time in the world butt.

I'll give you my Sunday work, it's consistent... know anything about legal survey drafting?

In all seriousness though Mark, I hope you find something soon. Trying to find a job in the U.S. and A. these days must suck the big one.

Peter

Thanks Peter, I can;t find anything that I DO know that is maretable here in East Tennessee. Gives me lots of time for this forum.

Mark

Count me as one that wouldn't have considered BMW seriously again if they didn't have the R1200R. Possibly I'd have taken a pass at a GS, but it doesn't really fit what I'm after. The RT isn't at all what I want, so it doesn't compare to the R, IMHO.

I'd have likely purchased a Guzzi, though I'd have considered a Ducati Monster, or possibly a Triumph. I love my R1200R, so if I need to hold onto it as long as I held my R1100R - I'll be ok.

I don't understand what all the worry is about. All of BMW's bikes will be discontinued when fossil fuels dry up.....of course that won't happen for a few more years. Until then, enjoy it while it lasts.