I know that its not officially launched until next weekend but saw a nice new R1200R parked up on the seafront at Bridlinton this afternoon. In Black, Looked much nicer in the flesh than the press pictures, I thought it looked very much like the outgoing R1150, All in all I liked and look forward to test riding one.
Peter.
R1200R
Moderators: Gromit, Paul, slparry
Looking forward to seeing one in the flesh myself next weekend. A test ride will of course have to be sampled - reckon it'll be a fun bike to ride, especially with the 110bhp motor.
Can't help but thinking that the new Guzzi might just pip it in the desirability stakes though and also that, somewhat ironically, an Italian machine may be built better than a German one.
Can't help but thinking that the new Guzzi might just pip it in the desirability stakes though and also that, somewhat ironically, an Italian machine may be built better than a German one.
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Boxadog 2000
- Member
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- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:29 pm
- Location: Looking over hedges
Very true Bob - when Paul & I had our little spin out on Mandello's finest earlier this year (Griso & Breva) I was pleasantly surprised at how the Breva had stood up to its 9500 miles - the majority of which it had covered over the winter months, in the hands of all and sundry as the workshop/showroom demo/hack/loaner.
No flaky paint on the forks, no bloomed-up paint from knees rubbing on the tank, nor corrosion on any nut or bolt.
The projected price of the new 1200 Guzzi would be itro 750 quid less than the 1200R.
Like you though, I still like BMs for their 'we'll do it our way' attitude and their bikes' relevance to real-world biking.
No flaky paint on the forks, no bloomed-up paint from knees rubbing on the tank, nor corrosion on any nut or bolt.
The projected price of the new 1200 Guzzi would be itro 750 quid less than the 1200R.
Like you though, I still like BMs for their 'we'll do it our way' attitude and their bikes' relevance to real-world biking.
The Guzzis are beautiful bikes, but I think what will swing it for BMW are their luggage systems and their "perceived" build quality.
The R1150r is a useful bike, and a bit more power/bit less vibration must be good.
Al
The R1150r is a useful bike, and a bit more power/bit less vibration must be good.
Al
If I am ever on life support - Unplug me......
Then plug me back in..........
See if that works .....
Then plug me back in..........
See if that works .....
...saw two yesterday ; here they are...
Have a nice day !
Ron.
R1200S + R1200RT
(RoLoo as in RowLow...)
Ron.
R1200S + R1200RT
(RoLoo as in RowLow...)
Nice pics Ron. 
The bike? I'm still not really convinced (although I like the rear light unit). The fuel tank still looks all wrong - they started at the rear with a nice enough line & shape, then half way along popped out to make a coffee than while they were out the cleaner came in and finished off the front.
The off-set clocks look ridiculous aswell - there's no central, focal point for the rider. In the same way as the clocks look all wrong on the newer Fazer 6.
And don't get me started on this whole matt finish paint on the tank etc. I want something to POLISH ferchrissakes!!!!
At £8295 it's also at least grand too expensive. If the Guzzi 1200S comes in at its projected £7300 it'll make the BM look very poor value for money. If it holds its value that won't be such a problem, but it ain't going to be worth what a GS would be after a couple of years' ownership.
The bike? I'm still not really convinced (although I like the rear light unit). The fuel tank still looks all wrong - they started at the rear with a nice enough line & shape, then half way along popped out to make a coffee than while they were out the cleaner came in and finished off the front.
The off-set clocks look ridiculous aswell - there's no central, focal point for the rider. In the same way as the clocks look all wrong on the newer Fazer 6.
And don't get me started on this whole matt finish paint on the tank etc. I want something to POLISH ferchrissakes!!!!
At £8295 it's also at least grand too expensive. If the Guzzi 1200S comes in at its projected £7300 it'll make the BM look very poor value for money. If it holds its value that won't be such a problem, but it ain't going to be worth what a GS would be after a couple of years' ownership.
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BMWR1150RS
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:08 am
Nice one Alan - I have to admit that having ridden one last saturday I absolutely LOVED the bike. For me, it is the best of the current Boxer range (I haven't ridden an RT though). I'm even willing to put my still slight unease with its looks on the back-burner.
It's quick, very light on its feet and a total hoot to ride. A great bike and the only one in the BM range which would make me think of changing my BCR.
It's quick, very light on its feet and a total hoot to ride. A great bike and the only one in the BM range which would make me think of changing my BCR.
Paul wrote:Well make your mind up quickly before I splash some cash on an F800S!
You should get a good deal at this time of year Paul - I think my mate said SP:shock: gave him 3200 for his S against his Ohlins clad 1200S which had about £9500 on the sticker but for which he paid £8500 or there abouts, with a hugger and a bag thrown in.
Jason
2002 Black GSA (for random fault analysis and for stealing all my weekends fixing the b'stard)
2000 Black R1100S (for remembering the good old times)
2000 Black R1100S (for remembering the good old times)
Paul wrote:Well make your mind up quickly before I splash some cash on an F800S!
Just do it anyway Paul - that yellow looks fabulous with the black wheels
I did say that the 1200R was (in my v humble opinion) the nicest Boxer in the range - still reckon the 800S takes it as the most fun, by a short nose, bike BMW make.
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RiceBurner
- The Mirthman Prophecy
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- Location: Hiding in your blind spot....
- Contact:
Brief Spin Report
For those who could be interested (and I realise that's not most of you).
Right, had an R1200R on loan for a couple of days and covered about 270 miles, mostly on one tankful, which was impressive. Took it on A-roads, d/c, London and some b-roads (both with and without panniers&pillion).
My overall impression : Gawd, it's a bit dull innit. :dozey:
Handling is good, brakes very good, engine has plenty of poke and the gearbox is the lightest BM box I've used yet, and yet.... and yet.... it's boring. Probably the first BM I've ever found boring. Yes, it does everything pretty well, yes it's well finished and has the usual toys: ESA, Info computer(Ambient Temperature, Range, ESA settings, two readouts that I assumed were mileage and reserve, but didn't seem to work :confused: ), Telelever, Paralever, Big panniers (the new style RT ones); and looks "ok" (more about that later), but it's utterly un-inspiring and a pleasure to get off.
The main issue I had with my bike, which incidentally had a natty little flyscreen which I thought was actually quite effective, was the seat. It's a fucking PLANK and induced buttock ache within 30 minutes on every ride. BMW seats have been steadily getting worse these past few years, and aside from a pet consipiracy theory I have that the designer responsible has shares in Corbin, Sargent, Airhawk, and the people who make those odd sheepskin covers; I am at a complete loss to explain it. BMW seats made 30 years ago where good for multiple hundreds of miles in the saddle without stopping, the new ones would be better off being used for armco at racetracks and the riders left with the (probably more forgiving) frame rails! Message to BMW : FUCKING SORT IT OUT!!!
My other issue with the R1200R is the detail design. The overall concept I can understand, but (as with the Ducati 999) I cannot comprehend some of the industrial design that has gone into the bike (or maybe it hasn't!). The clocks for example, quite apart from the fact that they're cockeyed, hard to read (athough the gear selected display is VERY clear ); why the fuck are they stuck up in the breeze as if they were an afterthought!! I can quite genuinely see the very proud designer at BMW say to his Boss: "Here iz ze new klassic shape vor BMV, ve have lowered ze headlight to lower ze overall look ov ze machiner, and kreated a zlick image, ja!", only for the gruppenfuhrer to observe half-way through the pre-production run: "Vere's the instruments, Dumpkopf!" :rolleyes:
The one spark of interesting riding I had out of the bike was when a TLGP on the first day got a bit heated and I neglected to change up through wanting to get away rapidly: the revs climbed up above 6K just as I got on the throttle properly and the front promptly lifted 2 feet without warning. (obviously the presence of pillion & panniers had nothing to do with this, ahem.
). I got the engine spinning up hard a couple of times on subsequent rides and there is a definite step in the output at 6K. Whether this is enough to make the bike interesting I'm not sure. I'm also not sure if it's appropriate in this bike. The R1200R is a bike for genteel riding by riders "of a certain age", and hooligans simply will not be interested by a bike that looks "like your Granny could ride it" (Thanks to Mitzi for that one. )
I don't really know how well BM will do with this bike, I'm sure they'll sell a few, but I seriously doubt it'll be as popular, or as successful as the R1150R, and to be honest, I don't feel that it deserves to be as successful as that machine.
Normally I'd urge most riders to go to their nearest BM dealer and take a test-ride to see for themselves that BMs can be a real alternative to their usual choices, but in this case, I really don't feel that I can. The R1200R is a disappointing bike that I really didn't like.
For those who could be interested (and I realise that's not most of you).
Right, had an R1200R on loan for a couple of days and covered about 270 miles, mostly on one tankful, which was impressive. Took it on A-roads, d/c, London and some b-roads (both with and without panniers&pillion).
My overall impression : Gawd, it's a bit dull innit. :dozey:
Handling is good, brakes very good, engine has plenty of poke and the gearbox is the lightest BM box I've used yet, and yet.... and yet.... it's boring. Probably the first BM I've ever found boring. Yes, it does everything pretty well, yes it's well finished and has the usual toys: ESA, Info computer(Ambient Temperature, Range, ESA settings, two readouts that I assumed were mileage and reserve, but didn't seem to work :confused: ), Telelever, Paralever, Big panniers (the new style RT ones); and looks "ok" (more about that later), but it's utterly un-inspiring and a pleasure to get off.
The main issue I had with my bike, which incidentally had a natty little flyscreen which I thought was actually quite effective, was the seat. It's a fucking PLANK and induced buttock ache within 30 minutes on every ride. BMW seats have been steadily getting worse these past few years, and aside from a pet consipiracy theory I have that the designer responsible has shares in Corbin, Sargent, Airhawk, and the people who make those odd sheepskin covers; I am at a complete loss to explain it. BMW seats made 30 years ago where good for multiple hundreds of miles in the saddle without stopping, the new ones would be better off being used for armco at racetracks and the riders left with the (probably more forgiving) frame rails! Message to BMW : FUCKING SORT IT OUT!!!
My other issue with the R1200R is the detail design. The overall concept I can understand, but (as with the Ducati 999) I cannot comprehend some of the industrial design that has gone into the bike (or maybe it hasn't!). The clocks for example, quite apart from the fact that they're cockeyed, hard to read (athough the gear selected display is VERY clear
); why the fuck are they stuck up in the breeze as if they were an afterthought!! I can quite genuinely see the very proud designer at BMW say to his Boss: "Here iz ze new klassic shape vor BMV, ve have lowered ze headlight to lower ze overall look ov ze machiner, and kreated a zlick image, ja!", only for the gruppenfuhrer to observe half-way through the pre-production run: "Vere's the instruments, Dumpkopf!" :rolleyes:
The one spark of interesting riding I had out of the bike was when a TLGP on the first day got a bit heated and I neglected to change up through wanting to get away rapidly: the revs climbed up above 6K just as I got on the throttle properly and the front promptly lifted 2 feet without warning. (obviously the presence of pillion & panniers had nothing to do with this, ahem.
). I got the engine spinning up hard a couple of times on subsequent rides and there is a definite step in the output at 6K. Whether this is enough to make the bike interesting I'm not sure. I'm also not sure if it's appropriate in this bike. The R1200R is a bike for genteel riding by riders "of a certain age", and hooligans simply will not be interested by a bike that looks "like your Granny could ride it" (Thanks to Mitzi for that one. )
I don't really know how well BM will do with this bike, I'm sure they'll sell a few, but I seriously doubt it'll be as popular, or as successful as the R1150R, and to be honest, I don't feel that it deserves to be as successful as that machine.
Normally I'd urge most riders to go to their nearest BM dealer and take a test-ride to see for themselves that BMs can be a real alternative to their usual choices, but in this case, I really don't feel that I can. The R1200R is a disappointing bike that I really didn't like.
non quod, sed quomodo
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RiceBurner
- The Mirthman Prophecy
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- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:30 am
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Gromit wrote:Nice one Alan - I have to admit that having ridden one last saturday I absolutely LOVED the bike. For me, it is the best of the current Boxer range (I haven't ridden an RT though). I'm even willing to put my still slight unease with its looks on the back-burner.
It's quick, very light on its feet and a total hoot to ride. A great bike and the only one in the BM range which would make me think of changing my BCR.
Hmm, very different to my views!!
non quod, sed quomodo
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