I sat on one today

[yjleesvrr]

Given my crazy travel schedule, the most convenient place to buy a battery for my Roadster was at Cross Country BMW in Metuchen, New Jersey. So I drove down the turnpike from Summit (Exit 14) to Metuchen (Exit 10 on the Turnpike, Exit 2a on I-287) in the pouring rain. I decided to take some time at the dealership to covet the new steeds on display. They had a couple R1200Rs - a silver one and a black one. The R1200R seems lot smaller than the R1150R, and the lightness of the new bike is very telling when you straddle one and sway it back and forth with the handlebar. A R1200GS next to it seemed much larger by comparison. The impression I get with the new Roadster is that it's not going to be as good of a tourer as the R1150R. Has anyone here owned both? Any experience as to how they compare with each other?

I'll probably wait until the summer of '08 or even '09 to buy my next bike. I'll want a touring-capable bike, and right now the R1200GS and K1200GT are at the top of my list. The K1200S is also a viable choice since the sitting posture on it is relatively sane compared to most Japanese and Italian sportbikes. I would gladly buy the new Roadster if it's as good of a tourer as the R1150R.

[Deans BMW]

Yong, you will find that the new R1200R will be a better tourer than the R1150R in that it is smoother, better milage, smoother tranny, better and larger saddle bags, better handling, more power better lights and a long list of BMW accessories to enable you to taylor your bike to the way you want to...........................just to name a few things.

[sjbmw]

Other that the 33% jump in price, it's a safe bet it's a fine upgrade.
Less weight, and more power, has always been the top wish list.

Which leads me to wonder....

Does anyone have any examples where a motorcycle company screwed up a popular bike or model line with a new model that went in the wrong direction?

[motorradguy]

Having ridden both the 1150 and now owning the 1200R, The R1200R is a more overall capable machine. I do think though that the 1150R with more weight was a bit more stable at higher speeds on the pikes.

Owning the R1200GS for 4000 miles -vs- the R1200R = The R1200R is a better tourer. That's just personal opinion. The GS's front end at highway speeds gets loose especially around the 18 wheelers. The R1200r feels much more planted. That was the main and only reason I parted with the GS. It had what I felt was poor highway manners.

[yjleesvrr]

The GS's front end at highway speeds gets loose especially around the 18 wheelers. The R1200r feels much more planted. That was the main and only reason I parted with the GS. It had what I felt was poor highway manners.

Hmmm. Interesting. I would not have guessed this but I can see how this might manifest itself given how high the front part of the GS is.

SJ - I guess you're right. My question really stems from the lighter weight. I really love the weight of my R for touring purposes. The heft of the R1150R makes it much better suited for the highway than my SV650, for instance. I guess I'm going to have to test-ride one to figure it out for myself next spring.

[runeo]

I sat on three today!

[motorradguy]

I sat on three today!

Buddy....you ROCK!!!

[johno]

At last I got to sit on one today.
Not too fussed about the seat, although a ride may change my mind.
At last they have put the battery where you can get at it!!
Dont like the oil cooler. Elcheapo plastic surround looks like something off a Hysong.
Will make the time oneday to ride one, although not in the market yet for one.
Our price is not a lot more than the last price on the R1150R, so that is a bonus.

[R4R&R]

I finally sat on one At Bob's BMW last week. Different, and nice looking. The oil cooler isn't as large as it appears in the photos. I like it and if I was looking at buying a roadster right now then I would consider it, but I can't justify replacing my current ride with it.