Time to say goodbye, for now at least

[Rocket]

With a very heavy heart I have decided to put the R1200R up for sale. I shall miss this fabulous bike - but also the forum banter! At least I have our 2010 R1200R owners calendar for comfort.

Have spent many a happy hour on this forum over the last 15 months. Great bike, great forum.

Cheers guys,

Ron

[Caol]

he... he... he...

you'll be back!

besides, just because you're not riding a R12R, for now, it doesn't mean you can't hang around the forums!

Regardless of the reasons, be well!


Kyle

[Don C]

Maybe we'll see you back here in five years, in the R1600R forum. Let's hope so.

[Rocket]

Maybe we'll see you back here in five years, in the R1600R forum. Let's hope so.

Thanks Kyle. Good point about staying with the forum, although with no R12 of my own , that could be a form of torture.
We'll see.

[Motorcycle_Girl]

Rocket,

Just because you are selling your bike does not mean that you have to go...besides who will help us do the calendar for 2011 if you are gone?

Celeste

[ka5ysy]

Ok... since nobody has asked: What seduced you now?

[Stef.]

I am curious as well.. - changing brand?
Stef.

[Rocket]

Truth is I am in that awkward place where I have accomplished what I wanted with the R12 (trips to Scotland, Wales, Belgium (visit to Passendale WW1 War Grave where my Grandad fought in the trenches), plus I made the mistake of having a test ride on a another machine, thinking nothing will beat it. I was wrong, the new KTM 990 SMT is one hell of a bike.
It takes the "fun on a motorcycle" to a new level. I will say nothing further about this machine other than to warn you not test ride this bike. There is a danger it will "seduce" you away from the R12. I know that sounds impossible, but once you feel that fun factor , you're smitten....I know you know what I mean.
Problem is there are no second hand ones on the market in UK and I can't afford new so I 'm stuck.
Have therefore decided to sell the R12 and contemplate my next move. If I can get the KTM out of my head, I am also tempted by the F800GS for a change in style, but need to have another ride.

Re the calendar, may be up for that. We had some fun with it last year. Still enjoying looking at Motorcycle Girl's bike this month (calendar on my office wall).

Thanks for your kind words.

Cheers guys

Ron

[goo]

good luck with the new machine,
see link.
...
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ ... t%2009.htm

[Motorcycle_Girl]

We knew that you were partial to Orange....

I just took a peak the the KTM website...like many companies they keep all of the good stuff away from North America...that model is not available in Canada.

Even if it was, my short inseam would prevent me from even taking a test ride...

Glad I love my R1200R so much...several test rides on different bikes a couple of weeks ago helped to convince me that I made the right decision when I bought ti...

Don't be a stranger


Celeste

[Rocket]

We knew that you were partial to Orange....

I just took a peak the the KTM website...like many companies they keep all of the good stuff away from North America...that model is not available in Canada.

Even if it was, my short inseam would prevent me from even taking a test ride...

Glad I love my R1200R so much...several test rides on different bikes a couple of weeks ago helped to convince me that I made the right decision when I bought ti...

Don't be a stranger


Celeste

Thanks Celeste. I may go a bit quiet for a while (if no R12 to talk about) but will keep in touch with the forum on a regular basis. Forum buddies are still biking buddies after all, even if we have different bikes.

Glad to hear your test rides didnt put you off the R12. What did you try?

[Motorcycle_Girl]

By the way I have to tell you that the KTM is going to be available here...not currently on the webste in Canada but I saw and ad for one in a Motorcycle mag last night...

As for recent test rides
I tried the F800R, R1200R with the Comfort seat, Honda CBF600 (new to Canada this year) I tested the CFB1000 last year. I was signed up for a Suzuki SV650S but someone crashed it the ride before mine.. Looked at the new VFR but I do not like fairings so I could not bring myself to try it. I did sit on one...for those who are inseam challenged the VFR could be an option. I could touch the ground a bit better than the R1200R.

What I had really wanted to do was try some of the sport bikes. But they were spoken for every time I made it through the line-ups to my turn

Funny thing as many of you have switched to the comfort seat...for me it was nothing special - definitely not worth the extra cash for me...but I tend to move around on the seat alot when I ride the twisties...I found that the profile of the seat was a little square so my ability to move around was limited vs the virtually non-existant low seat

[craigleo]

I am a couple inches over 6' so the KTM height was fine for me. I thought the KTM Supermoto had no ABS. Is that still true? The Adventure version of the 990 was a little too 'front tire tall' for me since I would not use a street bike for the dirt anyway.
I do get the appeal of the KTM though. Sitting on it, it feels like a 10 speed bicycle in terms of weight. It would be good to hear how the KTM Supermoto feels at speeds north of 90 mph compared to the R1200R as well as comparing threading through slow and stopped cagers in traffic. I have found the R to be excellent motorcycle at all speeds, stable and nimble and easy to squeeze through tight areas.
Happy riding on whatever you ride. My only strong opinion for other motorcyclists is, please keep it two wheels, no more, no less.
Leo

[Rocket]

I am a couple inches over 6' so the KTM height was fine for me. I thought the KTM Supermoto had no ABS. Is that still true? The Adventure version of the 990 was a little too 'front tire tall' for me since I would not use a street bike for the dirt anyway.
I do get the appeal of the KTM though. Sitting on it, it feels like a 10 speed bicycle in terms of weight. It would be good to hear how the KTM Supermoto feels at speeds north of 90 mph compared to the R1200R as well as comparing threading through slow and stopped cagers in traffic. I have found the R to be excellent motorcycle at all speeds, stable and nimble and easy to squeeze through tight areas.
Happy riding on whatever you ride. My only strong opinion for other motorcyclists is, please keep it two wheels, no more, no less.
Leo

Will definately keep to 2 wheels, although I am also tempted with a Honda S2000 sports car. Not sure if you have them where you are but that is also a great little toy.

Regarding your point about the high speed stability, the R1200R front wheel is definately more stable at high speed than the KTM . There is an amount of weave when riding hard or in a cross wind on the KTM (although always feels in control) whereas the R12 remains very stable.
The KTM has faster steering into the corners and is more nimble eg when doing u turns etc. It has a taller seat so you have a more commanding riding position plus the seat to peg distance is greater on the KTM so your leg is straighter (feels more comfortable). I am only 5 7" and find the KTM a bit tall, but I also have a 400EXC and have adjusted my riding to suit the tall bike.
The KTM has much more low-end power than the R12. That V twin LC8 engine pulls really hard from very low revs which is brilliant when in traffic (great for quick over-taking). The best part of the low end grunt, however, is when powering out of corners. It feels just gorgeous, much more impressive than the BM, not that the Beema is bad in this respect, but there is a significant difference between the two motors.
The brakes are also noticeably better on the KTM -the front Brembo unit is incredibly sharp, but loads and loads of feel.
The other difference is the handling. The KTM is an absolute joy on the twisties. The faster turning makes it easier to throw into corners but it is also very forgiving ie easy to adjust if you enter a bend too fast. I am not a fast rider by any stretch of the imagination, but I followed 2 R1s on a quick blast during my test ride and kept up with them through a twistie road section no bother. Struggled on the straights for obvious reasons, but who cares about that.
Fuel economy is only 40- 45 on the KTM so 10 mpg down on the BM. The stabilty of the R12 and it's more sedate personality makes it a better option for long distance touring IMHO. The R12 is also better equipped , plus the finish is better (a bit too much matt black plastic on the KTM).
The overriding factor for me, however, is that the KTM is just more fun to ride. The R12 is also a fun ride, but the KTM knocks it into a dingle hat. Hard to believe? Just try one (but leave your wallet at home!)

[Rocket]

By the way I have to tell you that the KTM is going to be available here...not currently on the webste in Canada but I saw and ad for one in a Motorcycle mag last night...

As for recent test rides
I tried the F800R, R1200R with the Comfort seat, Honda CBF600 (new to Canada this year) I tested the CFB1000 last year.

What did you think of the CBF1000? I was looking at one of those today. Also chatted to an owner during my trip around Scotland afew weeks ago. He said it was very comfortable and loved it. Noticed the low seat height but styling is a bit bland.

[craigleo]

Rocket,
Here in Southern California, torque is king which the R has plenty of! I was suprised to hear that 0-stoplight, the ktm had the bmw beat. No ABS no problem? So Cal has some of the most rude and inattentive drivers I have ever come across in the U.S. One of my favorite things to do during riding through traffic, is to, ride through traffic, bike lanes, in between lanes, shoulders, anywhere I can squeeze through. It sounds like you have confidence in the ktm regarding that activity.
Thanks for the comparo info. Enjoy your toy.
By the way, the four wheel Honda you spoke of gets better grades than the porche boxter over here.
Leo

[ka5ysy]

Truth is I am in that awkward place where I have accomplished what I wanted with the R12 (trips to Scotland, Wales, Belgium (visit to Passendale WW1 War Grave where my Grandad fought in the trenches), plus I made the mistake of having a test ride on a another machine, thinking nothing will beat it. I was wrong, the new KTM 990 SMT is one hell of a bike.
It takes the "fun on a motorcycle" to a new level. I will say nothing further about this machine other than to warn you not test ride this bike. There is a danger it will "seduce" you away from the R12. I know that sounds impossible, but once you feel that fun factor , you're smitten....I know you know what I mean.
Problem is there are no second hand ones on the market in UK and I can't afford new so I 'm stuck.
Have therefore decided to sell the R12 and contemplate my next move. If I can get the KTM out of my head, I am also tempted by the F800GS for a change in style, but need to have another ride.

Re the calendar, may be up for that. We had some fun with it last year. Still enjoying looking at Motorcycle Girl's bike this month (calendar on my office wall).

Thanks for your kind words.

Cheers guys

Ron

Hey Ron: Good you got seduced by another great German gal. Beware, though of those sexy Italians. Ducs especially. Zowie !!!

[Rocket]

Hey Ron: Good you got seduced by another great German gal. Beware, though of those sexy Italians. Ducs especially. Zowie !!![/quote]

That German Girl is my favourite R12 pic. Had to be a women's bike didnt it. Notice the chapel in the background. Subliminal message saying "if you want me, you have to marry me"

Would love a Ducati. The latest Multistrada sounds fabulous. 4 bikes in 1 but at £14K way out of my price range. One of the guys at work has the 1100 and I see it in the parking lot on sunny days. Torture.
One day. For now, The KTM SMT looks like the next best thing...and Austria is on the way to Italy from here

[Rocket]

Rocket,
Here in Southern California, torque is king which the R has plenty of! I was suprised to hear that 0-stoplight, the ktm had the bmw beat. No ABS no problem? So Cal has some of the most rude and inattentive drivers I have ever come across in the U.S. One of my favorite things to do during riding through traffic, is to, ride through traffic, bike lanes, in between lanes, shoulders, anywhere I can squeeze through. It sounds like you have confidence in the ktm regarding that activity.
Thanks for the comparo info. Enjoy your toy.
By the way, the four wheel Honda you spoke of gets better grades than the porche boxter over here.
Leo

Lack of ABS not a problem to me having had 30 years without it, but then I don't commute on the bike or ride in wet conditions generally,so not such a priority. However, in the comparison post, the equipment spec list is where the R12 scores over the KTM. The KTM is definately better through the traffic than the BM simply because of the stronger pull from low revs. It's not a marginal difference either, but noticeably better. The BM has a nice power surge at higher revs , but the KTM has it lower down. Lovely.

[craigleo]

Good luck fellow torque junky.