Winds of change have chaffed my entire face...

[drzep]

I went from a R850R to a R1200RT about 5 years ago. It has been a great bike for that specific time of my life. I had copious chunks of time to takes long trips, and just to go get lost hundreds of miles from home on a whim. That was the objective for the RT - check. Although I must confess, as much as I love the bike, and I truly do, it hasn't really come to define who I see myself as. I'm a simpler person in many ways.

 

Now with a little guy at home, a working mommy/wife, and a busy job with a solid 25 mile commute for myself, I am ready to get a bike that will better suit my needs. I like to make the most of my free days when they come, and I enjoy riding hard but in a responsible and safe manner. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to own multiple bikes yet.

 

I'm thinking that I want to go back to the basics here and I am feeling some strong emotions towards the R1200R. Good visceral juju. It seems like a good all-arounder, as my 850R was and a bike that can take me as far as i'd like to go given those rare opportunities.

 

I would love to hear any thoughts from 1200R owners, or anyone else who cares to share their thoughts on this. Thanks everyone.

[STRUMMER]

You may want to visit here: http://r1150r.org/

 

It seems to me that many members of this forum have struggled to find a satisfactory windshield solution.

[JonathanE]

A RxxxxGS works for me. Commutes well, handles curves pretty well as long as I don't put knobbies on it, and is comfortable enough for 1200 mile days. What more do you need? Works for me anyways.

[VinnyR11]

Sounds like "less is more" may be the case here. Lots of choices. Some suggestions:

 

HONDA NT 700V

 

SUZUKI SV650 ABS

 

SUZUKI BANDIT 1250S ABS This is probably the one I'd go for.

 

BMW F800ST

 

Whether you're going bigger or smaller, it's always a blast looking for a new ride that better fits your needs.

 

Good luck in you search.

[Haynes]

I agree with Vinny G who thinks that you might visit other options.

If the bike's primary use is commuting, why do you need a 1200? There are some great options in 650cc and above.

If you are set on a BMW then the F800 is worth a look.

In choosing a bike, a concern is whether you need weather protection and some capacity to carry luggage on your daily commute and occasional recreational ride.

[moshe_levy]

I'll chime in here since my wife owned a 2004 R1150R and we rode extensively together, her on the R and me on my RT.

 

The R is a FANTASTIC machine, one that feels like a real motorcycle should. I can't imagine wanting to be on any of those other bikes mentioned over an R, if you can swing it since it's rather expensive. It's powerful, handles great, and you can truly make it anything you want to be, from naked cruiser to full boat touring machine. My wife's R had full system cases and an enormous 52L Givi topcase, as well as a huge Aeroflow Touring windshield that provided almost as much protection as my former RT. We rode many a 900 mile day together and she was no more fatigued than I was on the RT. Within a few minutes, all that baggage could be stripped off and you'd be left with a naked standard with which to roam the backroads.

 

In many ways, especially when pushed hard, the R was much more enjoyable to ride than my RT was - and it has that "boxer feel" which those other choices mentioned above do not. If you find yourself feeling the urge, I wouldn't hesitate for a second, and I don't know of any other standard on the market with quite the panache of the 1200R.

 

-MKL

[upflying]

I envy R models for two important attributes. They are easier to clean and maintain.

[BevBeng]

I don't own an 1200RT but currently have an R1100R and an R1100RTP. Love both bikes but unless I'm planning on riding the interstates, I'll probably take the R. Great feeling especially in the hot July & August months riding a naked bike. The R just seems like a no-nonsense type of a bike, simpler to ride, easier to maintain and it's light compared to the RTP. Much of the areas that need any kind of maintenance is easily accessible compared to a fairinged motor.

 

Having said that, I do like all the additional fairing on the RT when riding at higher speeds.

 

Each year, the lighter bike seems more and more desirable to me.

[Bill_Walker]

I demo'd an R1200R while my 1150RT was in for service and loved it. Much lighter than an RT. Lots of fun on back roads. Go ride one.

[Knobby10]

I sold my KRS 1200 to get something lighter and easier to handle and maintain. I test rode the R1200R and loved it. Unfortunately, I did not want to spend that amount of money since I was no longer taking long trips. I settled for a Bandit 1200S. While it does not have the "class" of a Beemer, it is light, fast and comfortable. No regrets but if I hit the lottery I'll be looking for a white R1200R.

[Rinkydink]

The R1200R is a wonderful bike...I own an F800ST and you should check it out also.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Joe,

Might I respectfully suggest the Triumph Sprint ST. You can find leftovers '09 or maybe even '08 for around 10K. Comes with bags from the factory for the occasional tour or just hauling stuff on the commute. Weighs in at around 530 lbs dry and has a GREAT motor. Mine has been bulletproof over the 28K miles I have put on it in a year. No money spent other than oil, chain and tires. I did modify my suspension a bit but even that brought my all up cost to under 12K.

 

The bike will do all you want.

[Boone60]

I commute 60 miles round trip with my RT. I like having the luggage to store my riding gear while at work, and the ability to stop for some groceries or supplies on the way home.

[drzep]

Loving the suggestions everyone! Each one zaps at least 30 minutes from my day. :-)

[VinnyR11]

Loving the suggestions everyone! Each one zaps at least 30 minutes from my day. :-)

 

Shopping bikes for others is almost as much fun as shopping for yourself. And MUCH cheaper.

[motoguy128]

I had a R1150R. I like my R1200RT a LOT more. The lack of wind protection meant that crusing at speeds over 65mph got to be tireing. I tried tons of differnt windscreens.

 

The riding dynamics weren't much different. Not suprising, since other than the subframes for the front fairing, the RT and R are not dramtically different.

 

I'd get a GS fbefore I got R. More capability. Exploring gravel roads and places off the beaten path is a lot of fun. I still miss my little dual sport.

 

I think there's other naked bikes with more character, better handling, more power, more fun the ride than the R1200R. Oh... and a lot cheaper too.

 

 

But to find out for for yourself. Go test ride a R1200R and A R1200GS and see what you think. Maybe even try out a F800GS and a F800 ST as well.

 

+1 also on the Sprint ST. I rode my friends older Sprint RS, it was a blst, but need more wind protection and a little more top end. The newer Sprint ST, would fix both of those issues.

[Peter Parts]

Nobody says bikers need to suffer for their choice of vehicle.

 

Like I always say about windshields, bars, saddles, and all ergo issues, "make your own." With some thought and technical moxie, you can change almost anything ergonomic you want on the boxers.

 

Pause: OK, starting listing in your mind the dozens of cogent reasons for not modifying your bike. Add up to much really?

 

While working with windshield plastic can be fun, not everybody's cup of tea. And some pretty significant potential safety risks.

 

A guy named Gustafson in Florida used to make anything you wanted in windscreens.

 

On my R1100S, I replaced the stock 12 inch boy-racer windscreen with 26 inches plus Saeng edge on top. Blows the wind just over ear height. Did it about 25,000 miles ago.

[motoguy128]

But if he already has an RT, at what point, is a R with a really big windscreen any better than an RT? Both have wide bars, the same motor and a similar chassis. The R does have slightly lower gearing and is maybe 40lbs lighter (RT without side cases).

 

 

An R vs. and RT, is a little like comparing a Honda Civic Sedan to a Honda Civic Coupe. You haven't reall made a fundamental change. At least going to a GS, is like going to a Honda CR-V. Same chassis as the Civic, but much more capability.

[drzep]

I wouldn't rule out a GS; took one for a demo last year and certainly enjoyed the bike. If I wanted to make a fundamental change, I would get a Goldwing Trike. Part of loving your bike is also loving how it looks, not just how it functions. To me the 1200R has a very appealing visual impression compared to the RT or GS. Again, just personal preference.