R12GS to HP2

[RC51DRAG]

Hello my fellow troglodytes,

I've been away for the better part of two months. Not on a trip unfortunately. Lost the battle of the 12GS vs. Jimmy truck and trailer. Long story short, he made a left turn, no signal, about 30 feet in front of me, with me travelling towards him at about 80 kph. Nothing broken except the bike but I’m still suffering and expect to be for the better part of the winter and next spring. I just got back to the gym so I am on the road to recovery. The bike crashed exceptionally well but it is a total write off.

As many know the HP2 was number one on my list and a quick call immediately after the accident to Wolf BMW secured me their HP2. It now occupies the former sweet spot of the 12GS. So with 77,000 km and 2 years of ownership on a 12GS and 6,000 km and 3 weeks of ownership on an HP2 here are the comparisons, the regrets and the future plans.

I’m a high mileage rider and while the 12GS filled the bill I wanted something familiar yet completely different from the 12GS while maintaining that comfortable riding position. While the 12GS rocked it wasn’t a hardcore motorcycle and I prefer hardcore bikes. Despite committing to the HP2 almost immediately after the accident I still took a look around to see what was out there. Why no to the R11/12S in the running? I’m waiting for the HP model to compliment the HP2.

As far as long distance riding is concerned when I left Windsor for Ottawa I had about 500 km on it. I added another 950 km that day. I found over the course of the day that the comfort was good. After 400 km any seat to me doesn’t fit the bill but I never let that get in the way of a good ride so for me the seat isn’t an issue. As the KTM 950 guys say if the seat is the issue it’s the easiest thing to replace and hardly a reason to walk away from a quality bike.

I ‘tested’ the fuel range a few times. Topping the bike up until she could take no more and being familiar with the areas I was riding in allowed me to run the reserve right down. With just over 900 km on the motor I was seeing about 230 km to near empty. The second test of the range saw me hit zero and continue riding for another 20-30 km. This second test wasn’t planned; the gas station I was aiming for was closed so I was required to go roughly another 30-35 km with only 10 left on reserve. So it’s nice to know they’ve engineered into some latitude in the fuel range beyond zero for muppets such as me. I would say I was averaging about 70 km per hour; going 100 kph in the 80 kph zones and then the speed limits, 50 kph, in town. Maximum range reached was over 250 km.

I’ve bought a Marsee tank bag. This expands to 18 litres and like the factory bag it doesn’t get in the riders way. Unlike the factory bag it doesn’t cost $500 CAD. The Mountain Sun Touring Company tank panniers at 20 litres a side finishes off my touring needs: Add the tail pack for tools and I have all my camping gear and clothing needs, for the long haul, met. I added a dry bag for the Cro-Mag Advrider rally, since last year was a bit too cold and I decided to bring some extra clothes.

So how does the HP2 compare to the ’04 R12GS? The weight loss is the biggest gain you notice. The stiffness of the frame is the second. The remaining changes and upgrades over the R12GS are subtler.

Lighter weight. The HP2 is 196.5 kg (432 pounds) to the R12GS 237 kg (521 pounds). Add an additional 30 pounds for empty luggage on the 12GS which I kept on all the time and the weight loss is significant at 119 pounds. So I’ve essentially lost a body in the transition. Now add some weight into those bags which allow approximately 130 litres of storage, and you’ve got another 50 -100 pounds. 170 - 219 pounds is a significant drop.

Better clutch feel, nice and light. Repeated abuse doesn’t yield the ‘smelly fish’ odour as easily as the abusing the 12 clutch does.

Better fuelling and throttle response. While the ’04 R12GS improved over time with updates the occasional hesitation and lurching that I grew accustomed to on the 12GS is not apparent on the HP2.

Tire wear – In line with its significant weight loss the HP2 is significant faster, easier to handle, easier to lift and of course better off-road due to its significant weight loss. Tire management is better too. The Metzeler Karoos offer better grip off-road and the wear rate is excellent. I got 5000 km out of my rear before changing and I’m certain I could have added another 1000-2000 km before a necessary change. I still have the original front with plenty of tread left @ over 6000 km.

Luggage – While the R1200GS hard luggage does allow for 130 litres of storage I’ve got 60 litres of luggage space with the option of throwing a dry bag across the rear section of the seat. Sure theses are not hard bags and not as secure but I never leave my bike and I don’t see plastic bags as a real theft deterrent when the steel truck of a car never stopped anyone.

The attention to detail is greater. For example the guide lines on the handlebars to help align it when readjusting them; the bash plate is more secure and mounts easier; the hand guards don’t interfere with the brake or clutch levers; conventional forks allow for easier front end suspension settings; the seat isn't a nightmare to install. Essentially they have learned from the minor bugbears of the 12GS and improved the breed.

Headlight isn’t really an issue for me but I’d guess the stock 12GS headlight might be better
Lack of a windscreen isn’t an issue when touring. I rode regularly at 120-140 kph on the highway for over 400 km and had no ill effects

The 12GS side stand is more robust. The side stand won’t be an issue on the 12 since it is well protected, behind the side stand mount. The HP2 side stand failed, intermittently, until it left me on the side of the road. When I inspected it the casing fell apart in my hands. My thinking is that by kicking the side stand up and/or by putting some weight on the severely angled stand while mounting the bike caused the casing to get pressure that it wasn’t designed for. The end result was a cracked casing that fell apart in my hands and a quick roadside solution, thanks to Lurking Luddite of Advrider bringing a set of alligator clips, got me to the dealership. Once at the dealership the tech wired up a loop and zip tied it to the frame, end of issue.

So, does it live up to the hype? Absolutely, the HP2 has exclusivity akin to a 999R or R1LE while providing a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. How many race vehicles do that? But like a 999R it isn’t for everyone. For most a 12GS will be a better road bike simply because it is more versatile and can do, I feel, most of what the HP2 can do while being way more forgiving. But the HP2 will delivery that elusive percentile, in terms of performance, on-road with SM rims or off-road with enduros, if you are willing to sacrifice some comfort and some luggage space.

For many the bugbear is also the price but as one aficionado put it when you compare it to the halo bikes of other manufacturers he’s surprised it isn’t priced higher given BMWs penchant for exclusivity in their models. An R1LE will run you $30,000 CAD and a 999R will run $40,000 CAD. An M-class motorcycle in limited numbers compared to the assembly line 999R and R1LE costs $23,000 CAD. A bargain it isn’t but it is a great alternative to similarly spec'd halo bikes when you consider the second set of wheels and more sensible riding position.

Would I go back? No. As much as I loved my 12GS, the HP2 is the better bike, for me. Less luggage, more basic, more pure, better overall performance and a real race replica - I love race replicas. Plus it still has a great warranty, is based off a great product that I loved and provides exclusivity within an exclusive group. The only logical alternative is the R12SHP and I can only see that as a stablemate.

Future Plans

I recently won a set of HP2 forks and a rear shock on Ebay today. The forks are going directly to Lindemann Engineering. I talked to Jim today and he felt that while the forks weren’t up to WP or Ohlins spec they could be made significantly better than stock. I plan on having them revalved for the track, for my weight, and for aggressive riding. They will only be used with the SM rims. An aftermarket rear shock, possibly the WP will be purchased if the mounts are similar to the air shock I have. I can’t imagine it being that different. The air shock is very good but as BMWAtlanta has posted it’s lacking on the track. I don’t see the point of doing the forks and leaving the shock stock.

I can’t do the bike justice on the track but I can certainly have fun trying. So I’m thinking/hoping my return to track days on the HP2SM will provide me as much fun as it does on the back roads and dirt trails I’ve been riding.

An FYI, when looking into some prices for parts of the HP2 the dealer noted that Akrapovic are on the BMW parts list for the race exhaust. So it is on the way.

[signit98]

....AWESOME write-up, RC... glad to hear that (other than the old ego and the trusty "iron horse") nothing got broken and that you are on track to full recovery... never good to hear about a fellow rider down... and I had quite the experience with that last weekend!

I was curious about the HP and you've answered many-o-questions with your story... thank you.

It is funny how things chnage and yet stay the same... I remember when bare bones was still to much and literally every whasher that was not essential had to go and I spend many a winter's nights drilling out screw heads and such...

now, the shoe MAY look good, but HAS to be comfortable (hence the "S" next to the 748)... and yet, if I can't run fast in them... I am still looking for a better, more radical shoe (hence the 748 next to the "S")... if my analogy means anything.

[steve abella]

Great review, though haven't had your side stand problem though

I agree with your read on the bike

I had John at Palo Verde (MX shop) redo the front Now No Dive on hard braking, sticks like glue in the corners You will love this

I went lighter on the rear shock than the factory recommends even bubble without the ridder and like the rear shock much more might want to try it for me it was 20 PSI less than the factory suggested

I went with the PackSafe for a tail bag and the Wundrelich rack very happy having a custom under fender SS tank made to give me a true 200 mile range essential out west and she is ready to tour

I also think that the torque and acceleration make it a great commuter bike

this weekend it is getting the Lazer full system install and have hids on order for the bike

Kept my S and lost my KTM

[turnerm]

What is the R12SHP?

[RC51DRAG]

R12SHP is the rumoured new High Performance model. the last report I read from the BMW head honcho said that they were going to concentrate on the boxer motors first. the logical HP model would be an R12SHP since it is the sportiest bike BMW make next to the HP2.

Thx for the suspension comments. I was really wondering if I'd see a significant change. I'm also considering the WP rear shock for the R12GS. Again revalved to suit. Ohlins and Wilburs have shocks for the HP2 as well.

I must admit it is hard to decide which is more fun. The enduro rims are just as fun, a different fun, but just as fun

[BMW Atlanta]

Just finished having a little track day at Barber this past Sunday with Nate and Bogarts Motorsports. I primarily rode the HP2 in expert class and had a BLAST even with complety stock everything minus swapping out the conti Raod Attacks for Sport Attacks. I got more then a few nodds exiting the track from the first session. It was funny lining up to pit out and all of these race bikes with slicks and numbers automatically assuming the "motard" was going to be in their way, little did they know the HP2 would nail more then one of them on driving out of the curve. hehe
I then did 3 sessions on the Boxer Cup and it feels great, I am definitely faster on it around the track, but if I had $7-8K in mods to the HP2 it would be faster too!!