[johnvw]

Welcome to my new Forum family ( first post).
I am discovering the pleasures of the R1200r ( R12R) and as an old fella tend to do a lot of research before committing myself.
I am looking at the 2010/11 model, last of SOHC or first of DOHC. Very happy with want I have seen, but finances not committed as yet.
A few questions for the members.

1) At 5 foot 6in, my little leggys are too short and only the toes reach the ground (very disappointing). I love the bike and considering building up the soles of shoes or boots.
Is it possible to further reduce the bike seat height ( on min. now), the bike weight is just too unstable with toes only on the ground.

2) How awkward is the small maintenance jobs. Oil and filter change, front and rear removal ( flat tyre), air filter , disc pad replacement etc. The bike will see a Dealership (occasionally) but I intend to purchase a recognised diagnostic scan tool for regular services ( I do something similar to the car, VW ).

3)Is a workshop/repair manual or disc available for 2010/11. I trust the bike in the USA is very similar to that for Australia.

Thank you all in advance, your assistance will be appreciated.
Regards John

 

[avocet]

Hello Johnvw. I just ordered an "R" and will get it in a few days. the bike will be used primarily by my wife (although I do expect to enjoy it frequently myself) so we bought one with the lowered suspension. Its around an inch lower than the standard suspension. I rode a lowered demo bike and really can't tell the difference between it and a standard suspension bike except when I put my feet down and find the ground is closer. Also, there are at least four different seat heights available from BMW. With all those options I think you'll be able to make it meet your needs.

I haven't owned an "R" before, but I have owned a couple of GSs, which use the same engine, shaft drive, suspension etc. My latest GS has the twin cam engine and I find that I like it quite a bit better than the previous generation engines. It pulls over a broader range of RPM and has less high frequency buzz at high RPM. I think it looks and sounds better too. Having said that, I was quite happy with the single cam engine before I had tried the twin cam.

Many people maintain their R1200 bikes by themselves, and it seems pretty easy to do. I suggest you look at the Advrider forum where there is a lot of discussion about maintaining these engines. Most of that will be centered around the GS on that forum, but its drive line is the same as the R. There is discussion of 1200R bikes as well over there.

 

[drDave]

John,

If you get the low suspension and the low seat, you should be able to work it. The seat is relatively narrow, so that gives you better ability to get your lets to the ground. I'm about 5'8" 32" inseam and I ride the standard bike, standard suspension and almost flat-foot the bike at stops.

Not to set you looking at 2012's but they have even less "buzz" . .

 

[Hoshiko]

Hey John, welcome to the forum.
I don't do the maintenance on my bike but I doubt it's going to be any harder than any other bikes, specially because it's completely naked. You can remove the back tire without removing chains, and then tighten.......
You also want a 2011+, The 2010 model is the last one of the older engine.

Please check this link. There is some good advice. http://www.r1200rforum.com/forum/bmw-r1200r-general-discussions-7/considering-new-r1200r-1058/

 

[johnvw]

Many Thanks,
The seat was in the lowest position. I have contacted a suspension chap who has lowered a previous model and feels confident that the 2011 model can be altered.
As always I have concerns, with small changes to this model and interferring with BMW dynamics.
A high price to pay for short legs.
But the reviews are just SO good for this bike.
Regards John

 

[Clem]

1. Lowering is available.
2. Oil change,oil filter,remove F&R tires,remove brake pads, ALL a breeze.
3.BMW service DVD available from Dealer. Some online posts.

SOHC up to 2010. DOHC 2011+ More infor. & aftermarket for the older models, but don't let that stop you from considering the newest DOHC.
+1 drDave said. Many improvements on the new model. Worth a look.

 

[las]

+1 Cem and DrDave. Some r12r's came from the factory with a lowered suspension, and the option is available in a new bike; the only downside is that the ground clearance in a severe lean is slightly less than the standard- but, unless you p,an to take the bike to the track, or ride like the street is a racetrack, this should present no problem.
I have the service DVD for the 2011-2012. Cost- a few bits over $100. The manual is convoluted. Luckily, most of what you want to know for maintanence is there, understandable and, most importantly, easy to execute.

 

[johnvw]

Many Thanks,
Just what I wanted to hear. The 2012 model ( first DOHC, build mid /late 2011) seems to tick all the boxes ( except the finances).
This old fella has waited a long time to purchase a shaft drive, now to sweeten up the boss.

Some talk that this 2011/12 model may be the last oil/air cooled, before moving to water cooled. Any thoughts.
Regards John
ps Just as with the cars, are you aware of any bike spec. changes that may effect those sold in Australia. Our cars are referred to as Rest of World

 

[Hoshiko]

Some talk that this 2011/12 model may be the last oil/air cooled, before moving to water cooled. Any thoughts.
Regards John
ps Just as with the cars, are you aware of any bike spec. changes that may effect those sold in Australia. Our cars are referred to as Rest of World

I don't work for BMW and I'm sure if I did I wouldn't be able to tell you but. I think the new R1250 boxer engine if that is the correct size, will be water cooled, and judging for previous engine model upgrades, the GS will be the first one to take it, may be 2014? Then will go to the R.
And all that if they don't decide to do some kind of "HP2" with the water cooled engine, then pass it to the GS and then the R.
I think they are also pretty busy right now making the HP4 the performance super sport bike killer.
I don't need anything else from my bike, and as I mentioned before, it's going to take a lot for me to find a better then this bike, who knows, I may be sold on the new water cooled one after the first test just like the R1200R did.

Regarding spec changes, I think the only difference between your and the "rest of the world" is that you'll be riding your bike on the wrong side of the road.

 

[drDave]

You could look at the 2012 as the "last of the line" of BMW's air/water cooled twins - their final state of evolution before going to all-water cooled. As Hoshiko says, you could look a long time, if ever, before finding a bike better than the current R1200r. A couple of days ago, it was pouring rain in the evening and I did my 25 mile commute from Chicago and the bike felt safe and solid. I plan to ride it until the roads freeze, and take it out again as soon as they thaw. The bike is up for anything.

 

[las]

+1 what DrDave and Hoshiko said!

 

[Clem]

+1 What he said ! The 2012 is a well sorted out machine.
You know, there are a few other members on this Forum from Australia. If you browse through the posts, I'm sure you will come across them. Send them a PM introducing yourself, and you guys can then network the Australia newsworthy items among yourselves. Dealers, service costs, hard to find parts, bargain sales on oil or tires, group rides, recalls, warranty issues, etc.

 

[Hoshiko]

September 21st 2012
from the BMW Motorrad news:

"The international trade fair INTERMOT is just around the corner. On October 3rd to 7th BMW Motorrad will be celebrating the world premiere of the successor of the R 1200 GS in Cologne. Together with Husqvarna BMW Motorrad will exhibit additional highlights from the sports, enduro, touring, and urban adventure world."

Let's see.

 

[avocet]

The GS will be getting the new water cooled Boxer engine for 2013, but the 1200R will get it later. BMW has already announced the changes for the R for 2013 and it is just like the 2012 R except for the available colors. Personally, I'm not anxious to see the water cooled engine in the R. The twin cam air cooled engine is so good that it's hard to imagine the water cooled one being an improvement (it will probably have more power, but the R doesn't really need that). Plus, water cooling is more complex, and probably heavier.

Aside from the R1200R I just bought, I also own a K1600GT, which is water cooled. Many K16 bikes (including mine) have had water pump failures during the first year of production. The K16 is a really nice bike, but it is also very complex, and I think that will probably lead to reduced reliability in the long run. I love the simplicity and proven reliability of the air-cooled boxer and will be sorry to see it go. Besides, I think the air cooled engine better fits the character of the R1200R.

 

[Hoshiko]

I love the simplicity and proven reliability of the air-cooled boxer and will be sorry to see it go. Besides, I think the air cooled engine better fits the character of the R1200R.

Completely agree, I'm sure I'll keep this bike for a looooooooong time, even if I buy a new one 5-6 years down the road, this one stays with me, and more now that it might be the last one of the air cooled ones, even if I don't ride it, I'll clean it really well, empty all fluids, remove battery and have it on my living room as a piece of art.

 

[Hoshiko]

September 24 2012

The French web site Moto-Station confidently predicts three new Ducati models featuring an all-new 820cc liquid cooled 115hp engine for INTERMOT, including a Multistrada, a Hypermotard, and an unspecified roadster (not a Monster). These will be sophisticated bikes with ride-by-wire throttles and all the latest electronic aids.

Ok, now they have my attention.

I remember how great looking the Sport classic GT 1000 was, pretty close to our R but lacking many features and reliability of Beemers.

Now that Ducati belongs to Audi, and they openly declared war on BMW, I'll be closely following that mystery roadster.

 

[yonderbob]

my $0.02 on maintenance...

CANBUS makes electrical modifications and maintenance somehwat more tricky. Special electrical connectors, etc.; no fuses... on board computer system can shut you down if you screw up.

ABS makes servicing brakes a little more tricky.

I've alway done all maintenance on my bikes if it didn't require an expensive special tool. The BMW requires an expensive special tool for the ABS brake test and the electrical diagnostics plug is "special" as well. There is also some complication on checking the throttle body synchronization but i understand from those more in the know than I that this can be done with standard vacuum test equipment.

All else is a breeze.

Bob

 

[drDave]

Yeah, YonderBob, I think that bikes are going the way of cars. I remember cars where I could open up the hood, remove parts, clean the carburetor, tune up the engine with a strobe, etc. Now I can't even find the engine. . .but even with that, IMO, the CANBus is stoopid.

 

[avocet]

I hear that Ducati also uses Canbus on new bikes.

Hoshiko, I don't think I could get away with a motorcycle in my living room, even if it was as pretty as an R1200R. I'm happy enough to have one in the garage though.

 

[yonderbob]

Completely agree, I'm sure I'll keep this bike for a looooooooong time, even if I buy a new one 5-6 years down the road, this one stays with me, and more now that it might be the last one of the air cooled ones, even if I don't ride it, I'll clean it really well, empty all fluids, remove battery and have it on my living room as a piece of art.

... a thing of great beauty is not necessarily sculpted from clay.