MCN on R1200S

[Nitro]

MCN has a pretty good review of the new R1100S along the K1200GT and the R1200GS on the June issue.

To make the long story short, they liked the RS but called it a "Grand Turing" bike rather than a sport bike. However they mentioned that the S track capabilities are outstanding. Positive comments on the strong engine, the smooth tranny, and the good looks.

They seemed to like the K1200GT a LOT and there were not too impressed by the GS Adventure's handling.

Overall, they were pretty fair given the long known MCN positive bias toward BMW.

As for me, I keep my 1100 because there are not good substitute at this point. The new S does not have hard luggage, same problem with the SV1000 and the new FZ1 and I do not want to go Ducati and the VFR is gutsless. The ST...well...I'm too metrosexual to ride that thing! If BMW just give the ST a major plastic surgery...

[Chris Geuting]

That's too bad...;-) BMW tries to appease to the magazine writers that only worship "true" sportbikes and run ads like "Prepare to be knocked out by our new Boxer.This mchine is pure sportbike with nowhere to put an panniers and is set to surprise the purists even more so than the BoxerCup replica..." and then they (MCN) call it a Touring-bike.I love it...;-)
"The new R1200Signals a huge leap forward from its 1100cc predecessor."If they would have left the boxes alone as also the seat and enlarged the tank to at least 21 Liters I would have aggreed...
Won't be an easy fight unloved by the jap-fed "sports' crowd and used to bags/200+ mile tankrange beemer sporttourers.
The eye of the tiger...;-)(Rocky)
Chris
PS:I can't believe that they actually advertise like it it a great plus or technical innovation that there is no bags on the bike.Thoose fools!They could have made it even sportier and knocked another 10 pounds off by giving it the worlds smallest gastank of all "sportbikes"...;-)Even Rossi has 22 litres on bord and the WSB bikes 24 liters.Of course they don't need no bags because ll their stuff gets transported in big trucks when they go sport-touring all over the world...;-)

[Rattus]

Hey Chris don't worry about it - maybe a new headlight cluster on the R1200ST and a tweak in its handling could provide what you're looking for. Or maybe they'll make a R1200R along the lines of the K1200R that will give you the boxer you want with the ergonomic/practical advantages of the K1200R which I really like.

[Chris Geuting]

Hi Rattus
Yes that would work.Or they come to their senses and bring us a true successor to our beloved R11S bikes with bigger tank,bags and all the good stuff that is on the new one...
The Roadster I don't know because I really don't like naked bikes for comfort reasons.
Until then I will enjoy my S that unfortunately broke down on me today...
Actually I did not enjoy that at all...;-)
I don't know what really caused it but I guess the fuel pump quit at 7K miles...
Chris

[Rattus]

Sorry to hear your bike broke down Chris. Its never fun to have this kind of incident.

BTW the K1200R with the bigger optional screen gives surprisingly good wind protection, I think it is as good (or amazingly even a bit better) than on my R1100S. Its because the front of the bike is pretty wide so you definitely have a protective bubble from the windblast.

I'd bet Wunderlich will make some kind of proper bag mount for the R1200S... or maybe a Ventura Rack would give the extra capacity needed?