First ride on my R1200R

NakedRider · 10-09-2009, 01:46 PM

I finally got out of the house on the R1200R today. After the ride home from the dealer yesterday I decided to fiddle with the suspension in the rear. Glad I checked it out. The preload was set below "Standard" which is meant for a 187 lb man. I'm 205 bare nekkid before I eat anything in the morning. Add to that my gear and 50oz of water and...I needed more preload. Rebound was way off too according to the manual. It says standard is full hard then back it off 1 1/2 turns. Mine was 3 turns out. I changed it to one.

Coming off the HP2S I was expecting the ride to feel like the bike was lacking control. It is softer but the wheels stay planted, sometimes even better than some sport bikes that I've had when the road gets rough enough. That was refreshing. I filled up with gas and reset all of the computer setting to start anew.

The first real performance surprise for me were the brakes. They are REALLY strong on this bike. I remember when I used to switch back and forth between the HP2S and Megamoto that the Megamoto almost felt like it had no brakes after riding the Sport. Not so with the R. I don't think they are as powerful as the HP2S but they are really strong.

I took hwy 80 to Auburn and exited towards hwy 49. I rode 49 south and took a left on hwy 193 at Cool.

My first stop - Georgetown. This is out front of Worton's deli, a famous rest stop for bike riders in this area.

Notice the hugger on the rear. It's from my HP2 Sport. I had just bought it. No sense trading it in with the bike. It fits the R too but it barely touches the shock guard.

After my stop in Georgetown I continued out 193 in search of the crash site of my Megamoto. This is the R overlooking the spot where I crashed.

The shady spot around the bend is where the Megamoto came to rest. There's still a stain on the asphalt from the oil spill. I still ride a little slower through there nowadays.

Hwy 193 crosses 49 again just before Placerville. From there I took 49 to 50 and headed in the direction of Lake Tahoe. There is a REAL sweet road about 20 miles out of Placerville called Ice House. Great turns and the road is nice and smooth. This is where I started to open up the R just a bit. I was surprised how nice the engine sounded. A bit more muscular than I was expecting. Not quite the thrill of the HP2S or Megamoto but that's OK. I started to feel very relaxed on the R. This is a VERY easy bike to ride. My lean angles increased as my confidence grew. I was also enjoying the engine braking. This bike is every bit as easy to ride thru the twisties using throttle control only as a GS. Nice.

This is the top of Ice House just before the resort.

When Ice House crossed Wentworth Springs Road I turned left. WS Road is THE roadracers paradise in this area. There is a strip about 7 miles long between Wentworth Springs Road and Uncle Toms cabin that's hard to describe. We usually have several fatalities each year from guys riding beyond their skill level. One of the worst spots has huge granite rocks. So you are seeing mountain, dirt, trees....and around the next bend ROCKS!!!! They fixate on the rocks and crash right into them.

I've ridden the road many times so it was going to be a good test for the R. This is where the riding position of the R comes into play. Going downhill I really prefer to be sitting straight up. I just feel like I have more control and my balance is better. I started off a bit timid but by the end of the 7 mile stretch I was feeling really good about how well the bike did.

This is along the way on Wentworth Springs Road.

I made a complete loop back to Georgetown then back home.

I went 195 miles and the gas light never came on!! I was getting about 40MPG. I have to say the comfort of the R was everything I was hoping it would be. I don't hurt anywhere. No back pain, knees, wrist...nothing.

I had fun riding the bike too. Lately when I went out on the HP2S it was too much work to be fun. For me changing bikes was a good move. Many may think I was crazy to switch from the HP2S to the R. I can understand that. The HP2S was, by far, the most special bike I've ever owned. For me it just wasn't a good "only" bike.

MaineRoads · 10-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Good write up. 195 miles before the fuel light? Thats nice. Mine comes on after 85-90. Glad it's what your looking for. Do you have any performance upgrades planned? How do you like the rear bag?

NakedRider · 10-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaineRoads

Good write up. 195 miles before the fuel light? Thats nice. Mine comes on after 85-90. Glad it's what your looking for. Do you have any performance upgrades planned? How do you like the rear bag?

I had the same range as you with my Megamoto. Light came on between 83 and 87 every time.

I'm not going to be doing any performance upgrades on the R just yet. Bag wise, that bag is a replacement for the 19 litre that got damaged in the Megamoto crash. It's not as wide as the previous model but it's taller and has a little pad like a backrest. I've always though it was about the perfect size for what I want to carry on a ride. I like it!

Kieran R1100S · 03:27 PM

Good write up Naked.
I'm surprised you never mentioned anything about the steering and how it tips in.
The motor is very Strong, but I noticed the steering how quick it was compared to the R12S.
Like you, you get back from a ride and nothing hurts! Feels good!
I should have made this purchase a long time ago.
The bike is so flexibly to what you can do with it.
There is even storage under the seat to carry tools, puncture repair kit and the hand book, getting back to what bikes used to be.
I Love it, going for a ride now.
Still waiting on part coming but once I have them all will post with it all together.

Bob Hancock · 10-09-2009, 03:21 PM

Today I ran my tank almost empty. I filled up with 5.3 gallons with 227 miles total and 29 to go to flame out. Computer said I was getting 41. So I think this is an easy 200 mile tank with plenty left to find gas. My bike has a bit over 13,000 miles on it now fwiw.

bill pierce · 10-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Beautiful bike, thanks for the write up. I wish the 11s had that kind of range.

NakedRider · 10-09-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

I'm surprised you never mentioned anything about the steering and how it tips in.

You're right. I should have mentioned that. It does transition very well side-to-side and remains stable while doing so. My HP2S was extremely quick in transitions but for some reason I feel more comfortable with switchbacks on the RR.

NakedRider · 10-09-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

Today I ran my tank almost empty. I filled up with 5.3 gallons with 227 miles total and 29 to go to flame out. Computer said I was getting 41. So I think this is an easy 200 mile tank with plenty left to find gas. My bike has a bit over 13,000 miles on it now fwiw.

Sounds about right Bob. Mine said I was getting about 40MPG and it took about 4.9 gal. to fill it up.

chewie · chewie's Garage

Good stuff.

How about buffeting?

2wheelmike · 10-09-2009, 06:18 PM

So we'll see it first hand at the Triple Crown, Yosimite-- Right?

moze229 · moze229's Garage

That is one nice looking ride you got there Naked! Now that you've put some miles in, you messed up your shiny new header pipes.

I suppose that happens as soon as you start it up for the first time.

Matt

EenyBear · 10-09-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Notice the hugger on the rear. It's from my HP2 Sport. I had just bought it. No sense trading it in with the bike. It fits the R too but it barely touches the shock guard.

Hmmm... when I bought my Ilmberger CF hugger for the R12S I received explicit instructions to remove the shock guard - to avoid any rubbing. Maybe the same is required here. Just a thought.

Great photos and write-up.
Thanks.
Ian

Guest24 · 10-09-2009, 06:32 PM

Naked, you are correct that the HPS is not an only bike machine. If you'd of had the option, the R12R and the HPS would have prolly made you grin even more. I'm glad you feel comfortable on the R12R.

Kieran R1100S · 10-09-2009, 08:33 PM

Notice how quickly he has adopted to using the centre stand!!

Guest24 · 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

Notice how quickly he has adopted to using the centre stand!!

Not really Mate.

But, I did notice how quickly he adApted to using it.

You just have to be careful when it's on hot asphalt, however. I still like the sidestand for safety in mounting the bike. How many of you move the bike from a center stand to the sidestand prior to mounting? If you leave out the preposition "to" adopted becomes the correct word choice. I'm just funnin' with you mate.

For my taste, the only item lacking on the R12R is a nicely designed but functional windjammer.

Bob Hancock · 10-10-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

I still like the sidestand for safety in mounting the bike. How many of you move the bike from a center stand to the sidestand prior to mounting?

For my taste, the only item lacking on the R12R is a nicely designed but functional windjammer.

So if it's on the centerstand you roll it off and put it on the side stand and then get on? Never heard of such a thing.

As far as the fairing, I think Dan (the original owner of my bike) found the perfect one. The Wunderlich looks like a fairing off an R90S and that's a very good thing imho.

Graelin · 10-10-2009, 04:31 AM

Thanks for the ride report and photos.

I had an R1200R for the day when getting 1100s service and it just felt right. The specs sheets dont do it justice and I would gladly ride one. I only had it up to 110kmh about 65-70mph and didnt feel any windpressure problems. I do like a small fairing for country travle and that is all I could wish for as an addition to the 1200.

Congradulations looks good in the white

Graelin

Guest24 · 10-10-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

So if it's on the centerstand you roll it off and put it on the side stand and then get on? Never heard of such a thing....

That's 'cause you got long legs.

Bob Hancock · 10-10-2009, 04:38 AM

It just seems like another opportunity to driveway drop the bike. But then what do I know.

NakedRider · 05:02 AM

It feels more natural for me to mount the bike when it's on the side stand too. I used the center stand in these pics for two reasons 1) I thought the pics might come out a little better 2) it's hard to tell but the roads were slopping downward. The center stand seemed to hold it more stable than the side stand which felt like it might roll forward. I suppose, in time, I'll rock it off the center stand and ride away like I used to on my Adventure.

Windshield wise - I HATE buffeted air. I've found that windshields either needs to be very small or very large. I like the wind, big time. I just don't want to fight it so a smaller screen usually works better for me. The R1200S and HP2S are good examples of small screens. They flow a lot of air but it's REALLY clean and you are leaning forward so it never was an issue.

I had an R1200S and an R1200ST at the same time and the wind flow of the R1200S was actually better for me. It was much quieter too. A bunch of factors fall into the turbulence. How tall you are, how far away the screen is (this is the problem with the GS) and even the jacket you are wearing. The jacket was my most recent discovery and it was a big one. The flow over your shoulders can really push your helmet around.

I'd love to get a screen that looks like the R90S. Maybe in due time.