[boxerman]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm not sure I'd want to go racing with the R1200R. I'm sure the R1200R could handle the race track, but I'd still be worried about dragging the cylinder heads on the ground! Do any of you have track experience on one?

 

[Boxer]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm not sure I'd want to go racing with the R1200R. I'm sure the R1200R could handle the race track, but I'd still be worried about dragging the cylinder heads on the ground! Do any of you have track experience on one?

Not really, but what's the ground clearance difference between it and the HP2 Sport? That bike has made a winning racer against all kinds of Japanese, etc. sportbikes. I think if it's close, it could be done, but the R1200R may be best only for track days, unless (like Volvo with its racing Station Wagon in the 80s) just want to prove a point ...

 

[bmw_fan]

i believe any bike can be a track bike. maybe the R1200R can't be a track bike right out of the box and perform well against others but with sufficient amount of mods it should be able to handle a track with no problem. Anyone agree/disagree?

 

[street]

+1

I've seen Harleys at trackdays, but that doesn't make them track-worthy.

Having ridden my R12R at speed on backroads, here are my concerns beyond grounding heads (which you can avoid by heeding the peg feeler warning or get CF head protectors) 1. wind blast on your arms and shoulders goofs up your control, 2. seat padding and seating position not great for hanging off, 3. Telelever-induced rocking with jerky throttle inputs, 4. Oil temps

But, having said that, I've thought about taking mine to the track.

 

[bmwpower]

Found a video of the BMW R1200R on a track......

R1200R VS GSR1000 looks to be a nice race. R1200R can keep up decently.
Not knowing what was done or not done to the bike, with mods im sure it will do well.

 

[rca]

track or not

hi all
the r1200r is very capable of being used on a track , right tyres and rider they will not be left , however power will be down against a gsxr or r1 but handling wise the might get a little embarrassed on corners. with the tele lever front braking can be left very late if you have the bottle . in and out the twistier bends there might be a second in it . the magazine ride and bike have had a lot of write ups over the last 7 years with the gs model against all types of sports bikes and it always does well , bit unfair on the gs really with less power . i ride a gs and a hp2 sport and the gs takes a lot of beating as a all round bike , i am now looking in the next few months to buy a r1200r , not sure which one yet ,like the new twin cam but do not like the clocks . i am sure i would like to use one on track in the future. rca

 

[garandman]

Timely topic as that's one of my questions. I am looking for something with a relaxed riding position but more boost than my V-Strom.

Almost all bikes are sprung too softly if you weigh over 170 or so. The objections I've heard about these bikes primarily have to do with unsprung weight compared to conventionally-suspended bikes. I'd expect to have to upgrade shocks and springs for this use, but I weigh about 260 in full riding gear.

Found a video of the BMW R1200R on a track......//
R1200R VS GSR1000 looks to be a nice race. R1200R can keep up decently.
Not knowing what was done or not done to the bike, with mods im sure it will do well.

If the GSX-R is remotely in view, that's the rider, not the bike.

R1200GS versus S1000RR at NJMP. All the liter sport bikes are around 190 RWHP so that's what the GSX-R should be doing. Many riders are slower on big, powerful bikes because they weigh more, require much better throttle control, and they get lazy. Middlewights can give then fits on technical tracks because they don't have to worry about spinning the rear wheel.

 

[rca]

track bike.

good video put up by bmwpower
the bmw was giving the cbr a good run only losing out on the straight , haa , who wants to ride in a straight line . i did notice his late breaking toward the corners ,1+ to the bmw. he also passed a lot of other riders .
i have now sold my gs to keep the r1200r .all round better road bike .
i have seen good gs riders leave a few sports bike behind round bends.
ideal track bike ktm superduke 1000.
rca

 

[rebobd]

i've done a few track days on the 1200r, power was not going to compete with a sport bike, but if you have the right form and body position it corners with the best of them. as for dragging the cylinder heads, if you're doing that your bike is definitely too low, i drag the foot pegs and removed the warning bolts, and come close on the heads, but if you're using your body more your bike should not be that low. i'm no racer, i take the track days to make me a better, faster, and safer rider on the street, so my goals may be different but i loved taking the r to the track, passed a few sport bikes on the tight turns and got blow away on the straightaways but anyone can go fast straight right? . it's all about just improving skill and learning to ride the right way, unless your a racer, and in that case, go get yourself a sport bike that can only be ridden for an hour before everything starts to hurt! lol

 

[Hoshiko]

i've done a few track days on the 1200r, power was not going to compete with a sport bike, but if you have the right form and body position it corners with the best of them. as for dragging the cylinder heads, if you're doing that your bike is definitely too low, i drag the foot pegs and removed the warning bolts, and come close on the heads, but if you're using your body more your bike should not be that low. i'm no racer, i take the track days to make me a better, faster, and safer rider on the street, so my goals may be different but i loved taking the r to the track, passed a few sport bikes on the tight turns and got blow away on the straightaways but anyone can go fast straight right? . it's all about just improving skill and learning to ride the right way, unless your a racer, and in that case, go get yourself a sport bike that can only be ridden for an hour before everything starts to hurt! lol

I'll be doing a track day on NJ on September, I'm pretty exited, I'll try to post some pictures and if by that time I have a gopro, i'll post some video too.

 

[Hoshiko]

 

[drDave]

Except for leaning over and scraping off the valve covers, I don't see why not. .

 

[Clem]

Nate Kern campaigned a Boxer for Atlanta BMW.
SanJose BMW had a team, also.

Granted, an HP2 or an S would be a more natural platform to start with, but with some mods,you could have fun on your R1200R track days.
That's what it's all about. Enjoying your machine on the track. Safely.

Somebody's always got a faster bike, even Valentino Rossi accepts this.

 

[rebobd]

me and my 2009 bmw r1200r at the track

it's not necessarily built for the track, but it does the job, and since i'm more concerned with learning skills on MY bike for the street than breaking speed records at the track, it's perfect.

BMW R1200R at the track, shortened - YouTube

 

[Ghostcloak]

You can most definitely track this bike, as previously stated.

Short clip of my bike at VIR-South

Now, this was my first time out on a track ever and the video is of the first half of the day, during which I'm still learning the track, the bike, my comfort level, and practicing the advice being given to me by the CR (course riders). It was a NESBA event and I'm in B Group (beginners). Please bear with my amateur riding.

Brand new Pilot Road 2 tires. EBC Double H Sintered Pads, Rotul 600 fluid. ABS and heated grips, engine guards, Akrapovic Exhaust. 2008 R12R with some miles on the clock.

By the end of the day, I was scraping my engine guards around most of the turns. The bike can definitely lean over and hang with the sports bikes if you take the right line. I don't how to compare with other riders since we're all beginners, and some aren't pushing their bikes as hard as they could...


One of the course riders said he saw an R12R in the Advanced Group with race slicks hanging with the other sports bikes very, very well. The rider's skill was definitely top of the group and he was pushing the R12R to its limits. With that said, the bike can definitely fight with the rest of them, holding it's own in the braking zones and corners, only to lose to higher horse power bikes on the straights.

With that said, I'm glad I could personally experience the potential this motorcycle has to offer on the track. Unfortunately, I'd hate to have something happen to this beautiful bike and will no longer see anymore track days. Instead, I'm going to have to pick up a track dedicated motorcycle and start practicing the basics.

 

[Hoshiko]

You can most definitely track this bike, as previously stated.

Short clip of my bike at VIR-South

Nesba VIR-South 063012 - YouTube

Now, this was my first time out on a track ever and the video is of the first half of the day, during which I'm still learning the track, the bike, my comfort level, and practicing the advice being given to me by the CR (course riders). It was a NESBA event and I'm in B Group (beginners). Please bear with my amateur riding.

Brand new Pilot Road 2 tires. EBC Double H Sintered Pads, Rotul 600 fluid. ABS and heated grips, engine guards, Akrapovic Exhaust. 2008 R12R with some miles on the clock.

By the end of the day, I was scraping my engine guards around most of the turns. The bike can definitely lean over and hang with the sports bikes if you take the right line. I don't how to compare with other riders since we're all beginners, and some aren't pushing their bikes as hard as they could...


One of the course riders said he saw an R12R in the Advanced Group with race slicks hanging with the other sports bikes very, very well. The rider's skill was definitely top of the group and he was pushing the R12R to its limits. With that said, the bike can definitely fight with the rest of them, holding it's own in the braking zones and corners, only to lose to higher horse power bikes on the straights.

With that said, I'm glad I could personally experience the potential this motorcycle has to offer on the track. Unfortunately, I'd hate to have something happen to this beautiful bike and will no longer see anymore track days. Instead, I'm going to have to pick up a track dedicated motorcycle and start practicing the basics.

Thanks for sharing, that's a pretty cool video, I'm going to do a track day on September, I'm not afraid but have the same feeling of yours about damaging the bike, I'll be taking it really easy.
After that day, I'll be able to decide if I want to go back or not.

 

[Ghostcloak]

If I had to summarize the R1200R, I would say that It's 95% the sports bike on a track with 195% more comfort and utility.

Check out this thread:
Who Needs a GS? A Little Adventure I'm on. - ADVrider

How many other bikes can hang out with dedicated sports bikes on the track, and still be cross country worthy, fording small rivers, comfortably riding on gravel/unpaved roadways, etc.

This bike is a jack of all trades. You want to track it? Go ahead!

 

[Jokerdef]

Oh yes! Stunning and fade free brakes, early throttle openings out of corners are so easy and the bike is very stable at high speed.

 

[Classic11]

R1200GS versus S1000RR at NJMP. All the liter sport bikes are around 190 RWHP so that's what the GSX-R should be doing. Many riders are slower on big, powerful bikes because they weigh more, require much better throttle control, and they get lazy. Middlewights can give then fits on technical tracks because they don't have to worry about spinning the rear wheel.

no litre bike has 190 at the wheel stock. BMW claims 193 at the crank but with parasitic losses in drivetrain it is down to 178 at the wheel. The improved 2012 gsxr has 162 to the wheel. The latest iteration of r bikes dyno at 99 ho to the wheel

That being said, where and when the power comes out is just as important as total power. Any bike can be taken to a track as long as it's prepared according to the tracks rules and if you want to compete with litre sportbikes, you need a litre sportbike. Our chassis and suspension is not really made to dig in corners and our motor is only made to dig out of corners. Our competition is more like super dukes or monsters. equal experience riders really make up the difference. If you wanted I'm sure if you have a lot of seat time you could take out someone who just bought their first sportbike in corners but we will always lose in the straights, even with turbo.

 

[Hoshiko]

R1200GS versus S1000RR at NJMP. All the liter sport bikes are around 190 RWHP so that's what the GSX-R should be doing. Many riders are slower on big, powerful bikes because they weigh more, require much better throttle control, and they get lazy. Middlewights can give then fits on technical tracks because they don't have to worry about spinning the rear wheel.

no litre bike has 190 at the wheel stock. BMW claims 193 at the crank but with parasitic losses in drivetrain it is down to 178 at the wheel. The improved 2012 gsxr has 162 to the wheel. The latest iteration of r bikes dyno at 99 ho to the wheel

That being said, where and when the power comes out is just as important as total power. Any bike can be taken to a track as long as it's prepared according to the tracks rules and if you want to compete with litre sportbikes, you need a litre sportbike. Our chassis and suspension is not really made to dig in corners and our motor is only made to dig out of corners. Our competition is more like super dukes or monsters. equal experience riders really make up the difference. If you wanted I'm sure if you have a lot of seat time you could take out someone who just bought their first sportbike in corners but we will always lose in the straights, even with turbo.

First, where is that TURBO???

I have seen somewhere else some dude who took his R on a similar adventure, I'll share as soon as I can find it.

I'm also ready for my track day, I bet there will be people on 250s passing me all the time as well as people in hayabusas slow as ****.

This TV commercial basically sums it all.