R1200/1250RS

[Karl1000]

Hi, just wondering if anyone owns either of the above bikes and if so, what are your honest thoughts, warts and all. I have read only god things, but struggling to get past the immensity of the ‘electronic aids’, the small tank and the high prices! How do or don’t they compare to the 11S?
How is real world fuel consumption, do you need to be an airline pilot to understand the controls and is home maintenance difficult?
1200 or 1250? Comfort for rider and passenger, handling, brakes?
Can you get ‘city lids’ for the otherwise wide panniers?

Many thanks!

Karl

[boxerscott]

Can not speak for the 1250 shift cam or RS. Can offer an opinion on the diversities between the 11s and the 12r LC. They do not compare. Loaded with rider aids that are a new skill set to adapt to and loaded with much more mumbo the 12 r lc is capable two up with luggage as it is solo in roadster form being hustled along. It is more expensive because it is modern and you pay for what you get. Fuel tank is not small. 140 miles is par for the course on any bike for a comfort break Pop along to your dealer and test ride one. The 11s will feel like what it is, an older model with lesser performance, comfort and handling;

Chris

[Neil178]

Had a ride on a new RT late last year courtesy of Mr Parry of this ‘ere parish.
Had a shock when I got back on 1100S to go home. The difference was huge. But I’m obstinate and hanging onto it until I’ve done 100,000 plus.
The 1250RS looks right up my street. The right size and doesn’t look like the abomination that is the GS (don’t mean it really GS owners) but I know if I test ride it then it’s a fait accompli.

[Paul]

I owned an R1200RS which I put 24k miles on and I swapped that out for a new R1250GS 12 months ago, which has about 11k miles to date. I would echo Chris's comments about the R12R, which is essentially an un-faired version of the RS. Brimmed with petrol, I would see a range of about 200 miles on the RS and it would comfortably achieve that.

Coming from an R1100S, it will feel familiar, but more refined and powerful. It ditches the tele lever front end in favour of conventional forks, but the fancy electronic suspension makes up for that omission in my opinion. Setting up the R1200 for a pillion is a couple of button presses to get the thing to increase the pre-load. On the R1250, it simply senses the additional weight and automagically adjusts the pre-load without any need for rider intervention.

In terms of gizmos and gadgets, yes there are far more than on the R1100S, but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to get your head around them. Most are of the "set-once-then-forget" variety. Riding modes, for instance, I initially played with rain, road and dynamic mode, then decided dynamic was fine and I rarely switched to anything else.

As Chris suggested, grab a test ride on one. The only major riding control difference you are likely to notice is the (optional) ability to change gear without using the clutch every time. The quick shifter and auto blipper are great for smooth and rapid gear changes, once you get past 2nd gear on up shifts.

As for home maintenance, I guess that depends how far you want to go. The newer bikes have electronic control systems that count down to service dates etc. which would need resetting if you serviced it yourself, but I believe you can buy ODB11 boxes that can do that sort of thing for you. Both my bikes R12 bikes have been under warranty during my ownership, so I have had Mr. BMW service them to keep the warranty up.

Regarding city lids, the Metropolitan police run a fleet of R1200RS's which have city lids fitted, so they must be available. i have no idea how you would get hold of a set though. Your local BMW dealer might be able to answer that question. Beware that the right hand pannier body has a big indent to go over the exhaust end can, so you would loose a lot of space on that side with a city lid fitted. If you went instead for the BMW recommended top box for the RS, be aware that it is small. There are other larger boxes in the BMW range which can be fitted, or you can get a Givi adapter to fit their boxes, however the plate specifically built for the RS does bring the box closer to the rider and steals space from the pillion. I would go for the Givi universal mounting plate to try and fit it a bit nearer to the back of the bike.

In terms of the differences between the R1200RS and the R1250RS, there are styling tweaks to the headlights and the newer bike gets the fancy electronic dash, which is much easier to read than the analog and LCD display on the R1200RS. The engine is noticeably stronger and smoother on the newer bike too.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Paul

[ianc53]

Hi, I've done about 17K on my Dec 16 R1200RS and would echo Paul's comments on the bike.

It's a good all-rounder in my opinion, can hustle along if you want it to and is comfy for 300+ mile days 2 up. My fuel consumption is similar to Paul's. If you're not caning it 200+ miles is possible. Like Paul I was worried about going from tele lever front suspension to forks as I liked the front end stability on the 11S and 12GS, but I soon got used to it, the electronics all seem sort it out, although I did have the rear shock control module replaced under warranty as it kept coming up with an error and seemed to almost lock solid.

Other than that no problems, just routine servicing. The controls are logical enough and the 'wonder wheel' is good if you have sat nav. The dash is bit 'confused' in some modes, I usually just had the digital speed showing and no rev counter.

As Paul mentions the BMW top box is bit small, especially for a fortnight abroad for 2 people, not enough room for my wife's shoes. I replaced it with a Givi 46 top box and together with the panniers it all seems to work. Paul directed me to guy in Sweden who made a RS model specific plate for the top box, it's a thing of beauty and works well.

I did look at buying a 1250 RS late last year, the engine is lovely and the dash a big improvement, but didn't do so in the end, will keep the 1200 for another year at least.

Hope this helps, any questions just ask.

Cheers

Ian

[andy griff]

I am on my second 1200RS and but for the sh**e colour choices would be looking at the 1250RS as my next bike.

For me it retains the spirit of the 1100S in that it is deceptively quick and covers ground wit al day comfort. I agree with Paul in that the gizmos can be set and forget although I do use both the suspension and engine settings a fair bit. The riding position is more upright unless you have the touring bars on the 11.

Re the panniers - forget the city lids. The panniers are much more compacted than of old and the lid extends back to the inside of there man box make a lid change very complicated. The police bikes have had the lids cut and riveted narrower . If you see close up photos you can see. The conversions were done by a firm in Hampshire and they are 'banned' from selling copies ( presumable for security reasons.) Anyway it looks a right bodge job. The favourite adaptation is to the K1300S sport pannier which is really easy to do.

I think the bike is a natural progression for 1100S rider if you want a modern similar bike

[Karl1000]

Thanks everyone for these replies. A lot of detail and effort.
Disagree that 18l isn’t small for a bike designed for and capable of touring Europe. Also, because you want a break doesn’t mean you want to ‘enjoy’ it filling up with fuel yet again...
To throw a cat amongst the pigeons, does anyone have/had a Ducati ST4S, if so, opinions welcomed! Note that even Ducati managed to fit a 21l tank!!

[Al]

Just buy a GS, it does everything, if you think the gizmos are too complicated or unnecessary get the basic model without all the electronics, and if your inside leg is less than 30” get a lowered chassis. It’s not the best selling model for nothing. Simples.

Al.

[dave the german]

Just buy a GS, it does everything, if you think the gizmos are too complicated or unnecessary get the basic model without all the electronics, and if your inside leg is less than 30” get a lowered chassis. It’s not the best selling model for nothing. Simples.

Al.

Sense at last

[ianc53]

Disagree that 18l isn’t small for a bike designed for and capable of touring Europe. Also, because you want a break doesn’t mean you want to ‘enjoy’ it filling up with fuel yet again...

No disagreement from me, I'd like it to have a bigger tank as although you can get 200 miles out of it in practice I'm stopping at 180 or so.

Just buy a GS, it does everything,

Can't disagree with that either, I've had 3 - but I do remember the scorn from certain Boxertrixers in less enlightened times . The only trouble with them now is that everyone has one!

Cheers

Ian

[Paul]

Yes, but the popularity of the GS also means that residual values hold up better than most. If you are buying second hand, I strongly suspect that you will get a more bike for your buck on an RS than a GS for the same money, and if you are not planning on going off road, the RS will do everything the GS will do.

Ducati St4? Admittedly based entirely on my prejudice rather than personal experience, I'd guess that owning an old Italian bike could be an expensive adventure into the land of unreliability. I'd be pleased to hear if anyone could persuade me otherwise.

Good luck with the search for a new bike.

Cheers,

Paul

[Mitch1100]

14424756_10211228824462312_4506692888757971517_o.jpeg (116.04 KiB) Viewed 12859 times

Thanks everyone for these replies. A lot of detail and effort.
Disagree that 18l isn’t small for a bike designed for and capable of touring Europe. Also, because you want a break doesn’t mean you want to ‘enjoy’ it filling up with fuel yet again...
To throw a cat amongst the pigeons, does anyone have/had a Ducati ST4S, if so, opinions welcomed! Note that even Ducati managed to fit a 21l tank!!

I've owned one Ducati but found it a step back after 5 BMW's. The finish quality is average, maintenance high, and don't handle as well as BMW

[boxerscott]

Thanks everyone for these replies. A lot of detail and effort.
Disagree that 18l isn’t small for a bike designed for and capable of touring Europe. Also, because you want a break doesn’t mean you want to ‘enjoy’ it filling up with fuel yet again...
To throw a cat amongst the pigeons, does anyone have/had a Ducati ST4S, if so, opinions welcomed! Note that even Ducati managed to fit a 21l tank!!

???

Since we are out of topic, I was wondering for those that are retired could you advise as what is an acceptable range for a snoozzle since one has awakened for the day?

Chris

[Al]

Chris, If I knew what a snoozzle was I might be able to help, does that mean you are, or going to be a gentleman of leisure?

Al.

[mincer]

Hi,
Have owned 3 1100s in past 20 years , still have 1 , but went out and purchased a last run 1200rs lc last march , yes its got rider aids , its plush carries me and missus in comfort , good tank range , compare to an 1100 , same flat twin ….that's were it ends , the 11 is an old school twin , I like my 11 even though its for sale but I'll dig her out and ride her because its an awesome bit of kit and brings a smile when I open the taps up.
You can pick a 1200 for reasonable money second hand .