Looking to replace my R12S with…..?

[OwenM]

Since I now have a Ducati 1098S the R12S is a bit redundant, no need for two sports bikes so I am looking for something more comfortable and tour friendly, but still fun.
No off road ability is required but dirt road ability may be of use occasionally.

Contenders under consideration are:

Triumph Sprint ST

Triumph Tiger 1050

BMW R1200ST (used)

Know one seems to have much good to say about the R1200ST, and it’s certainly not attractive to look at, but if it is a good thing or can be made into something good with some mods I will keep it on the list.

Choosing between the two Triumphs is not easy; I will have to ride both before I make any decisions. Heated grips and ABS are available on both plus there are screen, bar and seat options to consider as well.

If anyone is interested in my tricked up R12S (Located in Sydney Australia)
, let me know.

[cageyar]

The Triumphs have great engines-the one thing I've never liked about them is that everything bolted to the engine, is not, IMO, high quality stuff, especially the suspension. I have also found the seats locked me into an uncomfortable position, but them again, at 6'3.5", I'm at the right edge of the bell curve.
I agree the R1200ST is quite hideous. Sorry to hear your R12S is going.
What about this?-went for a sport ride where one rider was on one and he had little trouble keeping up plus it's very versatile:

[Bob Hancock]

+1 on the R12GS. But if that isn't your cup of tea might I suggest a K1200S. I just got back from a 25 day trip of 7000 miles and it's a real sport Touring bike. Quite comfortable, smooth, an ample rear seat for pillion or luggage and 18,000 mile valve services. Only thing it needs is cruise control. (Throttle Meister installed....not the same as I'm sure you know.) And....at least over here....it's a buyers market now with the intro of the K1300S.

[RoLoo]

...I say : HP Megamoto...

[OwenM]

I have considered the GS, but I find the ergonomics a little odd and not that comfortable for me, it’s also unnecessarily high as I have no need of the ground clearance, something which the Tiger is guilty of as well.
The R1200ST may be ugly from the front, but the GS is unattractive from any angle as far as I am concerned and it does not seem to offering better comfort or equivalent wind protection. The ST and GS motor and chassis are very similar as is the weight, so I really don’t see the point in a GS for my use. A fully optioned R1200ST is much cheaper to buy used then a similar GS, probably because they are unpopular.
I would be interested in feedback from anyone who has ridden a R12ST

As far as the Triumphs go they are not as well made as a BMW, but they do seem functional and sturdy, suspension is apparently quite good by all reports. Unless you get the optional Ohlins BMW suspenders are nothing special.

I test rode a K1300S a while back and it did not appeal at all, it would have to be the most boring bike I have ridden; I would rather drive a cage. I suspect the R12ST may also be a little unexciting which is why I keep coming back to the Triumphs which offer more “fun factor”. No use riding a long distance to get to a great road and not have the bike to enjoy it.

[NakedRider]

I'd go for the R1200ST. I don't think it's ugly, just different. This is quite possibly the most underrated motorcycle BMW ever made. Very easy to live with. You can sport, tour....whatever. It has a much better freeway ride than a GS.

Park it next to an R1200RT, take a walk around both, look at all angles and tell me which is the ugly bike.

[cageyar]

If ugly doesn't matter, why not go all the way:

[RoLoo]

Originally Posted by NakedRider

Park it next to an R1200RT, take a walk around both, look at all angles and tell me which is the ugly bike.

...the ST...

[zustation]

A buddy of mine with a Tiger absolutely loves his bike, fwiw. I hear suspension is a bit on the soft side, but that can be fixed easily.

[markjenn]

Another one here that suggests you get a GS-style bike as a better complement to your Duc.

I just completed two long tours: 1800 miles in four riding days on a 650 V-Strom and 5400 miles in 11 riding days on a FJR. While the FJR was undeniably faster, the Strom was actually the more comfortable bike overall with roomier ergos. There is a lot to be said for a "tall in the saddle' riding position and the versatility of having a GS style bike for non-tarmac riding is liberating.

You have the hard-core sport bike - go versatile and get a GS (or at least the Tiger).

- Mark

[ckcarr]

What about one of the new twin F650GS bikes? Or an F800GS. The 650 has 20 more horsepower than a 650 single.

[roger albert]

No real opinion on one bike or another, but:

As far as the Triumphs go they are not as well made as a BMW, but they do seem functional and sturdy, suspension is apparently quite good by all reports. Unless you get the optional Ohlins BMW suspenders are nothing special.

The BMW suspenders are not great, but, they're reasonably well damped, and have spring rates in the ballparks. The triumphs tend towards VERY soft. The Sprint RS I did last month required significantly more rear spring just to be in the ballpark for its 120# rider.

I like the trumpets, but the standard suspension is pretty poor unless you're a really light rider. If not, just factor at least a respring when doing your cost comparison.

[DeltaNu1142]

Originally Posted by OwenM

Since I now have a Ducati 1098S the R12S is a bit redundant, no need for two sports bikes so I am looking for something more comfortable and tour friendly, but still fun.
No off road ability is required but dirt road ability may be of use occasionally

A gently-used 2002 R1100S would suit you perfectly. Today only, I can offer you an even swap...

[shreddr]

what about an R1200RT? I think that is a very sophisticated looking motorcycle. If you are really gonna off road it, get the GS and join the status quo, besides there's lots of stuff you can hang on it, which could make it a lot of fun.

[2wheelmike]

Or for that matter, what about the R1200R? When I first started thinking about a BMW, I was actually considering the R, but then started to think about mods to make it more like an S, then finally said WTF, I might as well just get the S and figure out how to put bags on it? The R would make a nice compliment to the Duc and has a low seat height and variety of luggage options (including much lower price Givis).

[johnvalls]

after riding (and yeah, NOT crashing) a K13S, and was looking for something to rip about town on, I'd look into a K13R. Plenty of grunt w/ modern tech ... but only after a GS.
my $.02

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by shreddr

what about an R1200RT

The RT is a whale, not a "fun bike" so no thanks.

[OwenM]

Originally Posted by 2wheelmike

Or for that matter, what about the R1200R?

The R12R is an ST without a fairing so I can’t see any point going that way.

[OwenM]

That ones in the running for sure, got to be a demon in the twistes.

[cageyar]

I didn't think it was possible, but Polaris has produced a two-wheel version of the Edsel.