It’s definitely “sportier” meaning slightly more cramped, less upright, and more wrist pressure. Obvious increase in wind protection. I went from 2011 1200R, 2015 1200RT, 2020 1250RS.

 

I've done similar - 2018 R1200R, 2021 R1250RT and now 2023 R1250RS. I like the wind protection of the RS but still prefer the handling of the R1200R- a bit of a Supermoto. The snag with the R1200R was the lack of wind protection at speed, hence my journey so far. R1300R test ride next week though!

 

Hi BrooklynR12

I’m on a ‘16 RS, does that count?

Either way, I’ll offer my thruppence…

Bought with 33k miles now at 155k.

I’ve had the engine dropped twice for new alternators.

One clutch. One ABS pump. One gear position sensor. Two new wheels when we hit a 6 inch deep pothole hidden by water.

The roads in England are shocking (see what I did there?) so the forks have needed some TLC. Rear shock still doing its thing, ESA.

She’s had two free driveshafts so far.

Since I installed bar raisers, much more comfortable.

Went through a period where the cruise control didn’t like the rain. Liberal doses of silicone spray cured it.

Changing headlight bulbs is a task Hercules would shy away from.

I’m 62 years old, I ride the RS 1000 miles a week for actual money.

She’s called Annie, in memory of my mum’s best friend who astonishingly bequeathed me the money to buy her, even though I hadn’t seen Annie Donne for decades. Thank you Annie. 💖

I’d been riding an NC750X which decided to shear its flywheel at 70mph on the motorway at 79k…

I love absolutely everything about the RS.

Its weight, presence, brakes, light clutch, hewn from granite engine, TPMS, cruise control, hill start, Nav 5, its looks (a lot of people want to talk about it).

Small children point and wave at me when I’m at the lights. I always wave back.

I’ve ridden lots of courtesy bikes when she’s in for servicing with BMW… my favourite was the latest radar equipped RT. I thought I’d broken it when it started slowing down by itself on cruise control approaching traffic ahead. What larks!

The R12, not so much. Twitchy compared with the RS. Couldn’t get on with it.

One of the best things about the RS, to me, is if you get the screen right, you can cruise at high speeds in a calm bubble of air. I don’t like hanging on to the bars at 70mph and above, stressful.

I’ve ridden the 1250 but not the 1300, other than the GS.

I liked the shiftcam engine and its extra oomph, but somehow, getting back on Annie felt better.

Anyway.

I commend in the highest degree the R (whatever CC) RS.

 

Hi BrooklynR12

I’m on a ‘16 RS, does that count?

Either way, I’ll offer my thruppence…

Bought with 33k miles now at 155k.

I’ve had the engine dropped twice for new alternators.

One clutch. One ABS pump. One gear position sensor. Two new wheels when we hit a 6 inch deep pothole hidden by water.

The roads in England are shocking (see what I did there?) so the forks have needed some TLC. Rear shock still doing its thing, ESA.

She’s had two free driveshafts so far.

Since I installed bar raisers, much more comfortable.

Went through a period where the cruise control didn’t like the rain. Liberal doses of silicone spray cured it.

Changing headlight bulbs is a task Hercules would shy away from.

I’m 62 years old, I ride the RS 1000 miles a week for actual money.

She’s called Annie, in memory of my mum’s best friend who astonishingly bequeathed me the money to buy her, even though I hadn’t seen Annie Donne for decades. Thank you Annie. 💖

I’d been riding an NC750X which decided to shear its flywheel at 70mph on the motorway at 79k…

I love absolutely everything about the RS.

Its weight, presence, brakes, light clutch, hewn from granite engine, TPMS, cruise control, hill start, Nav 5, its looks (a lot of people want to talk about it).

Small children point and wave at me when I’m at the lights. I always wave back.

I’ve ridden lots of courtesy bikes when she’s in for servicing with BMW… my favourite was the latest radar equipped RT. I thought I’d broken it when it started slowing down by itself on cruise control approaching traffic ahead. What larks!

The R12, not so much. Twitchy compared with the RS. Couldn’t get on with it.

One of the best things about the RS, to me, is if you get the screen right, you can cruise at high speeds in a calm bubble of air. I don’t like hanging on to the bars at 70mph and above, stressful.

I’ve ridden the 1250 but not the 1300, other than the GS.

I liked the shiftcam engine and its extra oomph, but somehow, getting back on Annie felt better.

Anyway.

I commend in the highest degree the R (whatever CC) RS.

Thx, Jasper. Great detail. Several reviews have said that the R turns in faster than the RS, hence more fun. And I do like the weather protection. I'll have to play with the ergos if the angle forward position doesn't suit me.

 

Hi,
I just went the opposite way. I had a 1250RS and loved it, but coming from years of Speed Triples, it always steered, slowly, a resistance I didn't like. When it went in for its Valve service, I was loaned a 1250R, at the first roundabout I nearly dropped it, as it steerd so much quicker and better. I had always thought they (RS & R) where the same bike but for the fairing, but it turned out I was wrong, the RS has the front axle kicked out forward, an inch or more from the bottom of the forks, the R has the axle directly below the forks, changing the whole geometry just enough for stability & slow cornering on the RS and more fun & direct handling on the R. As soon as the MOT came due, I got the 1250R and have not been disappointed. Even all my luggage (H&B Xceed panniers etc) goes straight on. Moved the Sat Nav above the screen and fitted a small bikini screen and it's so much fun in the Pekos, Alps etc, etc. I even think it could be slightly differently geared, as it feels to punch out of the switch backs better than the RS did, but this could just be down to me having more fun in the bends. For me, I'll stick with the R. I hope this helps, cheers

 

@Taff50ish I agree about the steering of the R versus the RS. That's why I'm keen to try the R1300R (next week hopefully).

 

Yep, I'm on the fence with the 1300R at the moment. Really can't make my mind up like Marmite... But it has been growing on me. The other thing is just how much tech they're loading into them. Active cruise control etc, just taking the fun out of the ride to get away from it all. But I'm still interested in the 1300R....
I'd really be interested to hear your thoughts from your test ride? Cheers for now...

 

I concur re the steering… I’ve been sat on the RS pretty much the last three years 8 hours a day 5-7 days a week. To the extent that she’s begun to feel like an extension of my body, and jumping on an R12 (I don’t mean an R1200R) was discombobulating to say the least (but employing an admittedly long word).

I’ve always enjoyed being on a bike that I sit “in” rather than perch atop of.

One gets “used to” anything, of course, eventually, but for me, I don’t need a bike to steer that quickly… I think!

I don’t think of the RS as sporty. If anything it calls forth youthful memories of my dad’s 1957 Bentley S1.

18 feet long, she was. No seatbelts. 6.75 litre straight 6. Died long before her time due to lack of antifreeze after a hard London night frost in 1979. Cracked the block.

I have never felt safer in any vehicle before or since. She’d been round the clock twice.

That’s what Annie reminds me of. Mind you, I don’t feel as safe as I did in the Bentley, natch, but the feeling that the machine beneath me is an example of some pretty extraordinary engineering is what I’m getting at.

Big, heavy, yes. Slow steering, tick. Open the throttle even in top gear and she’ll show a clean pair of heels to most everyone. Effortlessly.

My moto history includes:

Puch Maxi
Suzuki CS50
Lambretta Li 125
Lambretta SX200
Vespa PX125
Vespa PX200
Vespa Cosa 200
Honda 400/4
Honda CBF 500
Honda CBF 600 SA (my second favourite bike EVER)
Guzzi V50
Guzzi V7 Racer
Honda VFR800 VTEC
Honda NC750X

and then the RS.

Revelation.

Sorry for banging on.

 

My 1250RS is just coming up on a year. I've owned more BMWs than I care to count. This is the only one where I wouldn't change a single thing. The seat is very comfy, the windsreen adjustable and effective. The bars & pegs just where I want them. The power band is unreal and the suspension a good combo of firm but not harsh. I was skeptical about the forks, but they work great. The digital readout is easy to read and use and the electronics work just as advertised. I wouldn't change a thing. I traded in an R1200R special edition that I thought I'd keep forever, but this bike changed my mind.

 

And here’s my penny’s worth: I went from a 2018 R1200R to a new R1250RS last October and absolutely love it, don’t regret it and don’t miss the R one iota, the only addition regarding ergonomics was to put bar risers on with the existing tubular bars. Also a plus was the panniers from the R fit the RS. Current mileage is 4,500 and plan for another 2,000 miles by this October.

 

I’m glad you guys commented on the turn in. I always wondered why the RS, an espoused “sport tourer”, was the least nimble among the R and RT.

 

My guess would be that the R would be easier to ride the Stelvio on, the RS would be easier where corners are more open and flowing - the RS will be more stable at higher speeds and wider sweeping turns, the R will be easier to ride quickly on tight twisty roads. If you aren't going to be riding where you need to make fast switchbacks, the RS will be more than suitable, and will be more comfortable on long journeys with luggage as long as the forward lean isn't too much (or altered with alternate bars or bar backs.) Due in a large part to the wind protection, but also the slower steering will make it less twitchy (i.e. more relaxed) for long distances.

Since the OP mentioned long camping tours on hardtop, the RS is probably the better bike with any necessary mods. And if he really wants the quicker handling, the fork lowers and fender can be swapped with R parts...