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

OK- now I need some help looking at options and accessories.
I posted the feedback on my test ride of the R1200R and R1200GS. This is going to be shorter - I promise.

If I get an R1200R - I am thinking of the following options. Well basically everything.

- white indicator lenses
- on board computer
- integral ABS II
- ASC
- high dual seat
- main stand
- ESA
- high shield
- small black plastic cylinder protection

others

- I am thinking that a rear hugger would be wise - any comments?

and Luggage

- panier rack with mounting grid.

I don't like the standard pariers. They are way too big for everyday use. I like my sports paniers from my F800. If the ones for the R were half the size they would be OK.
I want a small to medium sized solution, lockable if possible. I like having a rack on the back of my F800ST because it gives me something to grab for the centre stand and it works with the sports paniers, but the R1200R looks great without one.
I have seen a pod from Ztechnick but it looks like it will be too long to fit without extending over the tail (and therfore I would need the rack).
I don't like tank bags either.

Is there another alternative?

Finally - a sheep skin seat cover. Soft and warm.

What accessories and options do others have on their bike?

Mark wrote: What accessories and options do others have on their bike?

Mark,

Welcome to the group of enthusiasts here..

A tiny bit of work searching/reading on your part will turn up voluminous accessory reports from people (also search on "Farkle" and "Farkel".

If you're a BMW-MOA member, go back a few issues, and you'll see the last of 4 articles I wrote on Perfecting the Perfect Bike.. ie - Farkling the R1200R. And for the much abridged version: http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm

You might as well get the tire pressure monitoring system.

Mark,

You might like to take a look at the Tourmaster Tri-bag system. I didn't like the hard panniers on the 1200 R. They just seemed to take away from the naked good looks of the bike so I purchased the Tri-bag system. When I'm not going to need to carry much, I just use the roll bag on the tail. When I'm traveling I can use the saddlebags. They all hook together and there's plenty of storage and the price is very good. I've gotten lots of compliments on the bags as they blend in nicely with the style of the bike.
Here's the link. http://www.plazacycle.com/Cortech_TriBa ... /2,15,2447
Bruce

I like hard bags, they are good for the next trip to Alaska and the BMW bags for the R1200R are really a great setup, a real improvement over the last 4 versions of BMW luggage I've had over the last 30 years. Guess the only item I might wonder about is the ESC, really great idea but all suspension components wear out over time. If you can replace the seals and fluids.....otherwise....guess I'm just old fashioned and think the money is better spent on high quality aftermarket bits that always have resale value and can have a once over every 15 to 20K miles.

Bheckel169 wrote:Mark,

You might like to take a look at the Tourmaster Tri-bag system. I didn't like the hard panniers on the 1200 R. They just seemed to take away from the naked good looks of the bike so I purchased the Tri-bag system. When I'm not going to need to carry much, I just use the roll bag on the tail. When I'm traveling I can use the saddlebags. They all hook together and there's plenty of storage and the price is very good. I've gotten lots of compliments on the bags as they blend in nicely with the style of the bike.
Here's the link. http://www.plazacycle.com/Cortech_TriBa ... /2,15,2447
Bruce

I just took a look. The price is right!

Mark wrote:OK- now I need some help looking at options and accessories.
I don't like the standard pariers. They are way too big for everyday use. I like my sports paniers from my F800. If the ones for the R were half the size they would be OK. I want a small to medium sized solution, lockable if possible. I like having a rack on the back of my F800ST because it gives me something to grab for the centre stand and it works with the sports paniers, but the R1200R looks great without one.

Mark

I wouldn't be so dismissive of the R12R panniers - unless you want to be able to see more of the rear wheel when they're on - you cna stil see quite a bit. The R12R (and R12ST, R12RT and K12GT) panniers are quite unobtrusive in use for their size - and they don't seem to add to windage at all. I suspect they are narrower than the F800 / K1200S panniers, especially when those are expanded. I had mine, and my top box, colour-coded to Crystal Grey by Procycles (sent out to a paint shop) and they add to the look of the bike .. at least in my aesthetic. here are some pics ..

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 7230258370
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 0050389154
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 8548854994

You can fit the panniers without the rack - and you will barely see the frames when they're off. Procycles had made a decision not to fit them unless ordered, because the rack uses different pannier frames.

Also, there are flat lids available if width is the issue (ugly as sin, though .. ) there's a link on this site somewhere ...

EDIT - LINKS Fixed to pannier pics

I think that a hugger is a must, otherwise the back end gets covered in muck. I would also suggest a front mudguard extension as this helps to keep the engine clean.

Hi again Mark-have made a few comments re other accessories on yout other thread.

Have to say I agree with the positive comments on the panniers by Caroanbill-the F800 panniers were cute but pretty limited -they wouldn't even hold an A4 folder. I use my R12R for work everyday so just have a cheapo RJay top box which clicks on to the BMW rack via an adapter. Allows for filtering through our longitudinal carparks while holding laptop, briefcase, wet weather gear etc.
For touring the BMW panniers are second to none. And the brackets on the bike are just so well disguised and maintain the clean lines which we all appreciate.
Ditto the hugger comment.

I'll just have to agree. I use the sidebags every day for something or another. On a ride - if I stop to get off and wander around a local fleamarket - my helmet goes in one bag, my Aerostich in the other. Going to work - my briefcase goes in one bag. I often carry my heated gear in a bag when the weather is questionable.

The other plus - they provide some level of crash protection for your leg if you get T-boned. There is a small safe zone between the cylinder head and the bag that *might* help you avoid more serious injuries in that sort of accident (or not - depends on the accident, but I'll take anything I can get..)

They are watertight (so tight they form a vacuum internally at times making them difficult to open), easy on/off, easy open. And they give you a spot for some of the black reflective material on the back end of the bike, making it REALLY visible from the rear when headlights fall on it.

MIKE46 wrote:I think that a hugger is a must, otherwise the back end gets covered in muck.

Definitely! In Oz, you can get the Ilmberger CF one from motorradgarage.com.au (Michael Wilson) - great folk to deal with. I think Eastcoast BMs (Mick Owen) http://www.eastcoastbms.com.au/ will get the Hornig one, but it's so close in price to CF you might as well have CF.

Also, you'll want a screen on your oil cooler for all those small stones that get thrown up on any backroad worth riding. I made this one up from mesh from one of the radiator guard sites - radguard, I think. Hornig lists one at about 29 Euros, so it's cheaper to pay about $50AUD for the Aussie mesh and attach it with black silicone.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 6454917730

Mark -

I used hard panniers on my R1150R for 6 years. Perfect function and the "wardrobes" offered on the new R12 are even better. Secure and weatherproof. Only trouble is they are too wide for lane-splitting and can touch down in hard cornering. I got sick of all that. With my new R12R I got the gearsack rack and bag. Nearly as much capacity, carries a laptop as well as some groceries. Good for a few nights away. Not totally waterproof so I bought the storm cover as well.
I got the computer which is a bit of fun. Didn't get the tyre pressure monitor but wish I did - I never check the pressures like I should.
Since purchase in Jan I have only added one thing - the headlight protector. It comes from Australian Motorcycle HEadlight Protectors. $65 delivered. Looks pretty solid. That plastic headlight lense is fragile. Makes the bike look like it's wearing a big contact lense.

Only negative feedback I've had is my usual pillions (wife, friends etc) do not like the pillion seat. "There's nothing to hang on to" they say. My love handles get sore when I think about some of the two up rides I've done lately..........

Tom

I have to ditto the positive stuff said about the BMW panniers. I still can't get over how a full face helmet fits in the exhaust side case. They are a bit wide for lane splitting BUT ever since I saw a full dress Harley zipping through the cars faster than I was they haven't seemed as wide!

I had the TPM on my F800ST and it was inaccurate. It won't really alert you until the tires are down 5+ lbs, and I can manage to check my tires manually often enough to avoid that anyway. OTOH, you may not have a choice, depending on how many R1200Rs there are in your area and what each dealer has done in the way of accessories (unless you're ordering from the factory). My .02.

Charlie Rubin
08 R1200R
75 R90S
67 R69S

"I had the TPM on my F800ST and it was inaccurate. It won't really alert you until the tires are down 5+ lbs, and I can manage to check my tires manually often enough to avoid that anyway"

What do you keep your tires on your R1200R inflated to? Not what is recommended but what pressure do you use?
Mark

celticus wrote:What do you keep your tires on your R1200R inflated to? Not what is recommended but what pressure do you use?
Mark

I use close to what's recommended.. around 35-36PSI/front, and 37-39PSI/rear. That's one up, bags on, no gear being carried.