[Alfodr]

As ridiculous as it may sound, it was a tough call whether to keep (fix) my R1200R LC or go for a new R1250RS. The R1200R was due a major service (24k), brake discs, brake pads, tyres and the black anodising was starting to flake on the shaft drive and engine. The Chinese LED highlight project was also a total failure.

Anyway, life has been good recently with a promotion at work and a bargain on an ex demo R1250RS with all the options and 2.5 years left on the warranty, and so welcome R1250RS. Over Christmas I’ll do a write up of all the major differences between the R1200R and R1250RS, and the S1000R I had as a loan bike for a week. In the mean time some of the customary photos are attached below.

 

[JohnnyKenko-1234]

Nice looking colour scheme, I had a S1000R for 3 years, great bike but started to tire of the howling engine always wanting to make me go faster. More than happy with my R1200R, you just need then weather to pick up to put some miles on the RS.

 

[zer0netgain]

I’d be surprised that pads need replacement at 24K and discs should need nothing unless they are glazed or warped...the first being an easy fix.

 

[Svaha!Dean]

Congratulations, she looks beautiful.

Ride on!

 

[Alfodr]

Nice looking colour scheme, I had a S1000R for 3 years, great bike but started to tire of the howling engine always wanting to make me go faster. More than happy with my R1200R, you just need then weather to pick up to put some miles on the RS.

My thoughts exactly on the S1000R; it just wanted to ‘go’ all the time and the engine sounded divine when revved high.

The R1250RS is my daily commuter so we are out in all weather. The R1200R is a fantastic bike; I’m hoping for some extra weather protection with the RS but I’ll sure miss the ‘feeling’ of riding a naked bike. As I said, it was a difficult choice.

 

[Alfodr]

I’d be surprised that pads need replacement at 24K and discs should need nothing unless they are glazed or warped...the first being an easy fix.

Quite right, the pads are indeed an easy fix and the discs probably would be fine for a bit longer (dealer was ‘concerned’ about excessive pitting). However this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. My main concern was the anodising peeling / blistering on the engine / drive shaft respectively, which would have been a very expensive fix to have done properly (I also had the same problem on the rear luggage rack but this was easier to replace). I sincerely hope no others have this problem as it looks truly awful (photo enclosed). This is now something I’ll be keeping a close eye on as I’ve since found out that others have had this repaired under warranty.

 

[JohnnyKenko-1234]

Quite right, the pads are indeed an easy fix and the discs probably would be fine for a bit longer (dealer was ‘concerned’ about excessive pitting). However this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. My main concern was the anodising peeling / blistering on the engine / drive shaft respectively, which would have been a very expensive fix to have done properly (I also had the same problem on the rear luggage rack but this was easier to replace). I sincerely hope no others have this problem as it looks truly awful (photo enclosed). This is now something I’ll be keeping a close eye on as I’ve since found out that others have had this repaired under warranty.

I wouldn't be happy if that happened to my bike, I can see why you decided to change to a 1250 RS. I'm going to check my bike over in the morning to look for blistering, too cold now plus I've had a couple or so whiskies..

 

[Ontrip]

Good that you are optimistic that these things have been addressed at the factory as you are sticking with almost the same bike. Same brakes and engine painting process at the factory.

 

[Alfodr]

Good that you are optimistic that these things have been addressed at the factory as you are sticking with almost the same bike. Same brakes and engine painting process at the factory.

Indeed, I believe I have just been unlucky. If this was a systematic issue then there’d be a lot more posts and experience of this happening to others too. Now at least I know what to look out for in the future should it start to happen again (fingers crossed it doesn’t). Might even consider getting an extended warranty too.

 

[Jack the Lad]

Congratulations on the new bike!

You probably haven't had much ride time yet, and I'll be watching for your thoughts and comments in future as to how you compare the two.

My main interest in this forum - and what you have to say about the comparison between the R and RS - is to try and find out if the plain R is simple fun to ride. And more or less so than the RS? I know it handles, brakes, as abundant horsepower etc but that's not the same thing.

I have a 2018 RT which is a fabulously competent bike, a wonderful A to B machine, goes and stops, and it handles deceptively well.

The big problem with it is that for all its competence and capability it has all the soul & character of a washing machine. It's a pleasure to ride, but it isn't fun and there is no "grin factor" - I don't find myself extending a ride because having a blast and want to keep going. It's huge saving grace is that it's very comfortable for two people and we go on a fairly high-mileage tour a couple of times a year, and if SWMBO likes it and will ride on it, it's a keeper.

I'm lucky enough to have more than one bike, and I'm planning on replacing a recently sold vintage bike with a 2020 something - current plan is the R. Whatever the new bike is, its primary requirement is to be fun.

I thought about a Multistrada as an alternative, but my mind keeps coming back to the R. A 1260 Diavel would be a blast, but as you see so many of them available with low mileage they seem to be a taste that wears thin fairly quickly, and in any case I know I'm not going to use that much power.

I'm looking forward to any comments (except for any suggestion that the R could do RT duty with the addition of some accessories - simply don't want to do that.)

 

[JohnnyKenko-1234]

Congratulations on the new bike!

You probably haven't had much ride time yet, and I'll be watching for your thoughts and comments in future as to how you compare the two.

My main interest in this forum - and what you have to say about the comparison between the R and RS - is to try and find out if the plain R is simple fun to ride. And more or less so than the RS? I know it handles, brakes, as abundant horsepower etc but that's not the same thing.

I have a 2018 RT which is a fabulously competent bike, a wonderful A to B machine, goes and stops, and it handles deceptively well.

The big problem with it is that for all its competence and capability it has all the soul & character of a washing machine. It's a pleasure to ride, but it isn't fun and there is no "grin factor" - I don't find myself extending a ride because having a blast and want to keep going. It's huge saving grace is that it's very comfortable for two people and we go on a fairly high-mileage tour a couple of times a year, and if SWMBO likes it and will ride on it, it's a keeper.

I'm lucky enough to have more than one bike, and I'm planning on replacing a recently sold vintage bike with a 2020 something - current plan is the R. Whatever the new bike is, its primary requirement is to be fun.

I thought about a Multistrada as an alternative, but my mind keeps coming back to the R. A 1260 Diavel would be a blast, but as you see so many of them available with low mileage they seem to be a taste that wears thin fairly quickly, and in any case I know I'm not going to use that much power.

I'm looking forward to any comments (except for any suggestion that the R could do RT duty with the addition of some accessories - simply don't want to do that.)

Get a S1000R instead ...

 

[Jack the Lad]

After 40+ years riding & some 50 bikes, I've decided I prefer twins - usually a bit more visceral which translates into character, broadly.

I like triples too. Fours always seem a bit bland no matter how much power they have - the S1000R just doesn't appeal at all, mostly because I don't plan on screaming around at 300 mph all day. It's hard to ride anything like the S1000R and it's ilk anything less than WFO - I'd like a friend to have one that I could borrow periodically. Sixes are nice but bulky. Never had a single. Had V-twins of various shapes, styles, angles & sizes.

Next one will be a twin. But which twin?

 

[Panzermann]

Noting the duplication of theme with your R thread, I’ll just comment here on R vs RS.

Both are great bikes and riders will choose based on their priorities, but it is almost universally acknowledged that the R has the edge on the RS in ‘fun bike’ terms. The RS is an R with a bit of the RT character you describe.

This is the conclusion of an Australian Motorcycle News test of the1250 R and RS.

 

[Jack the Lad]

Thanks for that. I've seen comparisons between the R and everything but the RT. There's something about the simplicity of a naked bike, even though the R is everything except simple.