[GIJared]

Hey everybody. I'm potentially in the market for an R1200R and just discovered this site. Huge BMW fan myself.

There seems to be a wealth of information on here that I intend to take advantage of, thanks. Expect a few silly questions as I'm a new rider...forgive me!

First one: I found a 2008, black, with 16,400 miles listed for $8,998. Its got ABS(which I believe wasn't standard that year) and heated grips/computer(which I think was standard, but the dealer said were options). Does this sounds like a decent deal? If not, what would be?

Second: What's the consensus on whether or not this would be fine as a first bike? I'm taking the MSF course this weekend. I'm relatively young(28), but I've had enough close calls(work related) as it is...Trust me, I'm not the type that will hop on and try to kill myself. I understand new riders are likely to drop it, which is why I'd rather buy one used.

Anyways, apologies for the lengthy first post. Appreciate any replies.

 

[Hoshiko]

Hey GIJared,
Welcome to the forum and to riding you are going to go insane about riding, it's awesome.
Now, here is my advice, please take it from someone who absolutely loves his R1200R more than any other bike his ever ridden in 15 years.
I'm pretty sure there is people out there who are "not the type that will hop on and try to kill themselves" but, with such a powerful bike, sometimes it's not under your control.
You want to buy a used bike because you know you will drop it, the chances of this happening are big, but trust me, there is nothing like buying a new one.
Now, you don't even know 100% even if you are going to enjoy riding, many people buy new bikes, ride them one summer, put them on their garage and sell them with 700 miles 4 years latter, that is the bike you should be looking for, not one from the Stelership.
I highly recommend for you to go on craigslist, look for a used Suzuki TU250X, or Honda Rebel, or Kawasaki Ninja 250R, or Yamaha TW200, you get my point? something used on the 250 CC range, with not much power but enough to go out on the highway, lighter for almost half of what the R1200R weights, and most important, CHEAP
You can get one of those bikes for $1000.00 today, ride it, drop it couple of times, ride it and ride it more, then, sell it for $1000.00-$900.00 YOu could even make money out of it, you may loose couple of hundred, but you will win 1 year and many many miles of experience.
Now you can go and buy your brand new water-cooled 2014 BMW R1200R and ride the S%^& out of it.

Also consider all the gear you will need to get, and believe me, you will start spending money on gear like daughter of rich guy with daddy's credit card.

Look how sweet is that Suzuki TU250X, If I had space on my garage, I will definitively buy one.

 

[Clem]

Get the 1200R !

Hi GIJared, This is the voice of the Devil's advocate. Listen to me!!
Don't buy that sissy Suzuki. SURE. It's sweet, but you'll be tired of it all too soon. Buy the R1200R !! That's what you lust for. It's got just the scratch for your itch. Low mileage on a used 2008. Yeeahh.......
Put full coverage on it, buy life & hospitalization insurance, full protective gear, and load up on high octane excitement. That black satin finish is better than Victoria's Secret. You know it, a babe magnet. And you'll start kickin' ass and takin' names when you ride up on a midnight black Roadster for Friday night at the watering hole. More fun in your right twist grip than you've had since getting naked in the back seat of a Chevy with that cheerleader in high school. Life is too short. You deserve to live a little. Why wait? Get up off your ass and go get her!!! You KNOW you WANT it. You're 28 !! Life is passing you by. You don't have to justify it to anybody. Just tell the truth. Say ''the DEVIL made me do it.''

Disclaimer: Do NOT ride faster than your guardian angel can fly.

 

[hemiwes]

GIJared, welcome to the site! I'm in the military as well. I'm in the Navy. I agree with both Hoshiko and Clem. you WILL become bored with 250 CC bike. REALLY quickly. Plus you have to have that power to get out of sticky situations, if they arise. I would get something with ATLEAST 600 CC's for a first bike. Not too much power, but enough for when you need it. I just did the Experienced rider MSF course about 2 weeks ago on my R1200R and it was a blast. Excellent low speed stability and I actually scraped a peg for the first time on this bike! scared the **** out of me because I hadn't done it yet with this bike! I would reccomend getting this used R1200R. what I tell everybody is that " It's all in how much you crank that right wrist back". You control how fast you want to go.