Why does the fairing seem to be getting further and further forward with each new iteration? Look at the leading edge of the fairing in relation to the front wheel spindle. More and more of the bulk seems to be being shifted forward.
It also seems to be getting lower. Greater gap between the screen and the rider seems to be a common trend too.
That is an interesting observation - it explains maybe why the protection against rain on my R1200RT isn't half as good as it was on my old R80RT, especially in busy traffic where speeds regularly drop under 60 mph - on the 1200 I get nearly just as wet as on my unfaired Buell, it just takes a little longer
On the up-side, you do feel less "locked-in" while wind protection and stability is really good - just don't flog your waterproofs on eBay if you are planning to buy an RT.
I like the new 1200 - the "assisting" water-cooling and rotated cylinder-heads make a lot of sense and hopefully the wet clutch means an end to the regular (and very expensive) oil-seal/clutch repairs (I have suffered more than 10 since 1993 on 4 different 1100/1150/1200 models), hopefully the end-drives are a little more durable as well and if there is any more I could wish for then it would be a more winter-resistant finish and general resilience against corrosion. In other words, a BMW that actually matches its reputation for quality and reliability, like their cars and - oddly - the (otherwise rather boring-) K-series that always strike me as being a class better built than the boxers.
I am a little disappointed to see that the front suspension is not the same as on the latest K series, the old Telelever may have many virtues but being very subtle on edges and sharp holes isn't one of them.
Weight and fuel consumption seem a little higher than the old model but maybe that works out differently in actual use - my R1100RT was quite a bit heavier than the 1200 but seemed just as- if not more nimble so weight doesn't mean everything. Now were are those pies?
I will probably buy one - in a few years time when all the brave early-buyers have completed their involuntary test-rider duty as I once did on the fragile and underdeveloped 1993 R1100RS.