How does the 1200 compare to the 1150?

[macx]

Have an 1150, am wondering what 1200 owners who had 1150's in the past
think of them in comparison, and are there as many maintenance concerns.

Particularly interested in engine vibration - buzzing - and if the revised
trans ratios & FD gearing are better.

I'm in hilly country and the high first gear in my 1150 is awkward for
starting up hills, esp with a passenger. I see the 1200 trans is more like
the 1150 RTP with it's lower first gear, as well as the narrower spread
between 5-6.

I do most of my riding on 60 mph 2 lanes and the stock 1150 gearing
and wide gap between 5-6 keeps me up and downshifting to stay out of
the engine buzz range in 5th and to keep from lugging it in 6th for uphill grades.

That's not even to get into the surprisingly numerous potential mechanical
maintenance or failure items that seem to dominate the 1150 board, or
the couple of ergonomic issues like the footpeg location and moderate
lean-forward position of the 1150 that I have read have been addressed
in the 1200's.

So for you ex-1150 owners that have swapped up to a 1200, how do they
compare, was it worth it?

Obviously thinking along those lines.

Thanks!

[deilenberger]

The reason I own an R1200R is because I couldn't stand the BUZZZZZ on my '04 R1150RS. It was stopping me from riding. Was down to almost no miles one year. Since I got the R1200R - 31,000 miles since spring 2007. Buzz is a non-issue. Many of the mechanical problems were sorted out on the R12 series.. from engine to transmission to rear-drive. Weight was also an issue with the 1150.. it was noticeably heavier than the R1200R is. The seat on the R1150RS did damage to my private parts due to the slope toward the tank. Looked nice, sat awful. Not an issue on the R1200R seat.

Go ride one. Take your checkbook.

[Caroanbill]

Had a new R1150RS. Sold it after 13 months, rather than trade it on an R1150R - two key reasons. One: R1150R weight at 238kg wet for a naked bike is just too much. Two: R1150xx vibration intolerable on the RS from 4200 to 4700 rpm - basically the whole 'sensible' speed range. While the RS could do the "BMW lope" (feels like it's just tickingover) at 3600rpm at legal speed thanks to its gearing, the R could not: 100-120km/h (60-72mph) was right in the unbearable range. Third, less key, reason was that I just never felt comfortable on any R1150 .. hard to explain why, but it seems similar to Don's experience (maybe the paint combo, Don?). I found my F650CS more pleasant.

Bought my R1200R two years ago, and have put on kilometres at twice the rate of the R1150 even though I'm more time constrained.

I'm in hilly country and the high first gear in my 1150 is awkward for
starting up hills, esp with a passenger. I see the 1200 trans is more like
the 1150 RTP with it's lower first gear, as well as the narrower spread
between 5-6.

There is an issue with the R1200R here: first gear is high to my taste and the clutch take-up can be awkward for me. I've become used to it ... but tricky starts do get smelly . Other folk here have no particular issues with this - do a search of early threads and you'll find a number of posts for either experience. ASC tames the wheelspin / wheelie side effects once you get used to it.

I do most of my riding on 60 mph 2 lanes and the stock 1150 gearing
and wide gap between 5-6 keeps me up and downshifting to stay out of
the engine buzz range in 5th and to keep from lugging it in 6th for uphill grades.

The R1200R will cope very well in 6th. But you won't be riding there. At 100-120km/h (60-72mph) in twisty country I'm in 5th or even 4th for the smile factor alone - the hexhead engine loves this kind of workout, and once you've ridden it this way you'll love it too. This engine has quite a different character than the R1150 engine, and with the quicker steering is much livelier. That said, it has so much more power and torque that you can do the "BMW lope" in 6th ... I use mine like this out on open sweeping bush roads and it's relaxing in a way that satisfies the soul (we're pretty much all two-lane beyond our two main intercity routes).

[macx]

Thanks for the input.

It was as I feared - "I coulda had a 1200" for what I'll have in my 1150
once I get it fixed up with all the little improvements most of which are
apparently designed into the 1200, not to mention the power, weight and
handling issues.

Now, what to do?

I've got a stack of parts not put on yet, maybe I should sell the 1150 and
the parts and start looking for a decent used 1200.

Why ME Lord?!

[deilenberger]

Thanks for the input.

It was as I feared - "I coulda had a 1200" for what I'll have in my 1150
once I get it fixed up with all the little improvements most of which are
apparently designed into the 1200, not to mention the power, weight and
handling issues.

Now, what to do?

I've got a stack of parts not put on yet, maybe I should sell the 1150 and
the parts and start looking for a decent used 1200.

Why ME Lord?!

Funny part is - I made money on my R1150RS..

The dealership took it in trade for the same amount I'd paid for it 8 months before from another dealership.. but they let me take everything off it that wasn't on it at the factory. So.. sold the side bags for $500. Sold the tailbag for $300. Sold the Wilbers shocks I put on it for $800, sold a set of FF50 lights and mounting bar - $150. Lots of farkles brought good prices on Ebay, and a few were moved over to the R1200R. Due to good shopping on my part - and good marketing - I didn't really loose any money on the stuff I'd put on the bike.

The same dealership has sold the bike twice since I traded it in - and has it back in stock again as a used bike. Seems to be a bike that drives people to buy a new one.. I guess they find it valuable that way (make money on the trade-in when they sell it, then make money on a new bike sale when the person decides they can't stand the RS..)

There are several decent used R1200R's around for less than $10k - which IMHO is a steal. Check Ebay, check the FOR-SALE here, and the MOA Fleamarket.

[Mollygrubber]

I think this is one of thoses situations where you'll not regret moving on. I never owner an 1150, but superior reliability, 28% more power and a 50lb weight drop would clinch the deal for me - I have read that's a 40% improvement in power-to-weight ratio. And, it's prettier (especially the blue... )

Peter

[Flashdog]

I've never ridden a R1200R but, I have done some miles on a R1200GS. It is the bike of my dreams. I imagine the R1200R is pretty much a lower version and would be even better than the GS due to the tire/rim sizes.

I love my R1150R and don't understand this complaint of too much vibration. It sounds like some mechanics don't know how to tune them. My bike barely vibrates at 70+ MPH. It has no idle "lope". If it did it would mean something is not balanced.

[Bill Stevenson]

Before my current R12, the R1150R was my ride. Mine was a 2002 Special. I liked the R1150R real well, but it quite simply is a bucket of bolts compared to the new R12. There is just no comparison at all, the R12 is a giant leap forward for BMW. Too, based on your description of the gearing issues with your current bike, it seems likely the R12 gearing would work better for you.

Regards,

Bill

[deilenberger]

I've never ridden a R1200R but,

Do so..

I have done some miles on a R1200GS.

What year? Until 2008 they used a lower output version of the R12 engine..

It is the bike of my dreams. I imagine the R1200R is pretty much a lower version and would be even better than the GS due to the tire/rim sizes.
I love my R1150R and don't understand this complaint of too much vibration. It sounds like some mechanics don't know how to tune them. My bike barely vibrates at 70+ MPH. It has no idle "lope". If it did it would mean something is not balanced.

Actually - mine was formerly owned by Joe Katz, considered one of the worlds best BMW mechanics (and former owner of BMW of Daytona). It came tuned as perfectly as it could be. I then retuned it thinking I could improve it.. valve clearances dead nutz on, rocker-arm endplay at minimal clearances, TB sync perfect. Didn't help. Not a bit. I tried lots of things, heavier bar ends, retorque the subframe mounting bolts, etc.. the only thing that reduced it was a full tank of fuel - sometimes. I think the mass of the fuel absorbed some of the vibration.

I rode other R1150's to see if it was me or the bike - including an '02 R1150RS, which had about the same level of vibes as mine, except around 4k RPMs, where it was better. Since it was a 2-plug, it did have quite noticeable surge. The others ranged from the same to worse than mine. Mine could make my hands go numb in about 20 minutes. I have CTS, the R1150RS buzz made it really unbearable to ride - so I didn't.

It appears the vibration varied from engine to engine. Some engines were probably better balanced than others, and the one I owned was one of the others. The fact that it's 5 years old and has been through 5 owners so far sort of make that obvious. No one can stand it - and it's been through the dealers shop several times since I traded it in.

The R12 engines have a balance shaft that basically cancels most of the big-twin vibes at normal riding RPMs. It may (claimed, but dunno since I don't spend a lot of time there) make it worse near redline. Mine is very comfortable cruising any RPM from 3,000-6,500.. which is part of what makes it so much fun to ride. It has the torque needed so you can play Ricky-Sport-Bike-Racer on a good road by just keeping it in 2nd or 3rd gear, and not have to shift due to lack of power or excessive vibes. The balance shaft may reduce the base big-twin vibration enough that additional vibes created when an engine is slightly out of balance isn't enough to be bothersome. Whatever - the balance shaft is a major step forward.

Visit a dealer - I'm sure they'd welcome someone test riding their R1200R (dealers in my area all
have white ones at the moment - most bikes are blah in white -the R1200R is HOT in white..)

Just take your checkbook, you'll need it.

[macx]

I KNEW I shouldn't have ventured into this territory!

My left hand is sore from my right hand slapping it when it tries to
sneak a grab at my checkbook! ;-/

Seriously, thanks for all the insightful input - it is pretty much
as I had expected after reading up on it, if not more so.

Vibes are a very big issue with me and, similarly, my hands go
numb after about that same 20 minute interval.

Like I said, I've studied the gearing and mph / rpm in the top
couple gears on the 1200 and it's very close to where I'd be
after swapping in that RTP trans and the higher geared rear.
But the low gear is still lower than the stock 1150 which,
I have maintained from the outset, is too high. I hate
slipping clutches, and I hate stalling out which I still do
on occasion esp on an upslope when starting out.

I wonder - my wife encouraged me to buy the 1150, maybe
she'd consider this?

Don't need to spend the $ right now, but - - well we all know
that's a non-applicable argument in this kind of situation!

How much other crap have I spent probly more on and got
way less, huh? (Isn't that a good justification?)

Hey, I like that line about it being mandatory to grow old but not to grow up!!!

Thanks folks!!

[Meatloaf]

most bikes are blah in white -the R1200R is HOT in white..

Yes, yes it is

[ka5ysy]

I've never ridden a R1200R but, .....

See my signature line ....

[LumpyCam]

I moved from a R1150R to a R1200R. They are exactly the same except totally different in every way. he he.

Okay, besides less weight/more power etc. one thing i really noticed is how much better the handling is on the R12. There was the odd occasion on the R1150 when i would swing wide at a turn, especially when doing low-speed counter steering. I also found the R1150 cramped for my 6' frame.

[Flashdog]

I've never ridden a R1200R but, .....

See my signature line ....

I don't get the joke. I've really never ridden one. The GS I rode was an 08'

[deilenberger]

I've never ridden a R1200R but, .....

See my signature line ....

I don't get the joke. I've really never ridden one. The GS I rode was an 08'

The reason you don't get the joke IS because you've never ridden one.

Ride one. Take checkbook. You'll understand after the ride what his SIG means.

[Flashdog]

I will not ride one! My checkbook just could not handle it. Please don't make me.

[deilenberger]

I will not ride one! My checkbook just could not handle it. Please don't make me.

Yes - you MUST. Go right now to your friendly dealer and ask to ride the white one..

[AllanCook]

I rode an R1150R for 40,000 miles and I loved it. I was never once uncomfortable after days of riding, it handled well, had more than enough power and felt just rock-solid on the road. It was, without question, the best motorcycle I've ever owned. I hated to have to sell it.

I have an R1200R now, and it's just fine, but my tuchis hurts after an hour, the handling is a little light and sporty for this 53-year-old gentleman rider. On the other hand, the new version of ABS brakes is excellent and there is none of that annoying "surging" that used to plague the R1150 motors. I'm more than satisfied, but I still miss my 1150.

[ka5ysy]

I will not ride one! My checkbook just could not handle it. Please don't make me.

Here... Have some of my coolaid. It is very good....


Really !

[socalrob]

You might want to ride a Ducati 1100 Monster. Aircooled twin very much in league with a BMW Boxer. The Duc motor is basically the same as in my Hyper & its very nice. A plus on the Ducs is the reliable chain drive.

BTW, when I bought my 1200GSA I noticed it was the same weight as an R1150R. R1200GS is a great bike to try also. Its hardy possible to buy a bad bike these days.