R1200ST or R1200S anyone tried both of these to compare?

[dave2wheels]

would be be tempted off the 11S with either but as mainly use it for commuting not sure the S is best, more involving yes.
anyone else tried them both? I'm testing both tomorrow!
ttfn Dave

[Gromit]

Dave - I've ridden both; the 12S I was lucky enough to have PB let me have a spin on his for a whole afternoon. Loved it, great bike, and deceptively quick ground coverer that's a P.O.P to ride fast.

The ST? I rode North Oxford BMW's demo bike which was a bit of a shed tbh. Squared off rear tyre, pogo-ing suspension etc. However I actually quite like it - very comfy, great screen/fairing and handled well despite the above gripes. Seemed quite torquey in the motor dept.

[f90x]

you know, i really like the idea of one of these for the comfort and relative performance but they are so goddamned ugly i don't think i could actually do it.

[PBBoxer]

Ive ridden both too.
Thought the st was actually really good to ride, especially if yu're into touring and a bit of fun on the side
Bought the 12s tho, cos i luvs it i does

[Vince]

The ST's looks grow on you once you have one. You never have an ugly child of course

TBH I've never bought a bike based on how it looks, I usually have a practical list I'm ticking off and the ST fullfilled my list, Plus those ugly lights are really, really good, I can burn the hairs of a rabbits back if it stays on the verge to long

[Blackal]

The ST seems to look better in dark colours, and no doubt about it - it makes a good half-way house between an S and an RT (which is a bit of a bloater, I feel).

Al

[bigblackfalco]

Must be able to pick one up cheap as they were a very poor seller for BMW.
The correct decription for the looks of this bike is:
FUGLY

[Vince]

By the time the seller and I had agreed on the price and what I wanted done on the bike before I handed over any cash, I got it for £6080 August 07. I did have to have a rear tyre a 1000 miles later but I was expecting that. I also got the full BMW hard luggage.

Bikes a 2005, had 3300 miles on it when I picked it up. brand new BMW battery (Bike had been stood for a year with wrong battery tender fitted) 2Yr service, and the cleanest one I'd seen as I was looking about for a couple of months while I built up funds.

BTW, dealer were quoting at least £1500 more without luggage and twice the milage (not that that milage really mattered) back then. I think they've come down £500 or so now

Sometimes the Fugly ones ride the best

[Blackal]

Sometimes the Fugly ones ride the best

You're not talking about the bike now, are you?

Al

[hjr1100s]

I ride an S and had a ST loaner for a week or so. The ST is definitely better if it comes to touring, but forget about the S-part. It's suspension isn't capable, too soft, to keep things under control when you want to go for a blast. Also the footpegs are too low and you'll touch the ground sooner then you'd thought. I did lower the handlebars, put the shield in its lowest position, put the preload almost to the max for more groundclearance. The engine is smooth which makes it an easy ride especially when filtering traffic . Compared to the 1100S it has a bit more power, but compared to the 1200S it's boring. Thought the handling was similar to my old 1100S (that did have the short GS strut)

I remember that, though the ST is a capable tourer (very effictive windshield) I would rather prefer an upgraded 1100S: it looks better and is more sports then the ST.

If you do go for the ST: spend some money on a new set of shocks. But you might consider a R1200R + some extra windprotection: better looking, and a good ride with standard shocks (compromise between comfort and stability).

How did your testride go?

HJ

[BRIAN-63]

HAVE JUST CHANGED FROM S TO ST ITS SOFTER SPRUNG THAN THE S(MINE HAD SPORTS SUSPENTION THO) GOES WELL THO. BETTER FOR ME BEING A SHORT ASS & YES PEGS TO TOUCH DOWN WHEN MAKING PROGRESS JUST HAVE TO ADAPT MY RIDING STYLE TO SUITE AS FOR UGLEY I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. HEAD LIGHT BULBS ARE A PIG TO CHANGE IF YOU DONT REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BUT THIS IS ONLY 2 M5 PINS.
HAVE FUN WOTEVER YOU RIDE
BRIAN

[Boxadog 2000]

Speak up Brian

[BMW-Fahrer]

It's like a d...'s dilemma what bike to replace the R1100S with.
The R1200ST is practical with big bags,luggage rack,centerstand and bigger tank than the R1100S put it is pig-ugly and the handling not as good as the R1100S.The engine is more powerful though and feels maybe even better than the R1200S with some smooth pickup issues due to the "hotter" cams to make at little more power between 7 and 8500...
The R1200S looks still o.k. and handles as good as the R1100S and has more power than the R1100S but is just as useful and practical as any sports bike from italy or orient...
Like I said a real dilemma and probably the reason why both 12ST and 12S don't come off the assembly line anymore...
But maybe one day the will be able to come up with a bike that combines best features of S and ST and we get successor to the R1100S worth getting exited about.
There is always hope...
PS:Having said that for commuting I definately would go for the ST since the 12S is definately less comfortable (low bars,less wind/weather protection,hard seat,less luggage space,no centerstand to park the bike upright) or even better keep the R1100S...Save yer money!
Or look at the R1200R which is really nice in my opinion if you can live with less wind/weatherprotection...

[Boxadog 2000]

Or just go and buy a new GS

[BMW-Fahrer]

If no can live without the "long way up or down" image or never intend to wander to far off the paved pad te R1200R is better than the GS...
I myself hold out for the sport-touring version of the HP-S;than the price wouln't even be too bad because you get two bikes for the price of one...