Why do you love your R1200R?

[dokotela]

I've had my bike for 8 months now, and as the weather has been great, I've done a lot of riding recently.

I am just loving this bike, more than any bike I've had previously, and I've been wondering what it is about this bike that I love so much. I've come up with a few thoughts, and wondered what others feel it is about his machine that we love so much:

1) It rides so well; I often feel when riding it that it has improved my riding. Sounds like a crazy thing to say, but I feel as though my riding skills have improved
2) The engine: what a fantastic beast the boxer engine is. It can be ridden slowly and lazily, with a relaxation factor, or it can be ridden like a crazy man. Either way, its always a thoroughly enjoyable experience
3) It looks great, esp from behind!
4) Its taken a while to get used to, but the whole geometry and relaxed riding ergonomics just work so well

Just a few thoughts of my own, but there is definitely something about the R1200R that I love; its just putting my finger on it that eludes me. Maybe its just such a great all round package.

Cheers,

Julian

[fastdogs2]

Julian,

I think the answer for me is that I feel comfortable riding the R1200R. I traded a R1200RT for the R1200R. I rode the RT for five years and the only time I really felt comfortable with it was on a straight line, high speed ride on the Interstate (65 mph). While it handled just fine on the curvy two lane roads, it cannot compare with the nimbleness, quickness and steering feedback of the R1200R.

Where I really felt uncomfortable with the RT and conversely, comfortable with the R1200R, is at low speeds and maneuvering the bike, once stopped. The RT was just so heavy and ungainly that I felt that I was on the verge of a tipover every time I stopped the RT. That was probably due to my short inseam of 29 inches (what you in England call the "inner leg" measurement).

I know BMW says there is only about 78 pounds difference in the weight of the RT compared to the R1200R, but my perception is that the difference is 200 pounds. The R1200R handles so well that it doesn't communicate the true weight to the rider.

Bill

[Faylo]

I totally dig the versatility of the thing. I commute most every day unless there are heavy storms predicted. (Which seems most every day the past two weeks. ) It is very well behaved in heavy stop and go traffic, carves corners, accelerates rapidly and brakes very strongly. My other bike is a ZX11 and it involves so much more effort to ride, that I just don't. In fact I have no desire to ride it, but I'm not selling it either. I still want to be able to scare the hell out of myself, just haven't since I got this thing.

For today, my R is getting the 600 mile service, and I am on a loaner RT. Though it is nice and light for what it is, like you, I still felt I needed to be a little more careful with it when parking and slow maneuvering. I also banged my knees on the fairing every time I get on and off and I am only 5'9". I guess it is something I would get used to if I owned one.
-Jim

[xprof]

It's just the "right" bike for me. It's the size and weight of a traditional old-fashioned motorcycle, has no big fiberglass panels, has a single round headlight, a steel tank, a tubular (hence adjustable) handlebar, a shaft drive, a "standard" riding position, and that lovely boxer engine. Plus it is supremely farkelable to suit individual tastes. It's pretty damn near perfect!

[angellr]

It's just the "right" bike for me. It's the size and weight of a traditional old-fashioned motorcycle, has no big fiberglass panels, has a single round headlight, a steel tank, a tubular (hence adjustable) handlebar, a shaft drive, a "standard" riding position, and that lovely boxer engine. Plus it is supremely farkelable to suit individual tastes. It's pretty damn near perfect!

Could not have said this any better. Dittos.

[ka5ysy]

DITTO TO ALL THE ABOVE !

Plus: Easy to work on, gets great gas mileage, it is unique among most riders I associate with, is much cooler to ride in the summer than an RT, I can prop my boots on the engine guards comfortably, can embarrass crotch rockets, and the Boss Lady loves it too


Oh... and it is paid for !



Besides, who needs 4 more cylinders anyway

[idealistix]

I agree with Bill's comment on low speed maneuverability. I came from a Honda ST1300, which is about 200 lbs heavier. The Honda was great at speeds faster than 10 mph, but was very cumbersome at low speeds. The R12R on the other hand feels very composed at all speeds. This nimbleness is the biggest advantage of the R12R to me and the reason why I bought it.

Like the other posters have mentioned, it also does a lot of other things very well.

Julian,

Where I really felt uncomfortable with the RT and conversely, comfortable with the R1200R, is at low speeds and maneuvering the bike, once stopped. The RT was just so heavy and ungainly that I felt that I was on the verge of a tipover every time I stopped the RT. That was probably due to my short inseam of 29 inches (what you in England call the "inner leg" measurement).

Bill

[websterize]

The chicks dig it.

[rokinrider]

After riding harleys for 30 years I find them boring now that I'm riding my Boxer. the Harley gets ridden but not alot! It's light powerful with awesome brakes and handles like a dream. And it's NAKED, Weeeeee

[deilenberger]

Can't say about the chick's digging it - unless they dig bikes ridden by old short fat men..

It's the bike BMW built for ME. When I saw it at the 2007 NYC moto-show - I had about decided it was time after 30 years to get another NEW bike. One test ride - as is typical - did it, I left the dealership with the deal signed. Now - 45,000 miles later - it's STILL the bike for me. It hasn't disappointed me ever. It is always a pleasure to ride, and caused me to double my yearly average mileage.

No one thing - it's just that BMW was thinking of exactly what I wanted in a bike when they engineered it. Norton almost did it in 1973 (last NEW bike I'd bought - '74 Commando Mk-III) except for that reliability thing.

[ipokebadgers]

I was actually thinking about this the other day. I have a 2000 K1200LT which the wife and I ride. It is a smooth quiet ride. The stereo is great and the windscreen keeps all kinds of weather off of you. A long time ago I had an R100S. When I first saw a R1200R that is what it reminded me of. And then I made the mistake of test riding one. Fortunately I have the best wife in the world and she said to go ahead and get it. While the K1200LT is fast and smooth and quiet, the R1200R is pretty much mean and nasty. It vibrates, it roars when you get into the throttle and where the LT is fast the R12R is quick and faster. It is light weight (coming from an LT) and it just puts a smile on my face. I made a quick 200 mile trip the other day and took the interstate for time's sake. Man this thing sings at highway + speeds. So, it is mean, it is nasty, it is fast, and it is just plain fun to ride. If it weren't for the fat old man riding it my R1200R would probably be the best looking bike on the road.

[Tarmac]

1st, an ode to heated hand grips.

Heated hand grips,
Oh heated hand grips,
How doth I love thee so?

On chill days,
and winter morns,
a single clicketh willst do

When thee mercury,
doest falling on low
a double click maketh mine fingers glow

[SDMAX]

You know, I was going to post a topic something like this tonight. I got the 125 CC Honda Pizza bike a couple of years ago down in La Paz; still lives in my garage; I then bought an R1100R which I had for a couple of months while I figured out that I was into motorcycles; the R1100R got traded for the 2007 R1200R about a year and about 7K miles ago.

Did work all day today; came home; got on the R12 and put another 100 miles on it. Home for dinner. Big hero stopped and bought oranges and corn on way home.

So here's the deal; I have flirted with the thought of other bikes; but, the R12 just keeps growing on me. For all of the above reasons. Especially because it's unique and traces back to 1923. I recently rode some Triumph Triples and they howl and all; but the torque and power of the big boxer has no equal. Plus the weight is down low and shaft drive; and those brakes; those freaking amazing brakes. Bike is stable and forgiving. I'm growing into it.

Got the seat sorted; got the windshield sorted --- now it's just ride; 15 dollars worth of high test is a lot of fun.

[Caroanbill]

I don't ride my R12R all that often, and almost never ride it in the city. So in nearly four years it's managed 10,000km a year, with all of that out in open country ...

... where it fits me and the ride like no other bike I've owned. My K100RT came close, and I could certainly take that bike for consecutive 1000km days - but the twin's character (and let's be honest, heritage), the non-reaction from the Paralever (remember torque reaction?), the suppleness and no-dive of the Telelever, the ABS brakes and traction control - have it all over the RT. My F650CS was perfect in a different way - a great re-entry bike (even though I'd only had four years "off", I'd lost a lot of confidence) and a fabulous light tourer - still completely eclipsed by the Roadster in every facet save city manouverability (and now I've a Vespa that perfect for the city).

So my last spin - 670km (420mi) out over twisties, open range, more twisties and a mountain run - simply reminded me that nothing has ever suited me in the way this bike does. I plan to keep it 10 years, if not more: there's nothing out there that would beat it over the mix of roads I ride it on: not even hypersports get away from me over a touring day's ride on real-world roads.

I guess my next bike will have adjustable everything, from the engine map to ABS / ASC and suspension .. but the R12R ergos and suspension are diallied in just right for me (only the seat niggles). Who knows - by then we might be riding leaning 3 wheelers (for those who've seen what a Piaggio MP3 can do with two front contact patches, and are amazed). Until then, I'm very happy indeed.

[mogu83]

It's paid for.

[dokotela]

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said so far.

I guess at the end of the day you need to find a bike that just suits you, and I believe I've found it. However, not only does it suit me, it excites me every time I swing a leg over.

Fantastic machine, and I expect to have it for many years to come.

Cheers,

Julian

[jess]

In addition to my enormous fleet of scooters (I'm serious -- I have a really bad scooter problem) I previously had a Moto Guzzi Nevada 750 as my sole motorcycle. In four years, I put a bit over 4000 miles on it. It was okay, and it had character, but I would almost always choose to ride one of my scooters instead of the Guzzi.

When my commute changed for the worse, and the distances involved would mean changing the rear tire of the scooter every 5 weeks or so, I decided to plunk down the cash on the R1200R for my primary commute vehicle.

The difference between the Guzzi and the R1200R is enormous. The Guzzi had a better seat and a much nicer exhaust note, but is inferior to the R1200R in every other way. I noticed immediately that riding the R12R was nearly effortless, that I only had to think which direction I wanted to go, and the bike would respond as if by telepathy. Quick swerves, especially, became something to be relished instead of feared. In the first 12 months of owning the R12R, I put about 13,000 miles on it. What a difference!

Hmmm. It's about lunch time. I think I'll go take a ride.

[Sander Abernathy]

I love that the new speedometer is so small I can speed with impunity...and so far only one speeding ticket.

[Brewmaster]

[Oaktown]

Good one, Brewmaster. Gotta admit I find this ad campaign hilarious. I roared the other day when one proclaimed, "He can climb a cactus with ease."