Test drove some Beemers today...

[falconati]

Specifically (and in this order):

R1200RT
R1200GS
F800GS
HP2 Sport

It was my first time on a BMW motorcycle in 4 or 5 years, and I came away impressed.  For the 1200s, there were things I liked about each the GS and RT - I wish I could mash them up and make the perfect bike.  If I had to choose between the two, it would be an easy choice for the RT due to the quicker turn-in/better handling.  The big GS is great for what it is though.  The boxer motor hops around similarly to an HD at idle, but smooths out the moment you give it any throttle.  The R1200 mill makes a lot of torque, which is expected of a big twin; however it does so at a very low RPM.  You can be happily riding around with the engine at 2500 and it will pull away smoothly if you get on the throttle - an impressive feat that Ducati's "L"-twin engines could take notes from.

The real shocker for me was the F800GS - what a blast!  The F800 engine is a hoot, and the GS I was riding had the Akrapovic titanium exhaust and sounded great.  The bike handled great and only needed a better seat (and cases for touring) in order to start ripping it up immediately.  This motor is very, very easy to control in-town and can keep you going the speed limit if you feel the need     I also liked the feel of the chain-drive better than the shafty.  The one thing that annoyed me about this bike was the traditional fork/suspension setup - you get the brake-dive that other BMW models do not.  Rats!  Always a catch...

Then, the owner of the store (quick plug for Schlossmann's BMW in Milwaukee) was kind enough to let me take out their HP2 Sport for about 20 minutes (I was the only person allowed to ride it, besides the owner) and it was a LOT of fun.  Before I even talk about how it ran/felt, this bike is absolutely beautiful.  Nice touches of carbon fiber EVERYWHERE, huge race LCD, black/white paint scheme with a blue chassis...this thing looks incredible, if you haven't seen one in person.  Anyway, it has a more relaxed riding position than your average sportbike (somewhere between the ergos of an R1100S and Ducati 996).  The transmission was great in both gears that I was able to use it ( ), the engine is powerful and provides more thrust than you'd expect (I believe output is rated ~130 bhp) and you have great, usable twin torque, so the engine can hum along nicely at 2000 RPM in the city (not true of my MV).  Lots of nice touches, great brakes, and just a very unique bike overall.  I would consider trading my MV for one.

[three west]

The transmission was great in both gears that I was able to use it ( ),

hah  

[2DFlyer]

If you can remember back that far how does the 1150 and 1200 motors compare?  I had an '04 R1150R for what seemed like 10 minutes (it was 9 months) and found it to be very adequate in terms of power / torque.  Funny isn't it, a 1200 in a Sportster is girls motor but in the BMW it's main line stuff.

[viffergyrl]

If you can remember back that far how does the 1150 and 1200 motors compare?  I had an '04 R1150R for what seemed like 10 minutes (it was 9 months) and found it to be very adequate in terms of power / torque.  Funny isn't it, a 1200 in a Sportster is girls motor but in the BMW it's main line stuff.

Um, it's a little more than that. I've had an 1999 883 Sportster and an 1999 800cc VFR. There is simply no comparison any more than a 1200 Sportster and 1200 BMW R. There is no 'girl' about a 1200cc V-twin.... it's a bit more.... ah.... grown up than that I think. Of course... it depends on what you put it in.

So to speak.  

[2DFlyer]

Um, it's a little more than that. I've had an 1999 883 Sportster and an 1999 800cc VFR. There is simply no comparison any more than a 1200 Sportster and 1200 BMW R. There is no 'girl' about a 1200cc V-twin.... it's a bit more.... ah.... grown up than that I think. Of course... it depends on what you put it in.

So to speak.  

Fair enough.  Yeah.  What I should have said is in the HD hierarchy the 1200 is looked down upon by the Dyna, FL, and Softtail crowd as a girls motor.  Of course in Buell form that motor is king.

[Rincewind]

Thanks for the nice little write-up, falconati.  For a guy that has just bought 3 bikes, you sure like to play the field.  

I'd like to test one of the F800 series bikes someday.  They are the ones I'd expect myself to like.  

But I'd love to take a HP2 for a spin as well! You lucky dog.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey Falcon - I'm curious as to your opinion on the 800's throttle. I have an 1150GS and my husband has the 800GS. I've ridden his a few times and while it is indeed a hoot    I just can't get past the twitchy throttle     Dan says that this is common, but I can't imagine taking this bike off road (which we intend to do in August) with that kind of throttle response.


Thoughts?

[falconati]

Oh, wow.  The throttle wasn't twitchy for me at all.  Was it at low RPM or high?  I found the model I rode to have smooth acceleration in any gear at any RPM (the same is not true for the MV, btw   )

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Oh, wow.  The throttle wasn't twitchy for me at all.  Was it at low RPM or high?  I found the model I rode to have smooth acceleration in any gear at any RPM (the same is not true for the MV, btw   )

It didn't seem to matter. To describe it further, say you're riding along a city street and the light turns red up ahead of you. You roll of the throttle a bit to ease down your speed but *bam!* you have no power at all - it has cut the power with the slightest of movement.  Same goes for rolling on the throttle. There seemed to be no "gentle acceleration" unless a serious effort was made for it. Threw me off (not literally   ) a couple of times  

[falconati]

Hmm, interesting!  I definitely didn't notice the effect while rolling on the throttle, but I don't recall the engine rolling off the throttle.  I don't do that too often    Seriously though, I didn't notice it...but if I get the opportunity to ride another one, I'll specifically test that out. Have you had the dealer look at the fuel mapping?  BMW doesn't always advertise new fueling maps unless the release is related to a bunch of folks yelling (e.g. their K1300 series).

[RBEmerson]

I demoed an '07 K1200GT today and found its throttle was a lot less forgiving than my '03 K1200RS.  Low speed maneuvering wasn't impossible, but I was surprised, more than once, by something approaching on/off behavior at low, "only just open" throttle settings.  

Other than that, I had a nice hour's ride in the area NE of Hermy's (Port Clinton, PA), including the twisty road past Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and brisk run up and down PA 143.  In some ways I enjoyed it more than a (shorter) run over some of the same route on a K1600GTL.  Go figure.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Have you had the dealer look at the fuel mapping?  BMW doesn't always advertise new fueling maps unless the release is related to a bunch of folks yelling (e.g. their K1300 series).

Eh, its Dan's bike; I'll leave it up to him to work it out    I might bring up the mapping question. I know that he had it into the dealer for some warranty work and can't recall if that was brought up or not  

[Major 662]

Eh, its Dan's bike; I'll leave it up to him to work it out    I might bring up the mapping question. I know that he had it into the dealer for some warranty work and can't recall if that was brought up or not  

I just rode a F800GS today while my bike was getting some service.  Great bike, but I did notice the throttle being a little twitchy.  I think a few factors played into it:
1) Sometimes the throttle would jump while I was trying to reach my thumb over to the damn turn signal cancel button. Just need to get used to that
2) The non-adjustable inverted front fork was a little soft, so it would dive a bit (versus my K13S with the duolever front)
3) The sit-up-and-beg seating position had me going fwd and back a bit until I got used to it.

After a few jerky throttle moments, I focused on smoothing things out and all was good.  

[TonyT1200]

Just got a 2003 1150RT and I love the thing.  I heard great stuff about the 1200.  I just hate the looks.  When I rack up some miles on this bike and BMW does a facelift of their RT I may have to test ride one.

[MichiganMan]

I thought Beemer = cars and Bimmer = bikes?  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I thought Beemer = cars and Bimmer = bikes?  

Beemer is the only term I use. Infrequently.  Bimmer just sounds pretentous and silly.

[Capirex]

Beemer is the only term I use. Infrequently.  Bimmer just sounds pretentous and silly.

Aren't they pronounced the same?  

[RBEmerson]

Of course not!  How else could bimmer and beemer owners get snotty about calling their bimmers beemers and vice versa.  We own both and keeping bimmer and beemer straight drives me barking mad...  

[Kramer]

As an owner of both (Bimmer and Beemer) I only use the term Beemer.  And even that infrequently...only as a matter of convenience.  I use "the car" or "the bike" much more often even with multiples.

[Dan K]

Had a few decent rides on my buddy's F800GS and don't recall taking issue with throttle response, although it was mostly highway riding...will have to take it out again.

- Dan