So if not the R1200R, then WHAT?

[2wheelfish]

Also looked at, rode and considered the Aprilia Mana 850GT. Really fun bike, way better than I was expecting, but then again I like scooters as well. In the end, the service availability and long-term reliability are questionable. The bike is really a good local ride more than a serious distance contender...and I already have one scooter.

[daveyator]

I really do miss my original R1100R. Short of the seat it was the perfect motorcycle for me and I'm still not sure why I sold it at the time.

[rockbottom]

I really do miss my original R1100R. Short of the seat it was the perfect motorcycle for me and I'm still not sure why I sold it at the time.

You can still have one:

http://katy.olx.com/1999-r1100r-for-sale-iid-24718532

[BigEasy]

I´m sure that's a really good bike, but there´s something about japanese bikes from the last 10-15 years that doesn't appeal to me at all. I just find them all completely soulless somehow. Same with almost all japanese cars, there´s just something lacking.

I have to agree with the soulless nature of modern japanese offerings, and I have two in my garage right now. While they are fun to ride in their own way they just don't have the grin factor of the R1200R. They are both dead smooth solid performers that have all the appeal of a sewing machine.

One of the japanese bikes could be a passable replacement for the R12R. My '99 ZRX 1100 is a competent bike for most everything the R is good for it just lacks hard bag options for side cases. Corbin did make Beetle bags for them but they are out of production and as costly as the R's system cases, and pretty goofy looking IMHO.

A true replacement for the R1200R would have me looking at the GS or a Buell Ulysses. The GS is obvious around here, the Uly not so much I guess since no one else brought it up. The '07-'09 Buells have proven to be pretty reliable machines and they have a very soulful vibe. The only down side I have seen is they do produce a ton of engine heat. I don't know if I'd want to commute on 90+ degree days in an urban environment on one. Once you get rolling the heat is not bad but still noticeable.

The service factor on them is extremely low. I just did the 5,000 mi service on my XB12STT and that consisted of engine oil and primary lube change and checking normal functions of controls etc. No valves to adjust, final drive fluid to change or chain to lube, throttle bodies to sync (even though Don will tell you there is no need for that on the R, and he's right. But the manual calls for it). I know there's some level of fear of the line just because they're out of production but it doesn't bother me, for now.

[mogu83]

Funny but my Ducati and Guzzi friends have that same complaint about the Beemers - nice bike but no soul and they sound like sewing machines. I've often wonder what constitutes 'soul' in a motorcycle and , to me, it appears that soul is a bike that has many abnormal quirks that the rider just has to get used to, requires a lot of dicking around with to keep running and isn't always dependable. I could be wrong.

As far as worrying about the R1200R (first edition) being out of production. My 1972 R75 /5 has been out of production for a few decades, it's still a dependable and competent machine (although challenged by todays traffic) and BMW still provides all the parts needed to keep it running.

If all the R1200Rs in the world disappeared I would have no problem finding a replacement, there are so many first class machines on the market today. Actually I just came back from a breakfast ride on the Beemer and I'll soon be rolling out a Honda (Valkyrie) to take a ride with my cruiser (Harley) buddies.

[sweatmark]

A true replacement for the R1200R would have me looking at the GS or a Buell Ulysses. The GS is obvious around here, the Uly not so much I guess since no one else brought it up. The '07-'09 Buells have proven to be pretty reliable machines and they have a very soulful vibe. The only down side I have seen is they do produce a ton of engine heat. I don't know if I'd want to commute on 90+ degree days in an urban environment on one. Once you get rolling the heat is not bad but still noticeable.

The GS and Uly options would be tops on my list, should I need replacement for Rockster. The GS-variants of 1100/1150/1200 are obvious: same drivetrain, character, utility, with similar riding position and dynamics.

I'm obviously a Buell fan (a bad pun for us XB owners), and love the torquey character of the Sportster motor. Yes, the old v-twin sheds a lot of heat, and I think the effect is exacerbated by the XB frame/tank/radiator design. The upside for the Buell XBs is outstanding handling, once the suspension is dialed in.

[Ric]

Ha !

On the "Motorcycles Have Souls" issue. I understand the sentiment and agree. I tell my friends my R12R has personality. But, If I were looking for another soulful bike I'd be looking into a Guzzi.

I would however disagree with Jap bikes lacking soul. My Jap bikes have soul....all be it an angry one....

[ContraMoto]

Went to a Triumph demo day on Friday. Rode the Street Triple. Holy cow, is that motor amazing! I had no idea something could be that smooth, yet still visceral. I was so impressed with that, I then rode the Speed Triple.

I don't even know what to say. It's almost beyond comprehension.

It would be exceedingly difficult to justify buying a new R instead of a Speed Trip, now that you can get ABS on the Triple.

I suppose if you're really jonesing for heated grips, you'd have to buy the R. And the R does mount a very nice OEM side case.

So, I decided to buy....

...a used KTM dirt bike.

[Woland]

Ha !

On the "Motorcycles Have Souls" issue. I understand the sentiment and agree. I tell my friends my R12R has personality. But, If I were looking for another soulful bike I'd be looking into a Guzzi.

I would however disagree with Jap bikes lacking soul. My Jap bikes have soul....all be it an angry one....

I didn't say all jap bikes lacked soul Just the ones from the last 10-15 years. Had a Africa Twin for a while and that had plenty of soul, wouldn't mind having a CBX as long as I didn't had to do the carb adjustments myself;) But most "modern" jap bikes I find very very bland. Like I said, there are plenty of good, even great bikes but soulfull they are not.

The italians on the other hand seems to have nothing but soul hehe. I would love to have a Guzzi but don´t know if I'm brave enough (yet).

The R1200R on the other hand isn't exactly beautiful, but it has a certain something about it. Although its easily ruined by a topbox or windshield.

[BigEasy]

Ha !

On the "Motorcycles Have Souls" issue. I understand the sentiment and agree. I tell my friends my R12R has personality. But, If I were looking for another soulful bike I'd be looking into a Guzzi.

I would however disagree with Jap bikes lacking soul. My Jap bikes have soul....all be it an angry one....

Ric, My ZRX and Z1000 don't compare to those bikes. Those two are the kind of bikes I came up on and I fondly remember the terror of them coming on the pipe and trying to kill me by ripping my arms from their sockets THAT is character

[Ric]

Ha !

On the "Motorcycles Have Souls" issue. I understand the sentiment and agree. I tell my friends my R12R has personality. But, If I were looking for another soulful bike I'd be looking into a Guzzi.

I would however disagree with Jap bikes lacking soul. My Jap bikes have soul....all be it an angry one....

I didn't say all jap bikes lacked soul Just the ones from the last 10-15 years. Had a Africa Twin for a while and that had plenty of soul, wouldn't mind having a CBX as long as I didn't had to do the carb adjustments myself;) But most "modern" jap bikes I find very very bland. Like I said, there are plenty of good, even great bikes but soulfull they are not.

The italians on the other hand seems to have nothing but soul hehe. I would love to have a Guzzi but don´t know if I'm brave enough (yet).

The R1200R on the other hand isn't exactly beautiful, but it has a certain something about it. Although its easily ruined by a topbox or windshield.

I had a CBX and it was a bike with a lot of character.
Not unlike the R12R, the CBX is a great cruiser as well as a Saturday night hot-rot.
But too many carbs and valves.

I wish BMW would put their inline six into an R12R body and call it the R-SuperSport.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Hmm, I think I´d go with a Tiger 1050. Or maybe a 1200GS which I find rather boring but practical. If I was smaller I´d seriously consider a F800ST again. But what I´d really want to have is a Moto Guzzi Griso, the day they come with ABS and a dealer within 300km from me I´ll get one for sure.

Nice avatar

Just sayin'
That WAS my avatar for years and years until the present one. One of the three favorite movies of all time, so you know what that means, Mandrake?
My precious bodily fluids are just fine. A Purity Of Essence.

Duc Multistratta, btw, or V Strom or DL 1000, but prob the F800ST, or a used R12R

And the BMW is not "ruined" by a topcase or a windscreen. the marque is nothing if not form following function, imho

John