So, no more R1200S?

[EZ-RIDER]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

Here are the old r1100s bikes.

That was funny, well done Thank God they were bumble bee paint scheme !

Max BMW on their parts fiche gave the build dates.

[Bob Hancock]

And I just got up for another beer. Is that the same thing?

[Bob Hancock]

Hey Tim,
I've never owned a K12RS but spent a little time on them and was interested in them when they first came out. Being a twin guy, they just weren't enough to get me to buy one. Their weight, as I recall, is about 630 lbs. They are pretty fast and were comfortable imho, with large bags.
The K12S weighs 575lbs on my scales ready to go. It is long and hard to turn quickly. Unless you ride really fast on the street you may not find this, but I had mine on the track and it got pretty squirrelly when pushed in the transitions. Being designed as an autobahn burner, it can't run with an R12S when the going gets twisty....as least not with me on it. Mine has the electronic suspension which I like for street duty, but it really needs more if you track it. It might be more of a twisty bike if you didn't get the ESC but the stock suspension and upgraded to Ohlins. But....on my trip out west it was nice to be able to go soft while my mates were having their kidneys pounded on their Ohlins sprung R11S/R12S bikes.

The motor is a monster over about 6k with a redline of 11k. You can spend all your life with it below 6k and be happy as a clam but once you get it revved it really accelerates. But....it takes a moment or two to get there, so for passing fun, the R12S is more fun as it does it "right now". Spend time between 7 and 11k in any gear and you will have fun, but not in jail.
I use my K-bike for touring duty. Although the bags are smaller than those of the R12S or the K12RS, the rear seat gives a good platform for lots of Helen Two Wheels bags. I spent 25 days on it last summer and found it smooth and pretty comfortable, although my 63 year old knees were complaining at the end. Not sure if that was all the camping or the ride, but I was glad to be off it when I got home.
Maintenance is pretty simple although I let the dealer do the valve service at 23xxx miles. Supposed to be at 18k but I was on a trip. Two valves needed adjustment and then not much. This is the first and only bike I've ever bought extended warranty cvoverage on, so I hope to put 100,000 miles on it. It will get the nod again if I go on another trip.
The tranny is chunky, but the later ones....2007 and on are better I've heard. My 2006 requires an educated toe to shift smoothly. Not something you can't learn quickly. It will never shift as smoothly as a Ducati. That said, the smoothest BMW tranny I've ever owned is my 2007 R12R. I wish they all were like it.

That's about all I can think of. To lurk a good site and learn stuff go to I-BMW.com; The K1200S, K1300S, K1300R, K1300GT, K1200GT BMW motorcycle Portal, Powered by vBulletin

PS. What happened to Tims' question about the K-bike? Deleted while I answered? Oh well. I needed to practice my typing anyway.

[AZ_Tim]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

PS. What happened to Tims' question about the K-bike? Deleted while I answered? Oh well. I needed to practice my typing anyway.

Sorry Bob. I deleted my post when I realized the K1200RS and the K1200S were pretty much two different bikes. I was hoping I deleted my post before anyone saw what a dumb question it was. But I appreciate your response. Thank you. Some very good info there.

[AZ_Tim]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

The tranny is chunky, but the later ones....2007 and on are better I've heard. My 2006 requires an educated toe to shift smoothly. Not something you can't learn quickly. It will never shift as smoothly as a Ducati. That said, the smoothest BMW tranny I've ever owned is my 2007 R12R. I wish they all were like it.

I've had three BMW boxers (1994 R1000GS/PD, 2002 R1150R, and my current 1999 R1100S) and two Moto Guzzis so I know all about clunky transmissions--I had to re-learn how to shift. Now I keep slight pressure on the shift lever until the clutch is released--on both upshifts and downshifts. It took me a while to learn this but it has made it so I almost never miss a shift no matter what bike I ride. And it's a whole lot easier on the tranny when you don't find those false neutrals.

[Bob Hancock]

Originally Posted by AZ_Tim

Sorry Bob. I deleted my post when I realized the K1200RS and the K1200S were pretty much two different bikes. I was hoping I deleted my post before anyone saw what a dumb question it was. But I appreciate your response. Thank you. Some very good info there.

No problem, Tim.

[AZ_Tim]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

Unless you ride really fast on the street you may not find this, but I had mine on the track and it got pretty squirrelly when pushed in the transitions. Being designed as an autobahn burner, it can't run with an R12S when the going gets twisty....as least not with me on it. Mine has the electronic suspension which I like for street duty, but it really needs more if you track it. It might be more of a twisty bike if you didn't get the ESC but the stock suspension and upgraded to Ohlins. But....on my trip out west it was nice to be able to go soft while my mates were having their kidneys pounded on their Ohlins sprung R11S/R12S bikes.

Sounds like you're a much better rider than me.

I spent 25 days on it last summer and found it smooth and pretty comfortable, although my 63 year old knees were complaining at the end.

I'm jealous. I haven't been on more than a 100-mile day trip in quite a while.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

I'd think that would take some work in Phoenix metropolitan area...

But not in NV or CA.


Here's where I got stranded and rolled into a trailer park in Scotty's Junction, NV. I was overjoyed to only have to pay $40 for a five gallon jug this kind man had.

[Droptarotter]

Hey Rick;
What is the tank bag you have mounted? It seems to fit nicely and does not look as tall as the stock BMW one.
Cheers

[Rick Lee]

That's a Wunderlich bag.

[Reformed Squid]

What was the final consensus on the total number of R1200S's sold?

[shreddr]

How many R12S units made it into the USA, does anybody know the number?

[Guest24]

I think the new BMW sport bike is being manufactured by Ducati. Multistrada 1200S

[Mr. Badger]

No hard bags was a killer defect for me also. I love my 1100S but if I wanted a pure sportbike without hardbags I'd buy something with better HP/weight and performance/$ ratios than the 1200S.

Didn't they bother to ask existing bike owners what they wanted next?

[Dr. Curve]

I don't know Shred.........we think the final number of HP2 units in the USA is about 128 or less. The R12S units most likely in the 425 range. Check out and see how wrong I am but I think these numbers are close for these two very rare models.

[Rick Lee]

I thought I read something like 440 R12S's made it to the US.

[peter f]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I think the new BMW sport bike is being manufactured by Ducati. Multistrada 1200S

Not bad at all (engineering wise) and clever (if electronics work) but awful aesthetics... like Donald Duck on steroids. Check the "ESA" style shock replacement cost (a bit HIDEOUS at 4+K).

Try the trad Ducati: 1198 (S is worth the extra cash) - in red obviously. It's not a bike, it's a statement (and a passion).

Moral: Ducati Uber Alles.

He He

[Guest24]

No worries about the cost of a shock replacement, peter f. I don't seem to keep a bike long enough to get into that pocket.

[flatbutt]

I got a close look at the Multistrada 1200. The GS could be in for some serious competition.

[Guest24]

I'm going over to ATL BMW to test ride it this morning.