I'm pretty much sold on a blue one at some point. Its grown on me(in all but price) to the point of obsession now. (also assuming blue to be fastest?)
My dealer has sold 9 or 10 of them so far and reports that none has needed anything beyond scheduled maintenance. Every time I ride mine, I like it more.
I had a R1150R that I bought new in 2002. It was a very nice motorcycle and I rode it for over 4 years with little to complain about. Then I traded it for a new 2008 R1200R, a bike that I liked even better. In fact that R1200R was the nicest Beemer I had ridden until this new one came along. BMWs just keep getting better. My first Beemer was a /5 back in 1970 and I thought that it was the ultimate.
Mine is at around 2600 miles now, I love it more every time I ride it, previously had 1150GS, 1200GS, 07 R1200R, 13 R1200R, Yeah and an R100S and R100RS. This is by far the best even though I really loved the RS. The new R doesn't even use any oil! All of my other oil heads managed to use some, a few used quite a bit. This bike is great!
Good to hear a positive report. I do like the USP of the telelevers. I'm a bit paranoid regarding engine corrosion. Mine has some on the heads. I was surprised to see barrel corrosion on the, expensive, used R1200GS LCs in the local dealerships. I hope the paint system dos not let the R1200R LC down as well.
Corrosion of various levels noted on all the boxers in stock. Seems to be a problem with painted alloy. An otherwise smart red R1150RS had extremely furry barrels- maybe beyond recovery. Not like the good old days when the alloy was not painted and a wipe with an oily rag held corrosion at bay. Mind you there was always plenty oil around on British bikes.
Had a ride on one today, BMW roadshow/test ride day at Squires Cafe. It was a 1/2 hour escorted ride but enough to get a rough idea what the bike was like.
Liked it very much, but then it's as close as I'm ever going to get to a new bike! Lovely engine, bags of power. Gear box a huge improvement to my 1150, test bike had a quick shift, uncannily seamless when you get it right. Much like the Getrag box it's better if its spinning over fairly quick. Clutch is feather light.
Didn't get to play with the riding modes, it was set to 'dynamic'.......not sure what that means but to me it meant rock hard suspension and a fairly abrupt throttle response.
Handling was very good indeed....turn in was very quick...and even with the hard suspension the bike kept a solid line through bumpy bends.
Bars were to narrow for my liking but a generally good riding position.....I would be confident I could get the bike to fit me perfectly if it were mine. Tiny fly screen was amazingly effective during a couple of short bursts at 80 plus.
Faults? Although the motor seemed very smooth right trough the rev range there was a horrible tingling vibration through the bars....right seemed worse....within minutes I was waving my hands about to get some life back into them. Plenty of other riders in the group seemed to be doing the same.
There was a lot of heat coming from the radiator, knees and shins got decidedly warm but that's probably a plus point for most of the year!
Tempered by the fact I can no way afford one I got back on my 1150 and thouroghly enjoyed the ride back home. If I had the money I would defiantly have a closer look at one. Sorting out the suspension and riding modes could possibly leave me feeling slightly dissatisfied with the 1150, but I'm not about to put that to the test incase I like it too much!
I ride mine in Rain mode all the time because it is more forgiving. Dynamic mode is too abrupt for me too. Not sure what to make of your experience with horrible tingling through the bars. Mine is calm as a kitten at least at the speeds and revs that I ride. It almost sounds like the fuel injectors in the bikes in your test were not synched right, but who knows? Bikes with radiators throw some heat and the amount is perhaps subjective. You are right of course it is a factor. See my separate post on the radiator for more detail on my impressions on this point. But the new wasser boxer throws a lot less heat than the old K bikes did (at least to me subjectively). Thanks for taking the time to write up your impressions.
I rode a R1200GS LC shortly after they came out, and felt pronounced vibration that really surprised me. Of course, I had just hopped off my slant K1200GT, but still. Haven't ridden another one since, so I don't know if my impression would be the same now.
I had definitely planned to buy a new LC R (or RS) this year, but after enjoying a week of riding a Road King in Utah in June, I decided I would like another cruiser in my stable for those times when I just wanted to, well, cruise, so I traded a couple of bikes and bought a new Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom. It has a high performance character for a cruiser, and I'm very pleased with the choice. I also kept my R1150R, with some significant upgrades. It still does all I need it to do.
Lawrence Carlson
Redding, CT
2002 R1150R (sold)
2016 BMW F700GS
2021 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
I only had 2 complaints about the new 12R after a full afternoons ride around Yorkshire Dales.
1. I'm only 5'10" with 30" inseam but felt legroom was very cramped and knees were aching when test ended.
2. The dashboard was very difficult to read even on max brightness.
Apart from those it's a natural progression and I can't see any manufacturer not using new technology when it's available.
PS: Didn't like the quickshifter
2017 R1200R Exclusive rusted away so back with the real thing 2012 R1200R TC
6' tall and 32" inseam. have just under 6000 miles on my LC and haven't felt cramped during any of those miles. I have ridden it continuously for 6 hours on a number of trips. you wearing boot lifts? What was it about the Gear Shift Assist Pro that you didn't like or understand? Maybe you weren't using it in the riding relevant load and rev speed ranges. I find it exhilarating to go into a 20-30 mph corner, cut the throttle before entry and downshift without clutch so that all my attention is on the entry and then at the apex roll the throttle up to 5000-6000 rpm and while holding it there go through the gears with the shift assist. No wasted clutching. freakin' fast response. The Gear Shift Assist Pro is also great for two up riding. no more banging helmets as you engage and disengage clutch.
thanks for your thoughts and review of the new R.
What're you rebelling against, Johnny?
Johnny (Brando): Whaddya got?
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the clunky gearbox yet...
I just rented an R LC in Milan for a 4-country tour in the Alps. The engine is beyond fantastic, and the riding position is more comfortable than my 1150R. But what's the story with the clunking in the first three gears !!??? It is so embarrassing that I would avoid changing gears when someone was near me. I asked the guy at the rental place what he thought of it, and he said "it is so awful that I try to avoid changing gears when someone is near me..."
In comparison, the gearbox in my 1150 feels so refined.
What was it about the Gear Shift Assist Pro that you didn't like or understand? Maybe you weren't using it in the riding relevant load and rev speed ranges. I find it exhilarating to go into a 20-30 mph corner, cut the throttle before entry and downshift without clutch so that all my attention is on the entry and then at the apex roll the throttle up to 5000-6000 rpm and while holding it there go through the gears with the shift assist. No wasted clutching. freakin' fast response. The Gear Shift Assist Pro is also great for two up riding. no more banging helmets as you engage and disengage clutch.
