Anyone ridden an R1200S?

[Sid Squid]

R12S is excellent, a subtle but significant improvement over the 1100, (the 1100 probably only scores by being generally considered better looking, but that's a very personal thing obviously), there's no question that both are by any reasonable standard large and heavy, but both are also impressive and extremely capable real world motorcycles. The thing about them is that they're Beemers, which rather splits opinion - try one, you'll know soon enough whether you'll get on with a Beemer or not, but, be prepared to be surprised, BMWs may have a reputation for being staid and dependable but lacking in fun, but that's just not true, both are serious VFR competition - both practical and enjoyable.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Im really not a big fan of IL4 screamers

Yawn: Most fours simply aren't 'screamers' - whatever that means.

There isnt a lot of info on the R1200S really. Shady! Infact they arnt even on BMW's site!?

Apparently the R1200S is 195KG dry which is pretty comparable to the Jap thous... How it caries the weight though might make it feel heavier though,

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Yawn: Most fours simply aren't 'screamers' - whatever that means.

Asin the configuration, the standard IL4, firing every 180*, seems to have something missing for me...

I despise newer BMWs mainly because the later oilhead 1200 engines have terrible reputations for shagging gearboxes and electronics. they also have problems with the servo assisted brakes which can leave you with no braking power. i'd avoid one like the plague.

As far as the IL4 BMWs go, aside from the S1000R, which I havent ridden yet, I would avoid those too as they are huge great, heavy, unwieldy beasts that go quite well but lack every kind of finesse and character found in their competition. I've ridden a few and hated every minute spent aboard them.

Also, wtf is it with the switchgear on BMWs? - three indicator buttons to do the job that just one can manage quite succesfully on every other motorcycle produced. What are BMW trying to prove, because it doesn't work, it's not intuitive and it's downright bloody confusing as well as needlessly overcomplicating the electrical system.

On the plus side I dont think the R1200S has servo on it...

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I despise newer BMWs mainly because the later oilhead 1200 engines have terrible reputations for shagging gearboxes and electronics. they also have problems with the servo assisted brakes which can leave you with no braking power. i'd avoid one like the plague.

As far as the IL4 BMWs go, aside from the S1000R, which I havent ridden yet, I would avoid those too as they are huge great, heavy, unwieldy beasts that go quite well but lack every kind of finesse and character found in their competition. I've ridden a few and hated every minute spent aboard them.

Also, wtf is it with the switchgear on BMWs? - three indicator buttons to do the job that just one can manage quite succesfully on every other motorcycle produced. What are BMW trying to prove, because it doesn't work, it's not intuitive and it's downright bloody confusing as well as needlessly overcomplicating the electrical system.

Servo brakes has been fixed. Gearbox (apparently) is getting better. Indicators is an idiosyncrasy, but my SV and my Honda Cub have indicators on opposite sides and I don't get confused chopping and changing. And the gearchanges are backwards between them. R1200S is a boxer twin. Not an S1200rr. Greek has a famous prejudice against IL4's, hence his barrel-scraping to find a new interesting bike that he hasn't already owned.

BMW Motorrad are just deliberately bloody-minded and idiosyncratic, which is why I'm going to get either an R1200s or a K100. And I bet I enjoy riding either as well!

[yorkie_chris]

Guy up the road has some panzer with a weird front end. He says it's a good laugh to ride and you'll crap yourself the first time you need to brake, as the lack of dive makes it feel like you're not stopping.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

195KG dry which is pretty comparable to the Jap thous...

On what planet?
the K5 GSXR is 199kg Wet!
my zx10 is 175kg I know there's lies, damned lies, and motorbike weight figures, but I'd rather they were claiming it was 20kg less

[yorkie_chris]

Anyway gr33k boy if you had heard Jamessunhills GSXR750 you would not harbor such a dislike for the noise

Tested weights are a fair amount more than the weights that the factories quote, infact I dont ever bother reading what the factories claim anymore as its rubbish and just look at when people like you and me find... Weights wet for all the Jap thous are a little over 200KG's, the SS600's are about 200KG's wet, as a side note, a SV650 is about 5KG's lighter than the 08 Gixxer 600!!

On a side note, one of the few factories not to bull **** on spec's is KTM from what I've seen. I like their style

[embee]

It might not be a valid comparison, but FWIW...

I tried a friend's R1150RS. I found it a big big machine, liked the suspension, disliked the transmission (and I have a 1975 R90S!), hated the indicator switches, loved the electric screen, loved the mile-munching 6th gear for motorways, overall I can see why some will like them but not for me, just "too much bike". The reliability issues would concern me a bit too (rear suspension bearings, electronics etc). Another friend had a F800 which did the infamous random brake disappearance which landed him in the middle of a crossroads a couple of times, so he got rid. That would worry me too.