Which to choose?

[pitrat101]

Hi folks, after selling my BMW R1200GS (2012 - last twin cam model) I am looking at returnng to BMW after a spell on a Triumph Sprint 1050ST (just not reliable). I love the postion on this bike and wish I had gone RS route rather than GS. My question is which bike do I choose? 1200 or 1250? I use my current bike daily and do about 12 mile to and from work and usually about 200 mile trip at weekends, I definatly want the cruise control as my wrist does ache a bit when on long rides, what are the good and bad on these bikes? what do i need to look out for when buying?

Many thanks in advance

Steve

 

[wessie]

Buy a 1200 in Lupin Blue. Prettiest colour.
I note you are in Cheshire. If you hop over to A&D they have the bike I part-exed for a new V85TT. I had the bike from new but the riding position no longer agrees with me. The bike is the SE Sport with dynamic electronic suspension, cruise control, heated grips and keyless ignition. The bike currently has lowered pegs and bar risers fitted, Givi top box and side case racks. It has been completely reliable in those 9 years and BMW recently fitted for free a new shaft drive as part of their service bulletin.

2016 BMW R 1200 RS - A&D Motorcycles

Return to Search Results...

www.admotorcycles.co.uk

 

[zoltan]

Hi folks, after selling my BMW R1200GS (2012 - last twin cam model) I am looking at returnng to BMW after a spell on a Triumph Sprint 1050ST (just not reliable). I love the postion on this bike and wish I had gone RS route rather than GS. My question is which bike do I choose? 1200 or 1250? I use my current bike daily and do about 12 mile to and from work and usually about 200 mile trip at weekends, I definatly want the cruise control as my wrist does ache a bit when on long rides, what are the good and bad on these bikes? what do i need to look out for when buying?

Many thanks in advance

Steve

Between 2013 -2023 (when the 1200 Water Cooled engine was released) I had/have 5 bikes. The 1200 (2013/2014/2016/2019/2023 models) if you can afford the 1250 go for it or a 1200 post 2016 when several things were improved. I went from a 1250 GS to a 1250RS in Sport colors. It was specified with strait bars I added risers and a different screen so now it suits me ergonomically. You do have more leg room on the GS but you have all the weight low down on the RS. If you are tall there are 4 option seat heights from BM. I have the tallest one because I found it the most comfortable ( tried a number of seats from 3 major brands) for me and I am not tall.
Out of the box I didn't need to do anything to the GS ergonomically, on the RS I had to spend some cash to bring up to the same level of comfort. On the GS never had a problem with wind buffeting and noise. For some reason it was a issue on the RS but eliminated with a different screen. You ask 10 RS owners which screen is best, you will get 10 different answers. I tried 3 different brands in various sizes before I was happy with the result.
Done over 3500miles in 3 weeks ago on RS with the longest run of 420miles in a day.

 

[littleade]

Like Zoltan I moved from a 1250GS to virtually the same bike he has in Dec 2023. Just like him I found my previous 3 GS' comfy out of the box but have had to tinker with my RS to improve things. The OE screen is crap IMO, I went for the larger Puig Touring screen max without the flip extension which in retrospect I wish I'd got as while better than the OE one the Puig doesn't offer as much protection as the OE GS one. I believe the MRA Vario screen offers more protection than the Puig one without the flip extension. I've got the tubular bars too and a 790mm seat as I'm a short arse, plus grip puppies as I get tingly fingers which I never had on the GS (which could be me as I've had carpal tunnel syndrome). I've just added the Evotech touring bar end weights to see if those help but not ridden it yet.

Test rides should help you decide if you can get them, but generally, the newer the model you get the more refined/higher spec they are than the previous interactions- things like hill hold and the QS are better and the newer models (from 2023?) have the better 6 axis IMO for the traction control and ABS. The initial cost of the RS both new and used will be significantly less than a comparable GS so there's plenty of cash left to allow you to tinker. Tank range on mine shows somewhere between 230 and 245 when I fill mine up, typicall high 230's.

Personally I'd go for a later 1250 without the Patrick Moore monicle front headlights but that's just my preference. Good luck and let us know what you get/what you think.

 

[keithzx]

Like Zoltan I moved from a 1250GS to virtually the same bike he has in Dec 2023. Just like him I found my previous 3 GS' comfy out of the box but have had to tinker with my RS to improve things. The OE screen is crap IMO, I went for the larger Puig Touring screen max without the flip extension which in retrospect I wish I'd got as while better than the OE one the Puig doesn't offer as much protection as the OE GS one. I believe the MRA Vario screen offers more protection than the Puig one without the flip extension. I've got the tubular bars too and a 790mm seat as I'm a short arse, plus grip puppies as I get tingly fingers which I never had on the GS (which could be me as I've had carpal tunnel syndrome). I've just added the Evotech touring bar end weights to see if those help but not ridden it yet.

Test rides should help you decide if you can get them, but generally, the newer the model you get the more refined/higher spec they are than the previous interactions- things like hill hold and the QS are better and the newer models (from 2023?) have the better 6 axis IMO for the traction control and ABS. The initial cost of the RS both new and used will be significantly less than a comparable GS so there's plenty of cash left to allow you to tinker. Tank range on mine shows somewhere between 230 and 245 when I fill mine up, typicall high 230's.

Personally I'd go for a later 1250 without the Patrick Moore monicle front headlights but that's just my preference. Good luck and let us know what you get/what you think.

Hi folks, after selling my BMW R1200GS (2012 - last twin cam model) I am looking at returnng to BMW after a spell on a Triumph Sprint 1050ST (just not reliable). I love the postion on this bike and wish I had gone RS route rather than GS. My question is which bike do I choose? 1200 or 1250? I use my current bike daily and do about 12 mile to and from work and usually about 200 mile trip at weekends, I definatly want the cruise control as my wrist does ache a bit when on long rides, what are the good and bad on these bikes? what do i need to look out for when buying?

Many thanks in advance

Steve

after having numerous striaght fours zzr.s busas sx 1000,s gtr 1400.s plus more .bought my first boxer bmw last year , wsnt to sure at first nbut once i got used to it i find it brilliant ,great mpg and more power than you need , brakes and corners great mine is the 2023 1250 rs se with all the bells and whistles ,. i am tempted by the new 1300rs but due to getting knee replacements i might not be riding after august time wi;; tell

 

[pitrat101]

Thanks guys, rode an old R1200RS and rode a new R1250RS, no contest, stretched the budget and have 2024 Triple Black with 700 mile on clock, got all the bells and whistles you could ask for, pick her up today, think its gunna take a month to figure out all the electrionic gizmos. Can you get a phone holder for BMW satnav mount? Any recomendations for an andriod unit for google maps that fits original mount? possibly a bracket to relocoate satnav mount to above LCD screen?

Been a couple of years since i sold my BMW R1200GS and I've missed that boxer engine. Been on a 200 Triumph Sprint 1050ST for 2 yrs but reliability is a big concern for me, and this has let me down a few times now.

Many Thanks

Steve

 

[wessie]

Thanks guys, rode an old R1200RS and rode a new R1250RS, no contest, stretched the budget and have 2024 Triple Black with 700 mile on clock, got all the bells and whistles you could ask for, pick her up today, think its gunna take a month to figure out all the electrionic gizmos. Can you get a phone holder for BMW satnav mount? Any recomendations for an andriod unit for google maps that fits original mount? possibly a bracket to relocoate satnav mount to above LCD screen?

Been a couple of years since i sold my BMW R1200GS and I've missed that boxer engine. Been on a 200 Triumph Sprint 1050ST for 2 yrs but reliability is a big concern for me, and this has let me down a few times now.

Many Thanks

Steve

loads of threads over in the GPS section in this forum. Anything that fits the GS will fit the RS.

there are also adapter kits to move the mount from the silly position to above the "clocks" with https://moto-mate.com/ products being popular

 

[pitrat101]

loads of threads over in the GPS section in this forum. Anything that fits the GS will fit the RS.

there are also adapter kits to move the mount from the silly position to above the "clocks" with https://moto-mate.com/ products being popular

I did notice on your old bike you had the qick release luggage racks for givi monkey system, where did they come from? Does the rear rack have to be changed to accommodate the top box?

 

[wessie]

I did notice on your old bike you had the qick release luggage racks for givi monkey system, where did they come from? Does the rear rack have to be changed to accommodate the top box?

if the RS has the luggage grid as my bike did, fitting the Givi topcase rack is a simple job of removing a small trim from the bMW one and bolting the Givi on top using the longer bolts supplied.

Givi only make side case racks to fit the the V system panniers to the bike. I already had several Kappa/Givi Monokey cases so my solution was to buy SW Motech Evo quick release racks and an adapter kit for the Givi boxes. Fitting the racks was easy. Remove the BMW rails, bolt on the SWM rack and then add the brace behind the number plate. I used E21 boxes which were perfect for 2 weeks away with the topbox and Kappa Tanklock bag. Narrow enough to filter in most places. My Kappa K40 boxes were too wide for my liking.

 

[pitrat101]

Brilliant, I've already got kappa/givi luggage, can swap it between both bikes now. Loving the bike, just can't get to grips with seat, it's way too wide and flat for my liking. Also fly by wire taking some getting used to. I've come from old push/pull cables

 

[wessie]

Brilliant, I've already got kappa/givi luggage, can swap it between both bikes now. Loving the bike, just can't get to grips with seat, it's way too wide and flat for my liking. Also fly by wire taking some getting used to. I've come from old push/pull cables

I liked the OE seat on my R1200RS. The 3 bikes I had before it all had replacements from Sargent, Tony Archer and Bagster.

 

[littleade]

Thanks guys, rode an old R1200RS and rode a new R1250RS, no contest, stretched the budget and have 2024 Triple Black with 700 mile on clock, got all the bells and whistles you could ask for, pick her up today, think its gunna take a month to figure out all the electrionic gizmos. Can you get a phone holder for BMW satnav mount? Any recomendations for an andriod unit for google maps that fits original mount? possibly a bracket to relocoate satnav mount to above LCD screen?

Been a couple of years since i sold my BMW R1200GS and I've missed that boxer engine. Been on a 200 Triumph Sprint 1050ST for 2 yrs but reliability is a big concern for me, and this has let me down a few times now.

Many Thanks

Steve

Any good?

I have the 1250RS and have fitted the MotoMate above the TFT bracket to relocate it off the headstock to a similar position that the GS uses and it's much better there.

 

[pitrat101]

Any good?

I have the 1250RS and have fitted the MotoMate above the TFT bracket to relocate it off the headstock to a similar position that the GS uses and it's much better there.

Do you have a pic? can't visualise if it obscures the TFT screen? do you think a 7" screen would leave screen visable or petrude oner genuine screen?

 

[littleade]

Do you have a pic? can't visualise if it obscures the TFT screen? do you think a 7" screen would leave screen visable or petrude oner genuine screen?

Sorry I can't help you anymore as I have neither the unit TMF is testing in the video nor do I have a GS anymore. Iwatch a lot of his stuff and it just looked good value so thought it might be a contender for what you're after. Did you watch the video? Maybe drop a him question on the comments and see if either he replies or someone else does.

 

[EKIMYRF]

Buy a 1200 in Lupin Blue. Prettiest colour.
I note you are in Cheshire. If you hop over to A&D they have the bike I part-exed for a new V85TT. I had the bike from new but the riding position no longer agrees with me. The bike is the SE Sport with dynamic electronic suspension, cruise control, heated grips and keyless ignition. The bike currently has lowered pegs and bar risers fitted, Givi top box and side case racks. It has been completely reliable in those 9 years and BMW recently fitted for free a new shaft drive as part of their service bulletin.

2016 BMW R 1200 RS - A&D Motorcycles

Return to Search Results...

www.admotorcycles.co.uk

I have ridden Wessies old bike
Its a cracker and rides beautifully