R1200GS LC to R1200R LC?

[littleade]

Just wondering who's done it and what are the advantages/disadvantages of the one over the other and what the forks are like compared to the telelever front end on the GS?

I've just come back from a weekend away with SWMBO on the back of the GS and at 5'7" short when fully loaded with a pillion I find it a bit of a handful at low speed even though mines lowered. so should I add the R to my short list next time round? What's it like to tour on 2 up and have you put a screen on it other than the small stock one which I don't like the look of.

Cheers

Ade

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

My ex has a 1200r and she loves it, it's much smaller obviously than the GS as it's much lower to the ground. It's quicker than the GS but for two up touring, it won't be a patch on the GS.

 

[dave hendy]

A small thing but the satnav is in a much better position on the GS especially if you use a tank bag! The luggage capacity is also better on the GS.

The R is probably a quicker road bike with a 17 inch front wheel for a better tyre choice.

The GS is a better 2-up touring bike imo


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gyp]

I'll start by admitting that I've never ridden a GS.

I've not thought about it before, but I think that's probably true.

In addition to owning R80RT, R65RS, K75C and K100RS, I've owned an R80S/T which was nearly a GS, an F650 before they were called a GS, an R1150R which was a low GS and now the R1200R LC which again isn't a GS. I've test driven an R100R Mystic, which had more than a hint of GS about it but that's it.

Before the R1200R, I had a Tiger 1050, bought specifically for a long distance 2-up tour having realised that the Hayabusa that preceded wasn't going to be ideal for getting me to Naples and back in one piece with licence intact.

I'm sort of fortunate in that I'm a towering 5'10", however a lot of that is between my hips and my shoulders, so I've only got a 28" inside leg (and similarly short arms). Indeed the BMW "put your dimensions in and we'll tell you which motorcycles you'd fit" configurator refuses to admit that my body shape is even possible, and would only accept I had 28" legs if I told it I was 5'4" or shorter.

Whatever, the key thing is that I am not blessed with the gift of lankiness, despite being a reasonable height and I have always struggled with getting my feet down and low speed manoeuvering, especially when 2-up and laden, and toppling over isn't unknown. On the R80RT, I've taken to towing a trailer to get a lot of the weight off of the bike and that's made a huge difference to 2-up holiday travel as the weight is no longer up high.

The R1200R is the first bike I've felt properly comfortable on at low speeds in years. I can get my feet flat on the floor. I don't though, as I'm so used to just getting a toe down that I still tend to put the balls of my feet down and I've got to remember to relax so my heels go down too. I'm now sufficiently confident that I can ride up the pavement, across my lawn, onto the path and then turn onto my drive to put the bike in the garage rather than the previous multi vehicle shuffle and long backwards teeter down the drive.

Obviously I'm not familiar with the latest telelever, but the handling and steering (and braking) on the R1200R is markedly more confidence inspiring than on the old R1150R.

Comfort wise, I'd say the bike is "OK", and the high BMW screen (Windscreen, high, R 1200 R) is sufficient for me. SWMBO says that it's the most comfortable bike she's been on, but she's not been on that many. I'd happily admit that it won't be as all-day comfortable as a GS, but I'd happily trade a little comfort for the confidence that the R1200R has given me. Note that there is also a 30mm lower rider seat option and a comfort pillion seat option.

For the last few years I've noticed that the bikes have stayed in the garage most of the year and only come out for the occasional long trip. Because I'm a lot more confident manoeuvering the R, I'm doing a lot more miles now and am using any excuse to wheel it out of the garage.

I think what I'm trying to say is yes, put it on the short list!

 

[littleade]

My ex has a 1200r and she loves it, it's much smaller obviously than the GS as it's much lower to the ground. It's quicker than the GS but for two up touring, it won't be a patch on the GS.

Cheers for the reply Cabby

I realise the GS would probably be better for the long haul stuff but SWMBO doesn't like doing anymore than a couple of hours non stop anyway and I've got the lower seat so the padding is thinner so I'm not far behind her so to speak!

 

[littleade]

A small thing but the satnav is in a much better position on the GS especially if you use a tank bag! The luggage capacity is also better on the GS.

The R is probably a quicker road bike with a 17 inch front wheel for a better tyre choice.

The GS is a better 2-up touring bike imo


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply Dave. I do have the Nav5 and would obviously swap that over but I've never liked tank bags it's position won't be an issue....hopefully. So far we've only been away for long weekends and camping isn't an option but again thanks for the info about the luggage capacity. last time we took both panniers and top box but didn't extend either. This time we just took the panniers extended out as it's easier for SWMBO to get on the back.

 

[littleade]

I'll start by admitting that I've never ridden a GS.

I've not thought about it before, but I think that's probably true.

In addition to owning R80RT, R65RS, K75C and K100RS, I've owned an R80S/T which was nearly a GS, an F650 before they were called a GS, an R1150R which was a low GS and now the R1200R LC which again isn't a GS. I've test driven an R100R Mystic, which had more than a hint of GS about it but that's it.

Before the R1200R, I had a Tiger 1050, bought specifically for a long distance 2-up tour having realised that the Hayabusa that preceded wasn't going to be ideal for getting me to Naples and back in one piece with licence intact.

I'm sort of fortunate in that I'm a towering 5'10", however a lot of that is between my hips and my shoulders, so I've only got a 28" inside leg (and similarly short arms). Indeed the BMW "put your dimensions in and we'll tell you which motorcycles you'd fit" configurator refuses to admit that my body shape is even possible, and would only accept I had 28" legs if I told it I was 5'4" or shorter.

Whatever, the key thing is that I am not blessed with the gift of lankiness, despite being a reasonable height and I have always struggled with getting my feet down and low speed manoeuvering, especially when 2-up and laden, and toppling over isn't unknown. On the R80RT, I've taken to towing a trailer to get a lot of the weight off of the bike and that's made a huge difference to 2-up holiday travel as the weight is no longer up high.

The R1200R is the first bike I've felt properly comfortable on at low speeds in years. I can get my feet flat on the floor. I don't though, as I'm so used to just getting a toe down that I still tend to put the balls of my feet down and I've got to remember to relax so my heels go down too. I'm now sufficiently confident that I can ride up the pavement, across my lawn, onto the path and then turn onto my drive to put the bike in the garage rather than the previous multi vehicle shuffle and long backwards teeter down the drive.

Obviously I'm not familiar with the latest telelever, but the handling and steering (and braking) on the R1200R is markedly more confidence inspiring than on the old R1150R.

Comfort wise, I'd say the bike is "OK", and the high BMW screen (Windscreen, high, R 1200 R) is sufficient for me. SWMBO says that it's the most comfortable bike she's been on, but she's not been on that many. I'd happily admit that it won't be as all-day comfortable as a GS, but I'd happily trade a little comfort for the confidence that the R1200R has given me. Note that there is also a 30mm lower rider seat option and a comfort pillion seat option.

For the last few years I've noticed that the bikes have stayed in the garage most of the year and only come out for the occasional long trip. Because I'm a lot more confident manoeuvering the R, I'm doing a lot more miles now and am using any excuse to wheel it out of the garage.

I think what I'm trying to say is yes, put it on the short list!

Cheers Gyp-are you on Briskoda by any chance?

Interestingly I had a R1150R and loved that bike and never felt intimidated on it but even with the standard screen on it the weather protection wasn't that good so what's the 1200R like with that touring screen please? There was a blue R at Llandovery with a tall screen on but I didn't get chance to ask the owner what it was like, but it seemed to improve it's looks and the standard small bubble thing just doesn't do anything for me. Here's a short clip from yesterday in the rain when it was at it's worst - The GS kept most of it off my body and the handguards meant my hands stayed mostly dry too so how does yours compare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9qOBS3bZLM

How does the R feel 2 up at low speed as that's my main problem and with SWMBO on the back I can feel the extra weight high up and I get a front and rear fighting each other in a pendulum/wobble on movement if I'm not careful when pulling away etc. I realise this is more down to me than the bike but I don't want to be dropping it with the boss on the back in traffic and risk everything that goes with that.

The GS is a pain to clean too so what's the R like?

Where did you find the height configurator as I can't see it anywhere?

Thanks

Ade

 

[Gyp]

Cheers Gyp-are you on Briskoda by any chance?

Yes that's me. I knew you were familiar from somewhere

Interestingly I had a R1150R and loved that bike and never felt intimidated on it but even with the standard screen on it the weather protection wasn't that good so what's the 1200R like with that touring screen please? There was a blue R at Llandovery with a tall screen on but I didn't get chance to ask the owner what it was like,

Was it wildoat?

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/433251-full-on-touring-mode-in-Yorkshire

but it seemed to improve it's looks and the standard small bubble thing just doesn't do anything for me. Here's a short clip from yesterday in the rain when it was at it's worst - The GS kept most of it off my body and the handguards meant my hands stayed mostly dry too so how does yours compare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9qOBS3bZLM

I'd have got soaked.

On the R you've got no screen, the black screen as per the Sport, the low touring screen and the high touring screen. Even the high one isn't that big. It keeps the wind pressure off your neck, but it doesn't keep you dry. The BMW touring screen on the R1150R was quite a bit bigger. There are a number of aftermarket options, though none of them are going to turn it into an RT (or "proper" RS). The GS handguards do fit though so that helps keep your hands dry.

How does the R feel 2 up at low speed as that's my main problem and with SWMBO on the back I can feel the extra weight high up and I get a front and rear fighting each other in a pendulum/wobble on movement if I'm not careful when pulling away etc. I realise this is more down to me than the bike but I don't want to be dropping it with the boss on the back in traffic and risk everything that goes with that.

Not had that problem, though I did get pretty scared stopping on a gravel strewn layby in the wet last weekend. Having the confidence that I can put my feet down flat really helps.

The GS is a pain to clean too so what's the R like?

No idea. I have time to either ride it or clean it. I choose the former.

Where did you find the height configurator as I can't see it anywhere?

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/equipment/seathight_conf/seats_config.html

 

[Gyp]

A small thing but the satnav is in a much better position on the GS especially if you use a tank bag! The luggage capacity is also better on the GS.

I've not tried it, but I suspect the satnav mount can be reversed to place the nav in front of the clocks rather than below them. The speedo would be visible still and all the other info you need is still available on the nav

 

[Gyp]

Always best to choose the right bike for the conditions.

The sun is out, so it's this one

 

[littleade]

Yes that's me. I knew you were familiar from somewhere




Was it wildoat?

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/433251-full-on-touring-mode-in-Yorkshire



I'd have got soaked.

On the R you've got no screen, the black screen as per the Sport, the low touring screen and the high touring screen. Even the high one isn't that big. It keeps the wind pressure off your neck, but it doesn't keep you dry. The BMW touring screen on the R1150R was quite a bit bigger. There are a number of aftermarket options, though none of them are going to turn it into an RT (or "proper" RS). The GS handguards do fit though so that helps keep your hands dry.



Not had that problem, though I did get pretty scared stopping on a gravel strewn layby in the wet last weekend. Having the confidence that I can put my feet down flat really helps.



No idea. I have time to either ride it or clean it. I choose the former.



http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/equipment/seathight_conf/seats_config.html

Thanks yet again...

It's a small world even on 'tinternet then!

I don't think it was wildoat as it looked like a tinted screen-same colour bike though and I had my clincher moments after I'd seen it so it was more a now I like as I walked past the campsite that rather than I want one to replace the GS moment. The bike was parked up outside a camper van rather than a tent if that helps.

Think I'll need to try and get a test ride and get SWMBO to sit on the back, though I don't know if every dealer will have one as they seem quite rare

Ha ha guess I asked for the reply about cleaning. Serves me right for being OCD

The configurator says NO! apparently you have to have a minimum 30" inside leg to ride a BMW....

 

[Gyp]

Think I'll need to try and get a test ride and get SWMBO to sit on the back, though I don't know if every dealer will have one as they seem quite rare

Worth trying Oxford as they seem to have a good range.

If you get stuck, I'm just down in Cheltenham so you could pop down and nip out on mine.

The configurator says NO! apparently you have to have a minimum 30" inside leg to ride a BMW....

I think it grudgingly used to say that I might be able to ride an F700GS but that I'd need help from a grown up or stabilizers. Now it won't let me ride anything :-(

 

[littleade]

OK thanks for the offer, I'll see if the lot at Rednall have one 1st and go from there as that's where I got the GS from. Did you get yours from Oxford?

 

[Gyp]

OK thanks for the offer, I'll see if the lot at Rednall have one 1st and go from there as that's where I got the GS from. Did you get yours from Oxford?

I rode wildoat's bike which was the Cotswold demo, then held out for a second hand/ex demo one as I couldn't quite stretch to a new one.

A fully loaded Sport came up at Oxford that one of their customers had bought but then traded in for an R nine T.

It later transpired that he'd owned it for a week, during which time it had been on its side and needed a new cylinder head cover, and before that it had been the North Oxford demo bike and hence run in enthusiastically by numerous Tossers.

 

[littleade]

And I bet because it's been a demo bike it uses no oil at all....I'm guessing yours has ESA because of the gold front forks?

 

[Gyp]

And I bet because it's been a demo bike it uses no oil at all....I'm guessing yours has ESA because of the gold front forks?

Doesn't seem to use any oil...

Yes, it has dynamic ESA. I've forgotten now what's standard on the Sport, but it's got gear shift assist, engine modes pro, dynamic traction control, computer pro, nav prep, heated grips, rack and pannier frames, centre stand, shiny exhaust, headlight pro, tyre pressure monitor..

I've then added the Givi plate and box, BMW nav, screen and handguards, Evotech radiator guard and a ctek battery charger cable.

I'm worried about build quality and reliability (fuelling sometimes a little off, GSA has had to be replaced, DTC sometimes a little over eager, all the talk on here about paint etc) but it's the first bike I've had that has convinced me that the game has moved on enough that it might be OK to finally part with my airheads.

 

[roadrider]

I've had 4 Gs's 1150, 1200, 1200Twincam, 1200LC. now riding R1200R LC.

There all different, I've enjoyed riding them all. I'm 5' 7" but the GS height never bothered me much, most of the time I'm riding 2 up, we tour Europe a lot. I just fancied a change so when the R1200R LC came out I had a test ride, thoroughly enjoyed it & so I bought one. Mine came with the sport screen and TBH all it did was push a turbulant wind blast directly at my head, after a while it became annoying, so I bought a larger screen and although it was much improved it still created that turbulance at my head. Then I thought I'll take it off and try it without any screen, and what a difference it made, sure the wind is more on your arms & chest but the turbulant buffeting air is gone from around the helmet and it's quieter now too. I'm thinking as it's a naked bike why have a screen on anyway, so the last few hundred miles or so have been without any screen.

The esa on the conventional forks works very well and still seperates the braking forces from the suspension, but not quite as good as the telelever, but it's good enough imho.

If your a bit stretched leg length wise the R1200R is much better & the seat seems narrower which helps too.

BMW list a comfort seat for the pillion seat, when ordering the bike it was I think £30 extra and the Mrs says it's much better then the standard one which was fitted to the demo bike we tried.

Since I bought this I haven't missed the GS.


HTH.

 

[littleade]

I've had 4 Gs's 1150, 1200, 1200Twincam, 1200LC. now riding R1200R LC.

There all different, I've enjoyed riding them all. I'm 5' 7" but the GS height never bothered me much, most of the time I'm riding 2 up, we tour Europe a lot. I just fancied a change so when the R1200R LC came out I had a test ride, thoroughly enjoyed it & so I bought one. Mine came with the sport screen and TBH all it did was push a turbulant wind blast directly at my head, after a while it became annoying, so I bought a larger screen and although it was much improved it still created that turbulance at my head. Then I thought I'll take it off and try it without any screen, and what a difference it made, sure the wind is more on your arms & chest but the turbulant buffeting air is gone from around the helmet and it's quieter now too. I'm thinking as it's a naked bike why have a screen on anyway, so the last few hundred miles or so have been without any screen.

The esa on the conventional forks works very well and still seperates the braking forces from the suspension, but not quite as good as the telelever, but it's good enough imho.

If your a bit stretched leg length wise the R1200R is much better & the seat seems narrower which helps too.

BMW list a comfort seat for the pillion seat, when ordering the bike it was I think £30 extra and the Mrs says it's much better then the standard one which was fitted to the demo bike we tried.

Since I bought this I haven't missed the GS.


HTH.

Thanks RR it does. Was it the larger BMW screen you fitted or an Indy one? I had an 1150R which I never had any issues with though SWMBO never went on the back of that, which is where the idea of the 1200R came from

 

[wildoat]

And I bet because it's been a demo bike it uses no oil at all....I'm guessing yours has ESA because of the gold front forks?

Mine has covered just over 16,000 miles now and has never used any oil whatsoever, I think it's rare for any of the new LC flat twins to use any oil!
Years back I owned two new GS's, an 1100 and then an 1150,
They both used oil until they had covered well over ten thousand miles then seemed to stop almost over night!
I put over 50,000 on both of them, never had any issues apart from corrosion on the spoked alloy wheels.
Cheers

 

[wildoat]

Hi Ade,
I tried to respond to your private message, my response doesn't seem to want to send, so here is what I said...........
Hi Ade,
I've been away for a couple of days and have just seen your message so am responding now!
The screen I have on my "R" is this
http://www.nationalcycle.com/vehicles/motorcycle-1/bmw/bmwr1200r/2015bmwr1200r/z2355.html

I bought it from
http://www.performanceparts-ltd.com (great company to deal with, very helpful)

I use the screen for all of my trips, actually it's on the bike for probably 90% of the time, just occasionally I take it off so I can ride the bike naked, as BMW intended, riding the bike in it's naked guise is actually very nice provided you don't need to exceed60mph
and under 60mph the bike is really quiet with virtually zero wind buffeting or wind noise.
The screen comes into it's own on trips, where the wind protection means the bike can be ridden at any speed with virtually zero wind buffeting and it also offers great protection from the elements. It's also nice to not have to keep cleaning my helmets visor(damn flies).

Generally I'm really pleased with the bike, I've owned GS's in the past, an 1100 and then an 1150(I put over 50,000 miles on both of them).
I may even buy another GS one day but at the moment I have no desire to change.
The "R" is quite a bit lower than the GS, it is easier to ride slowly, easier to move around(in the garage etc) and my girlfriend loves it on the back, she is 5'6" and can get on easily even with the panniers and top box fitted.
I know that the "R" offers slightly better performance than the GS and I think it holds the road better, it's also considerable better on fuel, I hardly ever get less than 60mpg and I don't ride slowly.
I had cruise control retro fitted to mine as it didn't have it from standard, it was expensive at £500 but well worth it for sticking to urban speed limits and it comes into it's own also when cruising on less inspiring roads.
Mine also has the ESA suspension which works great for altering the suspension to accommodate different loads, pillion etc.
The balance of the bike is exceptional, when coming to a stop in traffic etc I can often balance for a few moments before having to put my feet down, even with my other half and luggage on the bike.
There are four different height seat options for the R(different seats rather than an adjustable one as on the GS, low, standard, high and sport. I've experimented and actually bought three different(yes I'm mad). The sport is the highest and by far the firmest, I've finally settled
on the high option which is about an inch shorter than the sport but more forgiving yet still offering decent support( I'm just over 6 ft tall).
The best advice I can give is to take a test ride, I bought mine from Cotswold Motoradd in Gloucester, they've always proved very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.
Hope the above is of some use.
All the best and good luck
Cheers
Tony