First post ... soon to be R1200S owner...

[stubox]

Well my first post …..nothing too controversial and a great site by the way. So….

I pick up my Black R1200S with Ohlins on May 13th…..no, stop sniggering at the back and play nice.
Have read the posts on here quietly sobbing at what appears to be an obvious mistake and should have me running to the classifieds to pick up a R11S again!

I’ve had a R11S (mandarin) , along with an RS1100 , GS1150 , GS1200 , R1 , GSXR750 , KTM 950 , various enduro bikes and my beloved KTM 660 supermoto race bike ( 3 seasons of Supermoto racing great fun).

I wanted to replace the GS12 with something more sporty , relatively comfortable (fell in love and can’t fold onto an RSVR) as my knees are shot (see Supermoto) , is different (looked at MT01, Buell XB and Tuono) and was a twin . So when Beemer announced the 12S I thought great.

The mistake BMW have made is to think its some sort of uber sports machine and that’s often the case with marketing types whose imagination runs in front of reality. To compare with a 999 is ridiculous , an SV1000 or DS1000 maybe. An Aprilia …ho ho get real BMW.

Nor is it a direct replacement for the R11S , maybe more so for the Boxer Cup, but lacking some of the normal BMW practicalities has given it more focus.

But for someone who does the odd trackday , will go on the odd longish trip and wants to surprise a few people on road it looks an interesting bet.

I’m off to Mugello for the GP in June so I’ll let you know. No panniers , a tailpack and rucksack is fine ( the GS1200 panniers in full air brake extended mode where wonderful at moving the bike all over the place ) , stopping every 100 miles for fuel , I’m with 2x zx10rs and a 998sps – we’ll be stopping for fuel and spares regularly! Plus we’ve some trackdays booked up as well.

As for the press , god bless em , having run a pr department for 3 years I’d rather find out for myself than believe everything that is written….

I’ll try and make it to the Meeting on the 13/14 for a public stoning but I’m at oulton park in the morning so may just see some of you on the way down the M1.

Please don’t spit as I/ you pass ….or point at the ‘baboons arse’:)

Stu

PS
Sandbar – as the purveyor of fine carbon parts , how soon before a hugger and belly pan be made available do you think ?

[Gromit]

Welcome to the group Stu - you'll have to give us regularly-updated progress reports on the new bike.

How did you find the 950KTM and the R1/Gixxer compared to the BM's?

I'm (as usual) looking into what to get for next year...

[madman]

Stu, You are so lucky. I would love a 1200S. I am happy with the 1100S but the 1200 is in my opinion a nice bike, but, those of us with shorter legs will have to stick with a bike that we can reach the ground on.
Good luck with the new bike and keep us posted.

[stubox]

Gromit,

KTM950
+ points
The engine , the looks , handling is amazing given the wheel combo , noise from the Akrapovics , its different , got carbs easy to re jet (tho getting at the carbs was interesting)
- points
Brakes are pants , screen buffetting bad , seat ,oh dear god, the seat 60-80miles max but this years has gel seat , the dealers weren;t that good either....
Overall I would consider another one but run it on 17"'s with a big brake kit and new screen/seat. Checkout advrider.com for info.

R1/GSXR
Truly different experiences. Lighter , smaller , faster , noisier , not uncomfortable just more intense etc.... boxer is more laid back , gearbox is terrible in comparison , slower revving engine. You'd get use to it very quickly I toured to Italy on the R1 and it was great .
The biggest difference is the acceleration. The boxer builds momentum in comparison, the new litre bikes are like being shot out of a cannon , great fun!
Stu

[Paul]

Stu,

I hope that you'll still be happy with your new toy, despite the protests of the grumpy old men (me included) on the forum . I'm sure it's a fine bike and you'll enjoy it. My only problem with it was that I was hoping it would be a candidate to replace my 1100S and that it would be "more of the same" with all round ability. Sadly for me, it looks like it's more sports focussed at the expense of it's touring ability, so probably not for me. I'm looking forward to having a test ride on one though!

Cheers,

Paul

[Gromit]

Gromit,

KTM950
+ points
The engine , the looks , handling is amazing given the wheel combo , noise from the Akrapovics , its different , got carbs easy to re jet (tho getting at the carbs was interesting)
- points
Brakes are pants , screen buffetting bad , seat ,oh dear god, the seat 60-80miles max but this years has gel seat , the dealers weren;t that good either....
Overall I would consider another one but run it on 17"'s with a big brake kit and new screen/seat. Checkout advrider.com for info.

R1/GSXR
Truly different experiences. Lighter , smaller , faster , noisier , not uncomfortable just more intense etc.... boxer is more laid back , gearbox is terrible in comparison , slower revving engine. You'd get use to it very quickly I toured to Italy on the R1 and it was great .
The biggest difference is the acceleration. The boxer builds momentum in comparison, the new litre bikes are like being shot out of a cannon , great fun!
Stu

Thanks for the comments Stu - appreciate your thoughts. I rode the 950SM and SuperDuke a few weeks ago. Loved the SM, got scared silly (but still grinning like an idiot) by the Duke. Not ridden the Adventure but should do at some stage. What put me off was the hassle of maintenance - or at least finding out that just changing the oil would be a half-day job.

For years I've liked the idea of a litre-sportsbike, but having almost no self-control has meant it'd really be a no-no. I recently had a very short spin on a K6 Gixxer thou and was stunned - not just at its motor and general user-friendliness, but its comfort, especially as I'm 6'3".

Good site ADVRider - visit it regularly.

[sandbar]

Sandbar – as the purveyor of fine carbon parts , how soon before a hugger and belly pan be made available do you think ?

We can probably do something for the hugger already, but the bellypan will be a little longer.

I will be absolutely delighted if you are riding your R1200S that weekend, but unofficially I will be extremely surprised

sandbar

[theseadog]

Welcome to the board, I'd just like to point out that my likening of the rear to a Baboons arse is only a personal opinion and does not respresent the views of this forum

I had a sit on the 12S at the recent bike show and it felt very similar to the 11 to me, and certainly looks a lot better in the flesh, especially in the Colgate colour scheme ( see disclaimer re opinions above ! ) I'm sure it'll be a great ride, but I do wish they'd made it with a bigger tank.

Welcome again, and enjoy the bike and board . . . .

Richard/Paul we now need to change the Forum line to sportiest Boxers the R11/12 S. United we stand etc etc . . . .


Toodle Pip

[Gromit]

Richard/Paul we now need to change the Forum line to sportiest Boxers the R11/12 S. United we stand etc etc . . . .


Toodle Pip

It's in hand Paul - reckon the big 'handover' will take place at midnight on 12/13th May

[julian]

Nice one Stu. I have a KTM 660 too but just for sedate road use/commuting.

I'll be having a R12S demo back to back with a K12R so will be interested to hear your reports.

[Gromit]

I have a KTM 660 too but just for sedate road use/commuting.

Something about a type of farm animal which goes 'oink' and suddenly discovers the power of levitation????