BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

A recent mixed review by AdamG sparked a curiosity in me. I love the R12R because of several reasons. It can go almost anywhere, it handles well and is fairly powerful. It can carry luggage, it's pretty comfortable, reliable, etc etc etc. It led me to ask this question:

If you could only have 1 bike to do everything, and you could not have a BMW R1200R for whatever reason, what bike would it be? And why?

R1150R?

Very Funny. Okay fine - no R1100R, R1150R, Rockster, whatever.

GS

Been looking at the R800R as well. But, its hard to beat my R12R - was thinking yesterday on a ride at how smooth it was at 80+ mph.

I wanted to replace my R1150R and I had several bikes on my short list.
R1200R, RT
Kawi Concours
Ducati Multistrada 1200

I ended up going with the Duc. I gave up the shaft drive and Telelever for that great Testestretta engine. I've put 1800 miles on it since I brought it home 2 weeks ago. Seat and riding position are quite comfortable, although the seat could be a little softer. The windscreen will have to go as there is too much buffeting, but there are several aftermarket options available. Was stuck in downtown DC traffic in 100 degree heat the other day. Went 8 miles in 90 minutes. I was sweating badly, but was glad for water cooling. Coolant temp never went above 224. Bike is lightweight and handles VERY well. In "Sport" H(aka pants filling) mode, there is an incredible amount of power available past 4k RPM. 3rd gear wheelies. In Urban and Touring modes, the bike is a pussycat until pushed. It does get pretty lumpy when lugging at low (<2000) RPMs. Have to feather the clutch a bit to maintain less than 10MPH.

So far, it is nicely filling the Swiss Army Knife niche that my R1150R filled so well.

I have my R1200R all packed and eagerly waiting for Tuesday, when I depart for the BMWMOA Rally in Bloomsburg, PA. Looking at it in the garage, I can't honestly think of any other bike I would prefer to my R1200R. It has served me well, both on trips around town and on three touring trips of 2,000 plus miles, each.

I really didn't understand what most of the guy from Liverpool, England said in his assessment/review/complaints of the R1200R.

The only bike I might consider as a replacement would be if BMW resurrected the R1200C cruiser and equipped it with the current hexhead, dual OHC engine.

Bill

I was looking for a bike to be as flexible as it could be since I could only have one. Other than the R12R I bought, I looked at the Duicati Multistrada (both the 1100DS and 1200 versions), GS, Triumph ST and Tiger (although that new GT looks good too) and also a Guzzi Norge and Stelvio. I may have gone Guzzi if service was more readily available and I will probably own a Duc MTS someday, the timing just wasn't right for that bike at the time.

Nothing wrong with my beemer, I love it, I just may have to get that Italian V-twin angst out of my system someday.

I'd be looking at the F800ST. It would probably be more conducive than the Roadster to commuting, smaller, lighter, better mpg. If it turned out to be too flimsy for potential touring I'd give the R1200GS a test. If it weren't for the chain and desmo maintenance a Monster could be something. Not sure about he new Guzzi V7, but maybe worth a look.

Last year, I decided that it was time to replace my aging K75RT. I was looking for something similar. But preferably lighter.

I considered the GS, but didn't like the skinny front tire. The FJR was nice. but way too heavy.

I then gave serious thought to the newly-released Honda NT700V. And I may have bought it, except for the integral luggage and the frequent valve maintenance.

If BMW had created a F800RT, I would have looked at that too.

But I'm really pleased w/ the R12R. IMO, no other motorcycle out there quite like it. Great round-towner, and surprising good as a tourer. (I've done three separate 3000+ mile trips with her.)

I agree with the idea of the Multistrada or Triumph ST. But I'm inseam challenged--a sports doctor once told me I had the torso of someone 6'2" and the legs of someone 5'6". (Somewhere out there is a 5'6" person with my legs). Both of those alternatives are taller than the R, so they would pose a challenge with landings and parking. The same applies to the GS. I put a few hundred miles on an RT service loaner and, while I felt comfortable on it, it never generated the grins that I got from either my R or my previous F800ST.

If money was not a consideration? HP2 Sport

Otherwise a Triumph Street Triple R. Maybe a KTM Super Duke.
If it was all about price, i'd get the new GSXR-750

Hmm, I think I´d go with a Tiger 1050. Or maybe a 1200GS which I find rather boring but practical. If I was smaller I´d seriously consider a F800ST again. But what I´d really want to have is a Moto Guzzi Griso, the day they come with ABS and a dealer within 300km from me I´ll get one for sure.

I am surprised that a few people have mentioned the Ducati Multi. Remember reliability is one of the strong suits of the R12R - not too sure about the Italian makes (though I love them).

Recently I believe Road Runner magazine named the Multistrada the "Bike of the Year". They picked this bike in spite of the fact it died unexpectedly several times through out the test. Yikes. I like the Multi too, but I'd question it's reliability on a cross country trip. As far as the other suggestions...

An HP2? I can't imagine going cross country on one of those. And what if there's a dirt road?
Tiger? Not a bad suggestion
GS? An obvious alternative
F800ST? Seems to make sense.

Funny - no Japanese make is mentioned

Suzuki V-Strom 1000

Ric wrote:Suzuki V-Strom 1000

I´m sure that's a really good bike, but there´s something about japanese bikes from the last 10-15 years that doesn't appeal to me at all. I just find them all completely soulless somehow. Same with almost all japanese cars, there´s just something lacking.

GS or GSA. Closest match to the RR. Love the Boxer engine, and the GSA has all the farkles installed from the beginning. I, like most of us, figured out that I farkled the cost of the RR to essentially what a full up RT would have cost, so I will not fall into that trap again.

HP2 sport,but i'm biased as I have one!

Woland wrote:Hmm, I think I´d go with a Tiger 1050. Or maybe a 1200GS which I find rather boring but practical. If I was smaller I´d seriously consider a F800ST again. But what I´d really want to have is a Moto Guzzi Griso, the day they come with ABS and a dealer within 300km from me I´ll get one for sure.

Nice avatar

rockbottom wrote:

Woland wrote:Hmm, I think I´d go with a Tiger 1050. Or maybe a 1200GS which I find rather boring but practical. If I was smaller I´d seriously consider a F800ST again. But what I´d really want to have is a Moto Guzzi Griso, the day they come with ABS and a dealer within 300km from me I´ll get one for sure.

Nice avatar

Have to agree. Love that avatar!