New R1200R Rider!

[papasong]

Hi All,

Today I picked up my new 2009 R1200R in Midnight Black!
I'm coming from an F800ST that I really enjoyed - great bike.
But I'm excited to experience this boxer twin. I'm loving it already.

I'm looking forward to learning from you all, and hope that I will eventually be able to contribute useful information to the forum.

Best
Jeff

[bobw]

Nice! If you wouldn't mind, I for one would appreciate your thoughts on comparing both bikes when you've gotten a few miles on her.

Safe travels

Bob

[papasong]

Nice! If you wouldn't mind, I for one would appreciate your thoughts on comparing both bikes when you've gotten a few miles on her.

Safe travels

Bob

Will do.
I'm going up to Vermont next week - should be about a 550 mile round trip. Back in time for my 600 mile servicing.

[tobes]

That's awesome. Looking forward to your review. I found my R to be a completely different bike after putting a few thousand miles on it. The engine really loosens up and becomes more powerful, especially in the upper rpms.

[Mollygrubber]

I'm hoping mine smooths out a bit. Feels like it's fighting itself (badly synchronized injectors maybe?). Only 3-4k so far, still goes like hell, just not the flying carpet feeling people talk about...

[LumpyCam]

Have no worries about engine smoothness. The BMW manual actually states that the engine isn't 'broken in' until 10,000km/6,000mi.

Mine ran horribly for before the first 1,000km tuneup, then was okay after that, and has smoothed right out as I approach 20,000km.

This engine really likes to be run long and hard. Just keep an eye on your oil level every time you park on a flat surface (fueling up is a good ritual).

[papasong]

How often did you have to top off your oil during the 600 mile run-in?

[websterize]

How often did you have to top off your oil during the 600 mile run-in?

I didn't have to top off during run-in, but the level had dropped to about 1/4 full when I took it in for the first service. I'm at 2,600 miles today and have topped the oil once.

[LumpyCam]

How often did you have to top off your oil during the 600 mile run-in?

I added 175ml during the first 1,000km. I didn't record the start/end levels though so it might have been pretty low when i took it in the shop.

I added 500ml between 1,000 and 5,000km.

[bobw]

Mine only used a little oil after a very hot day at a track school at 11K miles. It was just a fraction lower on the level so there was no need to add oil. You are in a great area to put some proper heat cycles and RPM variations allowing for a proper start to breaking her in. Don't be afraid to run her up and down the rev range, this new motor (VS 11XX series) is such a treat and deserves to be used as designed. You may need to stop for that 1st service at a shop like Max's when you get up North as you may not want to end the trip too soon.

Cheers

[LumpyCam]

Mine only used a little oil after a very hot day at a track school at 11K miles.

I can only wish! I've probably put in over 2 litres in my first 15,000km.

At the 10k service my dealer switched weights to something lighter and i burned through it so fast in a single trip i had to add car oil during a trip (forcing another oil change when i got home). Blah!

[papasong]

So, is the bike's thirst for oil just a characteristic of the R1200R?
Or really dependent on how hard it's ridden?
Or both...

[Motorcycle_Girl]

I did an oil change at 550 km and just had the first service at 1200 km...I will definitely be bringing a quart of oil with me when I go on my trip at the end of August...just to be safe

Celeste

[deilenberger]

So, is the bike's thirst for oil just a characteristic of the R1200R?

No

Or really dependent on how hard it's ridden?

More IMHO dependent on how it's broken in.

Or both...

Mine uses very little oil. Perhaps 300-400cc's between 6k changes if I'm doing a lot of high speed riding. I broke it in by BMW recommendations, and it stopped using any significant oil at around 3,200 miles after some long mountain rides in VA, WV, NC. I switched to BMW synthetic at the 6,000 mile service.

[LumpyCam]

More IMHO dependent on how it's broken in.

I broke the R12 in by-the-book for the first 1,000km, then eased it up to redline with varied revs over the next few thousand. After the prescribed 5,000km oil change i started pushing it.

I think how it's ridden plays a role. When i'm putting around Sunday rides the level stays consistent. Then i take it out for a spirited trip with the throttle cranked and the oil burns fast. I don't go for anything over a 1,500km ride without spare oil.

I think a good indicator will be your fuel economy. If you ride so you get 55mpg you won't burn much oil. If you're getting 32mpg keep an eye on it.

[xprof]

I'm over 7000 miles, change oil every 3K, and haven't had to add a drop yet. I drive it pretty aggressively, too! BTW: just for giggles I took it up to the rev-limiter in 3rd a couple of times (95 mph in 3rd!), and I did find the rev-limiter to be quite a bit harsher than I am used to, with a sharp engine cut-off followed by full power again as the revs dropped. Not at all the "softening" that I had expected. Disconcerting, but I don't expect to use it much...

[bobw]

[quote I drive it pretty aggressively, too! BTW: just for giggles I took it up to the rev-limiter in 3rd a couple of times (95 mph in 3rd!), ][/quote]

Friggin hooligan

3rd is my favoritist (tech term) gear! 95 comes on smoother and quicker than many think she can do. I spend a huge amount of my "spirited" mountain rides in 3rd with short visits to 2nd or 4th as needed (quite a few 1st and 2nd gear roads too ). The range this motor functions well in makes her a constant smile maker.

stopped using any significant oil at around 3,200 miles after some long mountain rides in VA, WV, NC.

Don says it all. Living in this region makes it easy to run an engine in "properly". If I lived in a big city I would try to get out of town or use the wee hours to have the streets to myself where I could treat her to better break in rides.

Safe travels

[Bodes]

Oil!

It's a quirky thing. My '07 R1200R had 50 kilometres on it when I rode it out of the showroom. She never asked for a drop of oil and so was only replenished at service in line with the owners manual. Nuff said.

Bought an '09 R1200GS - thirsty as all get out. Caught me unawares on a few rides and on one trip around 7,000 k's (after the 5,000k oil change) needed topping up (300 mils) twice within before the 10,000k service. Admitted it was cold and I stretched her but, blow me down that's a thirst you could photograph ...!

The '09 R1200R - time will tell, she's only done 2,000k's in 2 weeks.

[Josh]

Mine has about 3500 miles on it after about 8 weeks. No oil use in the first 600, but I did add oil riding home from the MOA National in Tennessee. I find it to be most simliar to my naked 83R100 just doing everything much, much better. I am a happy camper so far, and thanks to Don E.

Josh

[vodka]

For the record. Fairly sedate riding (cops are following me everywhere!!!). At 12,000km (service at 10,000) just put in 75-100ml (mineral) to top it up a bit from half to 3/4. Put the heat into it and it does eat oil a bit.