Long term love - R1200S vs HP2S

macfly · 04-12-2010, 10:37 AM

It is interesting to me that the HP2S's haven't found the same degree of long lasting love with their owners as our R1200S has.

I was all set to buy and HP2S as I think it is an amazing piece of history and also a beautiful machine, but a chance meeting with a racer steered me to the R12S. He told me that he far preferred it to the HP2S, and seeing how few HP2S seem to find lasting love with their owners seems to bear this out. All of us R1200S owners seem pretty seriously enamored with our bikes, while I see HP2S's getting shuffled in and out of folks garages in very short order.

Love to hear your thoughts, as I have not ridden an HP2S as yet.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

they all got cold fingers, for lack of heated grips!

besides if you want a race bike or track bike, that is not the one to have, so if HP2S owners bought them with that in mind they were probably disappointed or scared of breaking a bike that has no parts available. I love the HP2S, but I am not giving up anything to one with my well appointed R12S, in fact I am probably way ahead of the game in every way except that cool carbon subframe.

signit98 · 04-12-2010, 11:03 AM

In terms of real life performance, there is virtually no difference between the two bikes. Been there, figured it out...

So, with the 10K difference you can do a lot of road tripping, track racing and other stuff that can be done... I also like the looks of the 12S better than the HP2S... I still think it looks like a wannabe Gixxer upfront.

The scare availability of parts (and the price tag of them IF you can get them) is certainly another reason for the bike to have such a hard time in the market. Not a bad bike, but not really good enough to become an icon.

SergioK · 04-12-2010, 11:29 AM

I'm thinking of selling mine solely because it has no heated grips. What a POS.

SergioK · 04-12-2010, 11:30 AM

squall_line · 04-12-2010, 11:44 AM

From some of what I've seen, a number of the initial HP2S owners were the "2-3 bikes a year" type, with the disposable income to be able to buy whatever they want to ride and trade it whenever they want, without too much concern for depreciation (although they still don't just GIVE them away, either).

Which isn't a bad thing, but I don't think there were a lot of one-bike "ride it 'til it dies" owners in line just waiting for the day they could trade their 150k-mile R1100RS in on a new HP2S.

tim22 · 04-12-2010, 04:19 PM

If I had more disposable income I'd surely add a 12S to my garage and put it right next to my BCR. If I had EVEN MORE disposable income I'd have an HP2S next to the 12S next to my BCR.

AndrewA · 04-12-2010, 04:51 PM

I think its funny that the HP2S is often referred to as though it's some kind of exotic bike that only the silly rich could afford. Has anyone priced a new K bike, GS, or GSA lately?

Guest24 · 04-12-2010, 05:23 PM

You guys need to get a grip on HP2S costs. Go buy a Screamin' Eagle Harley and check your wallet at the front door or a Ducati 1198S for that matter. The HP2S is an awesome expression of the R-class bike and it will be for quite some time to come. What's the cost of a cf hugger about 300 usd. It's the ultimate boxer whether you own one or not. I enjoyed mine very much while I had it; but, it was never a till death do we part agreement. I'm now having fun on a bike that only cost me 20% of what the HP2S did. It's different fun but it's fun the same. Ralf, had a 12S and now has a GS. He's having fun just the same. Like Peter Fonda said in Wild Hogs, " We all need to go out and ride the road and remember what's really important."

lightfighter · 04-12-2010, 05:33 PM

what Nail said. as long as you can afford what you want....

its about having the right bike for your ride, whatever that is. If i was rich(and im not) id still have all the bikes i ever owned. or would I? I didnt get rid of them becuase I didnt like them. I got rid of them cuz I wanted something else. I really feel done now... for the first time ever. it's kind of a weird feeling. I have every ride i might ever go on covered in two bikes. well, i'd need a track bike if i lved near a track or had weekends very often.

Bubba, you gonna be at TOR on the Thumper?

signit98 · 04-12-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

Ralf, had a 12S and now has a GS. He's having fun just the same. Like Peter Fonda said in Wild Hogs, " We all need to go out and ride the road and remember what's really important."

AND THAT, IS THE TRUTH...

Really, that's the only thing that counts... it's an individual decision for each and every one of us... what might work for me, may not work for you or the next guy. That's the beauty of it as well. Hence the variety of available bikes...

While we may all have fun arguing about that, that s the bottom line.

Guest24 · 04-12-2010, 06:41 PM

I just filed my taxes and Ralf and I are agreeing on something. It's time for a cold beer. I'll make it a Warsteiner.

I consider this a red letter day.

signit98 · 04-12-2010, 07:19 PM

LOL... well then, I don't have my taxes done yet.

Guest24 · 04-12-2010, 07:38 PM

Don't know, Brian. I'm lookin' at X-C on a small bike and the RT is sooooooo nice for long range. Driving a pick-up to CO ain't my idea of fun. EZ wants a wingman and a truck doesn't suit. got some other irons in the fire also. we'll see as July comes into focus.

Dr. Curve · 04-12-2010, 07:45 PM

Having owned several early new 99 R11S units, a new BCR, a new R12S and more recently a new HP2............I can see why some would rather enjoy the R12S on a day to day basis. Still.......the HP2 is BMW's most recent unit as it comes closer to the end of air-cooled engine development in a Sport format. That is why I have one and plan to keep it a bit longer.........

As far as the differences go I believe the HP2 DOHC RV4 engine is unique and worthy of BMWs long heritage. It has more top end, quicker times thru the traps, stops faster, handles better, and offers more on board options than the R12S however, and if anyone thinks otherwise they will just have to spend some time on one to realize the differences.

I love the R11S and R12S bikes..........but the HP2 is very top of the tree in everything a boxer twin can be. Great for us who have had BMWs for a long time.

sfarson · 04-13-2010, 10:26 PM

Locally it's the opposite. All those I know with HP2's still have them, and those that bought R1200S's have sold them... but we're only talking a couple of each, so nothing statistically significant.

Stampertje_35 · 04-13-2010, 11:13 PM

Never owned a R1200S, didn't like the looks (colours and fairing) of this model ...
Yeahhh, tried to make something about it (virtual) but the cost was so high that it was more than a HP2 Sport ... so I was very happy that the HP2 Sport hit the market !
Oh yeah, I had my R1100S for eight years and I'm planning to keep the HP2 Sport for much much longer ...

Maybe one day I buy (when I got more room) a BCR 2004/2005 next to the HP2 Sport

Guest24 · 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfarson

Locally it's the opposite. All those I know with HP2's still have them, and those that bought R1200S's have sold them... but we're only talking a couple of each, so nothing statistically significant.

I sold mind because I was moving away from the haulass street riding into a hp limited mode that included gravel and dirt. Couldn't justify just letting it sit in the basement and collect dust just for an occasional run. Selling it also gave my "toy account" a much needed infusion of $$'s to do things to the li'l GS.

I now have to think a little before I double-yellow pass.

BTW, what's this black 12S really worth on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170470828212#ht_8678wt_1137

waxy · 04-14-2010, 05:14 AM

i wouldn 't sell my 12S ; she brings me a huge smile on my face every time i take her out fo r a ride , it's a superb all rounder, with some real good torque for road use, and fun enough on a trackday.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

I sold mind because I was moving away from the haulass street riding into a hp limited mode that included gravel and dirt. Couldn't justify just letting it sit in the basement and collect dust just for an occasional run. Selling it also gave my "toy account" a much needed infusion of $$'s to do things to the li'l GS.

I now have to think a little before I double-yellow pass.

BTW, what's this black 12S really worth on ebay?

BMW : R-Series : eBay Motors (item 170470828212 end time Apr-14-10 12:26:01 PDT)

i would guesstimate somewhere around $9K