CVA-42 Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 My two "modern" bikes are an R1200RT and an R1150GS. I've had the GS a long time and was thinking of selling it and finding a nice 1200GS. I've never taken the 1150 offroad but I have used it for some touring and, for the past few years, mainly day rides in the mountains and such as I find it extremely competent and fun in the twisties. In my own experience, the 1200GS would be even more so and I would continue to ride such a bike the way I've ridden the 1150. Lately, however, I've been wondering about an R1200R for on-road mountain riding instead of a 1200GS. I haven't ridden one yet but it certainly looks the part and reviews have been favorable. Opinions?
Marty Hill Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 I've owned both. You need to ride both/they are worlds apart.
Paul Mihalka Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 If you do not plan any off-pavement riding, the main reason to stay with a GS style bike is the wide open riding/sitting position suited best for big guys. If on the GS you ever thought that being on a 1" lower bike would be nice, the R1200R would be a serious contender. For the rest, on pavement they can do the same things, it would be just a personal preference.
bmwsit Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 My first bike was an 1150R, after several years of riding it, I switched to a 12GS. Loved both of the bikes, wish I could have kept them both. The motor in the 12 was just that much better over the R that I switched. I also wanted the ability to go off road a bit if I decided to. I am 6' and the R fit me pretty well but the GS was better for me inseam and my legs did not cramp up as much. I think overall I liked the ergos of the 12GS better. Have not ridden a 12R, so don't know how it compares. I agree with above advice. Take the 12GS out for a long test ride and then the R. Then would have to sit down and really decide what type of riding you want to do and what your plans are.
zhukov1942 Posted August 3, 2012 Posted August 3, 2012 why aren't you using the RT for "on-road" mountain riding?
litigator Posted August 3, 2012 Posted August 3, 2012 If he's like me, he uses the RT for cooler weather, longer trips and 2 up riding. In the Summer, it's nice to have more airflow on the body. I had an R1150GS and now ride an R1200R for my solo, hotter and shorter rides, although I have done 500 mile days on it without complaint. I keep it naked, no shield at all, and love it. I never went off-road, so the GS had no advantage for me. I'm over 6 foot, so height was not a factor. On the R1150R that I once tried, the knee room was too tight.
CVA-42 Posted August 3, 2012 Author Posted August 3, 2012 All good comments. Thanks. Zhukov, I do use the RT for mountain riding sometimes. But, as Litigator said, I prefer the GS for solo, shorter rides, especially in hot weather. A lot of these rides are day rides to the mountains and many of the roads we ride up there can get pretty "technical". I'm talking about very sharp nicely banked turns left and right, up and down, coming in quick succession. The RT can do that pretty well but I don't feel as if that is its forte. My GS does it better or, at least, that's my own impression, that's all. I like the 1150GS so well on those roads that I'm thinking of a 1200GS. But, since I don't ride the GS off-road anyway, I'm wondering about an R1200R - - hence the original inquiry.
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