...and still be faster than some of us (me!).
Huw
Finally got to ride the new R1200S...
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RiceBurner
- The Mirthman Prophecy
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:30 am
- Location: Hiding in your blind spot....
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Tried both "S" bikes on Saturday out of Vines.
The R12S I didn't really gel with - although the engine has PLENTY of poke, I didn't really feel comfy on it, and didn't like the handling very much - not totally sure why though. Maybe I was on the wrong roads - but then it's a rare BMW that isn't at home virtually anywhere.
The K12S I've ridden before but I still find it utterly mental.
I thought it was comfier this time than last, and I can see how you'd ride 500 mile days on it with ease. the power is just awesome though.
The R12S I didn't really gel with - although the engine has PLENTY of poke, I didn't really feel comfy on it, and didn't like the handling very much - not totally sure why though. Maybe I was on the wrong roads - but then it's a rare BMW that isn't at home virtually anywhere.
The K12S I've ridden before but I still find it utterly mental.
I thought it was comfier this time than last, and I can see how you'd ride 500 mile days on it with ease. the power is just awesome though.non quod, sed quomodo
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jltownshend
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:53 pm
- Location: Sarf London (just) 'innit?!
FWIW...
12S with Sports pack and ABS today and heated grips (untested!)...
Against 02 11S with Ohlins and full sport Laser, chip...
And I'm a twisted 6'+ thinner person...
Liked:
Top-end (but if I wanted a 600...)
Lighter (not the one for cigars ...)
Lighter gearbox
Raised first gear position (you know you're in it)
Clocks
Screen
All round handling (lighter at speed, but still "planted")
Seat (I liked it...but see comments below on rear)
Ergenomics (it was comfortable, position, etc...)
Ambivalent or really not sure:
You notice (with a flappy jacket) that the indicator pods have gone...
No hugger (small, but...)
Ohlins are not the same as mine (lower spec? eg No piggy on the front and felt a deal harsher...very subjective and rode very nicely either way, but...no way the same...). It's a cheapish "upgrade", but...
Dislikes:
Sound (diesel...but as with the 11, potential!)
Tail unit (looks, etc: I know it has the Cat, but...): I may have got this wrong but it's betwwen an 80s GP and a sports and isn't pretty or totally comforatble...it's just hiding a cat. BMW or someone should come up with somnething different.
Summary:
Aside from a power rush and feeling more nimble and narrower (tank and bars...but not the cylinders), it's an upgrade...and, as with all such things, is either retrograde or ...?
It needs a good exhaust, not just for the sound, but to smooth things out...and I notice that the whole rear exhaust is a slip-on...so no rusting bolt worries. It *might* improve the look of the back. Apparently Remus do one, and BMW has signed something with Akroprovic.
I reckon black (with black engine as standard across range) and silver wheels is best looker...
I didn't have time to sit a girl on it, but I from what I hear, it's OK...but not on a euro tour possibly.
All in all, improvments all round, but maybe losing something by trying to add a sportier edge with the rear end...
It's perhaps like BMW doing a VTEC (no not that bad)...but everyone hankering after the original 750, etc...
Or maybe I should have tested a K...
12S with Sports pack and ABS today and heated grips (untested!)...
Against 02 11S with Ohlins and full sport Laser, chip...
And I'm a twisted 6'+ thinner person...
Liked:
Top-end (but if I wanted a 600...)
Lighter (not the one for cigars ...)
Lighter gearbox
Raised first gear position (you know you're in it)
Clocks
Screen
All round handling (lighter at speed, but still "planted")
Seat (I liked it...but see comments below on rear)
Ergenomics (it was comfortable, position, etc...)
Ambivalent or really not sure:
You notice (with a flappy jacket) that the indicator pods have gone...
No hugger (small, but...)
Ohlins are not the same as mine (lower spec? eg No piggy on the front and felt a deal harsher...very subjective and rode very nicely either way, but...no way the same...). It's a cheapish "upgrade", but...
Dislikes:
Sound (diesel...but as with the 11, potential!)
Tail unit (looks, etc: I know it has the Cat, but...): I may have got this wrong but it's betwwen an 80s GP and a sports and isn't pretty or totally comforatble...it's just hiding a cat. BMW or someone should come up with somnething different.
Summary:
Aside from a power rush and feeling more nimble and narrower (tank and bars...but not the cylinders), it's an upgrade...and, as with all such things, is either retrograde or ...?
It needs a good exhaust, not just for the sound, but to smooth things out...and I notice that the whole rear exhaust is a slip-on...so no rusting bolt worries. It *might* improve the look of the back. Apparently Remus do one, and BMW has signed something with Akroprovic.
I reckon black (with black engine as standard across range) and silver wheels is best looker...
I didn't have time to sit a girl on it, but I from what I hear, it's OK...but not on a euro tour possibly.
All in all, improvments all round, but maybe losing something by trying to add a sportier edge with the rear end...
It's perhaps like BMW doing a VTEC (no not that bad)...but everyone hankering after the original 750, etc...
Or maybe I should have tested a K...
I had my '04 BCR booked in for a service so asked the dealer (South London Motorcycles) if I could have the R12S demonstrator instead of their usual F650 courtesy bike - they said yes, I said thanks very much and planned what I was going to dom where I was going to ride and who i was going to see. Unfortunately when I turned up just after 9am they said I had to have the bike back by 11 as it had been booked out to someone else for a ride!
This allowed no time to do any of the things I wanted to do and did not really give me much of a chance to try the bike properly as I do not really know any of the roads in the Caterham area that well.
I mention all of this to explain why I was a little pissed off and therefore this may have coloured my impressions of the R12S.
I found the seat rather less comfortable than mine and the riding position was a little less comfortable. I found the power delivery in the low and mid-range certainly felt a lot flatter than mine. Although the top end rush was good, that's not what I look for in a bike - if I did I'd ride something different! The bike is certainly lighter than the old one, and the handling felt pretty good, but good enough to justify the extra?? The sound wasn't right, but then again mine's got Lasers as standard and I've removed the cat - otherwise it's unmodified but does sound nice
. I'm also a little concerned at the lack of facility for fixing luggage - I'm sure it shouldn't be done to a BCR but I do have the pannier rails fitted as I do like to get away for the odd weekend or week, and hard luggage is so much better than throwovers.
The first time I ever rode an R11S was about 7 years ago and it grabbed me straight away. My first ride on the R12S left me unconvinced that the package is right for me.
As I said above, my opinion may be affected by my state of mind at the time I rode it, so I think I'll give it another go before dismissing it entirely, but that's my opinion so far!!
This allowed no time to do any of the things I wanted to do and did not really give me much of a chance to try the bike properly as I do not really know any of the roads in the Caterham area that well.
I mention all of this to explain why I was a little pissed off and therefore this may have coloured my impressions of the R12S.
I found the seat rather less comfortable than mine and the riding position was a little less comfortable. I found the power delivery in the low and mid-range certainly felt a lot flatter than mine. Although the top end rush was good, that's not what I look for in a bike - if I did I'd ride something different! The bike is certainly lighter than the old one, and the handling felt pretty good, but good enough to justify the extra?? The sound wasn't right, but then again mine's got Lasers as standard and I've removed the cat - otherwise it's unmodified but does sound nice
. I'm also a little concerned at the lack of facility for fixing luggage - I'm sure it shouldn't be done to a BCR but I do have the pannier rails fitted as I do like to get away for the odd weekend or week, and hard luggage is so much better than throwovers.The first time I ever rode an R11S was about 7 years ago and it grabbed me straight away. My first ride on the R12S left me unconvinced that the package is right for me.
As I said above, my opinion may be affected by my state of mind at the time I rode it, so I think I'll give it another go before dismissing it entirely, but that's my opinion so far!!
2004 BCR