BMW R 1200 R reviews

I bought my 2013 R1200R back in August. It's my first BMW. I've always liked the boxer motor. The bike is the new "montego" blue color and came with every available electronic accessory made for this bike - many of which I've never had before on any bike. This 1200cc boxer engine is very deceptive in that it has abundant power delivered evenly across the rev range. Contrary to popular opinion, it is as smooth as any bike I've owned once underway. There is a little (character) vibration at idle. The integrated brakes may be the best I've ever experienced only rivaled by an '01 Speed Triple I once owned. The paralever suspension really dampens front end dive under braking. It doesn't completely eliminate it but comes pretty close. You have to experience the balance under braking to believe it. Comfort for me is excellent. I almost sit completely upright on her. The seat may be the best stock seat I've ever sat on. My rides (when I get to ride) average 150 miles with no real fatigue. With all my aches and pains, I consider that a monumental achievement on the part of BMW. I'll post again as the miles and time pile up. This bike is highly recommended. Show less

Well, after 20K miles, I am happy to say that I am still very satisfied with my R1200R. I haven't found any other motorcycle I would even consider trading mine in on yet (yes, the wife still loves hers too).<br /> As expected, the BMW has been flawless in the reliability department.<br /> Whether you want to take a leisurely ride in the country, or a spirited ride on the twistiest roads you can find, this bike is more than equal to the challenge. Although the R1200R did not seem to get some of the press of the other performance motorcycles out there, I would have to say for real world, everyday riding, it's hard to beat.<br /> The only negative thing I can say is the wind protection is a bit lacking. But hey, it's a naked bike, what do you expect, get the hand warmers.<br /> What do you have to lose? Go take one for a test ride. Go on the twistiest road you can find and don't be afraid to push it past 4500 RPM coming out of the corners. It will pleasantly surprise you with more than enough torque. Show less

I have put 10k miles on this bike in 4 months. Weekend mountains and canyon twisties, San Diego to LA slabbing, San Diego cruising, and a recent 1200 mile weekend. Rider comfort is superb and this is a smooth machine. I had some initial issues with the seat, but after changing to a high seat I can ride for hours with no discomfort. This bike has all the get up and go a body could want and handles the tightest corners like a dream. The suspension was obviously not designed for someone as fat as I am but it does a remarkable job. Have I mentioned I love my R1200R? Show less

Kinda fun on the twisties but it ain't no touring bike. Commmuter or weekend warrior just fine, but don't try to go for a long highway trip. Show less

For me, this bike is the perfect combination of speed, power and agility. It has performed flawlessly under every condition I have encountered. It serves very well as a daily commuter and a weekend hell-raiser. It has more than enough torque to pull through the corners. There is no need to downshift to pass, but it's too much fun not to. The suspension inspires confidence in any situation even when traveling over unexpected gravel roads, wet roads, or tight West Virginia switchbacks covered with dirt and leaves. You can't truly appreciate this motorcycle until you decide to push it hard through the twisties. Thanks to the ABS, it is forgiving enough to enter curves way too fast, yet powerful enough to torque your way through in style. 109HP and 85ft lbs of torque! Who could ask for a better balance? I would recommend an R1200R to anyone looking for a fun bike that will help increase your riding abilities so much so that my wife has one too. Show less

This is an excellent machine. The reviews in the magazines have it right. I find that for a naked bike, it has excellent wind protection. The tank deflects a lot of wind away from your legs and the headlight assembly ramps some wind upward and away from your chest. The acceleration is strong and smooth, shifting is smooth, no noticeable vibrations, excellent handling, and the new ABS brakes are crazy good. My longest ride so far was two hours in the saddle and no complaints. The stock saddle is breaking in nicely. I also have the computer (because the bike hit the showroom floor with it), but I don't have the complaints of the last reviewer. I'm alright with knowing the temp within 9/10 of a degree, and frankly didn't notice the increments until he pointed it out. I haven't noticed the fuel gauge to be that inaccurate, but I rely on the tried and true method of using the tripmeter (the bike has 2 trip meters) and just look for fuel around 180 miles, which leaves plenty of reserve. I also didn't notice any problems with the self cancelling signals. If they cancel before your turn often enough to annoy you, the problem is with the rider signalling too early, not the machine. This is a straightforward, comfortable, high quality, rip roarin' roadster. Forget about the gee wiz computer stuff and just ride. Show less

After 4 weeks and 1,200 miles, here are my thoughts about the new R1200R. First of all, as a motor vehicle, it is incomparable. It is very powerful, has superb brakes (I have the linked ABS), and you barely need to even think about turning and your turn is flawlessly executed; all these traits no doubt benefit from its light weight and sophisticated suspension. Light as it is, it always feels firmly planted at freeway speeds. I'm 5 ft. 8 in. and wear a 30 in. inseam, and I can just flatfoot the bike; again, its light weight aids in pushing it around with the engine off. For the life of me, I don't see the utility of the sport windshield, but that can be replaced. The steel-belted radials are a nice touch. If that were all, I'd give it five stars, but some instrument panel behavior is so annoying I need to knock off a star, even though the large gear indicator is fantastic. In no particular order: - You can't renew the self-canceling turn signals. That is, you can't press a turn signal button, wait a little, and then press it again to keep it from canceling in the event you've signaled very far from your exit. You must wait for the signal to cancel and then press the button again. - The ambient temperature readout (I have the computer) displays to the nearest 9/10 degree F, e.g., 86.0, 86.9, 87.8. No doubt the computer is doing a gross conversion from Celsius. C'mon, BMW, rounding techniques are easy. - The (optional) gas gauge and (standard) reserve light are virtually useless. I drove 238 miles on one tank, and arrived home with two bars on the gauge showing. A short time later I started the bike, and no bars showed and the reserve light was on. It's as though the gas-quantity electronics recalibrated when I restarted the engine. I then added 4.5 gallons to a tank that takes, depending on what you read, 4.6 to 4.8 gallons. The reserve light should come on with about .75 gallons remaining. Do the math: I was very lucky on a bike that gets about 50 mpg. So, I have two readouts designed to keep me from running out of gas (there's a third, DTE, but the owner's book says not to rely on it), and they're not to be trusted. Show less