Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

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SpikyPit
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Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:33 am

Hi all, I'm considering purchasing an R1200s to replace my Husqvarna 701 supermoto as my daily transport. I've decided that I'm sick of the complete lack of wind protection and passing power of my supermoto despite its fun factor and agility, and like the look of the 1200. Mainly because of it's weather protection, torque and maintenance free shaft drive.

My question is how do these bikes perform as a daily? Does anyone on here use one as their only transport? What sort of milage would I get out of a tank full? Are they ok in town? How are the ergos? etc. I will hopefully be test riding one in the near future. Thanks.

Humbug
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Postby Humbug » Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:23 am

Covered 70,000 on mine so have a good idea. Did a tour of Spain and France, 3000 in 12 days with no issues on ergos apart from vibration through bars.
Generally about 56 to the gallon, refill at around 160 miles with 6 litres left in the tank. OK in town as long as the throttle bodies are balanced, valves are adjusted and cables set correctly, its a big twin so has a bit of character. Looked for something new a few times but never found anything I thought could do everything as well in one package, trackdays, touring and everyday stuff.

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Herb
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby Herb » Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:47 am

SpikyPit wrote:......... and maintenance free shaft drive.



Mostly maintenance free I would say. Cleaner and less hassle than a chain, but don't think you can ignore maintenance altogether based on what you have read in the original brochure and magazine reports.
********Jim********
---------------------------
2006 'Colgate' R1200s

SpikyPit
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Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:04 pm

Humbug wrote:Covered 70,000 on mine so have a good idea. Did a tour of Spain and France, 3000 in 12 days with no issues on ergos apart from vibration through bars.
Generally about 56 to the gallon, refill at around 160 miles with 6 litres left in the tank. OK in town as long as the throttle bodies are balanced, valves are adjusted and cables set correctly, its a big twin so has a bit of character. Looked for something new a few times but never found anything I thought could do everything as well in one package, trackdays, touring and everyday stuff.


Oh wow that sounds like it'd be perfect then. I'm sure the vibes couldn't be worse than a 690cc single haha. That fuel economy is pretty spectacular. I used to get 25mpg on my last KTM and only about 100 miles to reserve so the BMW will be a welcome improvement. Thanks for the info

SpikyPit
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:07 pm

Herb wrote:
SpikyPit wrote:......... and maintenance free shaft drive.



Mostly maintenance free I would say. Cleaner and less hassle than a chain, but don't think you can ignore maintenance altogether based on what you have read in the original brochure and magazine reports.


Yeah it's the hassle of adjusting and cleaning a chain I won't miss. And yes I'm sure they're like any bike in that regard. Only as reliable as your maintenance. Would there be any points I'd need to keep an eye on between services? Do they burn much oil? My husky has burned almost a litre in 1000 miles which is worrying for a brand new bike

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Postby David_S_Walker » Mon Oct 31, 2016 7:13 pm

Hello,

The motorcycle for sale on the forum from nicholsonj2252 has the Corbin seat on it which I also have. They tend to shape to you over time and then become very comfortable over distances. I personally wouldn't go back to a stock seat but it will take time to mould to your derrière.

Also there is a pair of Heli-Bars which raises the bars a bit and I find these make it absolutely fine for distance riding as well as commuting. I don't think they are currently fitted but will be worth having to give you the option and they cost stupid money if you were to try and buy them later on.

All in all this is a great example of the R1200S.... And you will love the quick shift!

You would have to go a long way to find a better one.....

Best regards,

David
The Hokey Cokey. What if that is what life is all about?
BMW R1200S-2006 with much carbon,PCIII & Schnitzer,
Subaru Outback 3.0 R N 2006 and an Abarth 595 MTA 180 Competizione Convertible

Mitch1100
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby Mitch1100 » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:34 pm

[quote="Herb"][quote="SpikyPit"]......... and maintenance free shaft drive.

The rear drive fluid is supposed to be good for a "lifetime" Thus the lack of a drain plug. It has to be done! :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

roadburner
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Postby roadburner » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:40 pm

Saw this one today. that's a serious bike for the money. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172277433757

SpikyPit
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:57 pm

Mitch1100 wrote:
Herb wrote:
SpikyPit wrote:......... and maintenance free shaft drive.

The rear drive fluid is supposed to be good for a "lifetime" Thus the lack of a drain plug. It has to be done! :roll:


It has to be done?

SpikyPit
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Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 9:59 pm

roadburner wrote:Saw this one today. that's a serious bike for the money. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172277433757


Yeah I saw that one. Quite high mileage though isn't it? And I'm looking for one with an aftermarket exhaust ideally. I like noise

SpikyPit
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Postby SpikyPit » Mon Oct 31, 2016 10:04 pm

David_S_Walker wrote:Hello,

The motorcycle for sale on the forum from nicholsonj2252 has the Corbin seat on it which I also have. They tend to shape to you over time and then become very comfortable over distances. I personally wouldn't go back to a stock seat but it will take time to mould to your derrière.

Also there is a pair of Heli-Bars which raises the bars a bit and I find these make it absolutely fine for distance riding as well as commuting. I don't think they are currently fitted but will be worth having to give you the option and they cost stupid money if you were to try and buy them later on.

All in all this is a great example of the R1200S.... And you will love the quick shift!

You would have to go a long way to find a better one.....

Best regards,

David


Cheers David I'll have a look

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f90x
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby f90x » Mon Oct 31, 2016 10:40 pm

SpikyPit wrote:
Mitch1100 wrote:
Herb wrote:
SpikyPit wrote:......... and maintenance free shaft drive.

The rear drive fluid is supposed to be good for a "lifetime" Thus the lack of a drain plug. It has to be done! :roll:


It has to be done?


Mitch hasn't completely thought his statement through but he's correct. It does have to be done. The final drive was supposed to be 'lifetime' but Bmw have since made it a service item and reduced the amount of oil to be used from 200ml to 180ml. It 'does' have a drain plug but doesn't have a filler hole. One has to use the hole on the inside face of the final drive that is used for the ABS sensor. It's a little awkward and I use a 100ml srynge with a flexible pipe attached (I'll show the link) I (and some others here) replace the oil every year. That's if I do 3-4 thousand miles, sometimes I only manage 2ish so I'll wait until the following year. That's probably a little more often than necessary but to do it necessitates the dropping of the FD to drain the old oil and therefor expose the shaft drive splines which means one can also grease them at the same time which is another recommended thing to do on a regular basis. Keeping the FD regularly oiled and greases is a really good idea.

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R1200GS TC. Triple Black
R1200S. It’s gone. Had it 11yrs. My favourite bike in 42yrs riding.

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Mitch1100
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby Mitch1100 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 5:40 am

[quote="f90x"][quote="SpikyPit"][quote="Mitch1100"][quote="Herb"][quote="SpikyPit"]......... and maintenance free shaft drive.
My 12s is 2006 model with no drain plug at the bottom. Paralever arm has to be disconnected and pivoted so oil level plug is at 6 o'clock to drain. Later models had a drain plug I think...sorry and no you don't have to change oil if you don't want to :roll: nicholsonj2252 has perfect bike available!
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

SpikyPit
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Postby SpikyPit » Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:20 pm

I see so it's probably wise to maintain the final drive every year. Still better than having to regrease a chain every time it rains though. Is it this false 'lifetime' notion that's caused what seems like a lot of final drive failures? Or have I been misinformed there? I've owned two lc8 KTMs, one 950 and one 990, and despite my second one being 4 years newer it still got all the same problems I had with the older one. Surely a BMW won't be as bad as that haha

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Herb
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Re: Potential 1200s coming from a supermoto

Postby Herb » Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:54 pm

Mitch1100 wrote:
f90x wrote:
SpikyPit wrote:
Mitch1100 wrote:
Herb wrote:
SpikyPit wrote:......... and maintenance free shaft drive.
My 12s is 2006 model with no drain plug at the bottom. Paralever arm has to be disconnected and pivoted so oil level plug is at 6 o'clock to drain. Later models had a drain plug I think...sorry and no you don't have to change oil if you don't want to :roll: nicholsonj2252 has perfect bike available!


I might be missing something here Mitch.

BMW now state a 6000 mile service interval for the final drive oil, so if you want to maintain to BMW guidelines you should change the oil.
********Jim********

---------------------------

2006 'Colgate' R1200s


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