My new R1200S

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daves
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:10 pm
Location: Bristol UK

My new R1200S

Postby daves » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:57 pm

Hi All,

Just as everyone - apparently - is selling theirs, this is my new to me, R1200S of a month or so now. I've lusted after one since they came out, but until now haven't had the chance.

Image

It's an 08 plate which I've come to via a selection of R's and K's, including an 1100S - which was my favourite so far and sold on a whim. Big mistake. I PX'd an 86 R1100 GS to buy this one, which I could never get on with. I probably paid a bit over the odds for it, but hey, you only live once and I got a reasonable price for the old one as well as a three month warranty.

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In fine nick, as you can see, the previous owner (who might recognise it) obviously looked after it and I'm well happy with it.
So, what's it like compared to the 1100S?
It looks - and is - lighter than the 1100, with the lattice frame and generally slimmer and lighter shaft and final drive. The bodywork retains the combined fairing and tank unit of the 1100 and looks sleek, but does feel flimsy in places - squeezing with your knees flexes the plastic quite easily. The seat/tail unit, with it's LED rear light cluster and twin exhaust pipes which divides opinions of those who see it, includes an exposed pillion perch for those brave enough to have a go (Jules, my wife).

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The wide rear wheel and Ohlins kit included in the sports pack finish off the bike at the back. I've added a carbon hugger to protect the shock from the worst of the weather.
It's the sportiest looking Boxer I've ridden and only bettered in my view, by the HP2S.

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On the road the extra power, compared to the 1100S, is immediately apparent when any amount of enthusiasm is employed at the throttle and is a revelation compared to the old GS. Going for the red line in second or third makes the front end go light so I'll need to be careful in the rain. The odd, non linear throttle will take some getting used to though. The extra rotation needed to open it up doesn't always make for smooth power increases. I dare say I'll get used to it, but so far I'm not a massive fan.
The new six speed gearbox is a much improved unit compared to the 1100S. It's smoother and less agricultural than any of my previous BMW's and combined with a light-ish hydraulic clutch makes for an easy ride.

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The way the engine and gearbox work together though is much different than the older bikes, with what feels like much less torque at low revs. On the older bikes you could sit in fifth or sometimes top and ride right down to 20/25 MPH, pulling away smoothly, the 1200 needs more revs from standstill and through the gears, forcing you to make much more use of the gearbox. I guess that's what you get for a more sporty ride.

Although it looks uncomfortable, the seat is fine for me. I've only done a couple of hours so far, without a break and it's been comfortable enough. The standard bars put significant weight on the wrists at low speeds, so a town bike this is not. But the weight comes off as soon as you hit fifty and the airflow begins to support your body. I've got a set of Heli-bars ready to go, but I've not fitted them yet and now I've ridden the bike, I may not bother.
The rear brake is worse than useless, only just usable when slow riding. For whatever reason, bad design I guess, the geometry of the brake pedal means that you can only get a decent force on it by taking your foot of the rest and putting more weight on the pedal. There's nothing wrong with the brake - you can lock the back wheel - it's just badly designed. Front brake though - brilliant. Powerful and progressive.

The bottom line though is that it's a massively fun bike to ride on open roads and is rare enough, so that you aren't seeing them around all the time. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen another one, out and about.
I'm really looking forward to spending more time on it and seeing if it can overtake the 1100S as my favourite all time bike :D

Cheers

Dave
K100RS x2, one dark blue, one blue and pearl
K100RT, blue
K100LT, gold (eugh)
R80 RT green
R90S, smoke grey
R1100S, yellow
R1100GS, Kalahari
R1200S, silver

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Gromit
Posts: 5696
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:58 pm

Very, very nice Dave. 8)

Could do with a clean though...


...(I'll get my coat) ;)

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popsky
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Posts: 1849
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:09 pm
Location: Minehead Somerset

Postby popsky » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:14 pm

Nice machine you have there and very nearly the fastest colour, a good write up with some interesting observations, most of which can be answered on this very forum.
Happy biking :lol:
Phil.

R1200S and loving it !

Hoch Bergstraßenjäger…………………………………

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f90x
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Posts: 2773
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: norf lundun

Postby f90x » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:52 pm

Very nice. Looks new. The throttle (which i hate) can be helped by installing an insert at the grip end of the cable that takes up some of the eccentric pull (German ebay) and I have lately discovered that 'grip puppies' (those slightly naff foam handle bar grips) over the standard grips bring the girth up to 1100S size and make the circumference larger and subsequently, the amount of rotation less for the same amount of throttle. Hope that makes sense. The two together have rally helped me.
R1200GS TC. Triple Black
R1200S. It’s gone. Had it 11yrs. My favourite bike in 42yrs riding.

Holdsworth professional
Motobecane C3
Brompton

Mitch1100
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Posts: 995
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:00 am
Location: Tasmania

Postby Mitch1100 » Mon Oct 05, 2015 9:49 pm

Oooh that's nice..looks pristine, and the fastest colour :wink:
2009 HP2 Sport...sold
2006 R1200s with yellow rim tape
2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore..sold
2004 R1100s BoxerCup Replika..sold
2006 Subaru WRX STI S204 #318/600

SP250
Posts: 982
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 2:01 pm
Location: Shropshire

Postby SP250 » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:01 pm

Nope - fastest colour is yellow!

Nice clean bike though.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I am with mine.
John M

andy griff
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Posts: 646
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:20 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Postby andy griff » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:10 pm

+1 for the yellow.

The matt finish of the grey paint knocks about 2mph off the top end... honestly

dave the german
Member
Posts: 3614
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:35 am
Location: North East

Postby dave the german » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:23 am

Very nice and VERY clean
'15 R1200GS TE
'06 R1200S
'04 BCR
Yam SR 500 long term restoration
wanna win the lottery and ride my bike

daves
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:10 pm
Location: Bristol UK

Postby daves » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:08 pm

Thanks all! It is very clean isn't it :D

Pretty sure silver is the fastest colour though.

Cheers

Dave
K100RS x2, one dark blue, one blue and pearl

K100RT, blue

K100LT, gold (eugh)

R80 RT green

R90S, smoke grey

R1100S, yellow

R1100GS, Kalahari

R1200S, silver

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Boxermed69
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Posts: 1282
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:28 am
Location: Costa del Weymouth

Postby Boxermed69 » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:31 pm

Lovely example. Clean with a capital Cluh.

He's right y'know - yeller'uns are quicker, but you can make up most of the deficit by adding rim tape :wink:

Mike :)
Horizontally opposed, vertically challenged...
Image

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Herb
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Posts: 1808
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:49 pm
Location: Lutterworth, Midlands

Postby Herb » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:41 pm

Polished exhaust and shroud? Looks really good!
********Jim********
---------------------------
2006 'Colgate' R1200s

Mitch1100
Member
Posts: 995
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:00 am
Location: Tasmania

Postby Mitch1100 » Thu Oct 08, 2015 11:11 pm

Boxermed69 wrote:Lovely example. Clean with a capital Cluh.

He's right y'know - yeller'uns are quicker, but you can make up most of the deficit by adding rim tape :wink:

Mike :)


[ImageP1020394 by Phil Mitchell, on Flickr]
Add yellow rim tape of course :roll:
2009 HP2 Sport...sold
2006 R1200s with yellow rim tape
2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore..sold
2004 R1100s BoxerCup Replika..sold
2006 Subaru WRX STI S204 #318/600

daves
Posts: 100
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:10 pm
Location: Bristol UK

Postby daves » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:45 am

I like your extras Mitch - who says you can't tour on them? What's that above your headlight?

Dave
K100RS x2, one dark blue, one blue and pearl

K100RT, blue

K100LT, gold (eugh)

R80 RT green

R90S, smoke grey

R1100S, yellow

R1100GS, Kalahari

R1200S, silver

User avatar
f90x
Member
Posts: 2773
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:38 pm
Location: norf lundun

Postby f90x » Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:57 pm

daves wrote:I like your extras Mitch - who says you can't tour on them? What's that above your headlight?

Dave


I tour on mine. It's perfect. I have helibars coz I'm creaky but otherwise it's the perfect GT.
Last edited by f90x on Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
R1200GS TC. Triple Black
R1200S. It’s gone. Had it 11yrs. My favourite bike in 42yrs riding.

Holdsworth professional
Motobecane C3
Brompton

Mitch1100
Member
Posts: 995
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:00 am
Location: Tasmania

Postby Mitch1100 » Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:17 pm

daves wrote:I like your extras Mitch - who says you can't tour on them? What's that above your headlight?

Dave

The GoPro above the headlight. Most comfortable long tourer! :wink:
2009 HP2 Sport...sold
2006 R1200s with yellow rim tape
2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore..sold
2004 R1100s BoxerCup Replika..sold
2006 Subaru WRX STI S204 #318/600


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