R1100S or R1200S

[conncarr]

I hear what is being said about Fazers & Sprints etc but I'm selling my 2006 K1200GT because I don't need that kind of speed or power or luggage toting ability anymore. Now I want a fun bike with soul. I can't have a Guzzi MGS01 on the road but now I think about it, it does look a bit similar to the R1200S.......

[winger]

Just make sure you don't bump into Boxerpan who lives just round the corner,cuz you'll have to take a kicking of one of those old 1100's!!!

[Gromit]

E'r Rich missing the point a Fazer is in the same market place just as good and half the price,and is isn't a big fat orible tubs of gut that a complete shit to work on!!!feck did i forget,and when you touch the back brake the friggin front forks dive on you,the fazers a practical bargain something your never going to level at a 1200s,without going into Gueting routine it's about as much use as a hole in the head or be it an expsensive one.

Want a sports tourer buy one,want a Sports bike buy one the 1200 ain't either.

As for the Sprint great bike,but no better than a 1200s the pillion position is a waste of time unless you married to a midgit!!.

1. He's asking about the 11 v 12 (sorry I'm repeating myself here but you really haven't read the 1st post have you?)
2. He may have been asking 'I fancy a bike which will give same/similar to the 11 & 12S etc please give some examples' etc etc but he's not.
3. I'm not getting into a Fazer thou v Blackbird argument here as they're 2 quite different bikes.

[Blackal]

Yes, yes, yes, give me more. This is the sort of response I was looking for. Blackal, read your writup and followed the thread through. I wasn't expecting the comfort to be very good, so that's a bonus. All the other comments were positive and most importantly - it sounds like FUN. I'm now optomistically looking forwards to the test ride and searching Ebay for a cheap (as new) dishwasher!

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou all.

What I said about the comfort may have been that particular day - My back can be a bit temprimental.

Get one for a test ride for a day and see what you think yourself. It's unlikely to be uncomfortable.

I'd go and try one again, but the dealer would probably smell a rat

Al

[Gromit]

Get one for a test ride for a day and see what you think yourself. It's unlikely to be uncomfortable.

What Al said. I found with the 12 that the rider sits more 'in' the bike whereas the 11 made me feel more perched up.

As a point 2 point bike on all sorts of roads (away from dual carriageways) the 1200S is one very effective tool. Certainly on the 'if I had the money I'd buy one' list.

[winger]

Yea your dead right Rich!!!,ang on i'll just look under the table,thats better i've got me BMW blinkers on,we don't want any lateral thinking round here do we!!!.

I'd buy the 1200s every time,it looks better by a mile,about as much use as a hole in the head,but we don't want to get all practical on this board,heavens that would never do!!!.

[boxerpan]

we don't want any lateral thinking round here do we!!!.

You ain't got lateral thinking..........you just got Brummie thinking

[hjr1100s]

What happens at 6000 rpm. Does the power kick in very fast?

It's not like a raging bull coming alive, it's just that from 6000 the engine is really pulling and more responsive to the throttle. It won't take you by surprise, you know it's coming, just hold on while the front becomes light and may lift a bit (in first and second gear)

I love the GS engine ...

Me too, but that's becouse its very much like the R1100S's, but a bit more lively.

The one thing that would put me off the 1200S would be if the performance was too much for the road. I like smaller twisty roads and the 1100s was perfect in many ways.

IMHO I think, on the risc of being known as an old twat, that on these kind of roads you don't really need that much power; 98HP of the ole R1100S is more then enough; a guy on a 2005 Fireblade who I ride with once in a while, is much faster then me on an Assen trackday, but on a twisty road he cant keep up with me (thanks to the Beemers unmatched stability, and torque-all-over-the-place rideability).

...is the 1200 about torque or top end power?

It's both, but the bottom power (2000-4000 rpm) is not as smooth and firm as a GS or R1100S.

So, no-one with common sense in his mind would spend his money on a R1200S ..... I guess that's why I'm gonna buy one ...

HJ

[Gromit]

So, no-one with common sense in his mind would spend his money on a R1200S ..... I guess that's why I'm gonna buy one ...

HJ

Exactly - which is why, unless you want a bike for a specific task, you should choose it with your heart, not your head.

As an aside, my favourite Boxer motor, having ridden the lot (Hexhead or R259) is the one in the new R1200R. Strikes a nice halfway-house between the GS and the S. Having said that I never found PB's 12S wanting in the oomph stakes - sure it's no huge powerhouse (but hardly hangs about) but my God is it useable on real roads.

[conncarr]

OK, so thanks to all who have given me some very good and sound advice.

I've read all the posts, followed all the threads, compared all the specs and looked at all the prices.

At the end of it all I came to two conclusions.

1. The most sensible thing pricewise to do would be to buy a Fazer.
2. For my style of riding, a small, low horsepower bike would be perfectly adequate.

Therefore, subject to a satisfactory test ride (hopefully this Thursday) I WILL buy ......................

............ an R1200S.

Sorry, but I don't buy or ride bikes to be sensible.

I loved the 1200s when it first came out, couldn't have one then, can and will now.

Thanks again, details of new bike to follow.

PS, if the test ride isn't ok, it will be either a BCR or a fully tricked out 1100s.

[BMW-Fahrer]

conncarr your decision should be a fairly easy one and will come down to on how much money you are able or willing to spent...
You don't need "sensible" things as bags or a pad for the missus,so go with the new R12S.
It is a little (20K) lighter and 25 hp stronger.Up to 6 grand it feels as powerful as the old R11S but has a kick up from there up to 8500 rpm which the old one doesn't.That's the difference.Handling is pretty much the same.Brakes were stronger on the old one;Evo-ABS at least.
Fuel consmption is pretty much on par with the twin-spark R11S so if some people claim it gets even better mileage they won't get any further because the tank is even smaller than the already small R11S tank.Like you already said you don't need sensible things the old R11S had over the new one...
No need to contemplate about the lack of full size bags,underseat tools/storage,rack,centerstand and two up seat and all the other sensible schitt...
Go or the new one or get that even less sensible M-G/S01...