[mike k.]

Was the 05 R1200ST ahead of its time/misunderstood? I think it was both.

 

[mcmonkey mcbean]

This rider thinks so too

 

[Barance]

They were a great bike and nice looking until you looked at them front on...

 

[Clem]

Stellar ST

I agree that in 2005, the ST was cutting edge technology.
I am not easily swayed away from a bike simply because it looks different. To me, if it it gets the job done out there on the highway, protects me, and gets me home dependably, appearance doesn't matter.
Owners testify the ST was a true Storm Trooper on the highway. It deserved the title Sport Touring after it replaced the well-loved R1150RS.
2006 BMW R 1200 ST | motorcycle review @ Top Speed

 

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

MMcB - Who is that ?

L of S

 

[mcmonkey mcbean]

They were a great bike and nice looking until you looked at them front on...

I'm not a big fan of the looks, but the 'Wunderlich' front light frame as in post 2, with the divider certainly makes the front light look better.

 

[johnzero]

I owned one, and it rode like a peach. It was my first boxer, and led me back to the R12R after an extended affair with a Ducati.

But God is it an ugly front end. How a team of engineers could have allowed that front end to see the light of day is criminal.

 

[dbyker]

Probably stuck with servo brakes too. Pity.

 

[Dave]

Another R1200 in the garage. This ST came up at the right price and was just round the corner.

 

[Panzermann]

You can never have too many? :wink2:

 

[Clem]

Another ST

Good on You, Dave !! They just keep on running and running.............This one belongs to a blogger in my biker club.

The engine technology has improved, but the protection is still very good.

Cost performance of a good used one is not bad at all.

 

[Dave]

Good on You, Dave !! They just keep on running and running.............This one belongs to a blogger in my biker club.

The engine technology has improved, but the protection is still very good.

Cost performance of a good used one is not bad at all.

I've always had 2 bikes, my old spare bike was a 1987 K100. If it was the only bike I had I would be happy with it but the performance difference between it and the R1200 is too big to enjoy it, if that makes sense. I've always liked the look of the ST, really!!!, but never thought I be able to afford one as my spare bike.

 

[Joe Bar]

Ahead of its time / misunderstood - neither, just ugly. I did read an interview with David Robb in which he said he would have killed it before birth had he got there soon enough. I'm sure it rode well enough, but I could never swing my leg over one.

 

[BoxerJim]

Ahead of its time / misunderstood - neither, just ugly. I did read an interview with David Robb in which he said he would have killed it before birth had he got there soon enough. I'm sure it rode well enough, but I could never swing my leg over one.

Let's take it easy with the U word bruh. We're BMW owners - we're all mounted on bikes that have questionable aesthetics Let's just say the R1200ST was a polarizing bike that didn't find its market. That sounds better.

 

[BoxerJim]

Ahead of its time / misunderstood - neither, just ugly. I did read an interview with David Robb in which he said he would have killed it before birth had he got there soon enough. I'm sure it rode well enough, but I could never swing my leg over one.

Also, wouldn't that have been right smack in the middle of Robb's tenure? It reeks of Robb. I actually miss those days of BMW - when the bikes were almost intentionally ugly and functional. They keep drifting more and more mainstream every year and all it does is make me wanna buy a Ducati I can't wait until Ola retires. I want the white lab coats back.

 

[joebloggz]

I have never ever seen one of those before - and I don't mind if I never do! BMW stylists excelled themselves at creating hideousness with that beast!

 

[marcimark]

Was the ST really that much different to the RT?
Slightly different (and less) fairing and different handle bars, but what else?

BMW should have done the same back then, what they do with the R/RS combo now.
The RS sells better than the R in many markets!

Was it ahead of it's time.... probably not.

 

[Dave]

It's strange that the ST can evoke such emotion. Yes, it's different, but ugly, no. Just because you don't like something it doesn't make it ugly, everyone likes different styles, the world would be a boring place if there was no choice.

 

[Joe Bar]

Sorry, we may all like different things and it would be a sadder world if we all liked the same thing. But some things gain an almost universal recognition for being beautiful, and some things for being ugly, and the R1200ST is one of those. I don't even think it's one of those bikes that divide opinion, where it's beauty can be seen in its functionality. It's great that you have one and like it, each to his own, but throw a bunch of bike keys on the table and no one's picking picking up those keys first to go home.

 

[Dave]

Opinion must always be divided as we all like different things. The key analogy - now that depends on what the other bikes are, if all the others were HD keys what would you chose?