To buy an R1200R or not to buy an R1200R?

[toronto.gal]

I currently ride a F800ST - which I do not like because of the seating position and the seat. I've had it lowered, moved the handlebars and am considering changing the windscreen. However that will not address the pain I have in my wrist and neck from the riding position.

I rode a F650GS for 5 years and loved it. My husband persuaded me that I needed a bigger bike. That might be true - but it isn't the F800ST.

I test drove an R1200R today and I love it. Only thing it needs (for me) is a windscreen.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons to the R1200R? How far does it go on a tank of gas? Is the lowered version really that much lower than the standard? Does the ASC really do anything? Which windscreen - CEE Bailey - Parabellum (my preference) - ZTechnic?

I figure if you folks can't talk me into it - then I'll just stick with the F800ST and be miserable for another year.

TG

PS: Posted this in the 1150R forum - should have posted here instead. All help welcome.

[ShinySideUp]

Well I can only speak from my experience. I had a Honda ST1100 that I ran for many years of long distance commuting (4000 miles/month) and then my job changed to pretty much in San Francisco where the long wheel-base and WEIGHT was killing me: a nice road bike became a pig.

So, on a motorcycle tour of the Alps (Rob Beach), I signed up for your bike, the F800ST, thinking something more nimble would be to my liking. I absolutely hated the folded up, bent over riding position. My wrists and forearms and legs sang a tune at the end of each day, and it wasn't a pretty tune.

A German riding buddy on that trip, who's been on boxers in the Alps for 40 years, sang the praises: great balance with the low center of gravity, good low-end torque (I found I had to keep the 800 revved up a lot to get any power for the hills) and an engine design that's been around since 1923 and pretty well acknowledged as bullet-proof.

I came home and test rode one and, as you can read all over this forum, got hooked. It really is amazingly nimble for a 1200 cc bike. If you're used to the 650 and even the 800, you may find the mass a bit much to be immediately comfortable with flicking around, but the bike is so well balanced that I think you'd get used to it quickly. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison of the 800 and the 1200 on the same roads, but I strongly feel the R1200R handles much more confidently than the F800ST. And the difference in power, oh my. I'm not a rocket-rider, but when I need the power on the freeway, it's really nice to feel it scoot. Right now. OK, I DO like the sin of acceleration just a teensy amount.

I'm not vertically challenged (6 ft 1 in), so I can't speak to your issue of seating position, though I found it much better for me than the GS which I had to tippy-toe around parking lots. I have a 30" inseam and a tall custom (Russell Day Long) saddle and can easily flat foot both feet. You can ask Don about his experience, since his legs are shorter. I believe he lowered the bike as he installed his after-market shocks.

My bike came with the sport screen which is fine around town, but I was used to a tall Rifle screen on the Honda, made by the same folks that run Parabellum. The wind blast to the chest at highway speeds got old really fast. Not wanting to spring for a Scout, I tried a Z-Tecknik and found too much buffeting for my head position. It was the short screen, because they didn't have the long at that time. They offered to send me a long screen gratis, after their early mounting design failed, but I got too eager to wait for it's production release and went for the Parabellum scout which totally works for me. The tall screen and the shorty 10" both work fine with no buffeting and plenty of protection. The shorty puts the wind right at the base of my helmet, which is astounding because it's so much below my line of sight.

Hope this helps and PLEASE, whatever you choose, don't put up with riding in misery!

[Lost Rider]

I test drove an R1200R today and I love it. Only thing it needs (for me) is a windscreen.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons to the R1200R? How far does it go on a tank of gas? Is the lowered version really that much lower than the standard? Does the ASC really do anything? Which windscreen - CEE Bailey - Parabellum (my preference) - ZTechnic?

I figure if you folks can't talk me into it - then I'll just stick with the F800ST and be miserable for another year.

TG

PS: Posted this in the 1150R forum - should have posted here instead. All help welcome.

Hello!
I'm going to say just do a search of look down in the thread, screen are one of the most discussed topic in here. I will tell you there's no right answer, because everyone's different, and with your height reading a review from a guy who's 6'2" isn't going to worth anything from you. Make an good guess, and buy the one that looks the best to you. Because of your size, a BMW touring screen might work well for you, coming from a F800.... Personally I use the zTechnik screen for all my trip, and love it-it just looks right on the bike.

As for height, I don't know the stats on the "lowered" version. I do know you can get a "low" seat, and aftermarket suspension custom made for you. I think there's someone around here with a lowered 12R with ohlins, for his wife. Shocks would cost about $1600 solve your height thing, and give you a much improved ride - just do a search for Ohlins...

I get about 200 miles between stops, averaging 43mpg. If I'm really moving like in South dakota, I get 30mpg.

There's not a bad thing I can say about this bike - I rode over 32,000 miles on it last year because I want to be on it. From city commuting, to peg dragging in the twisties, to riding on muddy ATV trail and through rivers, to long distance touring Iron Butt rides, there isn't a better does-it-all-so-well bike out there. She's like a swiss army knife, and just keeps on taking whatever you can throw at her.
Unless your one of the very unlucky few that have the antenna ring fail in the first couple thousand miles, the bike is bullet-proof, and very reliable. Speaking of that, even though it is a very rare failure if I was buying a new bike and knew of this, I would make the dealer put a spare ring into the deal and have it with me... they don't cost much...

As you will read around here, the vast majority of absolutely love the 1200R. It's everything great about BMW's in it's purest form.

[Dan-A]

What he said.

[mtl-R12R]

I currently ride a F800ST - which I do not like because of the seating position and the seat. I've had it lowered, moved the handlebars and am considering changing the windscreen. However that will not address the pain I have in my wrist and neck from the riding position.

I rode a F650GS for 5 years and loved it. My husband persuaded me that I needed a bigger bike. That might be true - but it isn't the F800ST.

I test drove an R1200R today and I love it. Only thing it needs (for me) is a windscreen.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons to the R1200R? How far does it go on a tank of gas? Is the lowered version really that much lower than the standard? Does the ASC really do anything? Which windscreen - CEE Bailey - Parabellum (my preference) - ZTechnic?

I figure if you folks can't talk me into it - then I'll just stick with the F800ST and be miserable for another year.

TG

PS: Posted this in the 1150R forum - should have posted here instead. All help welcome.

I'd like to comment on the ASC TG

I ordered my R12R fully loaded, and have had it for a month now. I wanted to have the ASC in case ... just as I like having the ABS ... in case ... those situations that happen suddenly and unexpectedly, where it is nice to have all the help that we can .

Well, after 4000kms of uneventfull but very enjoyable riding, coming home the other night around 1:30 AM, accellerating through a clover leaf, I came upon a patch of what I think was absorbant that had been spread to clean up after an accident, or gravel dust that had been spilled, not quite sure, but by the time that I saw it as I was coming through the clover leaf at around 80kph, I was into it.

If I had let off on the accellerator I would have locked up the rear, certainly not good as I was leaned over pretty good. I maintained the throttle position, felt the bike squat a bit as the ASC cut back the engine power just enough to prevent wheel spin, and then regain traction as I continued through the mess. No fuss, nothing hairy ... it just did its' job.

I was very impressed.

Not something that you'll use often unless you happen to accellerate hard regularly in the wet or pull alot of wheelies, but nice to have on board ... in case !

Howard

[toronto.gal]

Thanks for all the good input. I am pretty certain I will buy the 1200R.

There is a lowered version of the 1200R. The bike I took for a demo ride had the standard seat on the standard bike and I rode with the tips of my toes touching. The bike was so well balanced that it was no big deal. However I prefer to be a little closer to the ground.

I had to lower my F800 myself using Hagen shock. The stock F800 is taller then the 1200R.

Tomorrow I'm going to sit on the bike again and try to get an idea of the maximum windshield height for me.

I won't go for a scout fairing as there is a 12 week wait time - and I have no patience.

TG

[Bob41459]

I got my '07 R12R about a month and a half ago and I came off an '07 F650GS and the R12R is just so much better in every way.It's so well balanced and carries it's weight well and to me I don't notice it being any heavier or bigger then the F650GS despite what the specs may say.

The engine is magic and will do whatever you like and it just eats up miles and cruises effortlessly at 70mph.The suspension and handling is awesome for me and the ergos fit me well too.I'm 5'7" 30"inseam and I have the low seat and it's quite comfy and lets me straddle with both feet no problem.I'd highly recommend this bike to anyone who is looking for a do it all kind of street ride.

[Caroanbill]

I currently ride a F800ST - which I do not like because of the seating position and the seat. I've had it lowered, moved the handlebars ... address the pain I have in my wrist and neck from the riding position .. I rode a F650GS for 5 years and loved it ... I test drove an R1200R today and I love it. TG

TG - go with that feeling!

I SO wanted the F800ST to fit. After 4 years on my F650 CS (much the same ergos as your GS), it took only a block into the test before I knew I would never be comfortable on an F800ST. I persevered for a 15km test, because I liked the motor, sound, brakes and suspension, but for once in my life went with the first gut feeling. By the time I was a block down the road on my R1200R test, I was convinced - and the next 25km cemented the feeling. My only gripe was the choppy front end (since fixed completely with a Wilbers shock). I had to think hard about price (25% more than the F800ST) but otherwise, it was easy.

10,000km later I'm even more convinced the R12R was the right decision. Around town, I think it's a lot easier to handle than the F800ST. After all, it's only 14kg heavier fully fuelled and has a lower seat, wider bars - I feel less "perched" on it than in the ST ride position. On the wide open road (with a good screen), the feel is very relaxed and the suspension is superb: I've done 1,000km days (with an Airhawk) and enjoyed them. In the twisties it's almost as flickable at the CS.

If the price is not a problem - the R12R won't disappoint.

[deilenberger]

I'll second the vote to include ASC in your buy.. a good friend went down last week because he didn't have it on his GS - it was exactly the sort of incident where ASC would have saved his bacon (new, wet tire, slippery center-line and brain-fart induced over-zealous throttlehand..)

I'd also suggest getting TPM - tire pressure monitor. You hopefully will never have to experience sudden deflation of a tire at speed as I did, after a large nail exited the tire at around 80MPH in heavy traffic. That was no fun. A TPM would have let me avoid that thrill.

Other than that - the black ones with white pinstripes are the fastest..

[mtl-R12R]

I'll second the vote to include ASC in your buy.. a good friend went down last week because he didn't have it on his GS - it was exactly the sort of incident where ASC would have saved his bacon (new, wet tire, slippery center-line and brain-fart induced over-zealous throttlehand..)

I'd also suggest getting TPM - tire pressure monitor. You hopefully will never have to experience sudden deflation of a tire at speed as I did, after a large nail exited the tire at around 80MPH in heavy traffic. That was no fun. A TPM would have let me avoid that thrill.

Other than that - the black ones with white pinstripes are the fastest..

Yup ... it takes a strong man to admit his weaknesses ... and bottom line is that we all brain-fart occassionally ... so I like to have the safety margin that ABS and ASC can provide when farting ... and have absolutely no problem admitting it !

I also ordered the bike with TPM. I don't remember how many times over the years I started wondering if I had a tire that was going soft while riding because the bike starting moving around while riding ... was it road surface, sidewinds, me getting tired, or a tire losing pressure ? I've actually dismounted to check my tires on several occasions to check them !

No more daily pre-ride pressure check ... that alone is worth the price of the option ... just check the pressures on the display while riding off !

I love it ... and everything else about this bike for that matter lol

and Don, as far as the black with pinstripes being the fastest, I catch up with my never wash granite grey one while you're blow drying yours !

[outnabout]

keep in mind that alot of the folks that like ASC are old and need it to compensate for the reaction time they've lost due to the aging process.

[Dan-A]

keep in mind that alot of the folks that like ASC are old and need it to compensate for the reaction time they've lost due to the aging process.

HEY! I represent that remark! But I don't have ASC.

[celticus]

"keep in mind that alot of the folks that like ASC are old and need it to compensate for the reaction time they've lost due to the aging process."

Us old folk can't do wheelies with ASC.
Mark

[icecave]

Of course I can be "young and foolish again" or a "bit wiser" at the push of switch (ASC is switchable).

[kay bill c]

My wife ride's my r1200r at first only a little,now a lot. She is 5'2" I put the low seat on for her and she is tippy toe,but the bike is so well balanced that being tippy toed has not been a problem.She rode for years and always thought this would be a major problem but as I said earlier I'am having a hard time getting equal ridding time.I might see a second one in our future.By all means take it on a long test ride good luck Bill

[Byrdguy]

Gadgetry, Bah Humbug. Not for me, thank you.