R1200R

[Against The Wind]

Some of you might remember that I was badly burned by my experience with a K1200RS and have not been too complimentary with my remarks about BMW. Well at the bike show in Toronto this past weekend they had one of these things and man I'm in a pickle now. First, I really really like the look of this thing. Second, it fits me like an old baseball glove. Third, the price is surprisingly lower than I expected. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? Oh woe is me, I am perplexed.

[grasslander]

Buy it and add a carbon exhaust!

[sagerat]

Buy it and ride the bejabbers out of it.  That's the best-looking bike BMW makes.

Admittedly, that's not exactly the same as saying "that's the best-looking bike Ducati or Moto-Guzzi makes."  

[Mr Sunshine]

I to really like the look of that bike.  

The only thing that turns me away from a naked bike like that is the lack of weather protection which I really love in the winter and hate during the summer.

I say...buy it if you want it.

[cbsnbiker]

Buy it and an extended warranty?  

I rode one last month. If I were in the market for a replacement for my K12, it would be on my list. If I were filthy rich, I'd give one to my brother for Christmas. (Sorry, Blue. )

I'm not familiar with your tale of woe with your K1200RS. Since there's no archive to search, care to give a quick synopsis? My K12 hasn't quite been a paragon of virtue, but it's given me no trouble that one wouldn't expect from a bike with some miles on it. My R1100RS, OTOH, was a shop queen.

[Zen Rider]

From what I've been told, you don't want to take it for a test ride unless you're prepared to open up the wallet.    

Good luck with this most delicious decission.  

BTW:  Gotta love the black, but it's a bitch to keep clean?  

But then, who said bike buyers/owners are rational.  

[Sport]

Buy one of these....

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i87/jakerin/?action=view¤t=s20Small.jpg

[ss2]

Tell the dealer if you can get it with the cool spirally sport wheels the K1200S comes with, you'd buy it.

[MilleArp]

The R12R is an awesome 'sleeper' bike..... looks like a plain-jane nekked, but in reality will smoke in the corners!

That R12R will be a sweet Deal's Gap slayer !

(looks stealthy in the Titanium..... drooool....)

 

 

 

 

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[cworley5150]

I remember reading some of your posts on the problems with your K12RS.  BMW's are a machine like anything else.  For the most part they are pretty dependable, but you will have your occasional breakdown.  I bought my Rockster knowing this.  It too "fits me like a glove".  One ride and I had to have it.  The R1200R is a fantastic bike.  It does everything the older R1150R will do, but only better.  As well as my Rockster handles, I couldn't imagine riding the 1200.  I will have to stay away from the BMW dealership for a few years.  

For what it is worth, i have put over 11K miles on my Rockster since June.  No problems so far.  If you like the bike that much, check it out a little further.  You only live once.  Jsut because the K12 you had was a POS doesn't mean this BMW will be.  I think they have a special financing on that bike right now too.  

Ah, isn't bike shopping fun?!  It would make a nice Christmas present, no?

[TWI]

I have one (in black).  It is a hoot to ride.  No weather protection, but with the heated grips and a Gerbings jacket that isn't a problem.

[Nesbocaj]

   Nice, does it come with Ohlins?

   You are in Toronto? I'd be looking for a bit o' wind protection. Maybe the 'S'??

[Against The Wind]

I'm not familiar with your tale of woe with your K1200RS. Since there's no archive to search, care to give a quick synopsis?

Bought a 1998 K1200RS with 16,000 kms on it (the original owner was Neil Peart the drummer from Rush). I drove it for a couple of months and parked it for the winter. When I took it out of winter storage to go to Bike Week the left rad started leaking. No rads in Canada so I hauled it to Daytona. They replaced the left rad. Right rad started leaking at the stat. Replaced right rad and stat. ABS lights wouldn't stop flashing. Diagnosis: ABS computer baffed. New one was about $4000 installed. I decided to try and find a used one. Found one then found out that the BMW tech had misdiagnosed the problem. The battery was low. Good thing I didn't have $4000 lying around or I would have spent it. Heat grips failed. Grip replaced. Grip controller replaced. Rear brake seized on melting EVERYTHING. $2500 for that party. Then the heat grips failed again. And all along I had to carry oil with me because it needed a litre every 2nd fill-up. According to BMW that was within specs. Turn signal controller failed. Bracket that holds the front windscreen broke. Spring thingy that holds the left mirror on broke and the mirror fell off when I hit a bump. Smashed front wheel on a BIG pothole. That wasn't BMW's fault but the new wheel was $1100.00 It felt like every service check was costing me a thousand bucks.

I bought a Blackbird and this year put over 23,000 kms on it. Nothing broke. It didn't burn a drop of oil. It burns regular gas. It weighs 100 lbs less. The left bag (a Givi) doesn't have half of it missing.

Nuff said.

[cbsnbiker]

Yikes. That's almost as bad as my '94 R1100RS was--but not quite.  

My K12, in comparison, has been wonderful to me.

I bought it six months used with about 2K miles on it. It now has almost 75K. I may fix that this week.  

It had a few teething problems early on: radiator fans replaced before I even took delivery of it (don't remember if it was an official recall or a service bulletin), one heated grip replaced, replaced turn signal gizmo under warranty, something about the windscreen replaced under warranty, etc. Nothing serious.

The biggest problem it had under warranty was shearing an exhaust header bolt, so the bike thought it was a Harley.   Fixed under warranty while on the road.

The shocks sagged out at roughly 30K. Ohlins are better anyway.

Since it went off warranty it's had a few issues. The biggest was an oiled clutch at about 60K--leaky seal. While they were in there, they replaced the driveshaft--it still had life left in it, but the labor was much cheaper at that point.

I bent both rims when I hit the Mother of All Potholes. Not only do I not blame the rims for bending, I'm glad I was able to stop upright with two instantly-blown-out tires and cut brake lines. But, as you said, the rims weren't cheap to replace.

The bike has never stranded me (except when the battery died, but I should have replaced it sooner), it purrs like a kitten, it uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 2,000 miles, I'm not sure that the valves have ever even needed adjusting, and it's smooth as glass.

Best wishes if you go for the R1200R. It sure is tempting.

[Jetpilot5]

Bought a 1998 K1200RS with 16,000 kms on it (the original owner was Neil Peart the drummer from Rush). I drove it for a couple of months and parked it for the winter. When I took it out of winter storage to go to Bike Week the left rad started leaking. No rads in Canada so I hauled it to Daytona. They replaced the left rad. Right rad started leaking at the stat. Replaced right rad and stat. ABS lights wouldn't stop flashing. Diagnosis: ABS computer baffed. New one was about $4000 installed. I decided to try and find a used one. Found one then found out that the BMW tech had misdiagnosed the problem. The battery was low. Good thing I didn't have $4000 lying around or I would have spent it. Heat grips failed. Grip replaced. Grip controller replaced. Rear brake seized on melting EVERYTHING. $2500 for that party. Then the heat grips failed again. And all along I had to carry oil with me because it needed a litre every 2nd fill-up. According to BMW that was within specs. Turn signal controller failed. Bracket that holds the front windscreen broke. Spring thingy that holds the left mirror on broke and the mirror fell off when I hit a bump. Smashed front wheel on a BIG pothole. That wasn't BMW's fault but the new wheel was $1100.00 It felt like every service check was costing me a thousand bucks.

I bought a Blackbird and this year put over 23,000 kms on it. Nothing broke. It didn't burn a drop of oil. It burns regular gas. It weighs 100 lbs less. The left bag (a Givi) doesn't have half of it missing.

Nuff said.

The R1200R is sweet, but man   you did have some problems.  I don't blame you for being a little gun shy.

[HankB]

I think that's way cool to own Neil Peart's old bike, but holy cow! What a list of problems. Every once in a while I hear about someone with a BMW that has problems like that and I thank my lucky stars that it's not me. I bought my '98 with 21K miles two years ago and it now has 47K miles. It's sinful how little work I've had to do on it. But I think I should be changing the plugs soon!

I also have an R100R with sidecar. One day I'm going to split it from the chair and see what it's really like. It seems like it would be a hoot, though I have to admit I appreciate the protection I get on the K.

good luck!

-hank

[sagerat]

I also have an R100R with sidecar. One day I'm going to split it from the chair and see what it's really like. It seems like it would be a hoot, though I have to admit I appreciate the protection I get on the K.

Pic!  Need a pic of your R100R hack.  Although if you dismount the tub and go for a ride be prepared how squared-off tires will upset your bike.  Most folks never disconnect the bike for just that reason.

[HankB]

Pic!  Need a pic of your R100R hack.  Although if you dismount the tub and go for a ride be prepared how squared-off tires will upset your bike.  Most folks never disconnect the bike for just that reason.

I've got the first post on the 6th page of this thread:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,197.msg25420.html

Squaring off? In Illinois, tires on any bike tend to square off.

-hank

[ka5ysy]

+1 on the "dont ride or else bring your checkbook"

See my ride report here:

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2378

Doug

[photomd]

I'd say wait a couple of years and see what bugs come out of the recent updates...but I'm kinda weird that way.  

If y'all don't have snow yet and you have a good dealer, go for a ride. Warranties are certainly dependent on the dealer, so if you got a good one and you like it, go for it. Great looking bike.

I love my oilhead for it's suspension, especially if you put Ohlins front and rear and adjust it to suit: very compliant.

[Against The Wind]

The recent issue of the MOA ON mag came today with a review of the R1200R. Oh man, this is going to be difficult. I just love the looks of that bike and the main concern I have with many ST's (weight) is completely addressed here. The wet weight of this machine is just UNDER 500 lbs.

[Nesbocaj]

The recent issue of the MOA ON mag came today with a review of the R1200R. Oh man, this is going to be difficult. I just love the looks of that bike and the main concern I have with many ST's (weight) is completely addressed here. The wet weight of this machine is just UNDER 500 lbs.

   Oh-oh, you are in trouble!

     Looks like you just have to get it now.

[HankB]

   Oh-oh, you are in trouble!

     Looks like you just have to get it now.

No, trouble would be noticing that a K1200R is a bit just over 500 lb.

Or realizing that a K1200R-Sport weighs about 100 lb less than a K1200RS



 

-hank

[Against The Wind]

Stop it! I'm in enough debt as it is.