OH NO! Suddenly Need Quick Perspective

[Rider Rick]

I was (and still am) set to pick up my 2004 R1150R this weekend. 9700 miles, immaculate according to a fellow R1150R rider there, and it is a non-abs, otherwise standard, color Red. The dealer is ordering in some bigger lids for the town bags on it.

Dealer calls me Friday and says "I hate to mention this, but we just got in a 2008 R1200R, ABS, ASC, 2k miles, system bags, trip computer, etc." The initial price is where I had decided to make my top spend for a bike, but the 2004 had come in a couple thousand less, so I had decided I could lower my expectations about abs, so I was satisfied with the deal, albeit dis-satisfied to not have the added performance of the abs.

I just did a quick lookup and it looks like the 1200r has more HP, a computer, abs, and probably the other standard things the 2004 has. It also looks like the tank is somewhat smaller on the 2008. Are there any other things that fall in favor of the 2008 besides newer and less miles? Would the mileage be much less on the newer?

My gut tells me to go with the 1200R even though I love the Red color on the other...but confliction has beset me, lol.

If you can offer some perspective on this I'd appreciate it...I am leaning toward the 2008 even though the abs looks to be more complicated to maintain, etc. Thanks! I have until tomorrow to decide .

[Matt]

I would go for the R1200R.

[angellr]

+1 R1200R

[Ric]

No brainer.......R1200R.

[sweatmark]

Are there any other things that fall in favor of the 2008 besides newer and less miles?

Here's the opinion of a tried & true R1150R fan: if the R1200 is in your budget, then buy it. A couple grand is not much compared with the enhanced abilities of the newer machine, especially if the R1200R has ABS (an expensive option) and lower miles (2k is pretty much brand new for a Beemer).

[iowabeakster]

I've got the 1150. I like it.

The things I would want improveded on the 1150:

It needs to lose weight.
It needs a better ABS system.

Not only does the 1200 improve on those things, it has a more powerful and smoother motor.

If the 1200 were in my budget, I would get the 1200. It's better in pretty much every conceivable way.

But, I would still prefer the company of 1150 riders.

[Rider Rick]

LOL, well I was just beginning to like those guys over in 1150r, too! If you think about it, an r1200r is at LEAST an r1150r, so maybe we could still be friends if I switch. Thaks for the info, all, I am pretty much clear on trying for the1200...now if the dealer loves it too much and won't budge then I may just screw all the extra stuff and stay with the 1150r and practice my braking more often, but still...hunger for the abs and traction control, lol. Needs a couple of more gallons of fuel in my book.

OH, can you run regular unleaded in it and not kill it? I notice it is 12:1.

[CycleRob]

Not only does the 1200 improve on those things, it has a more powerful and smoother motor. If the 1200 were in my budget, I would get the 1200. It's better in pretty much every conceivable way.

True that. The newer BMS-K engine management system on the R1200R and my F800ST is a quantum leap over the primitive OilHead's Motronic system. Smoother running/idling at any temperature, better MPG's and more power. Do not let your choices be decided by the price difference, as it is a long term investment in your greater satisfaction. It's only money and the R1200R is better in every way over the R1150R, especially when you consider the 50R's propensity to eat it's (EXPEN$IVE) clutch splines and slave cylinders.

[Rider Rick]

I like emphatic answers! I have read that some don't like the dry clutch aspect of it, Rob. Should I just pretend I never read that? Is there a lurking danger for that clutch slave migration problem you've documented? Thanks for your data.

Friggin place was closed today so I'm on pins and needles trying to be patient until the guy calls back and we can discuss making the change.

[Boxer]

Like they said, the R1200R is the same as the R1150R..but better.

[Ric]

What would Sly do ?

[AndyRR]

Love / hate my 1150. If you can swing the 12, go for it.

[Rider Rick]

Wel there is about an 800 dollar delta on the new bike price so far. Doubt it will get lower, he had to special order the large lids (300 bucks) and says he cant send them back. Sooo, at the moment trying to get straight in my head if basically, abs and more refined motor that has to burn premium unleaded, with 7k less miles, is worth the 2800 extra...(scratching head)...I know it's not THAT much money but I had really intended to get primo gear with the money that I was gonna have left over . This calls for more tea! (walks off trying to get Zen about the decision)

[Rider Rick]

Well, guys, there were two people waiting to buy the bike today for what he was originally asking and for a 3k delta I decided not to pursue. I liked the 2004 r1150 from the beginning and I've been non-abs on bikes my whole life so will continue to be that way for the immediate future. If I become a more-frequent rider I will probably move up. Thanks for all your input. Picking up the r1150r Saturday morning and will head back to the other forum ...hopefully we can still interact, lol.

[iowabeakster]

I was going to suggest that you could use the difference, in the bikes' cost, and spend it on gear! I like the way you were thinking.

Having great gear, for varying conditions, may lead to greater riding satisfaction than the technological enhancements of the newer model. If you are like most of us, you will really like the 1150 too (and your batteries are going to last much longer).