[jdb500]

Hi,
I'm considering a new R1200R after being away from motorcycling for 10 years. I had a few /2's and a r75/5 years ago. I like the boxer engine and the looks of the classic but wondered how it handles around town where most of my riding will take place. I'd like to do some 500 mile trips from time to time but mostly the 3 miles to work during the week and trips to the grocery store, beach. Let me know your thoughts on the versatility and functionality of this bike. I'm. 6' 185 lbs. Thanks

 

[andy57]

I have had mine a week and I love it. I commute 15 miles one way to work and around town, have put 325 miles on it this past week and it works for me. I was looking for a boxer engine on a standard bike with modern technology and I think I found it.

 

[jdb500]

So its not too heavy for a lot of stop and go traffic or parking lots?

 

[Clem]

You really should take a test ride to feel the Classic for yourself jbd.
Everyone on this website LOVES the bike, or they wouldn't be here.
If the last Boxer you threw a leg over was an R75/5, LOL, you are in for one really BIG surprise. I won't spoil it for you. Just, don't forget to take your checkbook.

 

[drDave]

I commute from a suburb 25 miles into Chicago, and do errands. In typical top and go traffic, my '12 Classic steers easily and I can ride, if you can call it riding, in 8 mph traffic. Very stable at any real speed, good gas mileage. Buy a louder horn, and you're set

 

[las]

I bought my 2012 r12r ClSsic in April. I commute on open roads to NYC where traffic is stop and go. My bike handles well in both environs. I just did my 9,000 mile oil change. I couldn't be happier with the bike. Before this one, I had an f800 r. The extra weight is cancelled out by the boxer's low center go gravity. The storage options allow for much versatility; easy to put on and take off for long trips- a top case for committing. If you want to test ride a bunch of bikes before you make up your mind, dont bring your checkbook when you demo the r12r. Everyone that does, doesn't seem to make it out of the showroom without leaving a deposit.

 

[Classic11]

Take a test ride! It's definitely worth your time. You can google reviews of the bike to get an idea. It is a very multi-talented bike. Don't forget the heated grips!

2011 BMW R1200R | Rider Magazine Motorcycle Reviews

 

[jdb500]

The other bike I was considering is the f700gs but I really like the boxer engine and the looks of the classic r1200r. Plus all the ads about it being a good bike for women is kind of a turn off for me. It seems like the R may suit my needs for an around town ride and long distance touring bike. Any thoughts on new vs used? It seems like they don't hold their value that well. A lot of bikes out there that are a few years old and considerably less $. I did find a new 2011 classic at a dealer nearby. I'm going to get in there this week and give it a ride. I assume it's the same as the 2012?

 

[Hoshiko]

I did find a new 2011 classic at a dealer nearby. I'm going to get in there this week and give it a ride. I assume it's the same as the 2012?

Hey jbd, I agree with everybody, you need to go out and try it yourself, I like the F too, I have some friends that go all over the place with theirs and love it, I went to the dealer to test an F800 because I love the way it looked and thought about riding on the city with that bike was a great idea because of the height. Don't need to tell you what happened right?

I love my R1200R, ride in NYC which is as stop and go as you can get, don't have a car so I use it to go grocery shopping, do yourself a favor and buy the saddle bags right away.

There are no changes from 2011 to 2012, the only thing is that the Classic is not as good overall as the Matte gray

Another great option for stop and go is the new Honda NC700X, it has the gas tank under the seat so you can storage a full face helmet where the gas tank supposed to go that's cool, you can get a new one for 7k but they also have a package for 9k that includes ABS combined brakes, just like the R and a DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION that you can make manual at any time, stop and go traffic makes your left hand extremely tired.

This bike looks pretty similar to the F but you can get it for less $ and they have a great saddlebag and top case available.
If I was on your shoes, I'll buy the R1200R and my second option would be this Honda thing.

 

[Classic11]

There are no changes from 2011 to 2012, the only thing is that the Classic is not as good overall as the Matte gray

Another great option for stop and go is the new Honda NC700X, it has the gas tank under the seat so you can storage a full face helmet where the gas tank supposed to go that's cool, you can get a new one for 7k but they also have a package for 9k that includes ABS combined brakes, just like the R and a DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION that you can make manual at any time, stop and go traffic makes your left hand extremely tired.

This bike looks pretty similar to the F but you can get it for less $ and they have a great saddlebag and top case available.
If I was on your shoes, I'll buy the R1200R and my second option would be this Honda thing.

Honda thing lol - It's lacking a shaft drive!

One detriment to the Classic is the spoke wheels but I'm assuming the gs you were considering is also spoke. Only other issue with the Classic is the envious looks of the guys riding boring old matte grey bikes

I also agree you should consider luggage before riding away

 

[Clem]

Gotta' agree with Classic. Sorry Hoshiko. NC700 Honda is a eunuch!
(OK...I Googled that) Totally VOID of top-end power. A mule, bred for 55mph daily work chores, but shooting blanks. A chain-drive commuter without a center stand??? LOL. H&P bags look nice, mounts are problematic.
Single disc front brake with a bike already this heavy, plus 3 H&B bags? A sure recipe to remove your DNA from the gene pool. MULE!!!
Get the Classic with bags; All 1 key. Classic Roadster has panache. (Yeah? So, what?? I Googled that, too!)
It's got a kickin' th' stall motor & brakes. She'll give you a hard-on like a race horse munching Viagra.

 

[jdb500]

What luggage are you using?

 

[Clem]

Classic11, Hoshiko and I all have BMW OEM side bags.The rear top case, as well as the 2 side pannier cases can be keyed to your ignition key, and one (1) key operates everything. I use a BMW OEM tank bag.

I also have a helmet lock off my old R1100R that is keyed to my new 2012 Roadster ignition key.
Hoshiko has a nice tail bag. See his posts.

 

[drDave]

I love my Classic 12. I think it's masculine, functional and even elegant; a "proper blokes bike" as the Brits might say. That being said, it is not part of the Drooling Class; Ducatis or those flowing chrome cruisers that make you sigh.

BMW seems to go out of its way to dare you to like it for its technicals and what it does, not how it looks. Would I like them to hire away a few Italian bike designers? Sure. Would I trade my Classic for something louder, or heavier or twitchier just because of the way it looks? Not a chance.

 

[Classic11]

I love my Classic 12. I think it's masculine, functional and even elegant; a "proper blokes bike" as the Brits might say. That being said, it is not part of the Drooling Class; Ducatis or those flowing chrome cruisers that make you sigh.

BMW seems to go out of its way to dare you to like it for its technicals and what it does, not how it looks. Would I like them to hire away a few Italian bike designers? Sure. Would I trade my Classic for something louder, or heavier or twitchier just because of the way it looks? Not a chance.

Well put! (we really need more smiley face options)

 

[yonderbob]

What luggage are you using?

BMW hard bags are great but HUGE!. I just use the soft tailbag for daily use and the hard bags for travel. I have the Nelson Rigg CL-1040 tail bag and really like it. versatile, expandable, ... and I can lean on it...

 

[yonderbob]

I love my Classic 12. I think it's masculine, functional and even elegant; a "proper blokes bike" as the Brits might say. That being said, it is not part of the Drooling Class; Ducatis or those flowing chrome cruisers that make you sigh.

BMW seems to go out of its way to dare you to like it for its technicals and what it does, not how it looks. Would I like them to hire away a few Italian bike designers? Sure. Would I trade my Classic for something louder, or heavier or twitchier just because of the way it looks? Not a chance.

Ducatis are beautiful... but then. they are red. Got that taken care of. Cruisers have been done to death and don't really say much except "I'm compensating!". (rode one for 9 years and nothing got any bigger except the rear tires on production bikes) The 1200 has subtlety - a lost art these days. and yet, when you come upon one of those warning signs that says "reduced speed ahead - 20 mph curve" and you crack the throttle and lean it in at 55 mph (edited for the possibilty that LEO is watching)... well, so much for subtlety. I'm told the front wheel WILL come off the ground.

 

[las]

The OEM top case works great for me every day, except when I tour for more than a few days. Then I add the OEM panniers. In order to avoid being caught short of storage in cases of unanticipated need ( that rarely happens), I sometimes carry an empty folded up backpack in the spacious top case. If I need the room it takes up and nothing more, I simply put the backpack on empty. If I need to fill it, I can. No need to lug the Panniers around 99% of the time. The top case is versatile and convenient. It stores 28 liters- a full face helmet's size.
My classic has spoke wheels. The look great. They fit the same tires as the cast wheels. The knock that I constantly hear on them is that, because they require tubes, a flat can't be fixed with the tire on the rim and the wheel on the bike. Ok, so for my next trip away from civilization and unreachable for the roadside assistance that BMW and our insurance policies provide, I'll swap out the spoke wheels for some cast wheels. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my bike's classy, and classic, looks. Ps- how many r12r owners with cast wheels ride around everywhere they go with a tire repair kit and a tire pump? What do they do when the tires on their cast wheels can't be fixed with a plug?

 

[Clem]

There are always options. Your cell phone is your BEST option. More than likely going to be the rear tire. Carry a spare 17" tube!!!

What do they do when the tires on their cast wheels can't be fixed with a plug?
Of course, cell phone. But modern Tubeless tires seal very well. With a small object, pushed in flush or in the groove, it often possible to ride for hours/days before tire goes flat. Never had a puncture that a plug didn't fix. I carry 3 kinds of plugs for different punctures. Just sayin'. But I would run in circles, scream and shout.

 

[Hoshiko]

how many r12r owners with cast wheels ride around everywhere they go with a tire repair kit and a tire pump? What do they do when the tires on their cast wheels can't be fixed with a plug?

Hey LAS check this out, they are in queens, I saw a demonstration at the motorcycle show last year.
It's not my video, make sure you turn the volume down, the music is horrible.