New guy looking for a R1200R

[Blackdog]

I'm new here but I've been riding for 40 years. I've owned a BMW R50, R90 and R100S. I just sold my Buell XB12R. I have a bad knee and was considering the R1200GS for the leg room (I can't bend my right knee bent more than 80 degrees for any more than 50 miles). I sat on a R1200R and found it comfortable with the high seat so since I'm a sport bike guy I though I'd take a closer look the the "R". I might consider the low pegs also. Anyway some questions.

I'm looking for a new or nearly new bike, most likley a 2005 to 2009. I want the 109HP engine. What year did BMW up the HP to 109?

Any major differences in the 2005-2009 bikes?

I just found a 2007 with 800 miles on craigs list, it has computer, ABS, Nav and bags for $13,500, it this a fair deal?

Why is a "R" so much cheaper than the "GS"?

I use to do my own valve adjustments and rear main seal replacments on my air heads, are the newer oil heads different?

Thanks

[celticus]

That is not many miles for a 2007 bike. Has it had the EWS and brake line recall fixes done?

"I use to do my own valve adjustments and rear main seal replacments on my air heads, are the newer oil heads different?"
They are a little different but there are great step by step pictorials around to help. Should be no problem for you.

There are way more aftermarket thingies for the GS but way more plastic cr@p on the body (tank) to clutter the looks. In my opinion.

I'm not sure what the first year model for the R1200R is. I think it was 2007. I bought mine in late 2006 and it is titled as a 2007.

If you are tall with that knee a GS might afford you more leg room.

Mark

[Blackdog]

Being able to have multiple leg positions is very important. On my air heads I use to rest my legs on top of the cylinders on long rides. I could get some of those valve cover mounted pegs also.

Yes, the GS would offer more leg room but to be honest I just don't like it's style. It's a big bike for one thing and I'm not a fan of it's looks. I have no desire to off road a giant bike either.

[deilenberger]

I'm new here but I've been riding for 40 years. I've owned a BMW R50, R90 and R100S. I just sold my Buell XB12R. I have a bad knee and was considering the R1200GS for the leg room (I can't bend my right knee bent more than 80 degrees for any more than 50 miles). I sat on a R1200R and found it comfortable with the high seat so since I'm a sport bike guy I though I'd take a closer look the the "R". I might consider the low pegs also. Anyway some questions.

I'm looking for a new or nearly new bike, most likley a 2005 to 2009. I want the 109HP engine. What year did BMW up the HP to 109?

The first R12R was 2007, they have all been 109HP.

Any major differences in the 2005-2009 bikes?

No - colors

I just found a 2007 with 800 miles on craigs list, it has computer, ABS, Nav and bags for $13,500, it this a fair deal?

No - price is high even if miles are low. I would expect to pay about $12,000 for this bike. It only has 1 year or so of warranty left on it - and new it cost ~$15,000. $1,500 off new and loosing 2 years of warranty isn't a good deal to me.

Why is a "R" so much cheaper than the "GS"?

It isn't when you get them with the same options. There are no stripped GS's - the R is available (theoretically - no dealers order them) without ABS, centerstand, OBC, TPM, ASC, heated grips, bags, shield, etc - for "list" price of ~$12.9k, but you'll never find one like this at a dealer.

I use to do my own valve adjustments and rear main seal replacments on my air heads, are the newer oil heads different?

Twice as many valves to do, and we don't do rear main seals on Hexheads (it's a "hexhead" not an "oilhead") - they aren't a known failure point.

Thanks

[famousperson]

I just found a 2007 with 800 miles on craigs list, it has computer, ABS, Nav and bags for $13,500, it this a fair deal?

I disagree that farkles shouldn't be a factor in the price of a used motorcycle, especially expensive items like bags and a nav system. Let's say OP buys a comparable bike for $2000 less without the farkles, then shells out another $2000 to get them. What's the difference? Sure, things like an Ilmubergr hugger for $375 which a person may have absolutely no use for, or would have bought cheaper in fiber glass, has zero value to the buyer. But what if that was the first mod he was going to make to his new bike? Then it's worth $375 to him (less maybe some percentage because now it's dirty). Let''s say the bike OP is asking about already had lowered pegs, which he said he might well buy, anyway. They're worth $265 (or whatever) whether they're on the bike or he has to buy them from Chicago BMW, and he would save the shipping and having to install them.

The valueless farkle is a great argument to be made by a buyer, but it stinks for the seller. Let's say the seller takes them off and sells them for $0.50 or $0.75 cents on the dollar. What's the difference if he wants to add that to the price of the bike, instead. It saves the hassle of trying to sell them seperately.

If I was buying a motorcycle today, and even knowing what I know now (which I didn't know when I bought mine two years ago), I would have thought a practically brand new bike and otherwise in good shape with bags and nav + all the rest for $13,500 would be a reasonable purchase. Which is not to say I woudn't try to beat him down $500 to $1000 hoping he was desperate. And I would use the valueless farkle argument on him, too. But if the seller had his wits about him, he wouldn't buy into it.

jmvho

Peter

[Blackdog]

I'm still looking. I passed on the bike in Craigslist for now as it's too close to the price of a new one. The local dealers are firm on there prices so I might try an out of state dealer. I heard there is a California dealer that will dicker, anyone know what dealer that is? Thanks

[alaskaflyer]

I have a 2008 R1200R (Black) ABS, Onboard computer, Staintune slip on exhaust, GS Hand Guards, Sport screen, All TSB's done, 600 and 6K service done by dealer. Bike has 8,000 miles on it. I'm looking for $11,800. PM me if interested, I do live in VA though which could make this a deal killer. I have shipped bikes before with Forward Air and it costs about 5 to 600 dollars.

Gary

[Blackdog]

I ended up getting a 2005 R1200GS. This is the 100 HP bike, anyway to get the 109 HP that the new bikes get?