R1200s

[Crankitup]

Other twins? The current Aprilia RSV 1000 R put out 15% more HP, weighs a few pounds less, and should be around the same price. Can't imagine the R1200S handles better either?

Don't know what prices are like for you there but here in Aus, the BMW is $3790 less than the RSV 1000 R

[marc11]

Bottom line, the R1200s is a complete package, it WORKS!  It has quality built through out, you can see it and you can feel it, and IMHO if you are looking for one of the finer street bikes on the market, this bike is worth every penny.
 
This bike will hang with any bike in the corners and more than hold its own in the straights.  Who cares if a 600 can get to 120 MPH 2 seconds faster?  Not me.

[Lon]

Shamelessly reposting from the other thread (posted by member cole):

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=197

They're also fairly attractive.

[cbsnbiker]

I am not thinking about buying one, but I did take one (with the Ohlins option) for a test ride. As others have pointed out, it's the most powerful and the best handling boxer that BMW has produced. Of course, others might argue that that's akin to being the finest ballerina in Galveston.  (To quote Don Rickles.)
 
So, in this message I'll focus on other reasons to buy it, or not to buy it.
 
How many sportbikes offer ABS in the U.S.?...*crickets*... So, if you want a high-performance bike and you want ABS, your options are limited.
 
600cc sportbikes are impressive machines, but they are not for everyone. Their riding postures are radical. Their suspensions are set up to handle smooth tracks better than bumpy real world roads. Although I don't mind high-revving engines, not everyone likes them. Ditto for other sportbikes. For someone who doesn't find the race replicas appealing, something like the R1200S is a welcome change of pace. One can still have fun on it on the racetrack (or so I assume, not having actually done so), yet it's arguably a better real-world bike.
 
There's always the question of dealer service and dealer support. I know that I've been taken care of very well by BMW dealers. The same can't necessarily be said of dealers from other brands. Of course, there are lousy BMW dealers and wonderful Brand X dealers as well, so this depends on the quality of your local people.
 
How does a particular bike fit you? That's very subjective, of course. I found that, for a leaned-over seating posture, the R12 fit me quite well. I wouldn't want to do 800 mile days on it, but I could easily take medium-distance trips on it. Pity it's not set up for hard bags.
 
I'm not in the market for a bike in that price range at this time. If my K were to be stolen or totaled tomorrow, I would be looking at its stablemates such as the R1200ST, K1200R Sport, K1200GT, etc. I want a bike with bags and a bigger gas tank, so the R1200S is not on my list. But if I had enough disposable cash to buy yet another bike of its scope, I would consider buying one, along with various other potential playtoys from the likes of Ducati, Honda, etc. But I sure did enjoy the test ride I took on the uber-boxer.
 
 

I read MCN's article on the new R1200S. Are any of you thinking about buying this machine? I want to know why.
 
What are you thinking when you spend that sort of money (around $15K IIRC) on the sportiest boxer ever? What does it have that some Japanese or Italian bike does not? Are you considering any of its competition?
 
Personally, if I think of a bike for my emotional reaction to it (over pure function) I'm probably looking at a Moto Guzzi today. BMW got me to buy my last bike before the FJR, a 2001 R1200C, by tickling my fancy. Does this new R1200S really "do it" for any of you? I'm not getting it.

[sfarson]

IDoes this new R1200S really "do it" for any of you? I'm not getting it.

What sporting ride would "do it" for you and why?

[Penforhire]

Me?  Well, for looks and twin-ness I am usually drawn to the Ducatis, say a new ST3 (or all the way back to a 907ie).  I know, Sport-Touring, but that's more of how I ride (and the R12S under discussion is not exactly hard-core sporting).  The one's that "do it" to me on looks alone are several of the Moto Guzzi's.  But I have a hard time ponying up that much cash for so-so performance and a goat-trail of a dealer network.  No way I can afford it, or would enjoy the long-term ride, but one acquaintance's MV F4 is lustworthy (even more than his 998R).
 
I put my money where my mouth is in picking my '05 FJR.  It was the most rational choice for me, even if it doesn't light my visual fires.  It has indeed been the best bike I've owned yet and I'm just turning 12K miles on it.
 
I probably would have been happy enough on a ST1300, though after riding my friends' I prefer the FJR (same for another friend's last-Gen R1200RS, which is sexier though).  After owning my R1200C and hearing my R1200RS friend's various warranty woes, BMW had to do more than they did to get me to bite again.  I'm sort of hoping they will evolve and tempt me again some day.  Did I mention my chosen car is currently a BMW?
 
If I wanted a more sporting, less touring, ride I think the VFR might be my sweet spot, having borrowed a ride on one also.  That engine sounds mighty nice with a set of Staintunes.  It felt a little nervous at slow speeds around town but got on some serious rails at speed.

[BMW-Fahrer]

R1200RS?Did I miss anything but I would love an R1200RS after seeing that R1200ST...;-)
I love the R1200S.Looks,handling,quality all there.
Any bike that has 110rwhp and weighing 480lbs wet has enough performance where the rider is the limiting factor,not the bike.So if a GSXR has another 40 hp and 40 lbs less,who cares?I would love to buy one but won't until BMW get's their heads out of their behinds.I have only one bike that must be as enjoyable on the occasional trackday as also the holiday trip two up with gear.The old R1100S was that bike that excelled at both.As much as I would like the additional 25hp and 25lbs less weight unless BMW offers some sport-touring options (hardbags,rack,2upseat,centerstand) I won't buy the new S which is a pity since it would be the best sport-tourer of all!But this is a bad word since BMW tried to make it just as "useful" as all the other sportbikes from italy or japan to gain some "cred" with the image crowd who want to be cool.Alienating their loyal sport-touring customers who otherwise would have been dead certain buyers.Too bad because otherwise it really is a great bike...
I like Guzzis,too.But unfortunately their product sucks.The new MG 1200 Sport is nothing more than a "Rockster" version of the Breva.A little dressed up more than 20 hp down on the beem and 40 lbs heavier...
Too bad they did not bring a tasty new LeMans but for now I'm keeping the R1100S anyways...
Hello again says
BMW-Fahrer

[Orson]

Too bad they did not bring a tasty new LeMans but for now I'm keeping the R1100S anyways...

it's difficult to tell which you hate the most, Moto Guzzi or BMW.
 
since you bad mouth the Rockster and other BMWs, I'll assume it's BMW.

[cbsnbiker]

I assume a misprint: probably an R1150RS, based on the context.
 
I took a test ride on an R1200ST last year. It was everything that my R1100RS should have been.
 
 

R1200RS?Did I miss anything but I would love an R1200RS after seeing that R1200ST...;-)

[BMW-Fahrer]

Orson,I neither hate BMW nor Guzzi and love both brnds.When I said rockster version I meant the new MG 1200S is unfortunately nothing more than a Breva with a little make up applied when it should have been an all new bike as great and exciting as the origional LeMans...
And BMW makes a bike as exciting in form of the new R1200S but unfortunately had the marketing department screw it up by trying to be cool and gain some Sport-cred leaving sport-touring goodies off the options list.STUPID!!"Spec riders" will continue to buy GSXR1 because they get another 40hp more/40lbs less for 70 cents on the dollar,Starbucks posers wait for the new Duc 1098 and loyal BMW sport-tourers will feel alienated by the shortage of sport touring options that made the R1100S so attractive...
I was a dead certain buyer until I found out that the tnk was soo small and could not use it anymore to ride two up or go on a holiday trip on,otherwise I would love the bike...In silver with nice Ohlins and a loud Laser pipe,yummy...
Chris

[Orson]

but unfortunately had the marketing department screw it up by trying to be cool and gain some Sport-cred leaving sport-touring goodies off the options list.STUPID!!"

so...it's more of a passive aggressive hatred rather than an all-consuming hatred.
 
maybe you need to try yoga?
 
or burning incensce
 
ohmmmmmmmmm

[valdoo]

I like toast.

[Penforhire]

Sorry, misprint, I meant K1200RS, just not the current model, the prior blue-and-white sex machine with uber-fat bags.  I tease him about his fat @ss and he keeps talking about getting the City covers.

[cbsnbiker]

Gotcha.
 
Well, as an owner of a "fat-ass" K1200RS , I can say that it is a very good bike for what its real job is, which is a bit different from how it was originally marketed. It's not a great canyon-carver: too big and heavy for that. It is a good sport-tourer.
 
Mine has needed work--understandable for a bike that has well over 70K miles on it--but has not been a shop queen. My previous bike, OTOH, should have been painted yellow....
 
Two annoyances in the K1200RS of my bike's generation: the left saddlebag is small to accommodate the high muffler; and BMW offers only a top bag farkle, not a top box. But that's still better than what's available for the R1200S.
 
 

Sorry, misprint, I meant K1200RS, just not the current model, the prior blue-and-white sex machine with uber-fat bags. I tease him about his fat @ss and he keeps talking about getting the City covers.

[hass]

It is interesting how numbers don't always reflect riding experience. Especially for someone of just average skills like me...

I went from a K1200RS to an Aprilia RSV100R Factory (The ultimate handling bike for many)... And boy it did handle well!! The K1200RS felt like a whale by comparison. However, I missed the stability of the RS on bumpy roads.

Then, last summer, I swapped the RSV for a K1200S (I missed the wife on the back)... The first 10 miles the K12S felt like a tourer!!!

However, as I swapped bikes some 300 miles from where I live I had a nice long ride to compare the bikes (300 miles there on the RSV + 300 miles back on the K12S).

I rode back in 75% of the time  it took on the RSV!!!  Partly due to the fact that I could ride longer between rests but even because I rode faster on the same sections of road. The K12 just isn't unsettled by bumpy road conditions and inspires enormous confidence. And the engine is just plain addictive - it begs to be ridden hard in a way that even makes the RSV seem tame!

The K12S is the best comprimise between a pure sportsbike like the RSV and the old RS. It has all the stability but none of the wallowing or heavy steering. All in all it is a wonderful road bike!

So what I am trying to say is; I can fully understand if boxer-lovers prefer the R1200S over many other sportsbikes. In real road conditions, with average riders, I am sure it will often out-perform many (on paper) better bikes.

[sagerat]

I have a GS and an R90/6 but the new R1200s just doesn't do it for me.  
 
I want a bike I can sport tour with which for me requires hard bags and a centerstand.  I had Cor-tech soft bags on my '02 Viffer and they were fine.  After using the GS with its system cases I found I prefer hard bags.
 
YMMV.

[sfarson]

I have a GS and an R90/6 but the new R1200s just doesn't do it for me.
 
I want a bike I can sport tour with which for me requires hard bags and a centerstand...
 
YMMV.

For those wanting a sportier boxer than the R1100S, Munich offers the R1200S.  For those wanting a more touring capable yet sporty boxer, the R1200ST is offered.  Just order it with bags and center stand.

[weedking]

Not since the first time I saw and heard a Duc Monster, has a bike pulled me in so strongly. Reasons why its on my next bike list? No idea, it just is.

[Lon]

Before the S, I had an Aprilia Falco.  Top notch performance all around, but I find the R1100S is just easier to ride and ride fast - at least on the roads I frequent.  BMW's are just different in ways that are not easily quantified and that's what makes them work so well for some riders.

I had a 2000 Kawasaki ZX6E before the 01 BMW R1100S.  The designed-in-1993 ZX6E is a faster bike, riders equal.  It has a greater lean angle, carries a bit less weight, and cranks down a few more ponies to the wheel.

But... the Kawasaki was scary as hell to ride hard in corners for me.  I still don't understand why.  I did all the usual tweaking; suspension adjustments, body position... nothing.  Still scary.  New seat, bar risers... nothing.  I clicked with that bike exactly twice in the time I owned it: once going up the Appalachian Gap at ESTN in 2005 and once riding with Jetset up around the hairpin on the Kanc, 2-up, dragging hard parts.

I liked the bike a lot anyway.

Enter R1100S.  I carried higher corner speeds on R1100Ss on my test rides down a familiar road than on the ZX6E - with less ... emotional discomfort.  It really was sad to have a great sportbike like a ZX6 and ride it at non-scraping-cruiser-speeds.  I miss the wailing 14000RPM redline and the 9k->14k "oh, you want to GO, eh?" top-end rush.

Not all bikes fit all people.  The R1100S works great for me, though.

The R1200S... I bet... would be even more awesome, but costs too much for me.  So, I won't even ride one for fear of falling in love.  That's also why I won't ride an RC51 or a Ducati 1098, for that matter

[Lon]

For those wanting a sportier boxer than the R1100S, Munich offers the R1200S.  For those wanting a more touring capable yet sporty boxer, the R1200ST is offered.  Just order it with bags and center stand.

Just to cover all the bases: The R1200ST is more powerful, faster, and lighter than the R1100S.

It's considered by some to be the actual successor to the R1100S in spirit and function.

It's also a whole lot more expensive, and they need to sell it with one of those carbon fiber bats so you can beat the ugly out of it