R1200R Being Discontinued

[rickmbmw]

I was in Bloodworth BMW in Nashville, TN this week and the owner mentioned that, while at the recent BMW dealers meeting, he learned the R1200R would be discontinued after the 2010 model year. The reason given was that, after purchasing accessories, it's too close in price to the RT. Has anyone else heard this? I heard this model was due for a major overhaul in 2011. I hope the major overhaul plans are true!

Rick

[dumfounded]

Interesting. The rumor seems to be spreading fast...

I switched from the R12RT because it wasn't the right bike for me or my uses. If it hadn't been for the R, I'm not sure if I could have stayed with BMW. The bike is due for a major overhaul but I'm glad I got mine before they messed with perfection. I don't think I'll be needing a new bike for awhile, aside from an unexpected catastrophe.

[rickmbmw]

If BMW discontinues this model they will have lost me, too. The GS would be a remote possibility but I serously doubt I would go for that. My fingers are crossed that it will come out in 2011 with the aforementioned changes.

Rick

[mogu83]

I find that reasoning hard to justify when the reason most of us bought this bike was because of the lighter weight. Also when I go to rallies every year the average age keeps going up and all those old guys (OK I'll speak for myself) are starting to have a hard time lifting those 600 pound bikes off the side stands. The 800 twins are nice but in my mind (IMHO, raised on 1,000+cc bikes and 409+cu in car engines) they're not real touring bikes, and yes I know that's 60's reasoning.

BTW: thinking about new Beemer stuff. Did anyone else think that the new DOHC Boxer seems about four inches wider than our engine.

[dumfounded]

Did anyone else think that the new DOHC Boxer seems about four inches wider than our engine.

I was wondering how they squeezed all the extra stuff up on top of the head... Oh well, it seems to be the trend in many facets of life these days. How do you think this will look in naked form? I love the boxer engine and the uniqueness it gives to the look of the bike, but another four inches???

[xprof]

Don't obsess; all models are "discontinued" eventually. I predict that in 2011 we will have an R1250R, which may or may not be better than our R1200R. Me, I'm keeping mine. I wish I had kept my /2!

[Tarmac]

Things that make you go hmmmm...

They announced the new twin cam engine for ALL the boxers except the R1200R.

From my experience the OTD price difference between a loaded R and baseline RT is less then $1500 USD

[LumpyCam]

BMW reports sales figures for the R1200GS and other models in the annual report, but isn't specific for the R1200R. I'm not sure how it sells and anecdotally i don't see many riding around North American streets. It seems more popular in Europe.

I think the killer for the R is it isn't a specialty machine, and that seems to be what everyone wants. In North America motorbikes are just toys to be used on Sunday afternoon. If you are going to have a toy, you want it to be the biggest/fastest/chrome-iest. Who cares how versatile a bike is if you only do one type of riding?

The R1200R will be replaced be a more focused model, likely leaning to the sports side.

[celticus]

Even if they do discontinue making our bike the bike you own now should have many more years of use left in it. I have a riding buddy who still rides his 72 short wheel base /5 750 to 10 or 12 rallies a year and out rides guys on much younger bikes. Lots of very interesting people enjoy squeezing every last drop of life out of old beemers and for the most part have not found that "last" drop.
Mike may be right and there will be a new 1250 next year or two.
Like Harry the 800s don't do much for me. I'd buy a used SV1000 (or 650) or Speed Triple before I bought an 800 BMW. I'd just have to hash out the luggage carrying system myself. Most all of the big four Japanese makers have nice capable naked bikes. AND there is the Ducati Mulistrada.
I just like the boxer engine.

Mark

[Michael Hart]

Hi New BMW r owner here,
I have been looking at the R1200R and the Rt for about 3 years now. I am finally getting my new R next week. If BMW would just lower the price by the cost of the luggage, I think they would sell twice as many. I know I would have bought mine 2 years ago.
Mike
can,t wait to get her

[deilenberger]

I asked a friend at a major dealership about it - and he said there has been nothing from BMW-Motorrad on discontinuing the R, but if it did happen it might not surprise him. He did say it's hard to sell a Roadster when the RT sitting next to it is less than $2,000 more.

I think BMW would be making a mistake discontinuing what has been their iconic bike - one that has received almost universal approval, even when lined up against things like MV's Duc's and Guzzi's.. What they should do is rationalize the prices. Make the RT more expensive, or as suggested - include in the base cost of the Roadster things like ABS/OBC/Centerstand which aren't big costs to them. Luggage would also be nice - but make it as part of a package (like the R1200R touring package) at a price where there IS a substantive difference between the R and the RT.

I wouldn't read too much into the '10 models not receiving the new heads/motor, I rather suspect all the '10 models have been produced already, and that was before the new motor was in large-scale production. It wouldn't surprise me to see a R1200R-OHC model introduced as a "new" 2011 model.. giving them the advantage of a new round of magazine reviews/tests/intros to help market it. Think how the /5/6/7 series developed over time.

YMMV and it prolly will. It doesn't worry me a lot because (1) I love this bike and don't see anything being made today that would appeal more to me - so it's a LTR deal.. (2) If they discontinue it - it's likely to achieve cult status like some of the other excellent bikes they've dropped - K75's for instance - keeping the resale values high.. (3) I like not running into myself around every corner. Go to a BMW rally - bunch of boring RT's and GS's - and usually a small crowd around the R1200R looking it over. BTDT (4) There are 3 of them in my local club (Hi Harry!) and that's enough. It's obvious we're the handsome guys all the women will be fighting over..

Mehhh.. whatever..

[Rocket]

It's already been said - all bikes get superceded or discontinued at some point. Its only a matter of time.

It's those who don't have one I feel sorry for!

[Tom B]

In light of the thread on how long people keep BMWs (http://www.r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19519), I personally can't get too worked up about it if the last one rolls out of Berlin tomorrow. These aren't exactly dispos-a-bikes! I'm way too late getting started to match Harry Costello with his beautiful /5, but I don't see myself "needing" or wanting to give up my r12r or trade it in for a new one anytime soon.

This r12r may be like the E30 and E34 cars -- a high point in simplicity and functionality before technology, weight, luxury amenities etc. transformed the nature of the beast. Not saying for better or for worse, that's a very subjective judgment, but if in some weird scenario I was limited to driving E30s and E34s from here on out, and riding r12rs, I'd be perfectly happy with that!

Still, it would be a shame if BMW dropped the roadster from the lineup altogether, rather than updating or replacing it with a new version.

[celticus]

As a matter of fact I still drive an E30 BMW and an R1200R. I am not even thinking about replacing my R1200R but I may soon replace my 91 318IS with a 6 cylinder of the same vintage. The 318 is not a powerhouse but gets great MPG, and does what I want it to well enough, but....if I found a nice 325IS....and if I had the dough...
Lotta ifs

Mark

[NakedRider]

Did anyone else think that the new DOHC Boxer seems about four inches wider than our engine.

No. It's more narrow. Check out the HP2 Sport.

[gezerbike]

I didn't want to be the one who started a rumor like this so I didn't post it, but I heard this from a very reputable dealer here in the Midwest about three weeks ago ( before the BMW meetings ) when I was in town and stopped in for a visit. Per him, if they ( BMWNA ) can't sell 3,000 of a model, they ( NA ) don't want to bring it in. But the comments about it's price point are very real. For those not around in the mid 90's when the Oilheads first came out, a little history. The first new Oilhead was the 1100RS, and it was the darling of the media, Bike of the Year, and truly great sports tourer. About 20 months later, after the GS came out, BMW brought out the RT, and it flat out killed the RS. It came with full fairing, bags, electric screen and more....standard. To dress out the RS to be reasonably close, it cost almost as much as the RT, but with less farkles. It died a slow death...and was one of the truly great sport tourers of all time. And our R is in the same boat....great bike but hard to justify the price when compared to other BMW bikes, notabaly the R/T and the basic GS. I don't think though that the 1200 R will die like the ST did. I for one don't care if they do drop this bike from the US market. I just bought mine this fall and feel that it is truly a great bike and will retain much of it value, and I've owned 2 Airheads, 1 K bike, 1 Hexhead, 4 Oilheads and an F 650.

[celticus]

When I was looking for my bike , trying to decide which model to buy, the RT never even showed on my radar.

Mark

[ka5ysy]

I find that reasoning hard to justify when the reason most of us bought this bike was because of the lighter weight. Also when I go to rallies every year the average age keeps going up and all those old guys (OK I'll speak for myself) are starting to have a hard time lifting those 600 pound bikes off the side stands. .....

For all you/us old farts (I am not participating in this "getting old thing..!") having issues with a trick we teach the ladies to pick up their HOGS at the HD shop: Rotate the handlebars fully right before you try to do the pickup. GENTLY pick the bike off the sidestand. I say do it gently because you will find the "weight" has gone away, and there is a good possibility of falling over to the right if you jerk it up as usual. I have seen several Ultra Classics dumped on the protection bars that way because the riders were used to having to move "heavy" bikes off the stand.

[celticus]

I have had to pick my bike up like that and it is still very much a big chore. Maybe if "squats" were a part of your workout it would not be so. That method does work but it ain't easy.
I figure I'll get a side car rig when I get "That" old.

Mark

[hjsbmw]

I've read other things about the R1200R in the German press, namely, it will come out with the new dohc engine and a redesigned look. That's only the press saying its thing though. Be that as it may, I can see that they simply might not put a new R1200R model on the US market due to sales numbers, just as the F800S is still sold in Europe but not here. The market and customer base are different here. We will find out soon enough.

As a side note, the RT may be a real cow, but I also feel the Roadster's weight when pushing it around, backing it into the garage or such. Sportbikes feel like mopeds in comparison.