Performance

[firstforward]

I am on my first R1200R, only had it a month, it’s a 2009 with 1,800 miles. I have a question to those of you that have had experience of riding more than one of these and my question relates to performance. I test rode another 2010 just before committing to purchase my bike and I feel the bike I have ended up with seems to have more grunt than the test ride bike. Yesterday I was in a hurry to get home some 70 miles away, so I opened it up most of the way and on one occasion to my surprise, it was still pulling strong at 140mph, whereby I had to slow down because of traffic, so I am wondering how fast these bikes will actually go before topping out?
Has anybody experienced much performance difference between different bikes and can they go off tune for any particular reason. I am using 95Ron fuel which BMW says in the hand book can reduce performance compared to higher octane.

[LumpyCam]

You have lucked upon the rare Rocket Ship Edition. Everyone I know with an 1200R/GS maxes out around 200-210kph (125mph). Not designed for top end speed, you hit a wall with the gearing to power ratio and will be at redline in 6th around here.

I'd be surprised if there were massive performance variations without any other noticeable running issues. E.g. a poorly running bike will likely give less performance but I wouldn't bet on more than a 5-8hp difference between like candidates. Even a $1,000 exhaust will only net you maybe 5hp at best.

Speedometer variations could be a whole 'nother matter...

[rokinrider]

My 09 has consistently hit 135 with some left in it!!! Not sure what RPM cause I'm looking down the road. Whole lot of HP, very little wieght I guess? makes me smile.

[firstforward]

Using the speedometer to calculate the mph/1000rpm at 5Krpm I am reading 90 maybe 92 from memory. So if I use 18mph/1000rpm at 135 its about peak bhp @ 7.5K rpm. Allowing for an up to 10% speedo error that would approx equate to 125mph at 7.5K. So I am probably getting a true 130mph out of mine but suprisingly as I said it was still pulling at this speed so I am impressed. I was without panniers though.

[ContraMoto]

The power delta to go increase speed varies linearly with the rolling resistance of the tires, and to the CUBE of the speed delta.

In other words, to go 10% faster, the power requirement goes up by (1.10^3)-1 = 33%

So, once you're going pretty fast, it takes a lot of power to go a little faster.

But...you can reduce your CdA (coefficient of drag times frontal area) by ducking down. A 10% reduction in CdA results in a direct 10% reduction in power to hold that speed. Meaning, more power is on tap to go faster. Aerodynamics is extremely important if you're trying to go really fast.

[mogu83]

Wow - this is starting to look more like a Beemer list every day.

[ContraMoto]

Wow - this is starting to look more like a Beemer list every day.

Geeks and nerds.

I learned all that when doing computer modeling of time trial cycling. I predicted my finish time in a 112 mile time trial (Ironman cycling leg) within one minute. Got all geeked out for that.

[MMilbrett]

I was told by a friend and the dealer, who rides an 1150R, that the engine will have small increases in power as it ages, then, at about 10k, you will walk out to the cycle, start her up, and think, Wow!, where did all this extra power come from?!?! I only have about 2200 miles on mine so far, so I don't know if its true, yet, but I am having a great time getting there.

Mike

[celticus]

Day Um! Where do you find a stretch of road long enough to do that? 115 is all I have dared so far. But it was with hard bags. Good for you!
Ask one of the Geeks, at some speed near what you were doing you should be able to get where you were going before you left.

Mark

[angellr]

Day Um! Where do you find a stretch of road long enough to do that? 115 is all I have dared so far. But it was with hard bags. Good for you!
Ask one of the Geeks, at some speed near what you were doing you should be able to get where you were going before you left.

Mark

Most I have ever gone is roughly a buck nickel w/o bags. Plenty fast on 2 wheels.

[SDMAX]

My max speed deal on my GPS says at some point I hit 111....that's with a barn door XL California Science Windshield and Givi top case. It was still pulling...

I think 100 is for me my top for now and forever for cars and motorcycles...after that things are just going by way too fast. Not what the R1200R is about anyway; but I tell you whut...I tested a Motoguzzi V7 over the weekend because it was just so darn cute...but same as my Triumph Bonneville test a few weeks ago...they feel like Mopeds after running the big boxer. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[ContraMoto]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Don't go test drive a K1200R! You will be corrupted for life.

I test drove one. I twisted that throttle hard upon entering the freeway. My eyes about popped out of my head. Took the next exit and drove it back to the guy's house. Crazy freakish monster of a machine. I like my R better.

[ka5ysy]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Don't go test drive a K1200R! You will be corrupted for life.

I test drove one. I twisted that throttle hard upon entering the freeway. My eyes about popped out of my head. Took the next exit and drove it back to the guy's house. Crazy freakish monster of a machine. I like my R better.

Don't even THINK about testing the k1600. Holy Crap ! This bike houses the Devil, and he corrupts you instantly with that electronic throttle

[nylife]

i think it is safe to say, do not test drive anything BMW, thats an upgrade to what you currently have

[Sander Abernathy]

The R1200R is capable of a maximum indicated speed of 150 mph. How do I know? That's the last number on the speedometer.

I had my 09 up to an indicated 125 when it hit the rev limiter...in 4th gear. It was still accelerating briskly so I assume that in 5th or 6th it would have been good for another 15 mph plus indicated which would put it in the 140's per the speedometer and a true speed somewhere in the 130's.

I assume the 2011's have the same gearing as the earlier models but they come with an extra 500 revolutions under redline so in theory at least they should have a higher top speed. Can the engine reach an 8500 rpm redline in 5th and 6th? I suspect the answer is yes if you crouch down enough and have enough straight asphalt. My guess is that all of the R1200Rs are good for a true top speed of between 135 and 150.

I don't want to criticize or name names but I have observed that some of you have bolted an awful lot of stuff on your bikes that must surely slow them down. Personally, I don't accessorize anymore because that's the first stuff to come flying off when I wreck the bike and I don't have the heart to ask my insurer to keep buying me new motorcycles and accessories...just motorcycles is fine.

[jed1]

I found an old thread where people discussed how fast our bikes could go. Quite interesting:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=18393&p=161772&hil ... ll#p161772

I have taken my bike to 205 km/h before, with the BMW touring screen and also panniers fitted at the time. The bike was still accelerating, however I decided to back off as I remember reading somewhere not to go over 180 km/h with the panniers fitted.

[mogu83]

I had my 09 up to an indicated 125 when it hit the rev limiter...in 4th gear.
I've long known that it handles great at 90. It's good to know that 70 is an option as well.
I don't want to criticize or name names but I have observed that some of you have bolted an awful lot of stuff on your bikes that must surely slow them down. Personally, I don't accessorize anymore because that's the first stuff to come flying off when I wreck the bike and I don't have the heart to ask my insurer to keep buying me new motorcycles and accessories...just motorcycles is fine.
2011 Smoked Grey Metallic Matte R1200R
2011 Apple Red (RIP), &
'09 Alpine White (RIP)

I understand your concern for your insurer, do you think he would be interested in the first part of your post?
I'll assume this post was meant to be humorous (I got a laugh out of it), liked the accessory part about when I wreck the bike not if I wreck the bike.

Your a lucky man to still be walking around, good luck with the new bike.

[ContraMoto]

Sander...you should get some of these...extreme visibility. The dual 50w amber Motolights have stopped 90% of the people formerly tempted to pull in front of me. It's really amazing how much I get noticed now.





They're only a few bucks more than what you got for that seat!

[angellr]

Contramoto,

Which set did you get? (mounting, etc.)

[ContraMoto]

I bought mine used on advrider. It's the basic caliper-mount setup that comes with wiring harness (relayed) and a replacement bolt for the caliper. The bolt is longer so that the light sits on the top bolt of the caliper. The brushed aluminum housing matches the bike nicely.

I have the relay spliced to the GPS harness on the front of the bike. Lights come on with the key, and turn off 60 seconds after switching off the key. There is also a manual switch, but I leave them on all the time.

Motolight charges a small fortune for amber bulbs ($65 a pair!!!). I found them online at mr16usa.com. It's "Platinum EXT/Y Yellow" bulb, for $9.00 a pair. I bought six just to have spares. 1500 miles so far and the first two bulbs are going fine. Motolight offers "lifetime replacement" for the standard white bulbs, for only a handling fee. The handling fee exceeds what you would pay for a pair of bulbs at Home Depot. These are standard MR16 Halogen bulbs, for sale just about anywhere.