[smooth1]

I just joined the forum. I'd been away from riding for 20 years or so & a few years ago I bought a used Boulevard. The Suzuki has served me well since I've owned it but I have been considering replacing it this spring with something more comfortable. Most of my friends ride Harleys & I'm definitely not interested in a Harley. On a whim I stopped into a nearby BMW dealer & was impresssed with the bikes. I hadn't even considered a BMW before & don't know much about them. One of the dealer's customers talked with me for a long time about how much he likes his 2 BMW's. So I decided to join a BMW forum to learn more about them so I could make an educated decision on my next bike. I want something more comfortable than the boulevard so that I could ride for longer periods of time. My wife isn't into riding at all, but I do take one of my daughters out for a ride occassionally. I'm interested in the safety features such as the anti lock brakes. I've locked the boulevard's brakes up on the freeway before-not fun. I hope you don't mind my asking questions from time to time. If I ask dumb questions it's just because I don't know much if anything about BMW's

Thanks for reading my long winded post
Smooth

 

[fleuger99]

Welcome and everyone on here will help out as much as they can, this is a great forum and group of people.

I had a 12 year break from riding when I ordered my R1200R this past Dec and took delivery in March. The bike is absolutely awesome and is the jack of all trades. It is light and agile for commuting, great for long distance touring or zooming around the back roads. Before making the purchase I also test rode the F800ST but the R1200R was more stable, felt way more solid, liked the smooth boxer engine and overall seemed like a better package. Good luck with your decision and enjoyment.

 

[Hoshiko]

Hey Smooth1, welcome to the forum, and I guess I can safely say welcome to the BMW/R1200R
I said this before and please consider yourself warned. Once you get addicted to the R there is not cure.


There are many things I can tell you of my many years and many motorcycles but, why don't you click on this link: http://www.r1200rforum.com/forum/bmw-r1200r-general-discussions-7/considering-new-r1200r-1058/
This way you will get not only my but many peoples point of view.

See you soon.

 

[las]

+ 1 what fleuger99 and Hoshiko said

 

[Classic11]

The ABS are good and unintrusive. I have grabbed more of the brake lever than any other bike and as long as you can handle the stopping power, it won't ever lock up. You can turn it off, in case you are into wheelies

Only problem I see with getting a BMW will be having to wait with your riding buddies while they fix their bike (or polish them) and you're itching to put miles on.

 

[yonderbob]

Smooth1... WELCOME!

After 9 years and 100k+ miles on a 2003 VTX 1800R (almost broken in) I can say that the R1200R is a BIG departure from the cruiser - heavy tourer world. I was not looking for comfort. I was looking for a bike with character, two cylinders, shaft drive, ABS, traction control, fuel injection, better performance, and water cooling. Batting 0.86 ain't bad!

The 1200 is NOT as comfortable as the mighty VTX. But it more than makes up for that with all it's other attributes. I was tired of being one more cruiser in a sea of cruisers. I'm still adjusting at about 4k miles, (still consider myself a noob here) but the bike is not UNcomfortable. Just different. And the old bones have to adjust. I adjust really well when the road starts to curve!

Ride one... you'll like it! But if you want comfort first and foremost, i'd look at the BMW touring models.

btw, i'm 6'0" and 190 lbs. Comfort is very subjective and dependent on personal dimensions to a great extent... ymmv.

Bob