Advice Needed Purchase R1200S

Phil Buttolph · Post by **Phil Buttolph** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:34 pm

I am interested in buying a R1200S and need forum input. The options I am considering are Ohlins, heated grips, computer, ABS and alarm. Dealer here said alarm draws enough current to make it an issue overnight...and he said "an Option 585 is a 'taller geared final drive'" . The bike is VERY expensive here, about 17,000 US$...if I do this I want it to be right. It will be used on our open western roads and not on track..other bikes are 1989 FJ1200 [considering selling to finance BMW] and a 1969 TR6R [never parting with it]...any and all information/comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

Phil in Oregon

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:19 pm

Welcome to the nut hutch Phill.

Dont do it buy a 1200GS instead

Bob

paulR · Post by **paulR** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:32 am

Welcome

Is that the price with all the extras? If so, that is still cheaper than here in the UK.

I have an R1200s with Ohlins, heated grips (of course!) and onboard computer. I haven't got an alarm or ABS but I can't imagine the battery would drain overnight. I would say it is the perfect bike for your roads.

Paul

sproggy · Post by **sproggy** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:23 am

Phil, if I were you I'd knock the alarm off the options list - no end of problems with them 'taking over' the bike (assuming it's the same as the one fitted to the 1200GS) and basically screwing things up, battery drain included. This doesn't affect all bikes (possibly depends on the version of software loaded in the ECU), but if it was me I wouldn't take the risk.

RoLoo · Post by **RoLoo** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:54 am

Boxadog 2000 wrote:...don't do it buy a 1200GS instead...

...maybe Bob is right...

...the R12S is a mighty fine bike ; with a fine engine...BUT...(IMO) it needs open roads. You must give it the space for what they designed the bike for ; going from A to B, past C and D...: FAST...

...personally I think it is a worthless B-roads-touring bike (compared to our beloved R1100S)...
...stop and go traffic is worse...
...and stop and go traffic with a (small -kid-) passenger is even more worse...

...underhand I'm thinking selling both bikes, and buy one new tourer...
...something like a (blue) R1200RT...

...BTW my bike has :

- longer final drive (couldn't choose it !!)
- wider rear rim
- Öhlins (and they are much too soft if you ask me...)
- alarm (insurance company wanted it that way...)
- pillion seat cover
- dark screen
- paddock stand (don't forget to buy that !!)
- ABS
- heated grips
- the optional two/tone paint

theseadog · Post by **theseadog** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:57 pm

RoLoo wrote:...underhand I'm thinking selling both bikes, and buy one new tourer...
...something like a (blue) R1200RT...

Ron, are you trying to become the new Richard ??

Toodle Pip

PBBoxer · Post by **PBBoxer** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:23 pm

I have heated grips, ABS, wider rims, Ohlins

I dont find te Ohlins soft at all, infact I think they're quite firm and Im quite heavy so would expect any soft shocks to have been worse for me. Most of the roads round here are quite twisty and bumpy and to be honest the 1200 handles them without any fuss at all. No chicken strips here!

Go for it.

I'd ditch the alarm tho

Good luck

RoLoo · Post by **RoLoo** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:29 pm

theseadog wrote:...Ron, are you trying to become the new Richard ??...

...no, no,no...

...but I must say ; such a RT is a great bike...

...just got back from a 4 days, 1245 mile RT-trip through Germany (Schwarzwald), a piece of Switzerland, a bit of France, and through the Eiffel, without any trouble, and without a painful behind. But WITH wife and a bit of luggage...

...I doubt if such is doable on the S...

...think not...

twodear · Post by **twodear** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:55 am

Phil,

By "western roads" do you mean straight and flat? Also how many miles do you intend to ride every year? Do you sometimes carry a pillion? IMHO, straight and flat for a long time, or with a passenger for even a short time, is not the R1200S forte.

I have ridden an R12S and compared to my R11S is is lighter, prettier(?), has more power, has better brakes and corners better. However I restrict use of my R11S to track use only, I wouldn't have an R12S for everyday unless I could keep the GS.

I use a R1150GS for everyday, non-focussed, on twisty sealed roads and any unsealed roads. I've had it on the track and it holds up it's end just fine. The GS also gives me the option to go onto rough unsealed roads two up (or not) with luggage (or not).

To make a long story short, I think that the R12S is great for short fast blasts (and looks better in front of a cafe') but not so much suitable for a wide variety of everyday roads or for riding two up or with baggage.

AvTech37 · Post by **AvTech37** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:40 pm

Sitting quietly here in Abu Dhabi I thought I would throw a spanner in the works just for good measure. Have you had a ride on the new R1200R? Before you guffaw, take a ride.
Looks may not be to everyones taste, including mine, but overall I was pretty impressed - no, very impressed - with the motor. Riding position needed modding with lower bars,etc, etc but take a ride......you could have another option on your hands.
PS I took the R1200S out when having an alarm fitted to my 04BCR.
All the best
Richard G.

Phil Buttolph · Post by **Phil Buttolph** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:25 pm

Twodear and Richard...thanks for your observations and input...first I do not intend to do any touring or two up riding with the R1200S if I get one..may keep my '89 FJ1200 for touring and my wife really doesn't like riding "stoker" so my riding will be solo..big issue is that I have never ridden a boxer...our roads have tons of curves here in NE Oregon, and in fact Oregon/Idaho/Washington/Nevada have mile after mile of great bike roads with little traffic...if you don't count the deer..the money for a R12S is huge and I trying to curb my lust for the pure naked bike mechanical beauty of the R12S and trying to invision what four hours of riding at 7/10 would be like...but what the hell at my age,64, going for the big ass grins inside the helmet is worth a gamble...unless I find a real flaw in the bike [final drive failures still worry me] ...I may order one this week...but please keep the advice coming!

Thanks..Phil

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:40 pm

Phil - firstly welcome to the group.

I've ridden all the latest (Hexhead) Boxers apart from the 1200RT over the last 4 months or so and have drawn my own conclusions as to which I prefer.

I know the 1200GS reasonably well having ridden one on several occasions - I had one as a loaner for a day whilst my BCR was being serviced recently. Did approx 200 miles on it in fact. A Very Good Bike the GS but...

...I prefer the 1200S. PB allowed me to enjoy the delights of his 12S for half a day on a recent Boxertrix weekend away. I fell in love with it - ALL roads; bumpy, twisty, fast & open, the S just loved the lot. Really strong motor too. For one-up riding it would take a lot to dissuade me from buying one. Surpisingly comfy too (I'm 6'3").

However, for sheer arse-kicking, grin-inducing fun I liked the R1200R the most. Its looks still aren't to my taste (although I'm warming to them) but to ride it's a scream. Significantly quicker in a straight line than the GS (it's lighter and has an extra 10bhp) and with lighter steering.

Rode a 1200ST aswell but the demo bike had a badly squared-off rear tyre and the suspension had been set by a lobotomised chimp. Nice enough engine though. Comfy ergo's too.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:31 pm

gromit wrote

However, for sheer arse-kicking, grin-inducing fun I liked the R1200R the most. Its looks still aren't to my taste (although I'm warming to them) but to ride it's a scream. Significantly quicker in a straight line than the GS (it's lighter and has an extra 10bhp) and with lighter steering.

I had the 1150R for a day while I had the 1100s serviced. It was the easiest bike to ride. U turned on a six pence. I had to be the most fun I have had on a bike. The run between the ribblehead and hawes was great.

My lower back was sore cos I need to lean forward slighly for longer trips. but I could not stop grinning. So much so that I took a 1200GS for a day. Could not get on with it. The engine was good though.

I bet the 1200R is a blast. The only down side would be wet weather protection on a tour.

PBBoxer · Post by **PBBoxer** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:33 pm

Get em all bought!

twodear · Post by **twodear** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:39 am

Phil Buttolph wrote:Twodear and Richard...thanks for your observations and input...first I do not intend to do any touring or two up riding with the R1200S if I get one..may keep my '89 FJ1200 for touring and my wife really doesn't like riding "stoker" so my riding will be solo..big issue is that I have never ridden a boxer...our roads have tons of curves here in NE Oregon, and in fact Oregon/Idaho/Washington/Nevada have mile after mile of great bike roads with little traffic...

Phil, as you already have an old reliable for most anything else, the R1200S would be a good choice, . Have fun.

www.boxertrix.com