BMW R1200S Help!

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:29 am

Hi guys, as you can see from my Wanted post in the other section I am looking to buy a R1200S (or a 1100s BCR)

I was going to get myself a minter Suzuki TLR 1000 and keep it. Would only cost about £3,000 and it wouldn't matter if I didn't ride it much as I work a lot. My last bike was over £10,000 and it just wasn't worth having that much money tied up.

Anyway a nice 54 plate R1100S Boxer cup came in to my work and I thought it was stunning. Different looking, single swingarm, loved the colours and would hold its value well. I started looking into it more (after he wouldn't sell it) and found I like the R1200S too.

I realise these aren't as collectable yet (if at all) but they seem to be going for a quite high price and vary a lot on spec/mileage etc and range from £4,500-£6,000 right now. I want to get a really nice one to keep but I don't want to pay over the odds either. Fair price for a great bike. I don't have to have one so I am not going to go stupid. If the money got too high I would buy a different bike.

Do I need to wait and only buy a Sport to get the Ohlins and the 190 wheel or should I just buy the base model if it is in good condition? Does it have to have ABS?

What do you think of the following bikes? I will be buying one unseen and without test riding it so I need to be sure. Ideally I want a forum members bike that people on here can vouch for.

Sorry for the long post!

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:33 am

I saw this bike first. This is the one that made me realise there was a R1200S. I liked the Boxer Cup colours. It is a nice bike with 25,000 miles but is due a service and is going to cost over £5,000 minimum plus the service cost. Is a standard bike too but looks good. I would probably end up getting an exhaust for it too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-BMW-R-12 ... 865wt_1275

Motocod · Post by **Motocod** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:35 am

That's bloody lovely, and you should definitely buy it!!

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:36 am

This one is an absolute minter. Looks the best condition bike with only 9,000 miles. Has a Remus exhaust but needs a under belly cover. It is my second favourite colour scheme. Not a sport either so small wheel and no ohlins. Have to pay dealer prices I guess but you never know.

Will it be collectible with such low mileage?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... obcid=soc3

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:42 am

Silver Sport. Slight damage to the belly pan and needs a new engine head cover. Some like marks on the right side of the bike too. Owner says a Rocker cover costs about a £160.

I have had a quote to get it painted in boxer cup colours exactly like the first bike from an awesome painter here in Scotland that does custom Ducatis and he said £800 which would be ok.

This bike has Ohlins and 190 tyre and a Remus exhaust too but I might find extra damage? Said they are from a really slow drop.

Slight corrosion on the brakes I can see in the bolts? Might be a bit average in the metal but looks ok in pics.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... obcid=soc3

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:48 am

Nive bike with all of the Sport gear. Also has belly pan and ABS. 06 plate makes it an earlier bike? Looks in good condition though.

Yellow isn't my first choice but I could live with it but would paint it Boxer Cup colours at a later date for sure.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for ... s/7639765/

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:50 am

Martins bike. Seems like a genuine bike. He is sending me more photos soon. Not a Sport but has pannier and a belly pan. Good service history but is due another now. Has ABS too.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw-motorbikes ... 1113286428

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:51 am

Another Dealer Sport in Yellow
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... obcid=soc3

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:52 am

BMW Approved Dealer Bike. Top end of the money but a Sport with ABS. Still needs a belly pan too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... obcid=soc3

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:14 am

Id go for the sport, and narrow it down on choices.

Look at the dealer prices as being a starting point - these bikes ain't big sellers.

But - you need to see in the flesh.

Al

exoticices · Post by **exoticices** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:26 am

Hi Tav, my thoughts on some of your questions:

Haven't ridden a non-Ohlins so can't compare them. The Ohlins is probably worth having but need tweaking the set-up if you want a sporty feel (standard is quite soft). Also, they're getting old now so may benefit from a service/rebuild.

I've ridden both a 180 and 190 tyre and couldn't tell any real-world difference. Some huggers don't fit the 190 apparently.

I found the non-ABS brakes to be very good, and the 'funny front end' allows them to be used quite hard/late into bends if needed. (Disclaimer: I don't like ABS!)

Non-cat headers are more important than the end-can (for power & feel) but these are expensive and limited choice nowadays.

I'd be more interested in service history and condition - has it been loved? A few seem to have gone through a lot of owners and so have missed or skimpy servicing.

Like a lot of bikes, they seem to be advertised at stupid prices and sit on dealer's floors for ages and ages - I wouldn't pay over £5000 unless it was really top condition with goodies (exhausts, carbon covers,etc.).

They are great (if quirky) bikes, but financially don't make much sense against a good TLR or Aprilia Mille, so you need to be sure you really want one. I'd certainly have a test ride first to see if it grabs you.

By the way, the yellow SP56 ORY is my old bike!

John

Big Tav · Post by **Big Tav** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:44 am

Thanks for the quick replies. I haven't ridden one and I work a lot. I am sure I will like it though. I am a good rider but not a great one so won't be doing anything mental. Just nice rides for an hour or two here and there.

I am fairly big like a rugby player. 6 ft and 115kg+ so the suspension might need setting up for me too anyway.

What is a concern is that if I do get it and don't like it I would need to move it on. I don't want to do my arse financially if I don't like it. My logic was the Sport may be more desirable so easier to resell?

I would only buy a good one with good history. The Boxer cup one looks good and the red/silver one looks immaculate too.

I do like the look of the Sport model with the bigger wheel and the ohlins. I won't be pushing the bike so even if the 190 doesn't handle quite as well I would like to look at it more I guess.

If the Boxer cup one was a Sport I would just get it now but I have to trust you guys on what to do.

My head says wait for a really good TLR for £3k and save myself some money and still enjoy it. I was thinking of a Ducati 999S but the money to keep it running right with the belts and everything puts me off when I don't ride a lot.

The BMW looks like a German 999 so it looks quite appealing to me. I just don't want to get my pants pulled down or get stuck with the wrong bike.

popsky · Post by **popsky** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:45 am

Totally agree with the above, if your gonna spend £5000 + you need to see it at least, I'd not buy without a demo ride, and don't believe a description either, a stunning bike that's never seen winter is frankly bollocks, the red/silver in Durham for example, picture 5 front of engine, paint flaking side of engine and barrels look mingin, and before anyone says they all do that I know cause mine has but Roloo's is in perfect order and I suspect if there was rain in the air that bike got vanned home.

The old adage buyer beware is the phrase to keep in mind.

popsky · Post by **popsky** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:48 am

Also make sure you do as much research on the specific bike your interested in, 6 owners is not good for resale.

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:50 am

A TLR

Both the BMW bikes are quicker on 'real' roads than most bikes, unless you are john McGuiness......

Al