On the verge... Any regrets?

[KnightKap]

Hello all. I have been in the market for a bike for a few months now and have narrowed the selection down to the R1200R or a Ducati GT1000. I am leaning heavily towards the R and wanted to know if there are any regrets from current owners.

After spending a couple hours driving over Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County, MD on my friends 1200 GS, I am sold on the powerplant and build quality. How are maintenance costs? Any reliability issues?

[AllanCook]

I just rolled over 10,000 miles on mine. Not a single problem. Runs like a top, handles beautifully. No regrets.

[Caroanbill]

I really love the look and feel of the GT1000. It seems as versatile as the R1200R, and oozes character (I've owned a couple of bevel drive 900 Ducatis). The main differences are so obvious that I'm sure they're your main criteria - The R1200R has ABS and other modern options, much more advanced suspension (for touring), better luggage options, but a very inferior seat. The R1200R motor is more powerful than the R1200GS, BTW - so it has 109hp vs 92 for GT1000; 115Nm vs 93 Nm for GT1000 ... though the GT is 30lbs lighter ...

On maintenance, my experience and research suggests the R1200R is OK - not cheap, but reasonable. It would probably be cheaper than the Ducati (even with the simple GT motor) based on the quotes I saw when a mate considered the GT1000. Plenty of threads here about actual US costs (I'm in Australia).

Reliability? Long experience with BMWs tells me that provided you keep the schedule, what few other issues arise get sorted as well. BMW is good at the quiet fix via service bulletin (so far: brakes, software, EWS antenna, petrol guage) and while a few guys have had a dead bike (EWS antenna), for the reast of us the problem got fixed first.

[sandycruz]

Just about 6K miles on the R. No problems, no regrets.

Its a much better ride than either of my other bikes.

Going to do the 6K service myself. Looks like a snap compared to the 900SS.

I've done a trip and used the BMW bags. They were great.

Biggest smile comes from ridding the R.

I guess I'm going to sell the other two, cause I don't want to ride them anymore.

The only competition the R has in my garage is my Santa Cruz Blur XC Mountain Bike.

[daveyator]

No regrets. No probs. 8500ish miles. Best of 3 Beemers I've owned and several other bikes. Pretty certain I'll ride this one until its wheels fall off.

[deilenberger]

Ditto on no regrets except not buying it sooner. 18,000 miles on mine, total warranty claims have been 1 5mm screw that came out of a saddlebag hinge.

Probably the best of the ummm.. mebbe 20 or so bikes I've owned, and I don't forsee getting anything else real soon, it does it ALL so well I have a hard time getting off it. My average annual mileage has gone up at least a factor of 3x since I got it.

Ducati - pretty to look at, handles well, don't want to work on one or take a long ride on one. Nice eye candy IMHO. R12R - does it all SO well.

[Lost Rider]

BMW R1200R motorcycle - $15,000




Motorcycle accessories - $3000




Camping gear - $1000




Do it yourself maintenance labor - free




37,500 trouble free wonderful ride it like you stole it miles--------- priceless

[KnightKap]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Very helpful.

[WILDPIG]

I'M LOVIN MINE-- GOT 4000 MILES ON IT-- ONLY FAILURE-- THE ANTENNA RING.. I DONT LIKE THAT SLOPPY BMW TRANSMISSON HOWEVER-- BUT-- THATS BMW....... GREAT BIKE RIDDEN AN OWNED A LOTTA DIFFERNT ONES OVER LAST 45 YRS..... THIS R1200R IS ONE CLASS ACT--- NOW IF BMW WOULD MAKE A SEAT THAT WAS ACTUALLY COMFORTABLE,, CHANGE THE HANDLEBAR/FOOT PEG CONFIGURATION,, AN MAKE SLIGHTLY BIGGER GRIPS............. BUT OVER ALL---- A DAM GREAT BIKE-- NO REGRETS ON PURCHASE--

[Bill Stevenson]

I have been riding BMW motorcycles since 1970 and each new one is better than the one it replaced. My new R1200R is quite simply the nicest motorcycle I have ever owned. If the bike meets your needs, you will feel the same way about yours. BTW, my daughter rides a Monster 900 and she likes it just fine. Ducatis have improved tremendously over the years. My first Ducati was a bought in the mid-sixties, a Diana if memory serves, and it was really trouble prone. Beemers are for people who prefer to ride rather than fiddle, but there is room for all kinds. A neighbor of mine rides a Triumph and he told me this morning that his present one is his 13th Bonneville! They're all good.

Bill

[famousperson]

I've been riding since 1964, and my R is the best bike yet! 4000 trouble free miles.

[fixinbones]

I'M LOVIN MINE-- GOT 4000 MILES ON IT-- ONLY FAILURE-- THE ANTENNA RING.. I DONT LIKE THAT SLOPPY BMW TRANSMISSON HOWEVER-- BUT-- THATS BMW....... GREAT BIKE RIDDEN AN OWNED A LOTTA DIFFERNT ONES OVER LAST 45 YRS..... THIS R1200R IS ONE CLASS ACT--- NOW IF BMW WOULD MAKE A SEAT THAT WAS ACTUALLY COMFORTABLE,, CHANGE THE HANDLEBAR/FOOT PEG CONFIGURATION,, AN MAKE SLIGHTLY BIGGER GRIPS............. BUT OVER ALL---- A DAM GREAT BIKE-- NO REGRETS ON PURCHASE--

Dont complain about the box, its much much better than my 05 Gs box!!!!!!!!!!

[KnightKap]

After riding the Ducati and the R, I have to say that I like the sound of the Ducati more but the R felt like a better engine and was more my style. Also, I imagine I would tire of the "showyness" of the Ducati. On the automotive side, I have been a devote of understated German sophistication for years.

I'll be buying after my vacation next week.

One last question though... Is ABS worth the cost?

[deilenberger]

After riding the Ducati and the R, I have to say that I like the sound of the Ducati more but the R felt like a better engine and was more my style. Also, I imagine I would tire of the "showyness" of the Ducati. On the automotive side, I have been a devote of understated German sophistication for years.

I'll be buying after my vacation next week.

One last question though... Is ABS worth the cost?

ABSOLFRIGGINLUTELY! Deer run rampant in the Frederick area of MD (one of my fav riding areas..) one save with ABS when a deer jumps you vs the cost of the hospital bill (and loss of income if you're working) makes ABS seem VERY cheap. I'd also suggest OBC, TPM and ASC if you can get them. All are good things. Wish I could have gotten TPM and ASC when I bought mine.

One additional comment - getting a bike without ABS makes the bike much harder to resell in the future, since many BMW riders (me included) wouldn't even consider buying one new or used without ABS. You likely will get back at least what it cost you when you go to sell the bike, and perhaps more.. plus you won't be stuck for a year or two (as some dealers with new non-ABS R12R have been) trying to sell it. You can find some good deals on the non-ABS bikes, but there is a reason (is BMW even bringing any into the US without ABS for '08?)