R1200R: un-popular or simply sold out?

[oalvarez]

I'm a new R12R owner, but not new to motorcycles nor BMW bikes, and found my purchase experience and interesting one. After finally deciding upon the exact color and equipment package, I proceeded to locate the bike which had to be in my home state of California. There are a lot of dealers in my home state (over 15 fifteen for sure), that's probably stating the obvious. So, what did my experience tell me? For starters, I could only find one in my color choice (black w/pintstripes). Secondly, many of the dealerships, if not most all of them, didn't even have a R12R in stock. The ones that did were either leftover '09's (one even had an '08), a demo, or used, white and blue being the colors available. Most of the dealers said that they simply weren't a very popular bike (as opposed to the GS line) here in North America, but quite the contrary in Europe. Some explained that if a buyer was looking for a "naked" bike that he/she might not think to consider BMW as their first choice. Others said that it was at a price point that seemed to blur the edges with that of the higher horsepower K bikes. Regardless, I found it quite interesting that so few of them were available for sale, but I do understand that we're quite late in the model year with the 2011 bikes to be announced soon.

What's your take?

[Tarmac]

My $0.02

They are waiting to get the 2011 model which will have the new DOHC. It's possible that the factory has finished it's run of the current model, and that no more are going to be imported.

I would also think that to production run of R12R's was much smaller then that of the GS, or even the RT. In other words, less bikes made, less available.

[gezerbike]

Check and see how many 08 and 09 GS's and RT's are on those same floors and that ought to answer your question. And I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for the 2011's....you'll turn blue.

[goo]

...but i NEED my r1200r.

[Woland]

I´ve had the same experience here in Sweden, not many dealers have them in stock and very few used ones turn up. Ive decided to trade my F800ST for a R1200R and I´ve had my eye out for a black with pinstripe, tpm, asc and luggage with a few years and modest miles on it for a couple of months now but none turns up. So either its a wildly unpopular bike in Sweden aswell or those that have them arent selling cuz its too good a bike

I´m fearing I´m gonna have to buy a brand spanking new one come spring and since I´ve never been a fan of buying new vehicles and rarely own them more than a couple of years I cant say I´m looking forward to it financially speaking. I am looking forward to riding it though. Rode a 2010 R1200Gs for 2k miles and loved the motor but not the bike, then got a short ride on a R1200R and practically fell in love, so I´m pretty much decided that I´m gonna buy one. The only question left is how much its gonna hurt my wallet. Gonna miss my F800ST though once I trade, its a great bike and if only I was a little bit smaller I wouldnt trade it for anything, but at 6'4" and 275 pounds it gives me a nasty cramp in my lower back due to footpeg to seat distance if I ride it extensively.

[deilenberger]

One reason you found no '10's for sale is black/mit-white-pins weren't made in the '10 models (despite what shows up on some BMW websites.) Blue is the new black/white.

As for why they're hard to find? They aren't a cheap naked bike. Fully fitted out they are only a few thousand less then an RT or GS. You have to want an R12R to understand the price is actually quite fair (not cheap - but fair..) And apparently there isn't as much profit to be made on them, so dealers tend to stock bikes with a larger profit margin. Sort of a catch 22 situation - you can't sell what you don't have, so you don't have what you're not selling. Some dealers did stock a reasonable selection of them - and didn't push them in the corner of the showroom.. Guess what happened? They sold them. Other dealers would take one, stick it in the corner of the showroom, make it seem like the red-headed stepchild and steer people toward higher profit margin bikes.

The relative scarcity doesn't really bother me. In our club - of about 85 members, we have 4 owners of R1200R's. We probably have equal that number of R1200GS owners and about an equal number of R1200RT's. You tend to think there are a lot more GS's then there really are because the appearance is distinctive, and didn't change hugely between the R1150GS and the R1200GS (both - IMHO - ugly as sin..) Not having everyone on an R1200R makes it a bit unusual, and it's looks always get compliments - even when riding in a group with lots of other BMWs.

Those of us who own them know the basic goodness of these bikes.. and that's what really counts to me.

[deilenberger]

I´m fearing I´m gonna have to buy a brand spanking new one come spring and since I´ve never been a fan of buying new vehicles and rarely own them more than a couple of years I cant say I´m looking forward to it financially speaking. I am looking forward to riding it though.

My '07 R12R was the first brand new bike I'd bought in close to 30 years. I saw it at the NY moto show one February winter, test rode it early spring (April 15th actually,) made the deal on the spot, rode it home the next week.. Last new bike I bought was a '74 Norton Commando MK-III. At this point - 3 years and 44,000 miles later - it doesn't owe me a thing. The only reason I'd be concerned about R12R resale value is I'm thinking of getting another one to keep on the West coast to ride when I visit my son in Los Angeles. There are some attractively priced used ones showing up (less then $10k) that might make that very doable.

Rode a 2010 R1200Gs for 2k miles and loved the motor but not the bike, then got a short ride on a R1200R and practically fell in love, so I´m pretty much decided that I´m gonna buy one. The only question left is how much its gonna hurt my wallet. Gonna miss my F800ST though once I trade, its a great bike and if only I was a little bit smaller I wouldnt trade it for anything, but at 6'4" and 275 pounds it gives me a nasty cramp in my lower back due to footpeg to seat distance if I ride it extensively.

That's called the expensive test ride. You ride an R1200R - you usually buy one. Happened to most of us here. We even have a sticker for the "Test Ride Victim Club." When I came back from the test ride on the R12R, I was grinning from ear to ear. A friend who has had some serious health problems was with me - and asked "Have you figured out how to get younger?" Realizing the truth of that - I walked in and started dickering. Haven't regretted it a second, I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

[Paul]

When i decided on the 12R, late last year,i went to the local BMW dealer, only one here in RI.
No 12Rs on the floor, they told me the new ones would arrive in april.
It's october and they still are not here.
Anyway, i couldn't wait and went to Hartford and got mine in february and that was the closest dealer who had 09 leftovers, two of them.
I haven't seen another 12R around here on the streets.

[rockbottom]

I also traded an F800ST for an R1200R last July, but the main reason was reliability. I'd had six major warranty repairs and three calls to roadside assistance in two years on the F. My R is my favorite material possession of my life. But it was also the only one my dealer has had in stock for the past year.

[Mark_1]

Talking to my dealer last week he indicated that with the downturn in the economy BMW has intentionally cut back on the number or bikes they are producing. It is not just the R1200R that is low on inventory, the showroom is low on just about everything but the small displacement bikes. They have one 2010 R1200R (Blue) on the floor and other dealers in the area are out or just about out. Since BMW is not currently offering any incentives on the R1200R (lots of incentives on the small bikes) and the rumor of the new 2011 "DOHC" model, my guess is that BMW is happy with the low R1200R inventory.

Mark_1

[websterize]

R1200R: un-popular or simply sold out?

Probably both, at least in the USA. I'm indifferent to its popularity — it's a wolf in sheeps clothing. We should know after EICMA in a few weeks about future R1200Rs. I thought we would know after INTERMOT.

[AllanCook]

My dealer sells R1200Rs as fast as they come in, regardless of color. I saw a black one -- the only one in the shop -- with a "Sold" sign on it in the showroom yesterday while I was getting my annual service. I talked with a gal who was there to buy one, and her husband, whose eyes were glued on mine, said he wanted one, too. I see more than a few of them on the road here in Central Texas.

[goo]

...the profits on the gs and gsa are significantly higher than on the r. i suspect the dealer would rather sell you a higher priced bike and they just make it a bit difficult to get the r1200r.
...

[rokinrider]

Earlier in the year when I was shopping for mine I had several dealers in the midwest tell me production of R12R was on hold to ramp up production of the S1000RR. I was having trouble finding a base model any were in a four state area. IA, WISC, Neb, and Missouri.

[Ric]

The dealship I bought mine from a few months ago, Pandora's of Chattanooga Tn., painted mine the color I wanted. I wanted black and all they could come up with was the grey. They painted mine with a little extra lettering at no charge. Maybe this can help you swing such a deal.

[red baron]

Understand from my dealer the R1200R will be replaced here in the US with the F800R. Main reason: slow seller, too expensive compared to other models. So it looks like no R1200R in the 2011 BMW line up here in the US.
Peter

[mogu83]

Kind of reminds me of the R80ST, a two year bike (three across the pond), that the dealers didn't push because they didn't see a use for it. BMW dropped it because of poor sales. A few years later everyone (well almost) was looking for one and they are now one of the rarer new Beemers.

I could live with that as most of the parts that will wear out are available from other model's.

[Anger]

I say, BUY USED. Be patient and hunt the deal. You will find it, it will find you. You will not have your first choice of color or accessories but the hunt will prove worth the wait in the end. The R1200R is a fine machine indeed. It brings a smile to my face on nearly every ride (ok, every ride).

[sky_sailor]

The R1200R is on the Canadian list. Can't see why it wouldn't be available in the States????
Lyle

[deilenberger]

Understand from my dealer the R1200R will be replaced here in the US with the F800R. Main reason: slow seller, too expensive compared to other models. So it looks like no R1200R in the 2011 BMW line up here in the US.
Peter

Peter.

I learned a long time ago not to listen to dealer blather(TM..) It's often said to impress you with their being the all knowing source of knowledge. They hope that drives sales their way.. Not that I doubt that they said it, I just doubt if they have any authoritative source for the info.