Any R1200/1250RS owners on here? Opinions needed.

[maverickma]

Anyone on here have an R1200/1250RS in their garage? There is an 2016 R1200RS calling to me at a local dealer. My main ride is my HP2 Sport with the R1100S a close 2nd. I ride both of them as sportbikes, never on the highway, all PA twisty, technical, backroads which are often bumpy. GPS says we average 40mph and that includes stop signs.

Wondering if I would regret buying one. My hope is that it's basically an advanced version of the R1100S. I find the R11 more sport than tour. Thoughts?

[BadToTheBown]

I don't have an RS, so this is not first hand but friends of mine who do have them seem to really like them...One came from an R1100S, they other from a KTM, very competent bike, doubt you could go wrong with one, good luck...

[duckbubbles]

I have a '17RS and had a '16 also. Both wonderful bikes. I also have an R1100S BCR that I love.
The RS is competent as a sport bike or tourer and it only depends on your personal endurance as to how far you can ride it. There are several generations of development between the two and it shows. The RS is dead smooth compared to the S, has gobs of power/torque and handles better than you are as a rider. The electronics isn't comparable between the two.
All that said, I sure love riding the S and I am glad I have both.


Frank

[njsax]

Maverick, I have several bikes including a R1200S, K1300S, R1100S. Most recently, I bought a used 2016 R1200RS. I find this bike to sit high; feeling like a road-only version of the GS. I'm planning to lower the handlebars to ditch that GS feel and make it more sporty. As it is right now, it's not sporty enough for me. I'm speaking of feel and ergos. Power and handling are excellent.

I'm coming from many years with BMW RS bikes including 10 years with a R100RS, 15 years with a K100RS, and 18 years with a K1200RS - all of which had a much more sporty feel than the current 1200/1250 RS bikes. I think BMW lost the "RS" formula somewhere. My K1300S, feels like my old K100RS.

Hope this answers your question.

PS: In case you're wondering how to lower the bars, you have to mill down the handlebar posts on the upper triple clamp about 3/8 to 1/2 inch, and trim the tabs on the underside of the handle bars. Switch the handlebar mounting bolts from 35mm bolts to the shorter 30mm bolts. I'm not going to modify my existing parts, so I can revert when I eventually sell the bike (someday). Instead, I'm buying used parts to modify. I already have a triple clamp and am waiting for good deal on a set of handlebars.

[Kevin8]

Originally Posted by maverickma

Anyone on here have an R1200/1250RS in their garage? There is an 2016 R1200RS calling to me at a local dealer. My main ride is my HP2 Sport with the R1100S a close 2nd. I ride both of them as sportbikes, never on the highway, all PA twisty, technical, backroads which are often bumpy. GPS says we average 40mph and that includes stop signs.

Wondering if I would regret buying one. My hope is that it's basically an advanced version of the R1100S. I find the R11 more sport than tour. Thoughts?

Hey Maverick.....I had an HP2 Sport for 5 years alongside my R1200s and ultimately, I sold the HP2 Sport and kept the 1200s. I found the R1200 did just about everything as well as the HP2 without being so precious. Of course, the HP2 was prettier to behold, but I've gotten over that. I was coming off an R1100s Boxer Cup Prep prior to getting the R1200s (and there was an S1000RR alongside them, as well). The 12s is sportier and much lighter than the R11s, certainly easier to push around, and not in need of as much man-handling as the 11 getting into corners (although the 11s was awesome once you set your line.) My 1200s was built up with custom software and Wossner pistons by a fellow Pelican (Shrddr) and was dyno'd at numbers painfully close to the HP2, which is another reason I kept it. I sold the HP2 in 2020 for 6k more than I paid, so I was very pleased with that, and haven't really missed it.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

[maverickma]

I test rode the R1200RS and bought it. What a great bike. It's a 2016 model with the premium package. It basically does everything right. It has 6" of shock travel and that snazzy ESA suspension system so it floats over bumpy PA roads at aggressive lean angles...fits me perfectly.....even sounds nice. Has an akra pipe which I wasn't aware it had. I left it at the shop so they could do the 12k mile service since it's at 11,300 miles on the odo.

Kevin, I didn't know you sold the HP2!! There is no way I could catch myself on this R12RS with the HP2. It's so much more compliant. I'm pretty sure the HP2 will no longer be my primary ride, but no way I'm selling it! Doug

[908/930]

Maverickma, Where are the pic's ?

[maverickma]

Only have 2 that I took after my test ride. It's not the best looking bike, but the ride really is fantastic. I'm going to make only a few changes including removing the rear top rack. I won't need that. I left the bike there for a 12k mile service. Should have it in the next few weeks. No rush, I have to find a pre-owned Navigator 5 first. I like to ride with a GPS...upload the planned route....easy to adjust if there is a detour or an oiled and chipped road we want to avoid.

Oh and thanks to the folks that posted for all the input/thoughts in the RS...that was the final shove for me to go look at it.

[maverickma]

John, would you mind snapping a few pictures when you do the modification? Any chance you have part numbers for just the bars? I don't see where they sell them separately.

Originally Posted by njsax

Maverick, I have several bikes including a R1200S, K1300S, R1100S. Most recently, I bought a used 2016 R1200RS. I find this bike to sit high; feeling like a road-only version of the GS. I'm planning to lower the handlebars to ditch that GS feel and make it more sporty. As it is right now, it's not sporty enough for me. I'm speaking of feel and ergos. Power and handling are excellent.

I'm coming from many years with BMW RS bikes including 10 years with a R100RS, 15 years with a K100RS, and 18 years with a K1200RS - all of which had a much more sporty feel than the current 1200/1250 RS bikes. I think BMW lost the "RS" formula somewhere. My K1300S, feels like my old K100RS.

Hope this answers your question.

PS: In case you're wondering how to lower the bars, you have to mill down the handlebar posts on the upper triple clamp about 3/8 to 1/2 inch, and trim the tabs on the underside of the handle bars. Switch the handlebar mounting bolts from 35mm bolts to the shorter 30mm bolts. I'm not going to modify my existing parts, so I can revert when I eventually sell the bike (someday). Instead, I'm buying used parts to modify. I already have a triple clamp and am waiting for good deal on a set of handlebars.

[908/930]

Nice bike, just not as fancy looking as your 916 or HP2.

[maverickma]

Thanks. Agreed, they really are nice looking bikes. I no longer ride the 916, bought it new 24 years ago, has 37k miles, lot's of track days...but it really hurts to ride it. Not worth much because of the mileage so pointless to sell it. The HP2 is the main ride...at least for the next week!

Originally Posted by 908/930

Nice bike, just not as fancy looking as your 916 or HP2.

[BikerMiker]

Originally Posted by njsax

I find this bike to sit high; feeling like a road-only version of the GS. I'm planning to lower the handlebars to ditch that GS feel and make it more sporty.

My K1300S, feels like my old K100RS.

I felt the similarly about the s1000r (naked) and the s1000xr as well but that was
related to wide handlebars. On my old airhead I had K100 bars on it and loved it
but those 2 bikes had the bars way further out than I preferred. I know there's
problably replacment bars and stuff but I just couldn't stomach paying that much
for a bike that I'm going to have to **** with to get it to feel right.

I'm on the fence about the RS until I actually ride one. The dealer here never has one to try (but there's plenty of GS's!!! ).

[maverickma]

Mike, the RS seems a lot like the R11S/R12S/HP2 in the sense that it doesn't get much love & they aren't that popular. This model has been on my radar for a while, but I could not get past the water cooling and electronic doodads....felt like it would be more trouble, but then I started reading up. Very few issues with the bikes, but like you, the dealers don't get many of them in. My dealer did get at least 2 R1250RSs in, but the price was almost as much as a new one. They are similar enough so I went the R1200RS route when one popped up near me. Someone had a deposit on it and then backed out and went with an RT. I went to see it, road it, and bought it. I rarely test ride bikes, but it was speaking to me. I had no idea what I was missing in terms of all the tech, plus it absolutely can be ridden like a sportbike. The motor is also extremely smooth compared to my other BMWs.

Oh, I found a gently used BMW Nav V on ebay, ordered a rear paddock stand (ditching the center stand), carbon fiber infill for the rear when I remove the grab rail/rear trunk rack (made in germany)....and I'm taking off work to pick it up on Friday! I'll bring it on a nice 100+ mile sportride this weekend.

Originally Posted by BikerMiker

I felt the similarly about the s1000r (naked) and the s1000xr as well but that was
related to wide handlebars. On my old airhead I had K100 bars on it and loved it
but those 2 bikes had the bars way further out than I preferred. I know there's
problably replacment bars and stuff but I just couldn't stomach paying that much
for a bike that I'm going to have to **** with to get it to feel right.

I'm on the fence about the RS until I actually ride one. The dealer here never has one to try (but there's plenty of GS's!!! ).

[PabloX]

I got this one used at the end of 2020 with 360 miles on it. Since then, I've put 7000 on it and it's been fantastic. If I have one complaint, it's that a GS would be more comfortable after 250 miles but then I'd lose the handling. Yes, these bikes aren't popular but that's a good thing IMO. I've never seen another one on the road, though I have seen a 1200RS.

[jimmy-d]

Originally Posted by PabloX

If I have one complaint, it's that a GS would be more comfortable after 250 miles but then I'd lose the handling.

Pablo, would you mind elaborating? The R1250RS is the #1 candidate for my next bike and I've never seen one I could even sit on, much less take for a demo ride. My main mode of riding is sport touring.

How tall are you? Where do you feel discomfort? Thanks!

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by jimmy-d

Pablo, would you mind elaborating? The R1250RS is the #1 candidate for my next bike and I've never seen one I could even sit on, much less take for a demo ride. My main mode of riding is sport touring.

How tall are you? Where do you feel discomfort? Thanks!

Sure. I say that having ridden a GS exactly once, but I did own a Triumph Tiger 1200, so very similar rider position.

I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam. So basically, my legs get a bit cramped up after a long day. Also, for me, the Tiger was basically sitting up totally straight with my arms out wider. The RS has me leaned forward a bit more so I also feel it in my shoulders.

The RS is still a comfortable bike and I can do a full day of riding on it, but big ADV bikes like the Tiger and GS are even more so. You can get a good idea of the differences if you compare bikes here.

Motorcycle Ergonomics

[brentw1]

I have had 2016 and now a 2020, I have put bar backs on it which makes it more useful for long drives, also I found the suspension not as good as a properly set up set of ohlins,
so I had the beemer shop put on a set of tractrix upgrades, which greatly improved it, still not perfect. the 2016 has the worst instruments imaginable, the 2020 display is nice but the
scroll wheel needs to go it is to fiddly to actually use while riding.
the longer wheel base makes it slower in the corner than my 1100s with ohlins.
the wind protection is better than the 1100s, really too much power in the lower gears to be useable on the street, in first and second it is a torque monster.
And the service stratagey of bmw on the newer bikes is awful, the service dvd is not available from them, I just rebuilt a LC RT and you cant buy individual parts for the transmission, only very expnesive gear clusters. It seems they are going to a dealer only service model which I think is a rip off. But I like the sports touring bikes, I am not certain it is dramatically better than my triumph sprint with ohlins however. And for just short day rides I still like the 1100s feels more compact
quicker in the corners and with properly set up suspension the power of the r1200 is not really useful on the twisty local roads. In a straight line the 1200 is very fast but not really a usefull thing unless you are going to track it.

[maverickma]

Second opinions are always nice so here's my brain dump. Take note I just picked up the bike a week ago and only have 150 miles on the 2016 R12RS so I'm still learning it so these are my observations so far. The rider...me...is 6' tall, 203lbs with a 32" inseam. I'm 51, but act like I'm 23. Fully geared I'm at least 15lbs heavier since I only ride my sportier bikes with my 1-piece Vanson leathers and all the gear. The bike will rarely if ever see a highway so this is all on twisty PA backroads which can be bumpy. I quickly got comfy on the R12RS, maybe takes a mile and it disappeared beneath me so bike zen arrives quickly. The front feels lighter than both my HP2 and my R11S, not sure why since I even have the shorter RT a-arm on the HP2 and raised the rear send 10mm to compensate. The bike, despite its weight, feels very light. The R12RS requires that you finesse it more around aggressive turns whereas the HP2 and the R11S, I can muscle them around a bit without protest. The R12RS has D-ESA suspension and 've been riding it in the "road" suspension mode which is softer. It's great until the speeds pick up (probably over 60mph?) on the twisty roads at which point it will protest and wallow a bit too much. I'll switch to "dynamic" suspension mode so the chassis doesn't protest. In this mode it feels and acts similar to the HP2 and the R11S. From a power perspective all I can say is that it's buttery smooth. It's faster than the R11S by far, but definitely not as fast as the HP2, but not by much. I can already ride it slightly faster than the HP2 on the road, but there is no way I could keep up with myself on the HP2 on the track or a smooth twisty road if that makes sense. By no means would I want to ride the R12RS on the track...not sure how fun that would be, but that is not what the bike is built for or why I bought it. Yes I know enough about suspension to have the ohlins on my HP2 set up correctly. At both ends I run the preload softer than recommended on purpose, because of the real world roads I ride on and the average speeds we do. I can get away with a more plush set up since I'm not ever doing any triple digit speeds in the turn. The R12RS is definitely a more relaxing bike on the road. Yes the instrument cluster is lacking, but I don't spend much time looking at it, only a quick glance at the speed sometimes. I spend more time looking at the GPS since I pre-plan and lead the sport rides each weekend. To some it up, the bike is completely worth it and it is what I was hoping for.

Had one more thought...as far as ride mode (not suspension ride mode) which impacts I think how quickly the bike revs and how early ABS and TC intervenes, I've been switching between "road" mode and "dynamic" mode, but with mine you can customize that somehow. I have not had time to read up on it.

Feel free to ask me questions! Doug

[maverickma]

Bike porn time! Uploaded a glam shot. HP2 is not happy her rear stand is being borrowed at the moment, but I have it up there to take the center stand off. I have no use for it. And yes, the R12RS looks like that cartoon dragon from "How to Tame your Dragon". My wife says she hears the "Imperial March" music from Star Wars (Darth Vader's theme song) whenever she looks at it. The rear top rack is also coming off as soon as my CF infills arrive from Moto Saering in Germany. Stuck in customs in NY at the moment apparently. No plan to put bags on it. If I plan on any 2 wheeled travel I can use the R11S since I do have bags for that or the Harley. I'll get a small tailbag for necessities including my wallet, cell phone, documents, and a tire repair kit. The one I'm using is a PITA to get in and out of.

[BikerMiker]

Originally Posted by maverickma

...PA backroads which can be bumpy.

Ha ha. As a long time former PA resident, I find this assessment somewhat under exaggerated.