BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

At least with Jap bikes, there's plenty of choice. You just pick up MCN, pick you colour and phone around the dealers for the best price. Piece of cake. Even zero interest on the green meanies

...but if you want a low mileage , good spec, immaculate R1200R in the UK at a reasonable price, forget it . Talk about "needle in a haystack".

It gets worse as you start to understand the extras. ABS is an obvious one, but ESA ? Didn't even know what it was. Now it's a must have, oh,.. and the OBC, chrome pipes and the small screen please ...

Hi all, have joined the forum since it's the one thing I can do whilst waiting to find the "right bike".
Am mature rider with KTM 400 EXC and 2008 Triumph Sprint (for sale) and having enjoyed CBR1000 , VFR 750, ZX6, Honda Hornet, VTR1000 in previous years. Bought the Sprint based on road tests and pretty pictures (we've all done it). Been looking for a R1200R for the last few weeks (based on 2 hour road test). Nuff said.

Forum looks good. Look forward to it becoming more useful source of info, if I ever become an actual owner!
Family running a sweep stake on how many miles Mr very particular will have to travel to find one. Smart money is on 800 miles (Scotland). Bugger.
(UPDATE 16TH MAY: RESULT- FOUND ONE!...and zero miles travelled..but still read the thread)

Yeah, but what a ride home!

Hope you get the membership "card" soon! It is a blast to ride, short haul, long haul, twisties, it's just plain FUN!

Kyle

The search is worth the effort, take a satisfied owner's word for it. But you know that--you took a test ride!

Caol wrote:Yeah, but what a ride home!

Hope you get the membership "card" soon! It is a blast to ride, short haul, long haul, twisties, it's just plain FUN!

Kyle

Good point about the ride home!

Cannot get over how good that test ride was. Took it around some twisties (as much fun as the KTM SMT I tested a couple of weeks earlier, only more civilised) . Can't wait to do all my favourite ride-outs all over again.

Only one aspect I 'm not sure about - extent of the wind buffeting on longer journeys. Does that small screen REALLY give good protection?

I'm 6'1" with a 32" inseam, standard seat and I've got the "touring" screen and it puts the air stream at my shoulders, so that the helmet is in clean air. So, yeah, it takes the load off your chest, and when you want to go for a little sprint, it's easy to duck down under the stream. Unfortunately, rain drops don't deflect as easily as air!

Really comfortable in warm weather, sitting in the 100-120kph zone.


(I really, really, want to ride northwest of Scotland (Kyle of Lochalsh/Thurso/Inverness) Was there, briefly, back in '02, but alas, no motorcycle.

Kyle

Ride the North West of Scotland? I have the same ambition!

Went to an outward bound centre on the N West tip a few years ago with work. Flew to Inverness then bus for 2 hours to the centre. Had to get a boat for the final leg.

The roads are fantastic north of Inverness (many people stop at Fort William /Loch Ness but the better scenery and roads are further north. Do the West coast (including Isle of Skye) is also fabulous I understand.

Notice you can hire BM's up there now for a reasonable price so no hassle taking your own.

It's a box that has to be ticked one day.

Good luck on the search. I just came off a ST after two years, No problems with my triple, but I grew up on twins and the R12 is an absolute treat. Stay the course, it will be worth the effort.

Cheers

Bob

Rocket,

Sounds like you're on the right track, stay the course. Regarding ESA, I have it on my bike and because I can be a lazy bugger, suspension-wise, it makes it easy for me with the Bride and the cases on and off of the bike quite a bit. If you really are Mr. Particular, again suspension-wise, you may want to do some research about upgrading the rear suspension with ESA on the bike. You will probably lose the ESA if you do.

Kyle,

Did you make it to Kootaney Lake last summer? I plan on going again this summer if I can wrangle a couple of free days. I've always wanted to got to Scotland and ride, but the Bride refuses because it's too cold to lay on the beach what with all that driving rain and bone chilling cold. Perhaps you and I should hook up with Rocket after he gets his new bike and do a tour of Northern Scotland.

Doug

Thanks for the encouragement. Intend to keep on it. Will keep you posted.

May or October a good time to do North West Scotland (to avoid the plague of midges in the summer months). Rain? Well it's Scotland isn't it, but late summer a safer bet.

Would be good to meet up if you guys can make it (never been cheaper!).

snag wrote:Rocket,

Sounds like you're on the right track, stay the course. Regarding ESA, I have it on my bike and because I can be a lazy bugger, suspension-wise, it makes it easy for me with the Bride and the cases on and off of the bike quite a bit. If you really are Mr. Particular, again suspension-wise, you may want to do some research about upgrading the rear suspension with ESA on the bike. You will probably lose the ESA if you do.

Kyle,

Did you make it to Kootaney Lake last summer? I plan on going again this summer if I can wrangle a couple of free days. I've always wanted to got to Scotland and ride, but the Bride refuses because it's to cold to lay on the beach what with all that driving rain and bone chilling cold. Perhaps you and I should hook up with Rocket after he gets his new bike and do a tour of Northern Scotland.

Doug

Hi Doug!

Still haven't ridden the Kootenay Loop yet. I've got 365 calendar days to retirement and the plan is to leave Ottawa at the end of May 2010 and ride to BC (via all sorts of places) and set up home in Creston. Then I'll ride the Loop! Again, and again, and again.....! There'll be room in the driveway for guests!

Now, back to the main line here - hooking up with Rocket and doing the Highlands - you're right, that is a box waiting to have it's tick mark. Rental if I can, buy used and sell on consignment if I must, but it is something I definitely want to do.

Hang in there Rocket - lots of positive waves from across the Pond!

Kyle

Will hang in there. It's only a matter of when, not if.

Did mid-Wales a couple of weeks ago as a trial run for the Triumph Sprint , Intercom and SWMBO on the back . Didn't go so well with my lovely wife (reluctant pillion suffered too much wind blast from high pillion seat on Sprint). But roads and scenery were great. Phots show view at breakfast and a couple of nice spots riding around a few twisties in the lovely countryside





Scotland tour is a 50th birthday present to myself. Had planned to do it on Sprint but realise it's not the right bike , hence search for an "R". Tight twisty "B" roads in UK lend themselves nicely to the R1200. Sprint better for long fast bends.

Based on Wales experience , may also be solo trip !! (so will be looking for some company for part of it).

Loose plan is ride up the West Coast. Do Isle of Skye and aim for Ardmore Adventure Centre Rhiconich, By Lairg, Sutherland. Have invite for tea with "retired" round the world yachtsman John Ridgeway. Fabulous bloke

Got to be done

Check out this location http://www.johnridgway.co.uk/

Kyle,

I'm moving to half time in February, so we should stay in touch. Once you're settled in at Creston, perhaps I could stop by on a visit to my valley girl cousin up at Gray Creek.

Rocket,

I hear you about riding solo. I have a 5 day weekend coming up in June while the Bride has a girl's weekend away with number 1 daughter. The boys want to organize a ride and I am really keening for 5 days on my own in some country that I would not want to rush through on a group ride. We'll see what transpires. One of the things that we do on group rides is have a rule that you ride at your own pace. We plan the lunch stops and obviously the day's destination, but other than that, we're free to bugger off if we have a mind to. Our group consists of 5 or 6 Harleys and two BMWs, so we usually do and we tend to all get the trip that we hoped for.

By the way, those pictures don't help any.

Doug

Hey Doug, did you notice? No frost heaves!

I know, beautiful isn't it.

D.

If you're planning a trip to the UK , this is a useful site for information on the good biker roads.

http://www.bestbikingroads.com.php5-2.d ... ?code=2144

Still trying to persuade senior management to join me for a Scotland trip. Will need to test R1200R for pillion comfort. That seat looks a little small to me. R1150 pillion seat looks better.

My strategy is to plan shorter rides between locations and have the one or two rest days for a walk/explore around the area. As you say, people need to go at their own pace to enjoy it otherwise it becomes a chore.
May also suggest she flies to Inverness where I can meet up with her (its a 5 hour trawl from our home in middle England to the interesting bits of Scotland, which would not be good for her hair, bum or spirit!)

If you're thinking of a June trip to Scotland , check out the midges situation. This may be early enough to avoid the plagues but worth checking. There are lots of midges along N West coast of Scotland in summer - you'll need some strong repellant if outdoors for any length of time. You can buy Mosi nets to cover your head but they're not a good look

Regards

Ron

Rocket,

I am impressed by the composition of your pictures. Thanks for posting them.

Hi

Tell me where you live and I will tell you how far you will have to travel to get your new bike as I think I may have what you are looking for.

How does this sound

2009 R1200R in Alpine White (Looks stunning in white - see the other posts about white R1200R's)
ABS
ESA
ASC
Tyre Pressure monitor
Heated Grips
Chrome Exhaust
Centre Stand
On Board Computer
BMW High Windshield
BMW Cylinder Guards
Under 2 months old
Just 200 miles on the clock
Obviously still in showroom condition

The story is that a chap local to me bought it from the new BMW dealer in Cardiff at the beggining of April and rode it the 50 miles home and decided he didn't like it and so I bought it from him as it would have been mad not to. I absolutely love the bike but in order for me to keep it I would need to sell all of my other bikes and I just can't bring myself to do that so it has to go.

This bike would cost you £10700 approx new with the screen and cylinder guards and all I want for it £8500 as that is roughly what I paid for it.

If you are interested give me a call on 07826 543589

I am planning to put it on Ebay soon but I would much prefer to sell it to someone on this group.

Nice pics of the Elan valley, I will be up there again myself next weekend.

As far as wether the seat is comfortable or not, you must take a look at airhawk seat pads, they are not cheap but they can be moved from bike to bike and they work. My wife even goes on the back of my off road bike now that she has one as well. Since I bought mine I never have to worry about wether a bikes seat is any good or not.

Cheers

Mike

mikeschofielduk wrote:Hi

Tell me where you live and I will tell you how far you will have to travel to get your new bike as I think I may have what you are looking for.

How does this sound

2009 R1200R in Alpine White (Looks stunning in white - see the other posts about white R1200R's)
ABS
ESA
ASC
Tyre Pressure monitor
Heated Grips
Chrome Exhaust
Centre Stand
On Board Computer
BMW High Windshield
BMW Cylinder Guards
Under 2 months old
Just 200 miles on the clock
Obviously still in showroom condition

The story is that a chap local to me bought it from the new BMW dealer in Cardiff at the beggining of April and rode it the 50 miles home and decided he didn't like it and so I bought it from him as it would have been mad not to. I absolutely love the bike but in order for me to keep it I would need to sell all of my other bikes and I just can't bring myself to do that so it has to go.

This bike would cost you £10700 approx new with the screen and cylinder guards and all I want for it £8500 as that is roughly what I paid for it.

If you are interested give me a call on 07826 543589

I am planning to put it on Ebay soon but I would much prefer to sell it to someone on this group.

Nice pics of the Elan valley, I will be up there again myself next weekend.

As far as wether the seat is comfortable or not, you must take a look at airhawk seat pads, they are not cheap but they can be moved from bike to bike and they work. My wife even goes on the back of my off road bike now that she has one as well. Since I bought mine I never have to worry about wether a bikes seat is any good or not.

Cheers

Mike

Am very interested Mike, thanks. Have left a voice mail on your mobile. I live in Derbyshire but will travel anywhere in UK to find the right bike. Spec and colour sound perfect.

famousperson wrote:Rocket,

I am impressed by the composition of your pictures. Thanks for posting them.

No problem. Found a couple more.

This one is from an earlier (off-road) trip to the same area. Barmouth (table and chairs picture , above) is in the top left of this picture. This weekend we plan to the hills on the far side of the estuary (if the weather doesn't spoil it).



A couple more from the ride out 3 weeks ago:

Oh dear , oh dear indeed



The boutique hotel in Barmouth. Looks a bit drab from the outside , but inside , the decor was very smart, contemporary and inviting plus and the views across the bay were stunning. We had an all white "suite" for £90 incl full breakfast. A bit pricey , but a treat after all day in the saddle.



and another in the Elan Valley. (You can't see it but there is a fantastic reservoir wall at the far end built by the Victorians. There are 3 reservoirs all built in the same valley. Just beautiful structures and great engineering achievements for their day)


... 2 wheels, a bit of sunshine and scenery like this ... you can't beat it.

Ron,

You're making it hard not to book a flight with all those gorgeous pictures. And to someone from western Canada where we only have a handful of those drab buildings, your B&B looks pretty great.

+1 on the Airhawk, The Bride and I each have our own on the 12R. I'd post the URL, but I'm on my iPhone and have no clue as to how to do that on this thing. I have the BMW cases and top box with backrest and the Bride loves it back there. She has actually fallen asleep a couple of times on long rides. Not necessarily a good thing, but she feels very safe and comfortable back there surrounded by all that plastic.

YMMV

Doug