R1200GS and / or R1200R

[jbim]

I own a 2006 R1200GS. I just love that bike. It amazes me all the time but specially when I try other bikes. Recently, I was at my dealership and saw a demo R1200R. This one is a black beauty. I took it for a ride. This is a hoot to ride. Tons of fun. I think it would be a good city bike. My GS is all farkled up for touring and find it a bit busy for just city riding. I was thinking of a Ducati, maybe a Monster. Now I think the R1200R could be better than the Duc. I felt the R and the GS are different enough to sit side by side in the same garage. Luckily, I can afford to keep both. Anyone has any thoughts on how these bikes may be either complementary or similar?

 

Thanks

[tallman]

You answered your own question.

Keep the GS for the pack mule (meant with all due respect) and travel.

Use the R for city, hooning, shorter trips. It is capable of any long trips the GS can do and may one day want that opportunity.

If you're looking for a Boxer for the city don't forget the Rockster. A hybrid of the S/R boxers that would make an excellent, and somewhat less expensive, alternative to the new Roadster.

Best wishes.

[bgf50]

I just had a R1200R as a loaner for 2 days while my RT was getting worked on.

I put over 300 miles on it. It was a total blast. If I could afford a second bike I would seriously consider it. With a better windshield it would be great fun.

 

Bill

07 R1200RT

[Jim VonBaden]

You answered your own question.

Keep the GS for the pack mule (meant with all due respect) and travel.

Use the R for city, hooning, shorter trips. It is capable of any long trips the GS can do and may one day want that opportunity.

 

Best wishes.

 

This is precisely what I am going to do next spring. I love my very well set up, and broke in, R1200GS, but after one ride on the R1200R I am totally hooked. No crap added to it except a GPS and a set of Motolights. No bags, no windscreen, no lowered pegs. MAYBE an aftermarket seat, Ohlins in 20K miles and a set of removable soft luggage for weekend trips, more likely a tail bag only, and off I go!

 

Damn that R1200R was fun to ride!

 

Jim

[Paul Mihalka]

Well, I'm happy with only one bike. In my long riding life some times I had two, never more. With my current R1200GS for commuting it is naked with a tank bag for small stuff. For a 4/5 day trip it gets the BMW Vario bags, adjusted narrow. For a longer trip it gets the Vario Bags adjusted wide. I like to travel light.

[jakfrost]

Hey Jim, how much more fun can it be than the RT with the Lazer exhaust, and no bags...? Is it really that much lighter? Or more powerful?

 

Took everything off the bike the other day after being lazy all summer and leaving all 3 hard cases on the bike for months, and, WAHOOO...front wheel up in 2nd gear, no problem. Felt like a new bike at least .

 

Maybe a 'sport' windshield would complete the illusion .

 

Jim W.

[motoguy128]

Hey Jim, how much more fun can it be than the RT with the Lazer exhaust, and no bags...? Is it really that much lighter? Or more powerful?

 

Took everything off the bike the other day after being lazy all summer and leaving all 3 hard cases on the bike for months, and, WAHOOO...front wheel up in 2nd gear, no problem. Felt like a new bike at least .

 

Maybe a 'sport' windshield would complete the illusion .

 

Jim W.

 

I was looking at the specs. The RT actually had a 0.5" shorter wheelbase and a steeper head angle. I think when both fueled to 4.6 gallons, with ABS and ESA, and without luggage, the RT is only 60lbs or so heavier. And some of that is the cruise control and larger alternator. The rest is the rear and front subframes to hold the luggage & body work and the bodywork itself. The carrying capacity or the RT is about 100lbs more weight.

 

I had a 1150R, nakes bikes are fun. But I like the comfort better. It makes the wife want to ride more often and farther, which means I get to ride more.

[jbim]

I tried both, RT and R. The RT is much more top heavy. The R and the GS have basically the same weight but the GS is more top heavy as well. Finally, the CoG being lower on the R against the RT and GS, the R is more safety inspiring.

Hey Jim, how much more fun can it be than the RT with the Lazer exhaust, and no bags...? Is it really that much lighter? Or more powerful?

 

Took everything off the bike the other day after being lazy all summer and leaving all 3 hard cases on the bike for months, and, WAHOOO...front wheel up in 2nd gear, no problem. Felt like a new bike at least .

 

Maybe a 'sport' windshield would complete the illusion .

 

Jim W.

 

I was looking at the specs. The RT actually had a 0.5" shorter wheelbase and a steeper head angle. I think when both fueled to 4.6 gallons, with ABS and ESA, and without luggage, the RT is only 60lbs or so heavier. And some of that is the cruise control and larger alternator. The rest is the rear and front subframes to hold the luggage & body work and the bodywork itself. The carrying capacity or the RT is about 100lbs more weight.

 

I had a 1150R, nakes bikes are fun. But I like the comfort better. It makes the wife want to ride more often and farther, which means I get to ride more.

[tallman]

You answered your own question.

Keep the GS for the pack mule (meant with all due respect) and travel.

Use the R for city, hooning, shorter trips. It is capable of any long trips the GS can do and may one day want that opportunity.

 

Best wishes.

 

This is precisely what I am going to do next spring. I love my very well set up, and broke in, R1200GS, but after one ride on the R1200R I am totally hooked. No crap added to it except a GPS and a set of Motolights. No bags, no windscreen, no lowered pegs. MAYBE an aftermarket seat, Ohlins in 20K miles and a set of removable soft luggage for weekend trips, more likely a tail bag only, and off I go!

 

Damn that R1200R was fun to ride!

 

Jim

 

Fun?

 

Coming soon

[beemerfan]

I followed an R12R out of town last night. Had the saddle bags on it just like the picture. The SO was on one of the new F800ST's. First time I'd seen either on the road. Good looking bikes!

[Jim VonBaden]

Hey Jim, how much more fun can it be than the RT with the Lazer exhaust, and no bags...? Is it really that much lighter? Or more powerful?

 

Took everything off the bike the other day after being lazy all summer and leaving all 3 hard cases on the bike for months, and, WAHOOO...front wheel up in 2nd gear, no problem. Felt like a new bike at least .

 

Maybe a 'sport' windshield would complete the illusion .

 

Jim W.

 

I'm sure there is some subjectivity, but IF you leave the R1200R nekid, and don't add weight and "stuff" to the bike, it is definitely a much more nimble and quick ride than my kitted out GS, and I suspect the RT as well.

 

Ride one and see, and I bet you will feel the same.

 

Were I to add bags and screens and lights, I doubt it would be significantly better than my GS.

 

So, other than about 50 pounds, my stripped down GS, no bags, no windscreen, and no extra lights, would still be slower, taller and less flickable than the R1200R IMHO.

 

Jim