A new R1200R owner in Michigan

[DRothermel]

Hi all:

I found this site a couple of days ago and thought I'd post. I'm 59 and have never been without at least one bike since 1970. From 70-98 I owned a couple of Gold Wings (80 and 88) and a Yamaha(78). Most of my 13 bikes owned during this time period were HD's. In 98 I sold my HD and bought a nearly new 96 RT. Had it two years and put 40,000 miles on it. Having semi-retired in 99 I had mucho riding time. Switched to a new LT in 01. (53,000 miles). New 03 LT (52,000 miles). New 05 LT (21,000 miles before being deer totalled). On my second 05 LT now, currently with 49,000 miles. You might say I ride often. 215,000 BMW miles in the past eight years

The first week in Jan. I rode my LT over the my shop in Grand Rapids for it's 48,000 mile service. While I was at the shop I decided to take their R1200R service loaner out for a demo ride. I came back after a 50 mile ride and was beside myself! Comfortable, super quick, highly flickable, smooooth tranny, smooooth motor, etc. etc. I told the shop that I was going to take the bike overnight and put some miles on it. I live 65 miles from the shop. Hard wired a power cord to the battery (temps were in the 40's)for my Gerbing's and I was off. Brought it back the next morning and promptly bought a new one!

Cristal grey metallic with ABS,(wouldn't own a bike without it) on-board computer, heated grips, centerstand, white turn signal lenses, chrome can and clear mini-shield. Before I left the shop I ordered BMW hard bags, luggage rack, a 28 ltr trunk with backrest and the tinted mini-shield. Had the shop painter color match my bags and trunk lids. Added Cee Bailey bag liners, BMW trunk liner and an Alaska Leather sheepskin. Now I'm ready to ride, just need spring to get here, or at least into the 40's.

I figure this year I will most likely do around 15,000 miles on the R and the remaining 10,000 or so on the LT. However........having ridden the R 130 non-stop miles and still being comfortable, that mileage figure might end up being low! I know that 700 mile days will not be an issue for me on this bike.

There is something very exciting about being "in the wind" again after all these years and miles behind a full fairied bike. I continue to be surprised by how effective the mini-shield is at blocking most of the wind off the chest.

Here's a photo. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment. ... entid=9576

[Hoosier Rider]

When you say the 1200R has a smooth engine, do you mean "really smooth" or "smooth for a boxer"? I've been riding a Honda Valkyrie for 8 years & have become used to not having any vibes in the handlebars. Actually, that's what I need in order to ride for any distance. I rode an 1150R a couple of yrs. ago & couldn't stand the vibration. Is the 1200 really that much smoother. I haven't been able to test ride one yet due to the weather but I sure do like the ergonomics while in the showroom. Maybe in a couple of months I'll be able to get a 1200R out for a demo ride. I'm a couple of yrs. older than you & have ridden numerous motorcycles. I'm looking for something lighter in weight but still comfy enough for road trips.

[DRothermel]

Hoosier: For the last 170,000 miles I've been on LT's. My guess is that the LT is every bit as smooth as your Valkrie. So when I say smooth, I mean for a boxer motor. Certainly tons smoother than my old 96 RT. Having said that, if it was anywhere close to bothersome, I would not have bought one. As smooth as the LT motor? No, but not very far from it. Mind you, I also ran it on the freeway for 70 miles at 80MPH indicated. No problemo! I agree with you. Best way for you to explore it further is to throw a leg over when we get a break in the weather. Let me know what you think.

[Hoosier Rider]

DRothermel: Yep, gotta get one out for a demo. I have visited Grand Rapids BMW a couple of times. I used to ride a K75S before the Valkyrie. I kinda like to get out & visit different dealers in the area. Thanks for your response.

[Ric]

...
I'm 59 and have never been without at least one bike since 1970.
----

So what you're saying is ...you started late in life huh....

Hey ! I'm still driving my 1974 Kawasaki H2

I want a R1200R.....real bad....

[DRothermel]

Hoosier Rider: Hey, if you get serious and don't have any particular dealer that you would want to purchase from, get with me. I can probably save you some bucks at the GR dealer. The guys there are great and I'm sorta part of the family there. Not to worry, I don't get a cut of the sale!

I've got some shots of the bike that I took today. Can someone point me in the direction so I can download them on here?

[celticus]

Buy it Ric . Buy it! We can have a club for 50 somethings riding R1200Rs. We'll be mature when people are watching. Well maybe not.
Mark

[Hoosier Rider]

DRothermel: If I decide to "pull the trigger" on a 1200R, I'll definately be shopping around. I'll keep your offer in mind but I'll probably have to strongly consider my local dealer since I live only about 1.5 miles from them. I do have some concerns about the local dealer though. They opened about 3 yrs. ago as a BMW only dealer but later on added Suzuki & Kawasaki. The sales staff is primarily made up of "sportbike kids". I just wonder about their understanding of the BMW owner & his desires.

[AllanCook]

Buy it Ric . Buy it! We can have a club for 50 somethings riding R1200Rs. We'll be mature when people are watching. Well maybe not.
Mark

Can I join?

[celticus]

Hoosier , When I was looking to buy my R1200R I asked my BMW sales guy if the bike had two spark plug per jug and he looked and decided that it did not. I like the young fellow anyway and later informed him that it did indeed have "Twin Spark". The service guys DID know all this aforehand. Young people are just something you have to get used to dealing with.

Mark

[motorradguy]

Welcome to the new RR club. She certainly is a stout ride. Enjoy your new bike and remember to lift your face shield up once in a while on the highway and smile! (of course to catch some bugs) Being "in the wind" is like nothing else on a bike.........especially an R1200R

Guy

[DRothermel]

Tried to upload a photo of my bike and couldn't muddle through all the steps for this site. It was easy enough to do on the LT site so here's a link for that. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment. ... entid=9576

[thenok]

Hi DRothermel!

Can you pleas poste a picture of the tinted mini-shield. Have been locking around for photos, but havent found it any other places yet.

T

[yooperbikemike]

I Live in Upper Michigan and am shopping around for a dealer to purchase a R12R from in the spring. How is GRBMW to deal with? Or is it Gauche to try to bargain on a BMW. Also, If I could ask, how much was it to have the Bags and trunk color-matched? Thanks!

[Racegun]

DRothermel,

I have been riding for 30+ yrs as well. Started on a yamaha rd350, to all kinds of bikes with w/s and now a 99 gs with NO w/s. With the proper gear, it is the BEST way to fly low. I am thinking seriously about trading my 99 GS on the r1200r. Welcome here, and thx for the input!

[DRothermel]

Yooper Mike: Hey, nice to hear from another Michigander. My home town is T.C. Once a year our riding group does a UP trip. Whitefish bay and always end up at Copper Harbor. That last 15 mile stretch to the lighthouse makes the ride up there more than worth it!

GRBMW is IMHO the very best place you could buy a BMW. Understand that I have bought seven bikes from them. I've sent between 12-15 friends of mine there and they all purchased bikes from them. Not a single one of these guys have any complaints! Several of them are on their second and third BMW, all purchased from them. That ought to give you a feel for what kind of dealership they run. That also includes their four techs out back, all excellent. They sell quite a few bikes in the TC area and a few that I know of to the UP also. I can flat guarentee that you will not be disappointed! Having said all that, understand one thing. I get nothing for sending them customers. I made the same offer to another member here. If/when you want to shop there, email me first and I will pave the way for you. And to answer your question, yes they discount MSRP prices on the bikes. In addition, any accessories that you should decide to purchase with the bike on the day of the sale or order on the day of sale are discounted 10%.

My bags and trunk lid were painted by Dave, one of their techs, who also does their paint work. $410.00 for the paintwork, which also included the cost of some rather expensive BMW paint. I thought the price was fair and his work is top notch.

Hope this answers your questions.

[celticus]

"Can I join?"

We'll have to have verification of immaturity.

Mark

[Hoosier Rider]

DRothermel: Could you advise me what the valve adjustment intervals are on the 1200R? Somewhere along the way I got the impression that the maint. schedule called for adjustments every 6000 miles. The latest issue of Motorcycle Consumer News featured the 1200R & in their evaluation page, they said that service intervals were every 6000 miles & valve adjustments at 12000 mile intervals. Which is correct? My current bike(Valkyrie) needs to be done at 12000 miles. I really wouldn't be too excited about having to do it twice as often. Maybe that's just a bye product of air cooled versus liquid cooled engines. Thanks in advance for the info

[DRothermel]

Hoosier Rider: Good question. I know I have the valves adjusted at the 600 mile service and the book says brake fluid changed too. The shop tells me this service will be about $180.00. My book says service every 6000 miles, inspection every 12,000. But they don't list what is required to be done like my old book did. I know that with my 96RT I had the valves done every 12,000 miles. They required very little adjustment every 12,000. I can't tell you if BMW says to do them every six or every twelve but the shop told me at the time that every 12,000 was all that was needed. Give your local shop and call and see what they say. I plan on going 12,000 between valve adjustments, just like I did with my old RT unless the shop gives me a good reason to do it more often.

[Max Continuous]

DRothermel

Nice bike! I like the fact that you had the cases painted to match. Was that an expensive endeavour?