Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 1:42 pm
95 RON. I filled up tank for dealer at start of demo.
When you test ride it you should try doing this.
http://bj.smugmug.com/photos/60245167-O.jpg
Andrew
www.boxertrix.com
The UK-based forum for BMW's sportiest Boxer motorcycles
http://w.boxertrix.com/phpBB2/
R1200S first ride impressions.....
Page 2 of 2
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 2:53 pm
Richard,
When you test ride it you should try doing this.
http://bj.smugmug.com/photos/60245167-O.jpg
Andrew
When you test ride it you should try doing this.
http://bj.smugmug.com/photos/60245167-O.jpg
Andrew
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:01 pm
Have a look at this vid of the 800's, the scenery is fantastic.
http://previews.thenewsmarket.com/Previ ... _35228.WMV
Andrew
http://previews.thenewsmarket.com/Previ ... _35228.WMV
Andrew
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:20 pm
Well, in the interests of scientific experimentation, I popped in to Vines this morning to have a go on their R1200S and F800S demonstrators.
R1200S good points:
- noticably stonger engine than the 1100S. Front wheel lifted accelerating hard in second
- nicer gearbox that the the 1100S
- better brakes than the 1100S
- feels noticably lighter than the 1100S when paddling it around
- gear indicator on the clocks, but bizzarely no fuel gauge. You do however get yellow warning light and fuel tank remaining milage range on display when tank is running low.
- Seat flatter than S and pillion perch gives support when accelerating
R1200S bad points:
- Screen way too low. No indicator pods to deflect air either. It's a blowy old place to be sitting when making progress, unless you hunch down on the tank...
- no provision for panniers. OK, we have know that for some time, but realistically you won't be able to use a tank bag on this bike due to the screen issue, so a tail pack and/or throwover soft luggage is going to be all you'll get.
- riding position is more sporty than the 1100S. Feet higher, bars lower. Don't think it will be as all day comfy as the 1100S
- finish is not looking too great either, but not as bad as the bike I saw at Ally Pally. I rode the colgate red and silver bike, and when you peer down the fork tubes at the back of the fairing, you see a terrible mess of paint where the red, silver and black stripes finish behind the fairing. Perhaps I'm being unduly picky here, but if I'd spent best part of £10k on a bike, I wouldn't want to look at that. It would make me worry about the quality of the other bits I cannot see...
- silly price.
R1200S verdict:
- Although it is a sportier 1100S, which is good, the cost in terms of comfort and practicality mean it's probably not for me.
F800 Good points:
- Comfy riding position. Slightly more upright than an 1100S
- Top box and paniers available, although they are the same semi soft panniers used on the K1200 bikes.
- Looks better in the flesh than in the pictures.
- good info on the dash - fuel level, gear, average fuel consumption, multiple trips etc.
- pulls well once you get above about 4,500 rpm. Had an "oh sh*t" moment pulling out to overtake a lorry on the A25 at too low revs and not accelerating quite as fast as I would have liked...
- All F800S and F800ST parts are interchangable, so you can have panniers and a taller screen on the S
- Sensible price
F800 Bad points:
- Down on power on the 1100S, as you would expect, but still able to cut along at a respectable pace.
- Cat in the end can makes it bulky and quiet. Akrapovic replacement can sanctioned by BMW is on the official price list though.
- er, that's it.
F800 verdict.
I might...
Cheers,
Paul
R1200S good points:
- noticably stonger engine than the 1100S. Front wheel lifted accelerating hard in second
- nicer gearbox that the the 1100S
- better brakes than the 1100S
- feels noticably lighter than the 1100S when paddling it around
- gear indicator on the clocks, but bizzarely no fuel gauge. You do however get yellow warning light and fuel tank remaining milage range on display when tank is running low.
- Seat flatter than S and pillion perch gives support when accelerating
R1200S bad points:
- Screen way too low. No indicator pods to deflect air either. It's a blowy old place to be sitting when making progress, unless you hunch down on the tank...
- no provision for panniers. OK, we have know that for some time, but realistically you won't be able to use a tank bag on this bike due to the screen issue, so a tail pack and/or throwover soft luggage is going to be all you'll get.
- riding position is more sporty than the 1100S. Feet higher, bars lower. Don't think it will be as all day comfy as the 1100S
- finish is not looking too great either, but not as bad as the bike I saw at Ally Pally. I rode the colgate red and silver bike, and when you peer down the fork tubes at the back of the fairing, you see a terrible mess of paint where the red, silver and black stripes finish behind the fairing. Perhaps I'm being unduly picky here, but if I'd spent best part of £10k on a bike, I wouldn't want to look at that. It would make me worry about the quality of the other bits I cannot see...
- silly price.
R1200S verdict:
- Although it is a sportier 1100S, which is good, the cost in terms of comfort and practicality mean it's probably not for me.
F800 Good points:
- Comfy riding position. Slightly more upright than an 1100S
- Top box and paniers available, although they are the same semi soft panniers used on the K1200 bikes.
- Looks better in the flesh than in the pictures.
- good info on the dash - fuel level, gear, average fuel consumption, multiple trips etc.
- pulls well once you get above about 4,500 rpm. Had an "oh sh*t" moment pulling out to overtake a lorry on the A25 at too low revs and not accelerating quite as fast as I would have liked...
- All F800S and F800ST parts are interchangable, so you can have panniers and a taller screen on the S
- Sensible price
F800 Bad points:
- Down on power on the 1100S, as you would expect, but still able to cut along at a respectable pace.
- Cat in the end can makes it bulky and quiet. Akrapovic replacement can sanctioned by BMW is on the official price list though.
- er, that's it.
F800 verdict.
I might...
Cheers,
Paul
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 4:17 pm
Just spotted Andrew's post with the picture. Would definately go for an F800S in that red, white & blue colour scheme!
Paul
Paul
1200s
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:17 pm
Took one out Sat 2up for a couple of hours round Sussex Surrey Motorway/A roads/B roads.
initial visual impression wife loved the red and silver I thought it looked like a bad copy of a CBR made by a Chinese company if it was a car it reminds me of a Hyundi.
looking at the choice of colours there seems to be no common theme,no imagination, I havent seen the all black one yet but the yellow looks insipid.
BMs that stand out for me are the mandarin and graphite 1100s my 04 BCR most of the silvers and the blues.
riding i found none of the faults mentioned above apart from some very poor intial responce pulling away but just a tad more throttle cured it.
if i closed my eyes and tried to compare it with other bikes the closest it felt like was my 900 Superlight but with twice the HP handling from the Ohlins was excelent 2up front was very planted and inspired some serious looning with the brakes keeping me out of hedges.
the bike i took out had been thrashed round Donnington so the tyres where well scrubbed in and the engine just seem,d to be so revvy.
it has to be the best compromise between all out BHP and road useability.
the crunch would I buy one, not with the colours on offer would i trade in the BCR for that smooth reving engine YES would I trade the BCR for another sports bike No,this bike has gone to far the other way.
all i can say is if they can fit that engine in my BCR tommorow for £5000 I'd do it.
My wife absolutely loved it,it is the first bike shes been on where she can see all the road in front and she said that it was like going to Alton towers for thrills and she would have tradeded the BCR there and then even with £2000 hit partX. in fact tonight shes asked me to get a longer test booked on the black one.
the biggest downside is theres no lugguage facility's at all and as i already own 2 sports bikes im not likely to trade in a bike like the BCR that does so many things well apart form the vibey engine.
ian
ps my wife still cant get her head round the fact its a BM 2 years ago I would have had more chance getting her to dress in rubber and pole dance than buy a BM bike.
initial visual impression wife loved the red and silver I thought it looked like a bad copy of a CBR made by a Chinese company if it was a car it reminds me of a Hyundi.
looking at the choice of colours there seems to be no common theme,no imagination, I havent seen the all black one yet but the yellow looks insipid.
BMs that stand out for me are the mandarin and graphite 1100s my 04 BCR most of the silvers and the blues.
riding i found none of the faults mentioned above apart from some very poor intial responce pulling away but just a tad more throttle cured it.
if i closed my eyes and tried to compare it with other bikes the closest it felt like was my 900 Superlight but with twice the HP handling from the Ohlins was excelent 2up front was very planted and inspired some serious looning with the brakes keeping me out of hedges.
the bike i took out had been thrashed round Donnington so the tyres where well scrubbed in and the engine just seem,d to be so revvy.
it has to be the best compromise between all out BHP and road useability.
the crunch would I buy one, not with the colours on offer would i trade in the BCR for that smooth reving engine YES would I trade the BCR for another sports bike No,this bike has gone to far the other way.
all i can say is if they can fit that engine in my BCR tommorow for £5000 I'd do it.
My wife absolutely loved it,it is the first bike shes been on where she can see all the road in front and she said that it was like going to Alton towers for thrills and she would have tradeded the BCR there and then even with £2000 hit partX. in fact tonight shes asked me to get a longer test booked on the black one.
the biggest downside is theres no lugguage facility's at all and as i already own 2 sports bikes im not likely to trade in a bike like the BCR that does so many things well apart form the vibey engine.
ian
ps my wife still cant get her head round the fact its a BM 2 years ago I would have had more chance getting her to dress in rubber and pole dance than buy a BM bike.
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:39 pm
Interesting write up,no mention of park bench that passes as the pillion seat!!!!
park bench
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:48 pm
My wife could'nt fault the seat but then shes used to the seat on my 888 which is a metal park bench,joking aside she tells me it is far better than it looks with pegs just right for her 5'ft frame the only problem is the height from the deck as she had to use me too pull her self on.
she just cant get over the fact she can see every hill/bend approaching at warp factor 9
shes an absolutely perfect pillion but even these brakes caught her out on occasions.
ian
she just cant get over the fact she can see every hill/bend approaching at warp factor 9
shes an absolutely perfect pillion but even these brakes caught her out on occasions.
ian
Re: 1200s
Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 10:18 pm
Perhaps now is a good chance to nip down to B&Q for shiny pole and suggest to the wife that if she never thought of the BM as fun but it turned out to be, then.......eggcup wrote:ps my wife still cant get her head round the fact its a BM 2 years ago I would have had more chance getting her to dress in rubber and pole dance than buy a BM bike.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 7:58 pm
I dashed off back to S*C this afternoon to get a demo on these 2 bikes - the weather had decided to play ball for a couple of hours so not being one to turn down an invitation to ride someone else's bike....
First ride was on the 800S:
Tim started the bike up at which point I was quite surprised how raspy the exhaust note was. Not a 'throbby' sort of twin, but more an early TDM850 180deg twin sort of noise. Not at all unpleasant either - and a change from the CB500 on steroids I was expecting. The Rotax motor is mechanically quite noisy, but not overly so. Bit of character there, certainly which promised much for the ride. The bike's not quite as small as it appears in the photos - tiny from the front admittedly, but from the side and rear it's quite a tall. At 6'3" I reckon I could just get away with it. Riding position felt excellent - slightly forward posture which is balanced by the lack of bodywork providing enough windblast to keep weight off wrists above 50mph or so.
Under way - contrary to what Julian said, I found the motor quite vibey - although the Streetrod is extremely smooth so maybe an unfair observation on my part. Feels a little flat below 4000rpm but enough to nip along with the traffic no problem. Give the bike a proper caning though and it fairly flies. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't give the 11S, if not a fright, certainly a minor surprise. 2nd/3rd/4th gear acceleration is satisfyingly brisk. Gearbox is just fantastic; light, quick changes. No fuss.
Handling's really good - suspension's on the soft side but feels as though it has well-judged damping settings, allowing the bike to hold its line on bumpy roads well. BMW have clearly done their homework here, making it a very confidence-inspiring (MCN cliche No.657) bike to ride. All in all a nicely integrated package - feels polished, with no glaring annoyances standing out. Definitely a bike which feels 'right'. I liked it, a lot.
On to the 1200S...
S*C's demo 12 has the big back wheel and Ohlins so it ought to be good. Which it is. Clearly a bike which needs more miles under its tyres, the motor still felt really strong however. Acceleration in the lower gears at full throttle is a proper kick up the backside. It's not just quick 'for a Boxer' but quick, period. Still that raspy, buzzy vibration similar to the 11S we know and love but nothing untoward. A much sportier proposition than the 11 though - as one would expect from its design brief. Gearbox is a vast improvement - especially going down the box where there's no little or no shunt from the driveline. Some rather worrying whines/rattles from the transmission though on a closed throttle below 4000rpm. Wonder if the lighter engine/gearbox housings don't damp out noise as well as the older stuff perhaps? The 12 pops and bangs on the overrun down from high revs too - I rather like that, gives the bike a bit of menace (wonder if it'll shoot flames?
)
Handling on its posh springs is just top drawer for a road bike with the supple ride quality one would expect from quality suspension. I'm sure it'd be even better if set up for rider weight etc.
Sure, the riding position is quite sporty but a long day's riding at speed and it'd make a lot of sense. I personally found the screen ideal. I'd rather have clear air around my shoulders/head as it makes for a quieter ride plus the added wind pressure gives a greater realisation of speed.
To sum up - I loved the bike. Whether it ticks enough boxes for me to actually spend my own money on one, I couldn't say. As a fast road bike, with plenty of character, for one person and light luggage I'd say it's just the job.
The 800 would definitely go on my shortlist though.
First ride was on the 800S:
Tim started the bike up at which point I was quite surprised how raspy the exhaust note was. Not a 'throbby' sort of twin, but more an early TDM850 180deg twin sort of noise. Not at all unpleasant either - and a change from the CB500 on steroids I was expecting. The Rotax motor is mechanically quite noisy, but not overly so. Bit of character there, certainly which promised much for the ride. The bike's not quite as small as it appears in the photos - tiny from the front admittedly, but from the side and rear it's quite a tall. At 6'3" I reckon I could just get away with it. Riding position felt excellent - slightly forward posture which is balanced by the lack of bodywork providing enough windblast to keep weight off wrists above 50mph or so.
Under way - contrary to what Julian said, I found the motor quite vibey - although the Streetrod is extremely smooth so maybe an unfair observation on my part. Feels a little flat below 4000rpm but enough to nip along with the traffic no problem. Give the bike a proper caning though and it fairly flies. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't give the 11S, if not a fright, certainly a minor surprise. 2nd/3rd/4th gear acceleration is satisfyingly brisk. Gearbox is just fantastic; light, quick changes. No fuss.
Handling's really good - suspension's on the soft side but feels as though it has well-judged damping settings, allowing the bike to hold its line on bumpy roads well. BMW have clearly done their homework here, making it a very confidence-inspiring (MCN cliche No.657) bike to ride. All in all a nicely integrated package - feels polished, with no glaring annoyances standing out. Definitely a bike which feels 'right'. I liked it, a lot.
On to the 1200S...
S*C's demo 12 has the big back wheel and Ohlins so it ought to be good. Which it is. Clearly a bike which needs more miles under its tyres, the motor still felt really strong however. Acceleration in the lower gears at full throttle is a proper kick up the backside. It's not just quick 'for a Boxer' but quick, period. Still that raspy, buzzy vibration similar to the 11S we know and love but nothing untoward. A much sportier proposition than the 11 though - as one would expect from its design brief. Gearbox is a vast improvement - especially going down the box where there's no little or no shunt from the driveline. Some rather worrying whines/rattles from the transmission though on a closed throttle below 4000rpm. Wonder if the lighter engine/gearbox housings don't damp out noise as well as the older stuff perhaps? The 12 pops and bangs on the overrun down from high revs too - I rather like that, gives the bike a bit of menace (wonder if it'll shoot flames?
)Handling on its posh springs is just top drawer for a road bike with the supple ride quality one would expect from quality suspension. I'm sure it'd be even better if set up for rider weight etc.
Sure, the riding position is quite sporty but a long day's riding at speed and it'd make a lot of sense. I personally found the screen ideal. I'd rather have clear air around my shoulders/head as it makes for a quieter ride plus the added wind pressure gives a greater realisation of speed.
To sum up - I loved the bike. Whether it ticks enough boxes for me to actually spend my own money on one, I couldn't say. As a fast road bike, with plenty of character, for one person and light luggage I'd say it's just the job.
The 800 would definitely go on my shortlist though.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:10 pm
I've got the 12S tomorrow morning and Alan has the F800, Seems like we might just be having a bit of fun around the Lincs Wolds. Pity we don't have enough time to get up to Nth Yorks and the roads we really know!! Will post my thoughts tomorrow evening.
Peter.
Peter.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:59 pm
Peter - hope you manage to find some dry weather for tomorrow.
I came away from my ride on the 1200 with a new-found respect for the bike. Sure it's no 1100S replacement in the practicality stakes, but as an example of the zenith of Boxer development it's definitely a goody - and a bike whose owners I'll be somewhat jealous of. Still feel as a sportsbike it's only for those who really want a BMW though - it doesn't have that 'special' look and feel of a Ducati or Aprilia unfortunately. Although I've no doubt it'll be a darn sight easier to look after.
The 800 was just a hoot - needs uncorking with the Akra pipe, through which I reckon it'll sound fabulous. It certainly comes alive above 5000rpm.
I came away from my ride on the 1200 with a new-found respect for the bike. Sure it's no 1100S replacement in the practicality stakes, but as an example of the zenith of Boxer development it's definitely a goody - and a bike whose owners I'll be somewhat jealous of. Still feel as a sportsbike it's only for those who really want a BMW though - it doesn't have that 'special' look and feel of a Ducati or Aprilia unfortunately. Although I've no doubt it'll be a darn sight easier to look after.
The 800 was just a hoot - needs uncorking with the Akra pipe, through which I reckon it'll sound fabulous. It certainly comes alive above 5000rpm.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 10:23 am
Well its been pi--ing it down nearly all night and with no let up this morning I gave test riding a miss for today. Alan still went off (brave soul) to ride the F800 but has just got back and is keeping his RS1150. Says the 800 was a loverly bike but not for him. I'm sure I'll get round toriding the new S at some point soon.
Peter.
Peter.