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

I'm considering buying a new R1200R and trading in my Honda ST1300. One of my main concerns is the touring ability of the R1200R. I'd be coming off of a fairing sport tourer onto to a naked bike. The R1200R impresses me as a good all around bike with plenty of power with less weight than the ST1300. Also what are the must have options on this bike especially for any long distance touring. Thanks.
Frank Ferrante

Hi Frank, welcome to the group.

The RR uses the same luggage setup as the R1200RT, so you can think of it as an RT "Lite". It is the same driveline setup and the only real difference is that it has no fairing. The good thing about this is that the RR is a good all-season motorcycle if you put an appropriate windscreen (see a bunch of postings on this topic!). I am actually thinking of making an Alaska run with a Harley buddy of mine this summer, and see no problem with carrying anything I need. Do a search on "CHITOWN" and see where he goes on his RR. It seems to think it is a GSA or something !

You will also find that the ability to add some cylinder protection bars gives a really nice footrest to stretch out on while cruising. You will probably need to do something about the stock seat which for a lot of us is a torture rack after a very short time of riding.

See my full report from day one here;
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... php?t=2378


Doug

Coming off an ST1300 one thing that might cause some concern is the lightness and light feeling of this bike. It took a few hundred miles for me to get comfortable with the weight and I was coming off a bike that only weighed about a hundred pounds more. I've since ridden a bunch of highway miles with two days in a 50MPH cross wind and I couldn't ask for a more stable road bike. Naturally on the twisty secondary roads it's a dream. and will be a vast improvement over the Honda.

Doug, incredible report. Thank you. BTW which windscreen do you have on the RR now?

I ditched my ST1300 to buy the R1200R. The RR is so much better that anything I say about the difference might sound like ridiculous exaggeration. I will say that prior to the ST I had put roughly 15KMiles a year on my bikes (commute, play, travel). With the ST that dropped to about 4KMiles a year (commuting). I retired so the commute is gone, but my milage is back up to about 10KMiles a year and every ride puts a smile on my face.

The main reason to ditch the ST was heat, but the way the bike handled and the ordeal of the tupperware and the constant coolant leaks certainly contributed. Anyway, here's how I would compare them.

The RR engine doesn't try to cook you when the temperature gets over 70. Keep in mind that over the first couple of years with the ST I did the fairing cuts, wrapped the headers, eliminated the catalytic converter, enriched the fuel mixture, insulated under the seat, and learned to ride with my knees sticking out. Every change made it a little better. Nothing solved the problem. If you have a "hot" ST NOTHING will solve the problem.

The RR can carry more cargo weight! Further, the quality of the luggage is much better. Further, the bike is beautiful with or without luggage.

The RR is poised under all conditions I've met including on roads used by trucks. Honda made the rake on the ST very steep so it would handle well. The result is a bike that's too sensitive to any input to be stable.

The stock ST seat is better, but it still has to be replaced. When you order your RR, order the "Comfort Saddle" (PN 52 53 7 721 958 for the high version). It should cost about $200 more in a swap for the standard bench seat, but the difference is enormous. You can't tour on the standard bench seat. You can cover hundreds of miles a day comfortably on the Comfort Saddle. You may still want to replace it, but the CS will certainly postpone that decision.

The ST adjustable screen is nice. I use the fixed sport screen on the RR just to keep the bugs off the instruments. Feeling the wind is good. When it isn't, that's what Gerbing clothes are for. Here the bikes are equal. I can't run my electric vest on the RR accessory socket so I added a socket direct to the battery. The ST has no socket so I had to do the same thing.

The RR is stable. It is forgiving. It's smooth without sacrificing too much road feel. The ST has a deserved bad reputation for instability. The RR handling is confidence inspiring and it's light enough to throw around or run on dirt and gravel without problems. Have a look at the intrepid Chitown's pictures and then imagine getting there on the ST.

The ST seems bulletproof. The only reliability issue with the RR is the sudden battery death problem. There are a half dozen threads on the subject including mine for fitting an Odyssey Battery. It solves the problem.

I know it's a big step going from the ST to the RR. I'm so glad I did.

Liam

ff73148 wrote:Doug, incredible report. Thank you. BTW which windscreen do you have on the RR now?

The current screen is the CalSci "Tall" with the tilt-back modification. Basically I re-drilled the lower holes to allow a 1.5" spacer behind the screen on the lower mounting studs, which makes for a nice quiet ride without a lot of buffet for me. You can see it in the photos below:

I posted photos of the latest farkles including the large top case here:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... tcount=110

I came off a ST1100 and I think you'll find the difference exhilarating. Actually the ST was pretty sweet on the Interstates where I commuted most of the time. After a job change, I found myself on the bike in San Francisco, and it was like hauling around a bowling ball on a daily basis.

The RR is a VERY nice handling bike at low speeds in the city, and no comparison at speed on tight turns.

For touring, I've added:
Russell Day Long saddle
Highway pegs mounted on engine guards
HID converted Hella FF50 driving lights on the guards
Nautilus air horn
GS handguards
Parabellum Scout fairing with 22" and 10" shields

The overall wind protection is not quite as slick at the ST, but the stability in crosswinds more than makes up for that, not to mention quickness off the line and in passing, handling in the twisties, better brakes, better luggage, and overall increased grin factor.

Liam wrote:The RR engine doesn't try to cook you when the temperature gets over 70.

This is something i always forget about until i ride another bike. It gets toasty when you've got a cylinder head 5" from your thigh. Those weird pistons sticking out the side of the R12R sure are effective for keeping the heat off you. Even in still hot weather you hardly notice the heat of the bike.

The only time i get burned is when i stretch my legs out and use the cylinders as highway pegs. Poor boots.

Thank you everyone. I've made up my mind. Its a go for the RR. Now it comes down to the deal. Any advice on pricing? Thanks.
Frank Ferrante

Just whatever you do, try and get a blue one. There aren't too many left.

Also, take a look at the "Touring Package" which includes a variable bunch of the good accessories and ends up getting you the saddle bags for free.

ff73148 wrote:Thank you everyone. I've made up my mind. Its a go for the RR. Now it comes down to the deal. Any advice on pricing? Thanks.
Frank Ferrante

Have you considered buying a used one? There are plenty of low mileage bikes out there.

There are some interesting deals on 2009 & 2010. They are almost too good to pass up.

I put 70,000 happy miles on an FJR 1300 before getting the R12R in July. Like the ST, the FJR is an outstanding motorcyle, but I didn't need all the extra plastic, luggage, and hundred pounds or so of weight. I think I'm a better rider or the R and the hooligans I ride with seem to agree.

dge