Distance Travel on the R1200R

[jshep]

I am curious as to what some of the 1200R owners here think of the bike as a distance machine. I'll give a little background to the question to help you understand where I am coming from and what I am looking for. I have been riding for over 40 years, owned and ridden all sorts of bikes, everything from a Gold Wing to dual sports to sport bikes. My style favors distance riding, but I also a like semi-aggressive, sporting ride. In other words, less is becoming more to me lately. To satisfy this, I have at times owned more than one bike, but prefer to stick to one machine and accept the compromise. In the past several years I have owned 5 BMWs, all RT or GS bikes. I also had 3 Ducs recently and currently ride a Multistrada. In between those bikes I did a year on an FJR. The FJR was king of distance travel for me, but alas, I have this quirky need to...well, own quirky bikes! I love owning and riding the Ducs and Beemers.

I traded off the FJR for the Multistrada because time did not allow for much travel, that and the FJR just did not really get me excited. I am looking at circumstances in the near future that may allow me to hit the road a little more often. While the Multi is certainly capable and I may end up keeping it anyway, I have always had an interest in the R bike as a good compromise. I do not want another big tourer.

So, that should give you a little history. Any of you been doing any longer rides on the 1200? Say, 500-1,000 mile day range? Don't worry about the seat or windshield...I already realize the stock items are not likely to be suitable...neither is any other bike's that I have ever owned.

I would love to hear your opinions of the bike for long days in the saddle.

One final and unrelated question: has anyone here paired the R with a sidecar? I have purely commercial reasons for asking.

Thanks,

JShep

[Lost Rider]

With 37,500 miles on my 07' R1200R I can safely say it's no problem eating up miles on a R...
When on trips I average 500 miles a day no problem and have done 1150 miles IBA rides in 24 hours.
From highway miles to grinding valve covers, to climbing mountain and going where few GS's have gone, I'd say the R is a very well rounded bike, capable of filling many roles very well.
With it's low weight it is still very flickable even when loaded with camping gear.
Sorry I don't have more time right now to go into more detail, good luck with your decision...
Just look at my site for adventures on a Roadster...

-Joe

[jshep]

Thanks Joe. After I posted the question here I stumbled across some of your adventures on another site and also went to your website (a fellow Mac user...check out my site also made with iWeb). I believe you have pretty well answered my question already. This may just be what I am looking for. I will hook up a demo as soon as I get the chance.

Jshep

[deilenberger]

I will hook up a demo as soon as I get the chance.

Jshep

Take your checkbook, you won't want to give it back.

[hankth]

Jshep,
Also a long-timer here, 40+ yrs. The R1200R is one of the two most satisfing bikes I have ever owned. The other was a 1978 XS750 Yamaha triple. The R just plain works for me on many of the levels that you mention. Longest trip was 2300 miles to Nova Scotia and PEI, (400 or so miles in rain) and the R was fine for me. Yes, there are compromises to make on longer rides, like the stock seat, and not much wind protection. But, I think most all of us who ride this bike ride day or two rides, with a little light sport riding thrown in where appropriate. Every time I ride it, it's fun for me! I'm not sure why, but, I love looking down at the cylinders sticking out in the breeze too! You can't do that on the RT. Good luck to you.
Hank

[Thinman]

Joe's the expert on epic journey's on the R, but I just got back from a 4-day trip around Lake Michigan. Forgetting about the screen/seat issue (sport/stock for me), the only nit I would come up with is the bar position. For me it seems to make me slouch, more so than my wife's F800ST, which has even lower bars. Other than that the bike performed flawlessly as always, and is a great touring machine. I've really come to appreciate having a fairly lightweight bike for manuevering around traffic, parking lots, and of course winding roads. Guess I've just talked myself out of the RT/GSA option

[Caroanbill]

The R12R is as easy a tourer as I've ridden. It'll do long days, fun days and can go seamlessly from laid-back open road work to hustling over tight mountain roads. It eats up bad Aussie back roads. One surprise bonus over a full-dress tourer is that it is barely affected by sidewinds. And you can walk, even after 7+ hours in the saddle on back roads.

I have a touring set-up: the low seat and a Airhawk, optimised riding position (bar-backs +lower pegs), large-ish screen (parabellum 22") and now clear foot screens (Wunderlich). Suspension is Wilbers - both ends. Full BMW Luggage.

In fact, I've really only done distance work on mine - I have a little city bike. I don't think I've done a day under about 500km (~ 5 hours riding time), except for service and "soft" days on tour. My first ride was 4500km in a week, then a 3-day 2000 trip, 4-day 2000km trip and I've just come back from 2500km over a long weekend.

Some others here can comments mre on the R12R's flexibility as a city bike, dirt bike etc. On the touring side (solo), it's as good a distance bike as my K100RT, K1100LT or R1150RS: doesn't feel like I've lost anything over those bikes.

[Airshaft]

Just did 4 days and aprox 1600 miles 2 up with one 10 hr day. Bike is bone stock with BMW full lugage and no windscreen at all. I'm a sport bike rider/racer that also loves road riding and have always had multiple bikes for different purposes and just for the love of them. I'v pretty much ridden everything out there including all the bikes you've mentioned.
For me the R1200R is absolutely the best real world motorcycle yet. It is the best two up bike I've ever ridden (small/light but roomy and still handles like a dream) but even better solo riding. It never bores me and at times I dont want to get off. I enjoy every aspect of the bike, putting around, chasing (stomping mostely, up to 100 mph twisties and around town) sport bikes, two up riding (actualy enjoyable) and touring.
I have a B-new smoked sport screen(4 sale complete) that I had on for about 10 miles, took it of and probably will never put any screen on this bike at all. I love the clean air and theres not that much drag on my body to be too tiering or uncomforetable but it gives me the real out in open air, old motorcycle ride, feel just like my old Nortons which is what made me fall in love with riding in the first place. I never used to like Boxer motors (and still wouldnt bother with one in a sport bike package) but this new 1200 is the perfect plant for this package (style of bike) and wouldnt replace it with anything else. I dont find the seat all that bad either. Actualy it is the best stock seat I've had yet . I'm 6' 2", 220lbs, and 32" inseam.
I will have a custon set done, primeraly because with my taller upper body I feel slightely slouched at times so I will have them add 1" or so with a little more slant forward. Dont want to chenge the bars cause they are a perfect feel for me.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRR1200RRRR....LOOOVE IT. Next year, Ohlins, full Remus, few CF bits and a seat.

[hankth]

Joe's the expert on epic journey's on the R, but I just got back from a 4-day trip around Lake Michigan. Forgetting about the screen/seat issue (sport/stock for me), the only nit I would come up with is the bar position. For me it seems to make me slouch, more so than my wife's F800ST, which has even lower bars. Other than that the bike performed flawlessly as always, and is a great touring machine. I've really come to appreciate having a fairly lightweight bike for manuevering around traffic, parking lots, and of course winding roads. Guess I've just talked myself out of the RT/GSA option

I also found the reach to the bars a little too long for me, I'm 5.8". Bar-backs to the rescue. BIG difference! No mods required to cables or hoses. I've used them on other bikes to change them from being almost unusable for me to all day riders. Cheap fix too. Be sure to use a level on the front brake master cylinder to make sure it's level when tightening the bar back up.
Hank

[jshep]

Those are just the type of comments I was looking for. Or maybe they were the type I was afraid of! Sounds like a bike that needs to find a home in my garage. As far as posture is concerned, I actually prefer a slightly forward lean, so it may suit me just right without bar backs. I thought the FJR was the ultimate seating position for long distance; at least for my 5'5" body.

Shep