Why the R1200R?

[Motorcycle_Girl]

I am curious as to what made your decision to get an R1200R? Why did you pick it over other bikes? What other bikes were in the running? I apologize if this has been discussed before. Looking forwad to your comments!

[thepeacebullgrunt]

The official BMW Ad for the R1200R on many anglo dealers website is something like

"Welcome the BMW R1200R a bike with no Pretension for those who have nothing or very little to prove"

I think it said enough...

Excellent control, power, no fairings all over and no windshield really helped me to shift from the RT to the R in just 2 test ride.

[famousperson]

I was tired of getting shaken to death on my Sportster so I started looking at BMWs and Triumphs. They are the only two marques that even crossed my mind. The Triumph for old times' sake--my first bike was an English twin--and BMW because, well, what else is there, really?

The first BMW dealer i went to (who incidentally also sells Triumphs), tried to rip me off unmercifully on my Harley trade-in. The other local dealer offered me a deal that I simply couldn't refuse on the last bike on his floor (I didn't know that he was getting out of the business). It was chrystal grey and my preference would have been black with pinstripes, and it sure didn't look like a real R-bike to my antiquated eyes, but it was a BMW and I couldn't afford not to buy it.

So, I put my money down without even having taken a test ride, and here I am. I couldn't be happier. Totally irrational, I know, but that's how it happened.

[AmostThere]

In addition to the reasons given above, the light weight was a big factor, the lack of engine heat acting like a bbq on my body in the summer was a big deal, the superb fuel injection mapping was also a plus.

[Lost Rider]

I bought mine because I had a R1150R already but can't stand to have the "previous model" of anything. I also thought I would look real cool on it.

[lewellen]

My top priorities were:

Minimal plastic.
Shaft drive.
Standard styling.
Big hard bags available.

This pretty much limited the field to the R1200R.

Plus, I like the styling, and the weight and overall dimensions are pretty similar to my very-first motorcycle (a 1985 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk) ... with almost 2x the displacement and power and MUCH better suspension... :-)

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[motoracer8]

The R1200R is BMW no.6, still own a /2, and a /6 There have been 2 K100's and several other brands come and go.
I like twins, I also have a Ducati, and a Norton. I like the light weight, good milage, and mid range torque of a good twin. The BMW twins certinly have that. I don't care for all of the plastic on the RT. I'll probbaly take a hit for this, while a wonderful motorcycle to ride I think the GS is the ugglyest motorcycle ever, like a two wheeled Hummer, no garage appeal for me.

The R1200R is reanonably light (500 lbs.) gets good milage, 40 to 50 mpg. will run at what ever speed you want to ride it, has great breakes, a reasonable seat, (could use a better one) what motorcycle dosen't? Has a good acessory catalog, it handles well, is quiet and my wife will ride on it.

Ken G.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Are you me??? My current bike is a 1985 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC Minimal plastic, standard seating and hard bags available for travel were all my criteria too!

My top priorities were:

Minimal plastic.
Shaft drive.
Standard styling.
Big hard bags available.

This pretty much limited the field to the R1200R.

Plus, I like the styling, and the weight and overall dimensions are pretty similar to my very-first motorcycle (a 1985 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk) ... with almost 2x the displacement and power and MUCH better suspension... :-)

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[dderrig]

I'll give my 2 cents and people will think I am nuts but the R1200R is my first Motorcycle! I took the riders safety course in December and was trying to make a decision and many people tried to convince me to start with a smaller bike I could "handle" being a new rider and it's not bad advice but.... I have a lot of experience on 2 wheels "cycling" and had driven a stick before so when I came upon this bike it had all the things I thought I could ever want in a bike:

1. Looks Fantastic
2. All the power you could ever need but not too twitchy, you can wheelie or drive like a grandma
3. Handles fantastic with low center of gravity
4. Relatively lightweight
5. Can be made into whatever type of bike you want (see Chitown Joe) and others on this site
6. Pretty easy to work on if your mechanically or electrically inclined

I could go on and on, I am 51 and this may be the only bike I ever own.


Dave

[lewellen]

Are you me??? My current bike is a 1985 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC Minimal plastic, standard seating and hard bags available for travel were all my criteria too!
[

For your sake, I certainly hope you're not me...

The Nighthawks are great bikes; I still miss mine. That bike is a real spoiler as a first bike ... decent handling, decent power, and with the shaft drive, hydraulic valve adjustment and automatic cam chain tensioner, routine maintenance consists of changing the oil every so often...

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[takemeaway]

I agree with everything that has been said. This is my second bike. Bought it after wrestling with my POS Suzuki S50 for 4 months. I'm not saying the S50 is bad, just that one in particular. It taught me a lot about controlling a less then well-functioning bike. So when I purchased the R12R it felt like "coming home".

When looking: naked bike, luggage, good performance, good handling, light-weight, comfortable, almost standard seating position (not into the cruiser or sport position for long distance), narrow, shaft drive.

Unbelieveably the R12R didn't appeal to me in the beginning because of the tank and engine width. But those were pathetic reasons to not look closer at the bike when it had everything else that I wanted. I was won over by everything else and am extremely happy it did. I'm hard pressed to get the grin off my face just thinking about going out for a ride. When people approach me about the bike and ask how I like it, all I can do is smile.

[lewellen]

I'll give my 2 cents and people will think I am nuts but the R1200R is my first Motorcycle! [...]
I could go on and on, I am 51 and this may be the only bike I ever own.
Dave

Dave,

The R1200R has considerable power, but if you're rational about using it, it should make a great starter bike. The seating position, handling, balance and weight are all very reasonable for a first-time rider.

I think it will turn out to be one of the all-time classic "Standard" style bikes - not truly great at any one sort of riding, but very, very good for almost all types of riding, if you see what I mean.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[hjsbmw]

I was considering an R1100S or the F800 also. I wanted a bike without chain that delivers good gas mileage, and I would not have even looked at a bike without center stand.
The R is comfortable to ride, for my likes and body type (6' and slender) more than the other two models I mentioned. It is a good mix of modern components, yet DIY serviceability. It has lots of power where it matters, and it delivers it smoothly. My wife hardly rides with me, but she says it's comfy and cute.
Riding it the first time made me feel at ease although I am still de facto getting used to it. It's a bit heavier than my previous bikes, and the shaft is more direct compared to a chain. The latter is only evident to me at very low speeds.

[Ashveratu]

I like my motorcycles like I like my women, naked......there are some other similarities but that is the most important one. Every bike I have owned has been naked. Last bike was a Triumph Speed Triple and I thought it was time for something a little more comfortable.

[snag]

Top of the list by a mile: Der motor!

And it's loooong list.

Doug

[deilenberger]

Why?

The test ride.

And I took the test ride 'cause my prior bike ('04 R1150RS) was keeping me from riding. Why did the RS keep me from riding? Vibration. And riding position. They combined with my carpal tunnel to make it about impossible to ride. I stopped going on rides because of this.. which told me I had to get something else.

Sooooo.. I knew I didn't want a K (had a few, liked some, hated some), didn't want the new chain drive bikes (had chains, BTDT, didn't wanna do it again), kinda like the simplicity of the boxer engines - and I really liked the looks of the R (Roadster). Plus I could afford one finally - brand new.

So, I took the test ride. And I bought it. And I'm still loving it 2 years and 25,000 miles later. It's sitting outside (at work) waiting for me..

Best damn decision I've made in years.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Why?

The test ride.

I have two test rides arranged for the R1200R...one on May 9th and one on the 16th. Although from what I have read here I may not need the second one but I booked it back in December....and I get a free lunch so I may as well

I don't know about other areas...but trying to arrange a test ride on a motorcycle here can sometimes be like pulling teeth...many dealerships (all brands) do not have any demo bikes at all.

I have seen various posts about issues here and there...but nothing that I am too concerned about. I know BMW riders that have put hundreds of thousands of miles on their bikes....and have had them for eons...so I guess they most be somewhat reliable..

[mlewis]

As my first post here, it is a great question...I picked up my new R1200R last Saturday
I had been looking at an RT for years. Love BMW, shaft drive, and it is obviously a "classic". I was in the dealers and saw the R1220R - which had previously escaped my radar. Loved its nakedness (like the bikes I used to own and ride - in the 70's in the UK). Loved the design. Loved that it almost looks retro, but has ABS, ESA. Worried about carrying capacity, then discovered that is has the same bags as the RT. So, after thinking about buying an RT for 10+ years, I bought the R1200R, no test ride neccessary (call is insane), within three days of thinking about it. So far, so good - no dissappointment here.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

@mlewis---I think we had the same shopping experience
In the store coming back from an RT test tide which disappointed me and a GT test that satisfied me but was a bit too racer for me. I walked around and was magnetized on the R1200R...

Power, Size, Reliability, Nakedness and Versatility it's all I like and respect on a Motorcycle.

[motoracer8]

Three years ago a young woman asked me about motorcycles, she had been riding a Honda twin star, and wanted something bigger. I suggested mabe a Suzuki SV650 or somthing like that. The next time I saw her she told me she had bought a Harley, I thought a Sportster because she is not a big person. No she bought one of the FX series, pretty machine, bags, windshield, some chrome goodys, also 750 lbs. I think she bought it more as a fashon statment than something to ride. With 1200 miles on it it was sold, she said it was too heavy to push around in the garage so it spent most of it's time in the garage. I asked her if she would like to ride one of my BMWs and turned her loose on my R75/6, she was gone quite awhile, she came back with a big smile and said how old is this bike, and can I buy it? I said it's older than you are and no.

I gave her directions to the local BMW dealer and said ride a R1200R with the low seat, she is now an owner of a black R12R and has ridden it more in the 6 months she has owned it than 2 years with the Harley. Joined the local BMW club and seams to be quite happy with her decision.

Ken G.