R1200RS

[Paul]

Just done about 3500 miles over 2 weeks on my RS in Germany and France and can heartily recommend it. I think it really is the spiritual successor to the R1100S, with added practicality and up to date sportiness and techie toys. After a few thousand miles, the absence of the "funny front end" is not an issue to me. Go test one!

Cheers,

Paul

[Blackal]

It seems like the VFR750-sized sports-tourer grew big and longer in the intervening years, and couples didn't tour on the VFR/R1100s any more.

I think the R1200RS is almost a return to that style, albeit with all the bells and whistles that people demand now.

It will be interesting to see what the demography of owners is - if it's couples who want a sporty bike for hubby using solo, with an annual jaunt, or for rider-only purchases.

Al

[andy griff]

Al,

Ahem, just pointing out that the demographic also includes at least 2 female owner riders on the model specific forum

[victorlaszlo]

So, quick first thoughts:

Tried it today and have mixed feelings.

It's definitely not between the 11s and the 12s, more like an improved ST.

Love the gizmos, Cruise control etc and found myself "quick shifting" my 11s on the way back.

It corners very well but I felt a bit like a gs rider with my upright position and arms wide apart.

It doesn't encourage you to ride it like the 12s (ie like a bellsend) but mine only had 300 miles on the counter and thus runs in safe mode (until 600 miles) and this might be the reason the engine felt less powerful, eager and fun than the 12s.

It also didn't accelerated as well as the 12s, slightly better than the 11s though.

Good wind protection but not a big difference between the two screen positions.

Suspension good but not better than Ohlins on the 11s or 12s.

Brakes amazing, good abs too hardly noticeable.

Grunty nice sound with stock exhaust and amazing growl on down blipping

Overall i felt a bit like a bike police due to the seating position and all the tech gizmos.

If I could get an ST rear end with its pillion seat, pnnier mountings and rear rack that would be such a more engaging solution.

Puzzled...

[andy griff]

Victor,

Definitely quicker than a 12S

TBF you initial post asked for comparisons with 11S and 12S - you may now get people with knowledge of the ST chipping in - but I can see what you mean in terms of riding position.

I actually took 2 test rides and was convinced in number 2 - have to say that its been a great decision.

If you look at the comments in response to your initial question I think they are in line with your feedback on the test ride - not as sporty as the 12S with better pillion capacity and all day ergos like the 11S but quicker and more technical suspension thanks to ESA.

[Blackal]

You must have been ultra-hard on the brakes to get the ABS cutting in......

I've done 50,000 miles on a bike with ABS (GS1200Adv) and not had the ABS cut in once!

Al

[boxerscott]

I have not ridden the 12rs but I reckon it must be a better two up bike than the 1100s, Smoother more powerful engine and lots of new technology plus a fortune spent on r and d and marketing. So bmw have thought very carefully about this bike. Asked me a year ago what I thought about sports tourers and I would have said no one will buy them because of the popularity of sport adventure bikes. That now appears to have been short sighted. You do not have to be in a racing crouch to get a bike round a bend and I reckon you could still enjoy this bike even solo and would wager it does everything a lot better than the 1100s. Me being a poor boy it does seem expensive when compared with its competition. I do like it it`s the bike most 11s owners wanted rather than the 12s back in the day.

Chris.

[victorlaszlo]

Well, there isn't any meaningful competition really as I see it, nothing that suits me at least as everything sporty and touring oriented is also mentally heavy...

Cleaned up the 12S for the sale today and OMG will I miss her...

Regarding the R&D, they should have spent more on the gearbox and wind protection as the gearbox is better on the 11S and the 12S, the new one feels a bit like my R100RS... Oh, I see what they have done there LOL

I wonder if there will come any aftermarket handlebars for it as the triple clamp doesn't really allow you to fit something else... And I want to lie flat on the tank ideally

Would also love to try an unrestricted one that has passed 600 miles but BMW doesn't let you as there are people that abuse their test bikes "doing burnouts with their mates" according to the rep...

[Duane]

This post piqued my interest in a RS test drive. BMW Bavaria in Pretoria SA were kind enough to loan me one for the weekend. Gave me a trade-in model that already has 33000km on the odo - driven by one of their brand ambassadors, so this motor was really loose and run-in.

Compared to the R1100S,

What I liked:
Holy Cr*p is it fast! Smooth revving, and bucket loads of low end power.
Comfy, could do a 1000km in a day
Liked the ride position ala GS
Screen did a good job. I dislike an RT or GT screen, too clostraphobic and hot
Front shock was up for the job - didn't miss the telelever

What I disliked:
The throttle response felt disconnected. Like I had to send the throttle an e-mail every time, and wait for a reply. The 1100S responds to the slightest twitch which gives me the feeling of singularity with the 1100S.
The exhaust is too quite - couldn't hear where I was in the rev range - first aftermarket thing I would replace.
Which brings me on to the info screen. Useless. Hate it. Have to squint. Shit.
Hate the new BMW indicator switch compared to the old style on S. Left hand had to physically leave the grip every time to engage switch.
Found the rear brake lever too small/protruding. A few times I just wanted to shave off some speed using the rear, and my right foot totally missed the lever! Right foot must be tucked in at all times.

Summary:

Do I want an RS? Yes, yes and yes please. It is a swiss army knife, and I believe a "bike for all occasions" bike. If you only can have one, have this. A short spurt through the twisties on a weekend, give me my 1100S please. A week tour - RS. So I will have both please.

[slparry]

Well, there isn't any meaningful competition really as I see it, nothing that suits me at least as everything sporty and touring oriented is also mentally heavy...

Cleaned up the 12S for the sale today and OMG will I miss her...

Regarding the R&D, they should have spent more on the gearbox and wind protection as the gearbox is better on the 11S and the 12S, the new one feels a bit like my R100RS... Oh, I see what they have done there LOL

I wonder if there will come any aftermarket handlebars for it as the triple clamp doesn't really allow you to fit something else... And I want to lie flat on the tank ideally

Would also love to try an unrestricted one that has passed 600 miles but BMW doesn't let you as there are people that abuse their test bikes "doing burnouts with their mates" according to the rep...

I'm fairly sure the bars from the R1200R LC will fit the RS and are "standard" type bars

[andy griff]

Steve, you're right, this conversion has been done by several owners ( don't know why ) as the stock position is pretty sporty and an even greater number of people have fitted risers.

[victorlaszlo]

I didn't have that much of an issue with the display although I'd preferred a analogue revcounter and the font size of the numbers on the speedo are all the same and really cluttered, but it works.

I agree with the stupid indicator button, why leave the amazing three button system I'm so used to?

[Blackal]

I think that once you get used to a bike - you barely use the rev-counter. You go on sound and feel (vibration).

That is especially true for a twin-cyl "lump"

Al

[70tno]

Just returned from France, Switzerland and Italy trip of 2.25k miles on my new 12RS, so now up to around 3k miles on it total.
There was some adjustment from my 11S, but for distance touring with a pillion, the 12RS is a winner.
Plus points fro me;
1) cruise control - never thought I would need it, but so useful, even for sticking to speed limits in built up areas and ideal for motorways.
2) suspension, ok not a telelever, but my lady pillion reckons more comfort for her on the back over bumps etc., so who am I to argue? Have only tried in Road Mode so far, so more to explore there.
3) quick shift - so addictive and useful. Again, my lady says that there is hardly any forward/back lurching on upward changes
4) engine, so smooth and tractable, haven't tried upper rev range too much yet as I have either been running in or 2 up and have kept it in Road Mode, but can't wait to try in Dynamic.

Have had my 11S for nearly 10 years and took it from 17.5k to 51k miles in that period. Great bike and I still think it turns in better on cornering than the 12RS, but it is fitted with Wilbers. But I think it will have to go up for sale soon!!!

[victorlaszlo]

I think that once you get used to a bike - you barely use the rev-counter. You go on sound and feel (vibration).

That is especially true for a twin-cyl "lump"

Al

That's true, or as in the case of my R11S (and likely should I get an R12RS) the rev limiter (hit it constantly while out blasting yesterday)...

The R12RS engine is ridiculously smooth - the reviewers who complained about "vibration" clearly never have ridden an R12S/R11S or an R100RS LOL

Interested in hearing more about the handlebars conversion if anyone has links to share