Robert Wood Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 G'Day All I bought a new R1200RT to take to Europe for 5 months on a sabbatical/mid-life crisis. While I knew it would be a great touring bike, and it was for over 20,000km across Europe, the plan was to sell it on my return and buy something a little less touring. Just prior to leaving I sold a BMW car in a deal that included ordering a K1200GT to be delivered when I returned. I picked up the K1200GT in October while the R1200RT was still being shipped back from Europe. After riding it for a couple of months, and having got the R1200RT back, I have had to go through a process to ensure there is only one bike in the garage. And the one bike is... (Please scroll down) Neither!! The K1200GT is an awesome bike, however it has more power than I need and is, IMHO, too heavy. It had jerky throttle response (I think due to a lot of power and little flywheel effect) and was too frenetic for my liking. I really couldn't "bond" with the character of the engine. I fell in love with the boxer engine of the R1200RT in Europe but prefer a little more sporting riding position, as well as less fairing in our hot and humid climate. When I took the R1200ST for a ride I was sold. I realise not everyone thinks it is the prettiest girl at the ball, and could perhaps do with a nose job, but to me she is the best riding sport-tourer I have ever had (and I have had quite a few) - and she sure looks good from the rider's seat! I can't understand why this bike didn't sell better - but now I can understand why Motorrad's recent sport-tourer comparison rated this as the number one ahead of the VFR, Ducati ST3 and Triumph Sprint. I've only ridden it 1200km and I think I'm in love... This one is a keeper! Cheers Link to comment
Dietrich Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Good choice! I felt the same about the GT after about 1000kms. Went back to the my '05 RT and no regrets at all. I guess the RS has a higher fun factor. Ride safely. Dietrich Link to comment
tallman Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Robert, The RS, RSL, ST, versions of the Boxer have always been my favorites. Nice information here. http://www.cannon-bmw.co.uk/cannon/New_Bikes/R1200ST/bmw_r1200st.htm Also, there is a different front fairing headlight available from the aftermarket, but I like the bike as it is. Link to comment
baggerchris Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I love the view from the back. Link to comment
UberXY Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I don't see the R1200ST on the BMW web page. Has it been discontinued? Link to comment
Mike Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I fell in love with the boxer engine of the R1200RT in Europe but prefer a little more sporting riding position, as well as less fairing in our hot and humid climate. When I took the R1200ST for a ride I was sold. I realise not everyone thinks it is the prettiest girl at the ball, and could perhaps do with a nose job, but to me she is the best riding sport-tourer I have ever had (and I have had quite a few) - and she sure looks good from the rider's seat! I can't understand why this bike didn't sell better - but now I can understand why Motorrad's recent sport-tourer comparison rated this as the number one ahead of the VFR, Ducati ST3 and Triumph Sprint. I've only ridden it 1200km and I think I'm in love... This one is a keeper! Cheers Congrats! There are a small number of us who made the leap and are pretty darned happy with our STs. My decision-making process took me to the same point as you. I was excited about the (then yet-to-be-released) K1200GT, but the prices struck me as too high, and I wanted to step down to something smaller than the RT. For me, the ST hit that sweet spot, combining just the right amount of sportiness and touring capability. I don't see the R1200ST on the BMW web page. Has it been discontinued? It has been in the U.S., though I believe it may still be available in other markets. It remains on the German BMW website. There were a couple of problems that the ST faced in the U.S. market: First of all, its styling is pretty polarizing. I've grown to like it, but my initial reaction to its photos was "Oh, my God . . . how unfortunate." In person, I think it looks a lot better, and I've never had a bike that garnered so many positive comments about its appearance, particularly from younger riders. Of at least equal importance was the pricing strategy. Once an ST was fully equipped with a rear rack, sidecases, ABS, and heated grips, the price was almost the same as the RT, which offers a more protective fairing, electrically adjustable windscreen, more power outlets, etc. Again, for me that wouldn't have made a big difference--the ST better suits my neeeds--but for a lot of buyers, it made the RT seem like a comparative bargain (incidentally, I bought my '05 ST as an unridden "demonstrator" in 2006 and saved a bucketload of money). There's still a good R1200ST movie on BMW's website that captures much of what the ST is all about. Link to comment
Roadwolf Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I don't see the R1200ST on the BMW web page. Has it been discontinued? Yep. Link to comment
marcopolo Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Interestingly, the R1200ST is shown on BMW Canada's website -- as a 2008 model. However, the MSRP is $500 more than the RT ($19,500 vs. $19,000). The ST's price does not include ABS, whereas , as we all know, ABS is standard on the RT. Go figure. Link to comment
Robert Wood Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Robert, The RS, RSL, ST, versions of the Boxer have always been my favorites. Nice information here. http://www.cannon-bmw.co.uk/cannon/New_Bikes/R1200ST/bmw_r1200st.htm Also, there is a different front fairing headlight available from the aftermarket, but I like the bike as it is. Got to agree with you - the looks of the bike is growing on me as I realise just how good it is! Also, the double stacked headlights work beautifully. Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Very nice! Steve in So Cal Link to comment
Dave Grinsel Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Good choice. I can't understand why it didn't sell better as well. In my opinion, it has a much better seating position than the RT. Link to comment
Robert Wood Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Of at least equal importance was the pricing strategy. Once an ST was fully equipped with a rear rack, sidecases, ABS, and heated grips, the price was almost the same as the RT, which offers a more protective fairing, electrically adjustable windscreen, more power outlets, etc. Again, for me that wouldn't have made a big difference--the ST better suits my neeeds--but for a lot of buyers, it made the RT seem like a comparative bargain (incidentally, I bought my '05 ST as an unridden "demonstrator" in 2006 and saved a bucketload of money). Mike - got to agree, I think a lot of buyers go for the RT because it seems better value (as well as preferring the seating position, cruise, heated seats, radio/CD, etc.) Personally, I found things like the Radio/CD, cruise, heated seats on the RT to be of no value - and in Australia you don't get a lot of choice, for instance you must have the radio/CD. Interestingly, when I first checked the prices a couple of years ago the ST and RT seemed pretty similar - however they appear to have dropped the price of the ST in Australia by about 15-20%. There is now a reasonable jump from the fully specced ST to the RT. My bike is the SE version and has everything you can put on it except ASC. Cheers Link to comment
grasslander Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I can't understand why this bike didn't sell better - but now I can understand why Motorrad's recent sport-tourer comparison rated this as the number one ahead of the VFR, Ducati ST3 and Triumph Sprint. The R1200ST truly defines what a sport tourer should be. Great seating, good ergo position, excellent solo or two up comfort, decent twisty handling, light enough yet planted, great luggage options, and will go all day 75mph on the interstate. It can even get 50mpg. Link to comment
BabyCow Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 I was wondering what happened to the GT. I am still waiting for the rest of Europe trip reports......especially the Swiss, German and Austrian Alps. Link to comment
Robert Wood Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 I was wondering what happened to the GT. I am still waiting for the rest of Europe trip reports......especially the Swiss, German and Austrian Alps. Unfortunately work and a few other personal things have kept me away from preparing and posting the rest of the trip reports. I should get them done soon. I really wanted to like the GT but it just wasn't me (although the power was a hoot, I have to say) - Maybe I have turned into a two-cylinder guy, or just prefer lighter bikes... Cheers Link to comment
jpalamar Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 The wife of a friend of mine who rides has the ST. While I'm not attempting to speak for her, I can tell you that she tried the K1200R for its lightness and 4-cylinder appeal, and rejected it, keeping her R1200ST. As for myself, I love my '07K12GT but yes, it's a lot heavier and my RT seems so light compared to it. But then again, I thought my GT felt so light compared to my LT. Link to comment
stubblejumper Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I did consider the RT,and the GT,but to me the ST is the perfect compromise between a sport bike and a touring bike.I have only ridden my ST 300 miles,but so far,my only complaint is the seat.Now that my seat has been rebuilt,and a throttlemeister installed,I am anxious to take the ST on a 3000 mile tour this summer.Hurry up spring. Link to comment
jaytee Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I completely agree.... I bought my R1200ST with 900miles on it and now, after only a few short months, ahve over 7000 miles on the ticker. I have never put so many miles on in so little time. With nothing more than a Corbin seat change (odd for me as I like to mod my bikes) this bike is truly perfect for my needs. It is practical (RT luggage grid, moderate stance, stacked headlight, compliant suspension, shaft drive, forgiving power delivery) and sporty... Perfect! JT Link to comment
motoguy128 Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I almost bought an ST, but decided to get a used R1150R instead and save some cash. a 18 months later, I was married, and needed something better for 2-up riding and bought the RT. Link to comment
LuckyLeif Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Good choice. I can't understand why it didn't sell better as well. In my opinion, it has a much better seating position than the RT. As much as anything else, I would think its somewhat unusual physical appearance was the decider for lots of folks. But the RS - ST variants of boxers are historically important to the firm, so I would expect a redesign in the next couple of years and sold under the resurrected RS nomenclature. Link to comment
Robert Wood Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 Good choice. I can't understand why it didn't sell better as well. In my opinion, it has a much better seating position than the RT. I agree Dave - I found the "sit up and beg" riding position on the RT caused me to slouch on the bike and I would get lower back pain after a long day. When I first got the ST it felt awkward but then I had just ridden the RT for 20,000k in 5 months on a sabbatical in Europe. Now I am used to the slightly forward riding position again it is much more comfortable, IMHO. I love this bike more every time I ride it - now I know why they say "love is blind!" It is by far the best bike I have ever owned over the past 30 years - and as my wife likes to regularly remind me, I have owned a few! Got to go, the sun is shining and there is time for a late afternoon ride here in Oz. Cheers Link to comment
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