While my copy of the 12R has proven to take just about anything I can throw at it and then some, I have no illusions about the costs it will take to keep on going like I've been for years to come. There's so many wearable parts that are still original on my bike, it's just not feasible to start dumping a bunch of cash into it and I'd be concerned about reliability for long trips soon enough without doing so. When I'm not away it's my only daily driver plus a few long trips a year the miles keep adding up quick.
It doesn't really burn any oil still, runs like a champ and still looks sharp, at least to me.
But it's time for something new. I've been keeping an open mind, hitting all the various bike shops, poking around online for whats out there currently and making a realistic assessment of what purpose a bike to replace my R would need to fill. I have a DS bike capable of riding donkey trails or long haul adventures with the Husaberg, so any big heavy DS bike is out of the question.
I kind of liked one of the naked Guzzi's, but no ABS killed that thought, didn't care for any of the all too sexy Red Ducati offerings and Triumph isn't my cup of tea either. MV or Aprilla don't cut it for me and forget about anything else with an inline 4 from Japan. You couldn't give me a HD to ride, well you could give me one and I'll sell it without ever riding it.
There's there's this place, I mean, I can't give up this forum just because I decided to get another brand bike...
SO, all that takes me right back to the Motherland of BMW.
I've always been keep on the new 1200R Classic since they came out...
Beautiful bike, reliable, ABS and almost as cool as my pinstriped 12R.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
The promise of a wet head BMW roadster has been something I'm interested in though, I mean I rode a GSW and that motor was amazing. From all the looks of the new wet head bikes though, I don't have faith that BMW will keep the spaceship/fighterjet look out of the R, what if I wait another year only to be disappointed?...
But now there's another option.
The BMW nineT.
Simple modern classic, again almost as good looking as my pin-striped 12R.
OK, who am I kidding, that bike to me is pure art, a perfect blend of old and new without looking too "retro" or too modern.
No windshield options for now, no pannier options for now, but yet I think I can make it work for what i need a replacement for my 12R to be. I like making bikes work for me without buying a specialized bike.
It's been decided, I'm officially 7th in line at my local dealer for a shiny new nineT and my bike is going to Nancy so it can stay in the family because lets face it, nobody would want to buy my bike.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
We're trading in her G650GS, she doesn't ride it much now that she has a smaller, lighter Honda bike for our adventures and I figure with the low miles she'll put on the R I can make it last for years without major work.
Plus, I get to stay around here on this forum!
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
It's a win win situation, now if BMW would just hurry up and get those R9T's in the dealer showrooms....
![Image](http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-24RtCZg/0/XL/i-24RtCZg-XL.png)