F800ST to R1200R?

[papasong]

Hi All,
I'm new to this forum.
I have been riding a 2008 F800ST for over a year. The F800ST has thus far given me 3000+ trouble-free miles. It's a great bike - nimble, responsive, etc. In the back of my mind I was thinking I would "graduate" to a bigger K-bike at the end of the year. However, the K1300R is not coming to the states, and as much as I love the look of the K1300S, it's probably not practical for me.
I want a naked-ish bike that I can also tour with.
And so I think the R1200R is calling to me... But I don't have any experience with the boxer engine. Just based on aesthetics, I used to be turned off by the big boxer valves, but I've come to really like the classic look and engineering.
Anyone here have any experience going from a parallel twin to the boxer R1200R?
Any thoughts, advice, warnings, etc., would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff

[LumpyCam]

Hi Jeff - For me the boxer was something I always wanted since childhood with that quirky blend of character and functionality. Now that i've finally arrived at a R1200R i couldn't be happier and it's given me thousands of kms of riding bliss on tours and the daily commute. No disappointments. That said, the F800ST is a great bike too, and better suited to some types of riding. It would probably be better on my commute, for example, with better mileage and a bit more nimble. The belt drive is also a super-efficient feature that I loved on my F650CS. The F800ST is also plenty sporty and will keep pace with the R12 cruising anywhere within 30kph of legal speeds. But, the R1200R is the big dog, built in Germany, with 30L side bags, telelever suspension, 80+ year heritage, and the torquey twin that pops wheelies and cruises at 150kph all day (if you've ridden to Alaska you know this is possible).

If you _need_ to own the boxer to satisfy a motorhead dream then go for it. If that F800ST covers everything off then you might want to stick with it and keep some money for a nice tour or riding gear.

[papasong]

Hi LumpyCam,

Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. To be honest, the F800ST is covering most of the bases. It is a very good all-arounder - nimble in the city, quick enough on the highway, handles great, etc. I've done short tours (300 miles per day) around New England, and it's been fine for those. The gas mileage is great, too (I average around 64 mph on the highway - many F800 riders report better mileage than that). But I guess I want the big dog, as you put it, with more power, better suspension, etc. I feel like the R1200R might be the kind of bike that I will own for a long, long time. I'm liking the F800ST, but I can tell that I will want "more" within the next year.

I think I need the R1200R boxer to satisfy that dream - but I also know that I can wait a bit (while I'm raising the $$) and still really enjoy the F800ST in the mean time.

Thanks,
Jeff

[hankth]

Test drive the R1200R. Your decision will be made for you.

[papasong]

I'm going to test drive the R1200R next weekend.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Jeff

[hammick]

I'm going to test drive the R1200R next weekend.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Jeff

I have a R1200GS Adventure and its motor is fantastic. I added an R1200R to the stable yesterday it seems to have a lot more power than even the GSA. I rode an F800S last week at my local dealer. It is a great bike with adequate power but cannot touch the R1200R. The R1200R is the best handling motorcycle I have ever ridden. If you want a naked bike and don't care about going 130mph+ then you cannot beat the R1200R.

[ShinySideUp]

I've never owned the F800ST, but I wanted to. When I rode the Alps with Rob Beach's tour, I specified the F800ST, for I was sure I wanted to get one for my commuting and on-the-job use when I returned to San Francisco.

At the time, I was riding a Honda ST1100 for a long freeway commute and it was just too unwieldy in the city. I really thought the nifty 800 would be my next bike.

After 2000 miles in two weeks, I decided I really didn't like the following: I didn't like my knees in my armpits. I didn't like the weight on my hands, unacceptably high for a ST designation. I didn't like the fact that I had to rev it up to get any real passing power out of the engine. I didn't like the small and fussy side bags. I'm not saying it's a lousy machine, but it just didn't fit my needs. I DID like the nimbleness and the belt drive. If I liked responsive, hi-revving power, I would also like its engine which felt solid and capable.

A German friend who joined us on the trip strongly encouraged me to try the boxer. He has a garage full of them and I swapped bikes with him on the tour for a few hours. He was riding an older R1100RT. Instantly I felt much more comfortable.

Upon my return to the left coast, I test road a R1200R and was hooked. I actually think it handles better than the F800ST, in that it inspires confidence by being better balanced and always feels sure-footed, never requiring me to fight with it in the twisties: I look - it goes. Even at parking lot speeds, I find it remarkably easy to ride. The low-end torque is more to my liking and, as mentioned above, the side cases are truly useful and a joy to use (after pinning them to the frame following losing one!). The brakes are among the best I've ever experienced. And, ah... the character of that boxer heritage renewed the memories of my days as a machinist. This truly is a "driving machine" that embodies all the lessons learned by designers living in the Bavarian Alps and their marvelous roads over a time period that is longer than even I have been alive!

The test ride will tell all. Give yourself enough time with it to overcome the oddness of the rough idle, a very quick throttle response, and a seemingly too-high first gear, and I think you'll find you really like drinking our Kool-aid!

[papasong]

Thanks to you all for the great feedback.
Now I'm getting even more psyched for the test ride on Saturday!
I'll post my impressions here after that.
Thanks again,
Jeff

[Caroanbill]

You'll have no trouble coming from the F800ST to the R1200R. I came from an F650CS and, truly, I've not had any difficulty at all. I've simply been able to appreciate the extra capability of motor and brakes, and the advantages of the shaft drive and telelever over the belt and conventional forks (those advantages are for my use - a different riding ethos and style mightn't have the same experience).

I also longed for an F800ST. (That longing lasted for about 2 minutes into my test ride: I was never going to be comfortable on that bike.)
Following that, I longed for the F800R (Now, it's out, I'm glad I didn't wait).
BUT
That was all about the F800 being enough bike for me in terms of motor, suspension and brakes, and more particularly about it not being too much bike in terms of weight and low speed manouverability. I'd had an R1150RS - despite the great motor, never, ever got confident on that bike. The R1150R, at 238kg wet and the infamous servo brakes, also seemed too much bike for me (others here, no doubt, appreciate the benefits greater weight and slightly slower steering can have).

The R1200R, by comparison, is definitely not too much bike. At 223kg wet it's not so much more than the F800 series (209kg wet). It has more conventional and intuitive ABS brakes than the R1150 series (and yet as effective as the servo brakes), it is eminently manageable at low speed, and the optional ASC will tame its tendency to lift the front wheel under hard acceleration.

Which leave you with its advantages.
- character of the boxer engine (top of my list)
- in-corner flexibility, overall control and touring comfort in the telelever suspension
- superior torque and power (all easily managed)
- long-day touring comfort (with a little tweaking / farkelling)
- better luggage options (I hates them fiddly pseudo-panniers!)
- classic looks (not that an F800ST is ugly)

I run with an F800ST on long tours, and he switched from an R1200RT - he loves the 800 for being enough bike without the bulk of the RT. But he keeps looking at my bike!

[hjsbmw]

Hi All,
Anyone here have any experience going from a parallel twin to the boxer R1200R?
Any thoughts, advice, warnings, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Different and probably requiring some getting used to: higher weight, brakes, duolever forks, shaft drive.

Similar: it's still a twin, although more powerful, but the ST and a boxer are more similar in terms of power band than, say, an inline four and a boxer.

[snag]

Jeff,

I spent Sunday afternoon out at the lake following the Bride and the Boy in the Z4. We were looking at cabin colours as we're repainting the cabin. We got caught in a couple of deadend lanes and I had to do some sharp turnarounds in gravel. The 12R would actually pull away from a dead stop at idle, just on the clutch. The torque at idle was a bit of an eye opener. The more I ride the 12R, the more it impresses me. You will love this motor.

Doug

[ka5ysy]

I'm going to test drive the R1200R next weekend.
Thanks for the encouragement,
Jeff

Bring your checkbook with you..... (see signature line below )

Some coolaid while you wait:
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... ght=r1200r


Doug

[papasong]

You guys are all killin' me!
I haven't even test ridden it yet, and I'm already mentally moving money around to make this happen...

[Lost Rider]

I've never ridden a 800s, but have over 20,000 miles on my f800gs with that lovely (yet less reliable) Rotax motor and smooth transmission...
I haven't been on my R since early this spring, but I do miss my riding my R and will be taking it on my next adventure - I think. On my recent impromptu ride to Alaska I was wishing for my 12R while on the long Alaska Highway... While the 800 is a real nice bike, that Rotax engine is no boxer, and the suspension just can't compare to the telelever, at least for on-tarmac riding.
Everyone has already has you stoked with the positive comments about the R, and I totally agree.... bring your checkbook and prepare to fall in love.
My F800GS is a worthy tool, my R1200R is a precise instrument.

[Smokie]

Hi,

I drive both F800ST and R1200R. I enjoyed riding them I definitely like R1200R more because of its riding posture and its power. I'm sure you'll be more relaxed and comfortable in riding the R1200R. It'll be a great choice for you.

Best,
Smokie.

[Northernbiker]

Jeff,

I've had my R1200R for 3 months now and am very happy with it. Previously I had a 650CS for 3 years and loved it. I intended to trade up to the F800ST but found that I was too tall to be comfortable on it. The riding position on the 1200 was a bit more upright and just gave me more room. It took me a couple of weeks to really get comfortable riding the 1200, mostly because of the difference in weight & weight distribution.

Finances dictated that if I wanted to get the R1200R, I had to trade in my 650CS. I would have loved to have kept it as a second bike. Don't get me wrong, the 1200 is a awesome bike, but I miss the nimbleness and ease of riding a lighter, smaller bike. Especially for just running around the city. While I would never discourage anyone from buying the R1200R, you need to factor in what kind of riding you do most and how well the 800ST meets your needs. If you really love it then why not consider keeping it for a while?

Just thought I would share my experience if it helps make up your mind. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way you'll still be riding a great bike.

[papasong]

Chitown, Smokie, and Northernbiker,

Thanks so much for your comments and support. I really appreciate it.
I will let you all know where I end up after my test ride this weekend.

best,
Jeff

[hankth]

Jeff,
While you are on your test ride, look down at the cylinder heads sticking out in the breeze. I am not alone in thinking that this is a beautiful sight! Good luck, Hank

[famousperson]

Jeff,
... [L]ook down at the cylinder heads sticking out in the breeze. I am not alone in thinking that this is a beautiful sight!

You certainly are not the only one! To me, those cylinder heads almost define what a motorcycle should be.

[LumpyCam]

You certainly are not the only one! To me, those cylinder heads almost define what a motorcycle should be.

And useful too in hot weather. All that heat being directed out to the side would otherwise be frying you. I forget how nice this is until i ride another bike and have the cylinder heads baking right next to my kneecaps.