Saw my first R1200s in the flesh today

dazman · Post by **dazman** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:01 pm

Been giving some thought over whether to go for a R11 or R12. My impatience tells me get an R11 now but logic knows I'll get one and be wondering what a R12 would be like.

So I'm going to wait and get the right R12 for me (something bright and bold!). As I've never seen or sat on one I popped over to Kawasaki in Brum to look at a sport model with 24k on the clock.

Definitely like the R12, but the specimen they had was very shabby and not been looked after. Screen was so scratched it looked like it had been cleaned with a brillo pad, all the bolts were rusty, front engine cover was missing about 60% of its paint and the brakes I think were bordering on the illegal.

But the exercise proved I want a R12 - cant say the mrs is very thrilled with the pillion position though

Grip Fast · Post by **Grip Fast** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 4:26 pm

I went along to my local Triumph dealer a year past January to buy a Triumph (well obviously). I'd never owned a Triumph and thought I should try it at least once.

But they had a nice looking R1200S with sport upgrade sitting in the forecourt, so I blagged a ride and just had to have it. It's a very nice bike to ride and handles very well (especially since getting the shocks serviced), but the finish isn't wonderful (not compared to my old Aprilia).

There are never many for sale but most that are look cared for, so it's a pity the one you saw had been neglected. Mine looked mint at the dealer, but it has what the classic bike folks call patina. I've no regrets in buying it though and I plan on keeping it for a while.

andy griff · Post by **andy griff** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:01 pm

Dazman,

The 1200S is a great bike. I bought mine this year and it has a stonking engine, and is much lighter than the 1100s. The pick up and handling are really intoxicating. It has what I call 'real world' power, all between 40-90mph, usable on the road without getting into stupid fast tomfoolery.
BUT, the pillion seat is completely RUBBISH. My wife is an experienced pillion who also rides and declares it the worst she has ever tried, slippy, nothing to hold on to and way above the rider for all the wind blast

We are now buying a third bike for two up days out ( so a bit of a silver lining ). Be warned, great bike for to ride, but not for pillions IMHO.

Also, keep looking for a minter, they are out there. I bought my yellow 56 with Akrapovic, panniers, Imberger belly pan and cylinder head guards.
Under 10000 miles. Real value.

Good luck

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:15 pm

Had mine for nearly 5 years now. It's the longest I have kept any bike, and I can't see me selling it any time soon. There is nothing out there I like any more than my 12s.

I almost had my head turned by a Triumph Sprint 1050. Great engine, but a bit of a porker.

Fortunately my other half hates bikes, so I don't have to worry about pillions.

There are some mint bikes out there, any they are very much an acquired taste, so will often sit on a dealer forecourt for ages. Don't be afraid to make stupid offers. You just never know.

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:21 pm

Hello,

Had my black R1200S for a shade over a year - Love it but don't get to use it as much I would like as we commute to London daily and use an old K1100LT. It has now just turned 10,000 miles so is barely broken in.

When I bought it my partner said there was no way she would sit on the back so I promptly removed the foot pegs and fitted the pillion cover and that was the end of that!

It still makes me smile when I ride it every time!

Best regards,

David

dazman · Post by **dazman** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:46 pm

Sounds like a bike for solo riding

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:51 pm

Hello,

How deep are your pockets?

Newly listed eBay item number 171087164660 - Not sure about the pin striping though but it has all the goodies!

Best regards,

David

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:08 pm

David_S_Walker wrote:Hello,

Had my black R1200S for a shade over a year - Love it but don't get to use it as much I would like as we commute to London daily and use an old K1100LT. It has now just turned 10,000 miles so is barely broken in.

When I bought it my partner said there was no way she would sit on the back so I promptly removed the foot pegs and fitted the pillion cover and that was the end of that!

It still makes me smile when I ride it every time!

Best regards,

David

halfway to run in David, my 11S used oil up to 20K then seemed to ease off and get smoother too

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:15 pm

Bought my 07 R12S at the end of May this year with barely over 10,000 miles on it, done 3,300 since and absolutely know its perfect for me. But pillions......................forget it unless you are determined to put her off bikes for life which sounds cruel..

herrman · Post by **herrman** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:18 pm

Hi,
The 1200s is definitely a solo bike, Had mine for nigh on 7 years now and there is nothing that I want to replace it with. After 72000+ miles it still makes me smile

Peter.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/9334 ... 82a9_b.jpg

dazman · Post by **dazman** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:19 pm

David_S_Walker wrote:Hello,

How deep are your pockets?

Newly listed eBay item number 171087164660 - Not sure about the pin striping though but it has all the goodies!

Best regards,

David

Unfortunately not that deep but that bike is a stunner.

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:33 pm

dazman wrote:
David_S_Walker wrote:Hello,

How deep are your pockets?

Newly listed eBay item number 171087164660 - Not sure about the pin striping though but it has all the goodies!

Best regards,

David
Unfortunately not that deep but that bike is a stunner.

Make them an offer......

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:43 pm

That pinstripe paintjob is dreadful, accentuating all the wrong lines,why would anyone punt on HP2 decat downpipes and leave on a standard end can

David_S_Walker · Post by **David_S_Walker** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:56 pm

eyore wrote:That pinstripe paintjob is dreadful, accentuating all the wrong lines,why would anyone punt on HP2 decat downpipes and leave on a standard end can

I was thinking both of those thoughts....

...Needs a decent end can

However it does at least have the Heli-Bars without which I would not have been able to get on with mine I am sure.

Best regards,

David

dazman · Post by **dazman** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:06 pm

David_S_Walker wrote:
dazman wrote:
David_S_Walker wrote:Hello,

How deep are your pockets?

Newly listed eBay item number 171087164660 - Not sure about the pin striping though but it has all the goodies!

Best regards,

David
Unfortunately not that deep but that bike is a stunner.
Make them an offer......

£4.5 sound reasonable