BMW R****R Thread

[Cos]

Originally Posted by David R

Apples and oranges. The BMW is more of an investment. After a 3 year payment program, the BMW will be worth what the honda was new.

With all due respect, but no, it's absolutely not an an investment.

If after 3 years your BMW is worth what the Honda is worth new, all it means is that you bought the BMW for more money. Depreciation still happens.

Nice bike

[Pantah]

I saw a new R1200R today parked outside my building. It had polished spoked wheels. Prettiest BMW I've ever seen! Nice collection of parts in a simple and classic presentation.

Are those wheels an option?

[ninepeaks9]

Originally Posted by hankamy

Thanks for all the replies. I should also mention that I'm 5'6" and 165 lbs. I've sat on the 12R low seat and am tippy toe on it. But I'm tippy toe on my BMW 650 dual sport now so I'm fairly comfortable with that issue. However, if the situation requires a quick exit, the 12R seat may be a problem.


Both seem equal in the reliability dept. I would expect one might get more miles out of the R. Comfort- I would need bar backs on the R. (Can you stack 2 risers together?) The CB would probably be ok as far as riding position. Power- both are adequate for my riding style. Looks- both look cool, the CB is retro cool. Resale value- I'm the type who will keep a bike a long time so this won't factor into my decision much.


These are the only bikes I'm considering and I'm leaning toward the R. However, the $5,000 difference is substantial and cannot be overlooked. I see the Honda dealers are advertising the CB with ABS for as low as ~$9919. They are expected at the dealers by March or April. I'll have to delay purchase till I try one on.

So, can you in 7 words or less, close the deal on the R for me? And, if the CB was available as an option when you purchased your R, might some of you have purchased the CB instead? Be honest.

Why ride retro when you can ride original? 8 words, damn it. When you get the 12R and if still have an itch for an inline 4, you can pick up an early 80' classic inline UJM for peanuts as a secondary bike.

[Cos]

Originally Posted by Pantah

I saw a new R1200R today parked outside my building. It had polished spoked wheels. Prettiest BMW I've ever seen! Nice collection of parts in a simple and classic presentation.

Are those wheels an option?

Standard on the R1200R Classic

[IslandMonkey]

Originally Posted by DiabloADV

As mentioned...I had an R and really liked it. I would honestly say I would have to ride the CB first. The singular problem with the R is that, unless you are fully committed to a no-windscreen bike, it just doesn't work. IOW, if you want a small windscreen to just "take the edge off" the R is a fail. The tank has these infernal tunnels at the leading edge that take wind and route it upwards so it blasts you up from the bottom of your helmet. With no screen, the horizontal wind cancels it out. With a screen, the updraft is just intolerable. Read all the R12R forums about this. It's the No. 1 theme.

So...if you're committed to naked, the R is a great bike. If you're inclined to a small (or large) screen, the CB should be tried first.

Completely agree with this. I had one for two years and there was lots to love about the bike, in fact I still miss the thing, but this was an issue for me. YMMV of course.

[David R]

7 words or less

THE R GIVES ME A WOODY.


You have to ride the bike. I love the handling and power delivery. I could have bought the S1000RR for less money. (193 hp vs 110 hp)

Sent from the phone in my shoe. Maxwell Smart.

[tpulls]

Originally Posted by IslandMonkey

Completely agree with this. I had one for two years and there was lots to love about the bike, in fact I still miss the thing, but this was an issue for me. YMMV of course.

So these people touring on their R's just deal with the wind blast? Is it that bad?

[IslandMonkey]

They are superb bikes and as I said, YMMV. DiabloADV's observation was valid in my case however and it may be a factor for some riders.

[DiabloADV]

Originally Posted by Pantah

It had polished spoked wheels. ...Are those wheels an option?

And they come with tubes!

Caused one friend of mine to cancel his order for a classic.

[DiabloADV]

Originally Posted by tpulls

So these people touring on their R's just deal with the wind blast? Is it that bad?

Like anything else, it doesn't bother some people. Plenty of people tour with no windscreen, and there are R owners that don't mind the tank updraft. Not me!

I went with a Scout fairing. The lower fairing blocks the tank tunnels and it's a nice quiet cocoon around the head and torso, with plenty of wind on arms and legs.





I did WAY too much windscreen experimenting (tried three different products in multiple configurations). Final verdict: Either no screen at all, or the Scout. Everything in between was awful.

[ninepeaks9]

Dog on it, now you tell me just after I ordered a Cee Bailey windshield for my 12R.

[Patch]

Originally Posted by ninepeaks9

Dog on it, now you tell me just after I ordered a Cee Bailey windshield for my 12R.

I like my Cee... really helps keep the cold off the chest in fall/winter. A bit less buffeting than the flyscreen for me, but opinions vary on this with others. It is nice to stay a bit drier when it pours though I think I'll be leaving it on come summer.

Here it is over the flyscreen:


and installed:


before and after side view:

[ninepeaks9]

What is the height of the shield you have? I ordered 21" and am now thinking 23" might be better. We shall see.

[Patch]

Its 15" tall and a direct fit to the flyscreen mount.

http://www.ceebaileys.com/bmw/bmwr1200rss.html

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by tpulls

So these people touring on their R's just deal with the wind blast? Is it that bad?

Yes you deal with it. No it's not bad.

Having said that you have to know I've been riding street bikes since '76 and back then wind protection was a Windjammer or a Harley batwing for the most part.

Earlier in the thread I put up some pics of a 9 day 3,800 mi trip from this summer, some extend trips of 90 mph+. It's a naked bike it's gonna be uncomfortable, and maybe even scare ya on occasion. Part of riding a motorcycle.

The days I feel I need to be protected from the elements I ride the Electra Glide. I'm very lucky that I don't "have" to only have one bike so I have options. If I were only able to have one bike it would be the R12R, it is just what I prefer, others may not like it so much.