[MD11]

Hi, I'm new to the forums and sorry if this question is old or has been covered, but I've scanned the threads and haven't seen much discussion on this topic.

I'm wanting to take the plunge on a new R1200R Classic but I have a few problems to contend with..

-Do I buy the 2012, or do I wait for the 2013 which might be water cooled?
-My dealer doesn't' have a classic in stock and told me that if they can find one at another dealer, they'd have to charge me to ship it...
-I want to try to get a good deal on one, and not pay full price, is that realistic? or are these priced firmly?

What do you all think? Anyone recently go thru this decision process? what did you decide to do?

thanks

 

[drDave]

I went through the same question. . .and bought the 12 Classic. The issue really is that even if an R1250r or whatever were available soon (which it may not be), it would be a brand new model; and do you really want the very first year of a very new design, when the older design has been honed into bullet-proofness. . . I've been riding my Classic almost every day since it got warm; it tracks like a gyroscope, roles steadily at walking speed when traffic slows, and gets 50-70plus mpg. I think that this bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush. . .

 

[MD11]

I went through the same question. . .and bought the 12 Classic. The issue really is that even if an R1250r or whatever were available soon (which it may not be), it would be a brand new model; and do you really want the very first year of a very new design, when the older design has been honed into bullet-proofness. . . I've been riding my Classic almost every day since it got warm; it tracks like a gyroscope, roles steadily at walking speed when traffic slows, and gets 50-70plus mpg. I think that this bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush. . .

thank got your thoughts, and they make sense to me also.... were you able to get any kind of discount on yours? Did you buy in the USA?

I'm just getting the feeling from my dealer that the new vehicle inventories are depleted and that BMW may not be shipping anymore to them, so it's a supply and demand issue.... but then he could just be saying that to get me to just pay up...

 

[drDave]

Md11,

I live on the North Shore of Chicago, so it's the High Rent District. . .they didn't give a bike discount, but they did give me a huge trade in allowance on my G650gs, almost what I paid for it a year before. They also did a good deal on chrome engine covers, which make the whole bike come alive.

Look at it this way, MD11, you'll be getting a bike that's been tweaked and honed for decades, and is the Last of a Great Line. . .maybe in a few years, when the all-water-cooled bikes are debugged 5 years from now, you might get one, or you might decide there's nothing better than your 2012 Classic.

 

[Happy Camper]

I agree whole heartedly with drDave. Plus, I don't think we age going to see the R1250R soon. BMW will put the new engine into the GS first. I am not sure but the RT or ST gets it next, and then only will the R get it. Mayby 2014 or 2015 even.

My dealer also told me that BMW might sell the two lines, being the 1200 and the 1250, alongside each other.

 

[biker dan]

Md11,

I live on the North Shore of Chicago, so it's the High Rent District. . .they didn't give a bike discount, but they did give me a huge trade in allowance on my G650gs, almost what I paid for it a year before. They also did a good deal on chrome engine covers, which make the whole bike come alive.

Look at it this way, MD11, you'll be getting a bike that's been tweaked and honed for decades, and is the Last of a Great Line. . .maybe in a few years, when the all-water-cooled bikes are debugged 5 years from now, you might get one, or you might decide there's nothing better than your 2012 Classic.

Hmm gonna have to go to the dealer over the weekend and see if i can get a deal. How do you like the 2012 model. Whats the main advantages of the engine being water cooled? Do you have any pics of your with the chrome plating?

 

[MD11]

do you guys think BMW is still producing 2012's and can he take an order for one? or is it too late and what's out there is what's out there..

but I like your line of thinking so far, it's convincing..

 

[Hoshiko]

I have to agree with both Dr Dave and Happy Camper.
Most likely the new engine, 1250, water cooled, turbo or whatever they do next, will be on the GS, they for sure sell those like warm bread, the R does not sell that much at all (weird). I think the new engine will be good to go 5-6 years from today's model.

Now, please, do not trust anything that a Stealership tells you, don't even believe when you walk to their door and they say "Hi".

I had exactly the bike I want it on hold with the stealership where I meet every Saturday to do a group ride.

I want it to shop around and also sell my at the time bike.

I went to the stealership in Manhattan, they had a classic but I want it a gray (they are better according to BMW) The sells guy told me that he can find one somewhere around the 3state area, have it shipped to his store or, I could order one and pay for shipment, or I could only wait to see if I was lucky.

He looked and found nothing 100 miles around Then told me that because he really want it to help me, they will order the bike and pay for shipment, the bike will be here in 2-3 months and of curse no discount at all

Needless to say I came back to the stealership where I had the one on hold, told the guy there that I was willing to buy it right there if they give me a discount, they didn't but managed to get the saddlebags for free. And that to me is a great discount, since I was buying them anyways.

Go, look around, drive to any other towns, talk to the seller, be firm but don't trust them at all.

 

[MD11]

yeah, this guy at the BMW dealer in Portland OR is a retired cop and seems to be a straight shooter... but I hear you. My big concern now is how many 2012 classics (with some of the options I want) are out there? or shall I just order one and wait a 3 months (which I really don't want to do)..

Hoshiko, so you say the R1200R isn't' a hot seller, yet they still do deal on them... it's amazing.. especially in this economy.

 

[Hoshiko]

yeah, this guy at the BMW dealer in Portland OR is a retired cop and seems to be a straight shooter... but I hear you. My big concern now is how many 2012 classics (with some of the options I want) are out there? or shall I just order one and wait a 3 months (which I really don't want to do)..

Hoshiko, so you say the R1200R isn't' a hot seller, yet they still do deal on them... it's amazing.. especially in this economy.

Most people spending that kind of money want a fast bike, or a Harley, people who buy beemers go for the GS because is the all-rounder, even knowing they have never ridden off-road. Suzuki sells their Vstrom more then any other bike, they claim less then 10% of those bikes wil;l ever see gravel, not tomention off roading.

Now Beemer has the S100R, My stealership can't keep one on the floor for more then a week.

R1200R it's what it is, a bike, pure and perfect bike. some people seem to think is boring.

Be firm whit whoever you end up buying and negotiate at least the options you want on your bike for free. You mentioned the economy, you are right, they need your money.
Leave this forum and go online, look for a your bike, it's out there somewhere waiting for you, that stelership knows you are going to negotiate so, negotiate.

Good luck

 

[MD11]

thanks... looking around as we speak... checked San Fran, San Jose, Southern CA, and so on... if anyone comes across one at a dealer on the west coast, pls do tell.

 

[hemiwes]

I got mine in April. they had one classic with all the bells and whistles and the owner of the bmw dealership went up to pasadena, picked it up, and brought it back to San diego for me. they had to trade one of their GS's for it though. Ask your local dealer about a dealer transfer/trade. There still might be one out there somewhere. Sounds like ALL of us on this website wanted the classic one! LOL

 

[Happy Camper]

Hey MD11. What options on the classic are you looking for. I am from South Africa, and because we are such a small market compared to the US, we can only have the classic with every option installed. This includes ABS, heated grips, ESA, and traction control. We either take it like this, or we have to leave it.

 

[MD11]

Hey MD11. What options on the classic are you looking for. I am from South Africa, and because we are such a small market compared to the US, we can only have the classic with every option installed. This includes ABS, heated grips, ESA, and traction control. We either take it like this, or we have to leave it.

I actually want all that stuff, the ESA is not important, but the rest I do want...

 

[drDave]

When I talked to my dealer about the 1250, he agreed with Happy Camper that the changes will occur in the other models before the 'R and he suggested that they are changing it to all water cooled because the current engine might not meet future European or American emission/efficiency standards. The 2012 classic I bought on the showroom floor was the last one he had ordered and he said they were now sold out of all 2012 1200 models. My guess is that if you still want a 2012 Classic, you'll have to search for one; I don't think they are making any more deliveries.

I agree with Hoshiko about the 'R being "perfect". Fit, finish, gyroscope balance of the opposed twin. I kind of agree I would have liked a little more flash, but the chrome engine covers definitely work in that direction. Maybe one day I'll have the frame painted red or chromed. .

 

[drDave]

MDII, why wouldn't you take the computer? It's really useful; gas gauge; miles/gallon; etc? I like having that information available.

 

[MD11]

MDII, why wouldn't you take the computer? It's really useful; gas gauge; miles/gallon; etc? I like having that information available.

I didn't say that at all. Of course I'd want that. I agree it's basically essential to have the computer.

 

[Hoshiko]

Computer is awesome, so much info, average speed, average MPG, how many miles you have left on the current tank, temperature, tire pressure, gear indicator works great, total mileage of curse, 2 separate trip counter and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something.

 

[drDave]

How do you get tire pressure, Hoshiko?

 

[yonderbob]

Hi, I'm new to the forums and sorry if this question is old or has been covered, but I've scanned the threads and haven't seen much discussion on this topic.

I'm wanting to take the plunge on a new R1200R Classic but I have a few problems to contend with..

-Do I buy the 2012, or do I wait for the 2013 which might be water cooled?
-My dealer doesn't' have a classic in stock and told me that if they can find one at another dealer, they'd have to charge me to ship it...
-I want to try to get a good deal on one, and not pay full price, is that realistic? or are these priced firmly?

What do you all think? Anyone recently go thru this decision process? what did you decide to do?

thanks

Hey, MD...

I just went through the exact same quandary. I heard the rumors that next year the 12R would be water cooled and that was the only feature I wanted that it seemed to lack. But after reading all I could and realizing that this engine in similar configuration has been an endurance champ for a long time, I decided not to wait. I was more concerned about the heat here in Florida. I've ridden though never owned a HD and that air-cooed engine heat can be brutal in traffic.

I have found on rides in 90+ degree heat that it just isn't a problem on the R1200R. I have about 1,500 miles on mine now, picked it up on May 5.

I also am an accountant and wanted the best deal I could find. I'm used to Honda and there's almost always room to bargain. There are two BMW dealers owned by the same guy within 60 miles of home. Closest one had nothing in stock when I asked and never called me back if they finally got one. The other had one identical to the one I ended up buying. They had it sitting on the floor marked a full $2k OVER msrp. When I made an offer they more or less told me to pound sand - precisely quoted - "this is not a distress sale item that we need to discount by $2,000." Won't go back there for any reason.

Ended up buying the one I'd already looked at. The dealer was Hap's Cycle Sales in Sarasota FL. Object lesson for any dealer... I drove 150 miles out of my way to avoid dealing with an a-hole. Hap's is a family owned business and very "old school" in the look and feel of the shop as well as the attitudes of the staff. Nice folks. I know the bike had been sitting on his floor since last October and I did get a discount, but not much. I asked The shop owner why they were hard to find and he told me it was just a matter of the economy and most dealers keeping inventory costs down. He also told me that BMW just doesn't give them the wiggle room they get with Honda (they sell those and Triumph).

My $0.02 - buy it now and ride the crap out of it!

Bob