Upgrading to R1200R? No, thank you.

[Deans BMW]

You are all going to be amazed when you finely get to ride the new R1200R. Take my word for it.

[Beemerbum]

the new R1200R is faster, stronger, etc.

but

it doesn't make my heart beat faster as the R1150R did 3 years ago..

yes, it's soooo simple.

Any pictures of the new R1200R?

[toner87]

just google image search r1200r bmw

Or:

[johno]

Doesnt look as tough as the 1150R. I like my Beekster

[Neil]

Has anyone herd if there is going to be a ROCKSTER R1200R yet perhaps with even more HP and the optional OLIN suspension from the new R1200S now that would be something I would by

[scottybooj]

Deano, it could be K1200R quick, it doesn't matter. It looks cheap. It looks like a perfect starter bike. It has no muscular appearance, it's got black plastic instead of plastic brightwork.

It looks like a breva 750.


oh, and...NO FREAKING WAY FOR 13,000$$$$???? WTF?

[ranmar850]

Y' know, this slagging off of a replacement model by owners of the soon-to-be-superseded current model always makes me smile, and certainly isn't restricted to the notoriously conservative BMW crowd. They see their resale sliding away, they know their much-loved machines will look dated, be slower, etc. It starts as soon as the new model is announced, reaches a crescendo as the first photos are batted about, mutes a little as the improved performance figures are released, and is eventually washed away by the success of the new model. Anyone noticed the debate still raging on any R1100S board about the new 1200S? The ones fighting a rearguard action are reduced to bitching about no hard luggage. Can't win anywhere else....Did you see it won Bike UK's comparison of sporty street bikes(not race-reps).

And a Beakster looks "tough"? -C'mon, the only variation that comes anywhere near that is the Rock. You can see why H-D designers never change the looks much, disguise any technical advances well---- remember the howls about the V-Rod . Best, quickest thing ever built by H-D, and the Harley "purists" hated it. Do you want BMW to keep building the R69? It even looks like you won't have to change the pipe and can out; they have realised people want to be able to actually hear their exhausts, a little. Stock R bikes sound like a sewing machine, all you can hear are tappets. Basically, it's all sour grapes, with no real sense behind, except, perhaps for styling preferences--all that new fruit is optional, you don't want it, fine, don't buy it. ( I know I wouldn't) And as to the post from someone talking about a supposed "tiny" power difference between the old and new--you haven't ridden a hexhead; even in the lower GS spec, it kills an 1150.

I await the flames...

[r1150rider]

ranmar, you echo my sentiments exactly... my 1150R has given me 5 years and over 60k miles of great riding. But it's time for something new, and hopefully the 1200R will be a worthy replacement. In about a half-hour, I'll be getting on the beemer and doing an 8 day ride up through the northwestern states- I'll be intereted to see where this thread goes while I'm gone...

[sjbmw]

What has died with this model is the entry level price point for BMW big bore models. It's hooligan looks don't match it's price.

I paid $9990 for my BMW, and it was this price point that made it feasible to skip a Asian model. Sure, there are many better heeled riders that say money is not the issue. For some it is.

As we read about dealer closures (My local Honda Yamaha dealer just built a new multi million dollar facility, my incredibly successful BMW dealer had to add Victory and Ducati and renovate an old restaurant) the entry level bike is really important.

I went to a rally and the average age of the riders was 51. 51!

The new price points on the R1200R no longer make it a entry level bike.

But we should not complain. These higher price points will keep the R1150R resale values a little higher for a while anyway.

[AllanCook]

I'm baffled by the "doesn't look tough," "looks cheap" comments. Really, if you look at profile shots of the 1150 and 1200 side by side, they don't look all that different. I was never crazy about the beak, so the new front end looks OK to me. The black, industrial instrument cluster looks very cool and modern to me. The tank really vibes the same to me. My only design quibble is the placement of that chunky oil cooler, but I'm getting used to that. I wish they'd found a way to keep the integrated brake and tranny fluid reservoirs.

Cheap-looking the new R certainly is not. If anything, the lines and absence of chrome bits makes it look "tougher," more contemporary and edgier than the previous model. If you want to be a hooligan, buy a Bonneville (I happen to have a nice example for sale, if you're interested). Not to mention the important parts: Much more horsepower and torque on a significantly lighter platform. I can't wait for mine.

[JCsman]

What has died with this model is the entry level price point for BMW big bore models.

As we read about dealer closures (My local Honda Yamaha dealer just built a new multi million dollar facility, my incredibly successful BMW dealer had to add Victory and Ducati and renovate an old restaurant) the entry level bike is really important.

On the mark, SJ - for both of the above points. (Of course the fact that I'm over that horrifying 51.51 age you mention earns you negative marks!)

A boxer twin IS a BMW to me. The F650 looks like a nice bike, the new parallel twins look nice as well. But neither of them is low priced either. More importantly. neither would have drawn me to a BMW dealer. Once there I might have given them a look, but it took the boxer to get me there.

And the new K bikes are getting a ton of good press. But, at least here, I just don't see them on the street, even compared to the R bikes.

The price may be necessary due to general inflation (a little) and the decline in the dollar (a LOT). But there are a lot of really good bikes at or below the price of the "stripper" R1200R.

Your other point is about disappearing dealers. My dealer (the only one in the entire state) carries Ducati, Triumph, Vespa and some other odd scooter model. I pray for his success.

[socalrob]

Ranmar,

I agree. It always goes this way. I bet the 850 is a smooth little sucker and a really nice ride. I'm sure alot of 850 riders rail on and on about how wasteful and vibey the 1150 is.

It is too bad about the R1200R not really being a price point entry bike, but I guess I look at it as costing BMW the same to make an R1200R as an R1200ST. Thats why old Dallara didn't think BMW would make an R1200R. I doubt BMW made any $$ on the R1150R. I imagine the R1150R took away sales from the other boxers, at a steep financial cost to BMW. What is the manufacturing cost between a R1150R & a R1150RT? I doubt over a few hundred $$.

I also agree with the boxer being THE BMW thing. Nothing else out there on the road (well, I guess the Ural sidecars) looks remotely like it. I can spot a boxer 8 lanes away over a freeway divider. Anything else is a generic cruiser or a generic non boxer. I can't tell a K bike from a Honda without being fairly close. If I get another BMW it would be a boxer. And I guess I am BMW's demographic, because anything under about $20K its all the same to me & I'll get what I want. If I wanted to save $$ I would 100 percent look elsewhere, and that not being Ducati either.

I'm a gadjet freak. Hey, BMW has loaded the R1200R with gadjets. If I didn't like gadjets (like ABS) I would be looking Italian.

BTW, I'm with Ed in that I like my 1150 and probably will replace it with a 1200, GS or R. Thats pretty boring, being a go with the flow don't rock the boat kind of guy, kind of like being married for a long time in a monogomous relationship. Hey, thats me too.

[1150929]

Man, you sound really peeved Ranmar850. Did you just order a new R12R?

I was one of those who said the new 12R looks really bland...just looked at it again and I think its looks worse. No need to freak, just an opinion.

And I was the one who said the new 12GS never showed the promised extra 15hp from the 1150, and backed it up. But I'm sure a new GS feels way more powerful than an old GS, but most of that came from the huge weight diff. I rode a 12GS at a demo day, and it didn't feel faster than my R. The RT I tried at Ohio last year did though, but still wouldn't "kill" the R. My Fireblade "kills" the R.

Better? Fine. But I got little time for marketing hype. So if you did order a new R, thats great, nice bike. But how about taking criticism at face value?

[ranmar850]

Sorry if you thought I was criticising you personally , 1150929-I wasn't, just making a general observation on what happens when a much-loved model is up for replacement. I'm not peeved, and no, I haven't ordered a new R, and probably won't-for that sort of money, I might as well have an R1200ST--now theres a truly ugly BMW! To some anyway, I think they look OK, and on one of my trips to the big smoke, might get to ride a demo--every time I have one lined up, they ring me to apologise for selling it just before I arrive I would love a 1200S, but do like taking the pillion in a million along sometimes, and don't think she'd like the seating arrangements. My miles are all open road, the Rock isn't really the best for that, I just happen to like it.
If you want a good laugh, go to the Pelican Parts forum, on the R1100s/R1200s section and look for the thread on the" fully loaded "R1200s--go down a bit, and find the bogus BMW website someone has manufactured--brilliant!

[M1ka]

At $13K it is not an entry level bike in competition with the Japanize, but is that BMW's plan. Remember they have the F800 series comiing out and need a price point range for them. Perhaps we are seeing the raising of the low end of the R series that is all.

[1150929]

If you want a good laugh, go to the Pelican Parts forum, on the R1100s/R1200s section and look for the thread on the" fully loaded "R1200s--go down a bit, and find the bogus BMW website someone has manufactured--brilliant!

that is TOO funny. Thanks.

And true, R1100S owners have little reason to complain; the R1200S is beautiful AND seems better in every way other than touring and comfort aspects. The ST should fill that void, but why WHY is it so weird looking. Opps, I'm complaining again.

Up here, ST's seem to sit around a bit at the dealers. Maybe this will force a re-style of an otherwise excellent bike. In the meantine, I'l sit on my money...or credit

[AllanCook]

Could one of y'all please post the link to the Pelican Parts bit? A number of people have referred to it, but I can't seem to find anything especially funny. Although I think there's a guy on there who's a buddy's father.

[DJ Downunder]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/forumdis ... forumid=24

DJ

[AllanCook]

Pretty good. Thanks, DJ. I would never have found it without your help.

[chris]

Did you see the carbon fibre toilet further down? Thought it was a toilet built into a top box at first sight...