BMW - New Baby-G and R12R-Classic

[Rincewind]

The G650GS gets a significant restyling, along with a reduced tank size (3.3 liters smaller = -0.87 gallons), and now cast wheels in place of wire ones, for 2011.  

See this article for more details.



Meanwhile the R1200R receives wire wheels and a nice stripe in the new Classic version, and all of the R12R bikes get the new DOHC engine.  

See this articel for more.

[Geoff]

The R12 Classic looks nice. A small, color matched cafe fairing would be nice.

[Lawn Dart]

Yup, the R12R is one sexy little bike.  What a great little machine.

[Rincewind]

I like the R12R Classic as well, even if the retro treatment is pretty limited compared to other manufacturers.

[Max Wedge]

Does the R have tube-tires?  I expected to see the tubeless GS rims.  

[Rincewind]

Does the R have tube-tires?  I expected to see the tubeless GS rims.  

I'd be really surprised if it wasn't tubeless like the GS.

[falconati]

I love the styling of both bikes.  Two comments:

1.) I really wish they would have not lowered the size of the F650GS' tank.  It had a really nice range, and now it's been reasonably altered.  Two steps forward on styling, one step back on fuel.
2.) R1200R looks gorgeous.  My only suggestion would be a dual exhaust system - two exhausts on one side of the bike (similar to a Ducati S2R) - it might make the bike appealing to a slightly younger crowd.

[Max Wedge]

I'd be really surprised if it wasn't tubeless like the GS.

Well those aren"t GS rims. These have spokes in the center, not the outboard edges. Hmmm..

[TBone]

I absolutely   the R1200R.

If only I had a lot of money laying around...

[atadaskew]

That R12 is really starting to look like a Guzzi Breva.  But saggier...

[Dave the slave]

That R12 is really starting to look like a Guzzi Breva.  But saggier...

 

 

[Rincewind]

Bunch of EICMA shots

I'm digging this G650GS with the cast wheels.  







And here is the R-Classic

[Norwegian Blue]

As the owner of a 2004 R1150R, I can say I was disappointed with the look of the R1200R when it came out -- as much as I envied the engine improvements and the lighter weight, it just didn't look distinctive to me.

I can say I REALLY like this version!

[coho]

2.) R1200R looks gorgeous.  My only suggestion would be a dual exhaust system - two exhausts on one side of the bike (similar to a Ducati S2R) - it might make the bike appealing to a slightly younger crowd.

Or one on each side low pipes for the genuine vintage look.  Hello full sized left case!

[jsanford]

Why shrink the gas tank of the F-*cough*-G650GS? I always thought the small gas tanks are what killed the market demand for the X-bikes.    That said, it's about time they updated the now-ten-years-old look.  

The new wire wheels on the R1200R are slick.

Still, I'm boringly content with my F800ST.  I look at the RTs and other (always bigger) BMWs winter commuting this time of year and don't feel they have anything I don't.  

[OldBob]

The R1200R looks good. However, I never understand why almost all bikes built in the past 15 - 20 years slope upwards toward the rear. It's not as if the rear suspension travel requires it. For an example of (IMO) how it "should be done," look at a 1970s Norton Commando.

The photos of the R1200R show that it has the "traditional" BMW turn signal switches. Nice.

Bob

[servicerifle]

That is such a good looking bike...makes me want one right now!

[Oilhed]

Yup, the R12R is one sexy little bike.  What a great little machine.

But no BMW style tubeless wheels?  Steel wheels I assume.

[kidtwist]

The R1200R looks good. However, I never understand why almost all bikes built in the past 15 - 20 years slope upwards toward the rear. It's not as if the rear suspension travel requires it.

That's a pet peeve of mine. I hate that butt-in-the-air look, but it's such an industry trend that I've come to the conclusion that to get a bike I like I just have to put up with it. Either that or buy a Harley.

[Oilhed]

That's a pet peeve of mine. I hate that butt-in-the-air look, but it's such an industry trend that I've come to the conclusion that to get a bike I like I just have to put up with it. Either that or buy a Harley.

Or a new Bonnie or Kawi W800!   Bench seats rule, made for softbags and sheepskins.

[Bain Dramage]

Tourers won’t be happy with BMW’s 14L (3.7 gallons) fuel tank for the G650GS, down from the previous 17.3L tank.

Wow. I'm almost stunned they would take a too-small tank and make it smaller.

Riders of this bike won't be "tourers", they'll be gas station connoisseurs.  

 I get trying to shave some weight, but I think this route is a mistake.

[cbsnbiker]

The old F650GS/G650GS gas tank wasn't really too small. I thought so at first when I bought mine, but its 55-70 MPG gives it a significantly better cruising range than, say, my K1200RS.

The smaller tank on the new G isn't a welcome change, but it's not as bad as it sounds -- *if* the gas mileage is the same or better than the previous bike. If the gas mileage is worse, then it's a significant step in the wrong direction.

[Oilhed]

Saw one at the NYC MC show.  Looks nice and the new wheels look great.  I would rather have the GS wire wheels but these do look great in person.  It really needs dual low pipes and a R90S style fairing!!!  With those pipes a pair of saddlebags like the old-Krausers with chrome loops mounts would be the best!  BMW really needs to look at what Triumph is doing these days.