BMW R1200R Review (2006)

What Is It Like?

Choosing The R1200R

I’ve owned my BMW R1200R for over a year now. It’s the 2014 Dark White, which is the last in the range before the liquid cooled model came out. I went for this model as I love the looks and as it’s the last of the long range everything was sorted on them.

I passed my test when I was 17 and had bikes ever since. I’m 55 now but this is the first BMW and first shaft driven bike that I’ve owned.

What's Good?

I’m impressed with the BMW R1200R because it does everything well. The engine is full of torque with great engine braking.

I've not had linked brakes on a bike before but I’m well impressed with the stopping power. The ergonomics are fine for me at 6’ and 15 stone.

Storage

The bike came with full BMW luggage, which is great quality and key matched. I prefer the way the side cases mount to the ones on LC model which has a luggage frame.

Mods

Mine came with the comfort seat, which looks nice but is anything but comfortable! I purchased a new Sergeant seat, which is great quality but not a great improvement in comfort. Save your money and get an Air Hawk pad.

The Akrapovic silencer is nice, very lightweight and looks better than the huge stainless Saturn 5 rocket booster standard unit. It sounds nicer too and I leave the removable baffle in as the noise is just right.

The front standard shock is rubbish as well so I changed that for a Wilbers one, which is much better and adjustable. The rear OEM shock has been left in situ as that seems fine.

There's a Puig hugger to keep the spray off the back and a Madstad adjustable screen to keep the wind and rain off me. Then GS hand guards, grip puppies, Hornig bar risers, LED lights and it’s sorted.

- Rohan B, 2019

Related Bikes

BMW R1200R (2015-2018) - New upgraded version.

The Second Opinion

2007 BMW R1200R

At Top of the South Motorcycle Rentals in New Zealand people looking to hire one fall into two categories:

• Seasoned BMW users
• Tryout users who have never ridden a Boxer style BMW and wish to evaluate with a view to purchase

Whichever category, whether it be a one day or one month hire, whatever the riding style and no matter the roads riders are 100% impressed with the big Beemer. I'm obviously preaching to the converted in this brief review but I'd add two or three ups for the Beemer.

Handling

Those of us familiar with the Boxer style engine's horizontally opposed cylinders readily discount the cornering fears of the unconverted. However anyone new to the configuration never fails to be impressed. 100%. The Top of the South here in NZ has many challenging sections, perhaps the most well known being Takaka Hill (800m) with 25 each way of tight twisties.

For the twisties the other big factor is torque which of course gives us a forgiving nature, I'd go further by saying that at least two gears can be selected for any given bend depending on riding style.

Comfort

For me personally comfort level and ergonomics are a big plus. I'm 62, 6ft 1in and I have a crook hip. The Beemer is a perfect fit.

My Bonnie is also a great fit, but give it 3hrs and that's it - knees graunching, 62, arthritis, old fart, grumble grumble. The Beemer - all day - no worries.

Weight

Weight, size and the one that most surprised me with the Telelever suspension is the turning circle. I move my bikes from garage to street and back daily - more if it rains.

It still amazes me how easy it is to squeeze into the garage, to run up ramps, to reverse and to line up with others on display.

Hope this review is helpful, tosnz.com for more independent reviews.

- David A, 2019

Add Your Review

Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.