R1200ST or R1200S anyone tried both of these to compare?

BMW-Fahrer · Post by **BMW-Fahrer** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:24 am

Boxadog thanks for the kind words but I don't remember what I wrote in Bike...
Anyways nothing againt the GS especially since the 08 got the R1200R engine and the ESA option which is a good thing since the stock rear shock is way too soft...
But anyways I hoped they would also enlarge the tank to 24 liters and put the exhaust under the seat to allow for two large cases.Anyways they need to be able to improve on an already very good bike come modelyear 2012 or so...
The R1200R is already there if you don't wander off paved roads except maybe the missing half fairing but then it would be no unfaired standart either...
HJ,agree with you except the servo brakes are really not bad at all.
Even the service is real easy.No special tools needed at all just maybe an extra 20 minutes.But they bleed real easy.But if the new 2007 on system is as good without the added hardware,I go for that,too.
Dave,we are still waiting for your impressions riding the R1200R...
Would interest me if you go for a 12 S,ST,R or keep the 11S...

dave2wheels · Post by **dave2wheels** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:34 pm

still have to try the R1200R, not been well this week so postponed...(so far I'm wanting the 1200R/ST engine in the 1100S chassis)

dave2wheels · Post by **dave2wheels** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:43 am

sometimes you've just got to do things to know for sure....while I'm making up my mind I'm now riding in (first day today) on a 2006 ST.
Yes of course I still have the 1100S! if anyone around Sunday morning for breakfast at Boxhill why not try an ST?

First commute was lovely, reminded about the silky smooth torquey engine and gearbox (by comparison to 1100s) have ESA suspension adjustment on 'Normal' as I haven't eaten too many pies, I'll try 'Sport' on the way home, for commuting it's great. (yes the S will eat it alive)

Funny enough it feels better with the bars slightly down, screen down and seat up, while moving the seat I could see the battery right underneath, 3 cheers!! yeah I know it looks funny but the ride is nice, just gets better.

hjr1100s · Post by **hjr1100s** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:36 pm

dave2wheels wrote: Funny enough it feels better with the bars slightly down, screen down and seat up, while moving the seat I could see the battery right underneath, 3 cheers!! yeah I know it looks funny but the ride is nice, just gets better.

... exactly what I did on the loaner I had: brings you closer to the R1100S position, doesn't it.

HJ

BMW-Fahrer · Post by **BMW-Fahrer** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:17 pm

Dave I'm with you.The R1200ST engine for the R1100S and you had the perfect bike!
Maybe a gear indicator,slightly bigger tank,nice looking factory luggage rack and centerstand that doesn't scrape,too...

But then for sure!
It could have been soo easy...
Instead they jumped through the hoopes and ended up with 2 new bikes that didn't really set the sales world on fire...R1200S(T)
But true to the old german saying;
Warum es einfach machen wenn es auch kompliziert geht...

dave2wheels · Post by **dave2wheels** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:06 am

just spent the last week riding the 12ST then jumped back on 11S today in the wet....I do love the 11S it's a more satisfying ride maybe because it's a bit rougher around the edges the 12ST is just too smooth and sanitised(?) that the 11S just feels better.
Dave

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:24 am

dave2wheels wrote:just spent the last week riding the 12ST then jumped back on 11S today in the wet....I do love the 11S it's a more satisfying ride maybe because it's a bit rougher around the edges the 12ST is just too smooth and sanitised(?) that the 11S just feels better.
Dave

I know what you mean. A couple of years back I went up to John Clarks for one of their open days, and rode a R1200GS and a R1200RT. Beforehand, I was very close to buying a GS. When I jumped on my R1100S to drive home, I was blown away by how much better it felt to me.

Vince · Post by **Vince** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:47 pm

I think our old bikes are a bit like comfy boots or gloves. You just slip them on and every thing falls into place and you don't have to think about them. Buy a new pair of boots or gloves and they feel a bit odd till you get used to them.

I've not done enough miles yet on the ST to get used to it TBH (hopefully change that soon now the salt free roads are near), when I jump back on the VFR for the daily commutte it all seems a little more familiar and I relax knowing excactly what the bike is going to do for any given input.

After 2k miles in France at the end of March I hope to find the ST and I feeling more cosy.