R1200R pics

Hi_Fi_Guy · Post by **Hi_Fi_Guy** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:37 pm

Some real R1200R photos.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:42 pm

THANK YOU VERY MUCH....at last we have REAL pics...lookin' good..

DJ

Hi_Fi_Guy · Post by **Hi_Fi_Guy** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:45 pm

Looking at the photos I can't help but think BMW have got this right. A crisp, tidy, evolution of the R1150R. A very traditional BMW roadster that also offers room for two, optional luggage and other touring goodies.

Some people were wishing for a bit of the radical K1200R influence, and that may have been cool, but I bet this bike will sell to a far wider audience and have a longer shelf life. I can't wait to see it in person.

I wonder if they'll come back out with the Rockster version? Doubtful, but one never knows.

Also, you can only see the insturments from the back but they look to be the F800 item. I wish we coudl see the tail light to see if it from a K bike or something new.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:46 pm

Uh oh. If the R1200R has better windshield options than the R1150R, there will be a R1200R in my stable within a few years.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:56 pm

OK, good to have some clear shots at long last. I am sure I will get shot down in flames for this but here goes.................

Not so sure about this one.................it's not classic BMW, it's not cheeky BMW...........almost a little backwards in my opinion.

Oil cooler is now so large the motor might as well be water cooled and be done with it.

The new 'cheap' looking fluid resovoirs on the bars look just like other Japs. (I am aware that BMW are fitting these on all of the new bikes) They just look flimsy.

I would rather have a two piece seat. It gives you more options

The front wishbone has gone back to a simpler, cheaper looking design. The 1150 wishbone is a sculpture by comparison.

The front forks have also gone back to a simpler, cheaper looking design.

It looks as though the pillion footpegs have been raised.

The headlight looks interesting but is mounted to low.

You do get full size panniers with the low exhaust, but looking at the picture of the pillion on the back maybe she won't stay around long enough to require the extra luggage space?

We assume that the bike will weigh a bit less (but then so many of us seem to spend time and money weighing the bikes down again with accessories)

We assume we will be gettimg more power (usually with more revs)..............do we really need more power?

I have tried to keep my thoughts subjective. I have welcomed many of the designs over the past few years with open arms. I bought one of the very first 1100GSs when they came out in '94 - and boy oh boy was that teased when it first came out! This however seems almost change for change sake in order that BMW can get the latest running gear and fittings into a new roadster.

The last time they did this was when they changed from the 1100R to the 1150R and it was indeed a very fresh design, it moved the theme forward. The 1100GS change to the 1150GS on the other hand retained much of the former design because it had proven itself.

I feel that BMW have missed an oppurtunity with this one, though I am of course convinced that it will be a joy to ride!

Post by **new2BMW** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:29 pm

I agree about the reservoirs, seat and oil cooler.

As for the power, yes people want more power. It has been the #1 "opportunity" for improvement over the years of R1150R.net.

Pillion makes no difference to me, so I suppose to each his own. As long as a small tail bag fits it, I'm OK.

The headlight is lower to make up for the extra room that the beak used to occupy.

Overall, I like it. I like how it looks like the successful Roadster, but it looks lighter, narrower and overall more nimble. I'd consider buying this bike if I weren't so damn happy with my MT-01.

maximum07 · Post by **maximum07** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:43 pm

Donde esta es la "Beak"?

Post by **LonestaRR** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:33 am

El "beak" se ha caÃƒÂdo. No mas "beak".

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:52 am

new2BMW wrote:I agree about the reservoirs, seat and oil cooler.

As for the power, yes people want more power. It has been the #1 "opportunity" for improvement over the years of R1150R.net.

Overall, I like it. I like how it looks like the successful Roadster, but it looks lighter, narrower and overall more nimble. I'd consider buying this bike if I weren't so damn happy with my MT-01.

Also think the reservoirs, seat and cooler are a mistake, the cooler position will mean the bike is no longer an option in a UK winter with the tons of salt they throw at the roads here being sprayed all over it.
I also have a big concern over the motor.
In lightening it BMW seem to have compromised the one thing they have been good at, reliablility. 3 friends here swapped 1150gs's for the new 1200gs and all have had problems with the motor. One had to have a new engine fitted. A cam bucket follower collapsed and wrecked the entire engine after 700 miles.
After 30 years of continuous BMW riding he's looking at a Honda as his confidence in the bike is shot. It may be that BM have taken the lightening of the motor a little far?

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:11 am

That oil cooler is in a bloody stupid position. Doesn't matter where you live - that thing will get peppered by road grit and stones. Ducati did that with some of their 90's machines - they soon moved the coolers.

The instrument cluster is ugly, and should be hidden behind "something" - normally this would be the headlight, but they've dropped that for whatever reason.

I'd have preferred the headlight to be higher, and the gap between the mudguard and headlight would be ideal for the oil-cooler airflow.

rest of the bike is nothing terribly special. Nice clean, light lines though.

I'm also a bit disappointed with the hydraulic resevoirs - the BMW integrated systems are a lovely piece of design - but I guess they're pretty expensive to make, and heavier than seperate plastic systems.

Post by **mcooperstein** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:18 am

hey..is this the first hexhead with the drive shaft on the right? Don't all the other new hexheads have it on the left?

Mark

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:53 am

mcooperstein wrote:hey..is this the first hexhead with the drive shaft on the right? Don't all the other new hexheads have it on the left?

Mark

no - I've seen em both sides (IIRC).

The Ks are all on the left. Maybe that's it?

Post by **sjbmw** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:17 am

If it's as light as they say, and as powerful as they say, and handles like they say...and they keep the price under 11k USD this bike will be a BIG HIT for those looking to upgrade from Pacific rim models.

It is a very unique bike...I like it.

Post by **rph802** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:21 am

Could the lowered headlight have something to do with providing some cover for oil cooler??

OOPS never mind, thought I spotted it up under the tank..I see from marks pics its down on the block...

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:59 am

http://www.motociclismo.it/

Slipstream · Post by **Slipstream** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:29 pm

Fantastic pics--thanks!

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:41 pm

Thanks for those pictures Marc...anyone else notice they've put a steering dampener on...that's a bit odd..

..I thought needing one was a bad thing?

DJ

Post by **Boxer** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:49 pm

What, pray tell, is that tube thing beside the rear spring? Maybe the charcoal canister? Also, can we assume the pipe underneath is a small cat converter, or will there be a larger one for US market?

Hmmm? I like it though, except for the oil cooler down there.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:54 pm

Excellent pictures - we really can see everything now.

The oil cooler location is just plain nuts - I am amazed that BMW have done that - the 1150R cooler location was a neat solution. The side elevation clerly shows how close the front wheel is to the cooler - and the length of the front mudguard is perfect for ensuring that the cooler gets covered in everything.

There are some neat details on the bike but I still think that they have made a few areas appear cheap, mainly around the front end............the forks, instruments, etc

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:15 pm

Boxer wrote:What, pray tell, is that tube thing beside the rear spring? Maybe the charcoal canister? Also, can we assume the pipe underneath is a small cat converter, or will there be a larger one for US market?

It is not a tube - it's a small shield that covers half of the spring, as well as protecting the damper rod it also helps to prevent stones getting trapped between the spring and swing arm.

The US will have exactly the same exhaust system as the one you see. Europe (Euro 3) now has tighter emission rules than the US except for the fuel vapour cannister that isn't fitted to this machine as it is Euro spec. US bikes will also have side reflectors front & rear.

The steering damper is not new - the R1100R & R850R both had it. The more forward weight bias of the R1150R resulted in the damper not being required. Forward weight bias for the new R1200R is less than the R1150R and therefore the damper has come back.