Potential r1200r classic owner..help! Information overload!!

[ddepr1217]

Hello everyone! I've been poking around here for a while and have learned quite a bit. Everyone seems very helpful, knowledgable and kind. I'm going to see a 2011 r12r classic tomorrow and I want to have my terminology in check so when the sales person does their thing, I can not look like a deer in the headlights.

I have been doing quite a bit of research but still have some questions. Forgive me if some of them seem obvious:

1. Do all of the r12rs (standard and classic) have ABS?

2. ESA. What is this? Standard? Option?

3. ASC. What is this? Standard Option?

4. Are the heated grips standard?

5. I would like any input on the Boxer engine. Comments, concerns, likes, dislikes.etc...

The particular bike I am looking at does not have the low seat. While this is not a necessity, it might be nice. Can I get this through BMW? Does anyone suggest aftermarket?

I have owned American and Japanese bike and while some were better than others, they never felt like "home". Something about the BMWs feels like "home".

So thanks again for any and all responses and of course your patience. I look forward to being able to visit her a lot more and contribute to the party!! I'm very excited!!!!

Thanks!

-Denise

[nylife]

1. pretty sure its optional at least on the standard
2. Optional, this an electronic suspension control that you can adjust
3. Optional kind of like traction control on the car
4. I think it is
5. Boxer engine has been proven over so many years and millions of miles by people who ride those bikes, is it perfect no, nothing is, but its pretty good engine and if you service it properly and maintain it, it will serve you well.

[ka5ysy]

Welcome Denise !

First, you absolutely MUST take a test ride.

The low seat may or may not be necessary and is available. Many of us have aftermarket seats anyway. The BMW "comfort" seat is pretty nice too, and is a bit low for me. Try it if they have one.
Grip heat is standard, and depending on the date of manufacture, the ABS is now standard on BMW bikes as of a couple of weeks ago or so.
ESA and ASC are options, though most now have them as delivered. ESA is electronic suspension adjustment. Cool accessory, but the general consensus seems to be to save that money and put in aftermarket shocks. That is probably good advise as I mostly never fool with my suspension once I had it dialed in. I only occasionally play with preload depending on the loading of the bike. ASC is automatic stability control, essentially and anti-wheelie/stoppie/wheelspin setup using the sensors for the ABS which must be present. My RR is one of the 2007 release day bikes and has no ASC or ESA and I can't say I feel like I am missing anything. The ABS is outstanding.

Boxer engine: Outstanding, bulletproof, easy to work on and a joy to ride with. Chasing crotch rockets is easy


Let us know your test ride comes out...



Oh.... Ignore my signature line. Nothing to see here. Nothing. Go away....

[fastdogs2]

Denise,

If you can get your hands on the Summer issue of BMW Motorcycle Magazine, there is a comprehensive review of the R1200R Classic (pages 52-58). If there is a Barnes and Noble bookstore near you, you can find this magazine there.

Most of your questions have been answered in previous posts about ABS, ESA and ASC, so I won't add any comments on those.

I changed the stock seat for a BMW Comfort Saddle. I think that seat is standard on the 2011 models. Many folks purchase aftermarket seats for different reasons (extra comfort, to raise/lower seat height, style). You probably should see how you feel with the stock seat before ordering an aftermarket seat.

I have a 2009 R1200R, but it is my third BMW with a boxer engine. As far as likes, I like the great fuel economy from this engine. I get between 46-51 miles per gallon, depending upon how I ride. I like the distinctive sound a BMW boxer engine makes. It is also good at dissipating heat and keeping it away from the rider, unlike many other v-twins or inline engines. As for dislikes, I wish that BMW would enclose the R1200R exhaust headers in a double walled chrome pipe, like I had on my BMW R1200C. The exhaust headers turn an ugly brown or blue after use. That is just an aesthetic comment and has nothing to do with the operation or efficiency of the engine. Many folks like the looks of a browned/blued exhaust header.

Take a test ride if you can. You will know then if it is the bike for you.

Bill

[ddepr1217]

Hey all...
Thanks for all of the responses. I forgot to mention that I actually did take a test ride at a local dealership and its because of that test ride that I am willing to travel over three hours to go see this particular one. The real reasons I ask is because the one I am going to see is a 2011 Classic with 1100 miles on it and it was traded to a Harley Dealer. Apparently by a guy with a dozen bikes and every few months trades and get new bikes (must be nice). Now, I'm not going to bash Harley here but when I spoke to the sales guy, he really couldn't tell me much about it as far as options/equipment goes. No fault of his I suppose, it is an HD dealership after all. I did get a VIN number and was told that you can find options on a vehicle by using the VIN. An exhaustive internet search has not yielded much. The rub on all of this is that my local BMW dealer is finding a new one for me (standard) that should be in Tuesday with ABS and ASC and I want to know it at least has those options. The price difference for the Classic is CONSIDERABLE which is why I am going to all this trouble. I don't want to drive over 3 hours to find out that this is not comparable to the one 10 mins from me. Which is why I came here.

So, it looks like I will be getting up at the crack 'o dawn tomorrow to start my journey. Wish me luck that this turns out to be what I hope it is....

Thanks!!

[ka5ysy]

Hey all...
Thanks for all of the responses. I forgot to mention that I actually did take a test ride at a local dealership and its because of that test ride that I am willing to travel over three hours to go see this particular one.
...
So, it looks like I will be getting up at the crack 'o dawn tomorrow to start my journey. Wish me luck that this turns out to be what I hope it is....

Thanks!!

FYI... only a BMW dealership can access the bike information via a VIN number on the BMW maintenance network online. Give it to one near you and they can give you the full information on the bike.


Bring your checkbook... you are gonna need it .
Yet another member of the Test Ride Victims Club !

[clarksas]

The price difference might have something to do with the Classic Package costing $1100. I am in process of settling on a red 2011 R1200R and here is some information from the sticker:

Safety package is $1525 and that gets you Integral ABS II and Enduro ASC
ESA II is $800

Heated grips appear to come standard

So that Classis probably has ABS/ASC and ESA. I saw one at local dealer and with a few other bells and whistles it was $17,220. That is a lot of money. If you get the non-classic and drop the ESA you could get out alive for a couple thousand less.

I will likely be getting this non-classic without the ESA

[ddepr1217]

I should probably have said that the Classis, after you add taxes and all the other fees is considerably less than the off the showroom floor standard. I stumbled upon it as an ebay listing for a buy it now of $13000. I called them and negotiated. I gave them a very minimal deposit to hold it. Like I said, would be a bummer if I got out there and it had no ASC as that seems to be what I am really wanting to know.



Oh and more thing....what is the verdict on the tires of the Classic? Some say sites say tube, some say tubeless. Anyone know?

[gibbo111]

Pretty sure they have tubes which would be the reason I wouldn't have a classic. Gibbo

[ka5ysy]

Definitely has tube tires with the spokes. I prefer tubeless as they are much easier to fix on the road with a plugger. No need to break into the rim with a bead breaker.

[BoxerSteve]

Hmm, I wouldn't think BMW would fit any bike with tubes these days, seeing as how tubeless are so much safer. According to this article they are tubeless, despite the spoked wheels:

As for the style, there are several differences between the Classic and the stock BMW R1200R. The first things you notice are the traditional wire wheels, although the clever design means BMW can still fit tubeless tyres (safer than tubed ones). The paint scheme is nicely finished with a broad central stripe, the black and white colours reminiscent of much older BMWs, while the Classic gets a chromed exhaust system and mirrors, a polished front wishbone and other superior detailing that adds up to a big difference.

http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/bmw-r ... sic-review

[pistonbroke]

hi
my old gs adv had spoked wheels and they were tubeless,it came with a tire plug kit .

[Patch]

Denise,
The 2011 Classic does indeed have tubed tires... there has been much confusion on this point - but they are in fact tubed

I've also seen one or 2 on-line that did NOT have ABS, though it seems odd that any 1st year models wouldn't have it.

Most do agree that the ESA, suspension adjustment isn't necessarily worth it, but if you do a lot of touring/2-up riding on and off it might be handy...

Aside from that... try to get a clear idea of the equipment listing from the VIN to make the choice.

Also, I may have missed your point about the "considerable" price difference between the existing Classic you're looking at and the Standard bike from your local BMW dealer. I couldn't tell which was going to be a better deal. A considerable price difference could easily be created by comparing a non-ABS Classic with an ABS standard model.

Good luck... keep us posted

[MrPMS]

Regarding tubed tires vs. tubeless on the Classic, I rode my previous bike (1975 BMW R90S) for 35 years and 80,000 miles and NEVER had a flat tire, nor any other tire issues on the road.

[red baron]

My friend bought recently a KTM with tube tires. The First Sunday after he purchased the bike the day before we went on a ride. Guess what he had a flat. It was an absolute nightmare to take the tire off the rim besides we could not fix the innertube. After this experience I would never purchase a bike wth tube tires. Period

[pistonbroke]

hi all
in this review it mentions all about tubeless tyres on this model .


http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/bmw-r ... sic-review

[ddepr1217]

Well thanks everyone for your responses. And here is the update....I am now the proud owner of a 2011 r1200r classic. We had one heck of a first date as I just got back from a 300 mike ride to pick her up. And I have the definitive answer on the tire debate. While I was negotiating the sale a gentleman came in who owns a classic (and a Harley, and a valkyerie and various other toys and said that the tires are tubeless tires with a tube in them. How does he know this? He actually replaced the spoked wheels on the classic with a crazy double spoked pattern. Not a look I would have chosen but serious bucks nonetheless. He said he has never had an issue. I suppose it's one of those your mileage may vary sort of things.
But anyway, I am happy. I got a great deal. The bike already had the BMW bags was pristine with a thousand miles on it and I saved somewhere in the ballpark of 5k. So I'm definitely looking forward to being able to enjoy, participate in and learn from the discussions here. And thanks again for all the input.

[nylife]

well now we need to see some pictures of your new girl

[Patch]

Sounds like it all worked out and you got one hell of a deal on a pretty darn near new bike. Enjoy your ride!!!

And an obligatory photo wouldn't hurt either



-Patch

[2wheelfish]

Wow, congratulations! I really considered waitng to get the Classic. I really like the look and some of the small improvements in the new model. In the end I just couldn't justify the cost of a new one, especially with the $1,100 for the classic package. Your deal sounds fantastic . Enjoy.