Learned on dirt bikes (Yamaha 185 DTN, Honda 250XR), then in 1987 jumped to a 87 Yamaha FZR1000. Took a break then got a 74 Guzzi V7 sport in 98. Had a kid, just turned 50, and this video really turned my crank. Great review!
I love these big twins. I currently own a 2000 BMW R1100S and prior to that a '94 R1100RS. I cannot afford new so I am a used bike guy. I am afraid to test ride the RS as I might find I cannot live without it! I enjoy my 1100S however and its has lots of life left.
To James Dunn - That's good to hear. Perhaps my experience with excessive maintenance costs (parts, labour, scheduled and unscheduled) is more a result of the dealership than an artifact of the brand. I used to say that Beemers were now "out of my system" - used to call the BMW bikes I rode half NASA and half John Deere. However, there's no denying recent improvements are making the marque much more attractive. Wet clutch, liquid cooling, and the amazing electronic engineering makes them very appealing. Thanks for helping me keep an open mind.
I rode the iconic version, it really is an accomplished bike. I felt very safe going fast, and it does have neck wrenching torque. It's no Ducati Monster or Superduke, but worth a look.
Mate, what a bloody good review. BTW, when is the major service due? I wonder how many bills for a valve clearance check and oil change. As much as I would love to own this very bike, the Kawasaki 1400 GTR I currently own is ridiculously reliable and and oil and filter changes takes ten minutes. OK, I had to spend a thousand bucks on seat, bar risers and shield, but she's a good bike.
The model you tested looks as if it got raised handle bars. Is it right or is it stock? if it is stock i wouldn't call it "crazily comfortable" the bars are too low and to far in the front to call it that!
BMW has so many niche bikes now is hard to keep up. If you want the S1000RR engine in a naked or sport tourer you can have it. If you want the flat twin in a any chassis they just about make it. Are all of them needed? I don't really think so...
Is this a great do everything, city/commute, sport, tour, groceries etc bike? I like the K1600GTLE for everything it has but don't like the weight, super power, or uber tourer type thing of that or the RT. I'm young, like sport bikes but don't want to ride a track bike everywhere or lose out on practicality.
This is a pretty good option. I think a K16 would be a bit too big for what you're thinking. The RS is plenty good for weekend riding and it's super comfortable, plus the engine is bulletproof. Not sure on what the running costs would be but it's certainly a good alternative between a sportbike and something like the K16.
Thanks for the feedback. A full spec RS and GTLE are so expensive the 4-5 grand difference by my mods would be negligible. I'd rather have the right one. I think the R1200RT has too much German spunk or funk and is a bit wacky although probably a great bike. Because of that I like that the GTLE is like a spaceship, but that spaceship probably isn't very agile. It was either the RS, RT, or GTLE. Need something that will be good for 10 minute jaunts, neighborhoods, cross town, commuting, sport, tour, and comfort. I guess the protection on the RS could be upgraded if I turned out to want it. As a newer rider and first to this type of thing I'd rather just have one bike and zen than have 2-3 cheaper ones and not be able to know any of them that well. Although I like the GTLE in terms of style I don't really think someone in my position needs that style of motorcycle... the only reason I'm drawn to it is because they don't give that kind of a full spec motorcycle anywhere else (and reserve it for the flagship). I'd go with Ducati if the Supersport S could take some lessons from BMW. I only weigh 140lbs at 5'9"-5'10". Not much experience maneuvering heavy bikes at all. The 550 seems solid enough on the RS without being too much. Probably be close to 600 by the time I'm done with it. I do like sportbikes but am not concerned with being a track guy or squeezing all the performance out of the modern ones. I do like spirited cruising. In cars I tend to go for GT style, BMW 2 series or Porsche Cayman. The lines of motorcycles are so convoluted and full of compromise. You'd think it would be easy to deliver the kind of motorcycle I seek and just charge the right price tag for it... but I guess that would be too much competition for their tourer. It seems like the market would like something like that... maybe more in Europe than the States though. I don't really like on the RS that the only visible color scheme makes the bike look really bad. Looks pretty decent in the grey. Their top case is freakin ugly too... would definitely do Givi with full Admore lighting... Half the reason I like luggage is to light up behind me and put Vololights back there. The RS is a really appealing motorcycle but something about that middle of the road design keeps it from being sexy or appealing without pause. I think Ducati could take this market if they wanted to with a variation of the Supersport S. They just need to catch up to BMW. My 3 series I had in 2003-2008 though was my favorite car ever, not because it had the power of my mustang or the exhileration of my 350z but because it was just so well engineered and compliant .... it disappeared in my hands and just elevated driving to a high level. The muscle is fun but is very limited and the 350Z is passionate and gnarly but is full of pain in the butts everywhere else. Though the 3 series was down on power it was such a great car. That is what I figured the RS would be like compared to the Ducati. Maybe it's because they designed the RS off another bike and just slapped some fairings on... in that case they didn't do too bad but why don't they just purpose build this bike from the ground up to do what it does better?
I agree with you, I hope they make more of these sporty touringbikes. Like Kawasaki Z1000SX, Ducati Supersport, and this BMW R1200Rs. I also hope they make them more powerfull and more beautiful. Imagine if the Supersport S had 150 horsepower and better legroom and cruise control. Or this R1200RS had more top end power and was lower to the ground with more fairings to make it look better :)
Nice one Rennie, This bike grows on you and I would get this over the GS and RT for touring tarmac. I miss Free Wheeling and I thought it was the best bike mag in the newsagents. Im still a big fan of printed magazines.
Great review well done. Why is it that very good journalist like you can also present well to camera, with no ums, ahs and "likes" from the yanks! You shoudl/could run a TG for bikes please.
The main reason I gave up BMW (Boxer) ownership was the high cost of ownership per mile. Aside from the thousand dollar "major maintenance" schedules I also had wonky tire wear issues. God help me if anything actually broke, I'd just give Otto my credit card, sell off my assets and return in a week to find out when I could pick up the bike. Not to say they're not sweet rides, but they're not for the light of wallet. I've owned three new bikes since my last Beemer and the cost per mile - for all three bikes - has been less than the one BMW. Just my experience, or common - I don't know, before I take another gamble, I'd love to hear from other high mileage owners . . . .
Rennie Scaysbrook "I think this one (the flat twin) will retain the buyers of the BMw brand.... Where as the S1000XR will draw in riders to the BMW brand that weren't there before..." Lol, awkward. I wonder, have you ever heard of the K1300r and K1300s? They are in line 4cyl BMW bikes that are sport tourers and have been around for some time. But yes, the S100XR will bring something new to the brand, a chain.... something BMW riders have been asking for for many years (said now BM rider ever). Here is to hoping they don't look to extend the market to too many new buyers... not sure I could handle the continued regression in tech and the normalisation of a once 'go our own way' brand.
To the anonymous uswg01, I've never posted my exact comment about the cost of BMW ownership. As I said on the post, BMW bikes are sweet rides - I've owned them, I know that to be true. However, another truth is the relatively high (excessive) cost of ownership. Personally, I've also had more problems with BMW dealerships than I've had with my other bikes, and my experience extends over 40+ years, many bikes and more than 500 000 k's of riding 160 000 on BMW's. Jealous? Nope. It's just my opinion.
I own four Beemers and have owned many prior to the four I have now and I have no excessive costs. Is my ownership typical? I do not know. I have read stories such as yours but my experience indicates otherwise.
+JEFFREY WILSON but for the same price you can get a s1000xr. its a hard decision. have ridden the s1000xr and it is amazing too. I'm looking at both and they are exactly the same price.
Just bought one, white with a red frame. 2017 model. Lovely.
Learned on dirt bikes (Yamaha 185 DTN, Honda 250XR), then in 1987 jumped to a 87 Yamaha FZR1000. Took a break then got a 74 Guzzi V7 sport in 98. Had a kid, just turned 50, and this video really turned my crank. Great review!
I love these big twins. I currently own a 2000 BMW R1100S and prior to that a '94 R1100RS. I cannot afford new so I am a used bike guy. I am afraid to test ride the RS as I might find I cannot live without it! I enjoy my 1100S however and its has lots of life left.
This for sure is my current favourite motorcycle.
To James Dunn - That's good to hear. Perhaps my experience with excessive maintenance costs (parts, labour, scheduled and unscheduled) is more a result of the dealership than an artifact of the brand. I used to say that Beemers were now "out of my system" - used to call the BMW bikes I rode half NASA and half John Deere.
However, there's no denying recent improvements are making the marque much more attractive. Wet clutch, liquid cooling, and the amazing electronic engineering makes them very appealing. Thanks for helping me keep an open mind.
I rode the iconic version, it really is an accomplished bike. I felt very safe going fast, and it does have neck wrenching torque. It's no Ducati Monster or Superduke, but worth a look.
Mate, what a bloody good review. BTW, when is the major service due? I wonder how many bills for a valve clearance check and oil change. As much as I would love to own this very bike, the Kawasaki 1400 GTR I currently own is ridiculously reliable and and oil and filter changes takes ten minutes. OK, I had to spend a thousand bucks on seat, bar risers and shield, but she's a good bike.
The model you tested looks as if it got raised handle bars. Is it right or is it stock? if it is stock i wouldn't call it "crazily comfortable" the bars are too low and to far in the front to call it that!
BMW has so many niche bikes now is hard to keep up. If you want the S1000RR engine in a naked or sport tourer you can have it. If you want the flat twin in a any chassis they just about make it. Are all of them needed? I don't really think so...
Any vibration through the grips? especially while cruising??
nice bike
Fuel tank is too small for Australia, other than that it's looks alright!
Is this a great do everything, city/commute, sport, tour, groceries etc bike? I like the K1600GTLE for everything it has but don't like the weight, super power, or uber tourer type thing of that or the RT. I'm young, like sport bikes but don't want to ride a track bike everywhere or lose out on practicality.
This is a pretty good option. I think a K16 would be a bit too big for what you're thinking. The RS is plenty good for weekend riding and it's super comfortable, plus the engine is bulletproof. Not sure on what the running costs would be but it's certainly a good alternative between a sportbike and something like the K16.
Thanks for the feedback. A full spec RS and GTLE are so expensive the 4-5 grand difference by my mods would be negligible. I'd rather have the right one. I think the R1200RT has too much German spunk or funk and is a bit wacky although probably a great bike. Because of that I like that the GTLE is like a spaceship, but that spaceship probably isn't very agile. It was either the RS, RT, or GTLE. Need something that will be good for 10 minute jaunts, neighborhoods, cross town, commuting, sport, tour, and comfort. I guess the protection on the RS could be upgraded if I turned out to want it. As a newer rider and first to this type of thing I'd rather just have one bike and zen than have 2-3 cheaper ones and not be able to know any of them that well. Although I like the GTLE in terms of style I don't really think someone in my position needs that style of motorcycle... the only reason I'm drawn to it is because they don't give that kind of a full spec motorcycle anywhere else (and reserve it for the flagship). I'd go with Ducati if the Supersport S could take some lessons from BMW. I only weigh 140lbs at 5'9"-5'10". Not much experience maneuvering heavy bikes at all. The 550 seems solid enough on the RS without being too much. Probably be close to 600 by the time I'm done with it. I do like sportbikes but am not concerned with being a track guy or squeezing all the performance out of the modern ones. I do like spirited cruising. In cars I tend to go for GT style, BMW 2 series or Porsche Cayman. The lines of motorcycles are so convoluted and full of compromise. You'd think it would be easy to deliver the kind of motorcycle I seek and just charge the right price tag for it... but I guess that would be too much competition for their tourer. It seems like the market would like something like that... maybe more in Europe than the States though. I don't really like on the RS that the only visible color scheme makes the bike look really bad. Looks pretty decent in the grey. Their top case is freakin ugly too... would definitely do Givi with full Admore lighting... Half the reason I like luggage is to light up behind me and put Vololights back there. The RS is a really appealing motorcycle but something about that middle of the road design keeps it from being sexy or appealing without pause. I think Ducati could take this market if they wanted to with a variation of the Supersport S. They just need to catch up to BMW. My 3 series I had in 2003-2008 though was my favorite car ever, not because it had the power of my mustang or the exhileration of my 350z but because it was just so well engineered and compliant .... it disappeared in my hands and just elevated driving to a high level. The muscle is fun but is very limited and the 350Z is passionate and gnarly but is full of pain in the butts everywhere else. Though the 3 series was down on power it was such a great car. That is what I figured the RS would be like compared to the Ducati. Maybe it's because they designed the RS off another bike and just slapped some fairings on... in that case they didn't do too bad but why don't they just purpose build this bike from the ground up to do what it does better?
I agree with you, I hope they make more of these sporty touringbikes. Like Kawasaki Z1000SX, Ducati Supersport, and this BMW R1200Rs. I also hope they make them more powerfull and more beautiful. Imagine if the Supersport S had 150 horsepower and better legroom and cruise control. Or this R1200RS had more top end power and was lower to the ground with more fairings to make it look better :)
Nice one Rennie,
This bike grows on you and I would get this over the GS and RT for touring tarmac.
I miss Free Wheeling and I thought it was the best bike mag in the newsagents. Im still a big fan of printed magazines.
Me too, I think it will be the best of both worlds between the GS and RT. Im liking the black with tinted screen
Im not keen on panniers but they serve a purpose. I like the Kriega gear or compact soft panniers
***** especially with a few dings and stickers
mintpaul Thanks very much mate. Yeah Free Wheeling was fun, shame it didn't work. The RS is a good thing, surprisingly good.
Great review well done. Why is it that very good journalist like you can also present well to camera, with no ums, ahs and "likes" from the yanks! You shoudl/could run a TG for bikes please.
XenonOzHID Thanks very much! I'm enjoying the camera work right now.
The main reason I gave up BMW (Boxer) ownership was the high cost of ownership per mile. Aside from the thousand dollar "major maintenance" schedules I also had wonky tire wear issues. God help me if anything actually broke, I'd just give Otto my credit card, sell off my assets and return in a week to find out when I could pick up the bike. Not to say they're not sweet rides, but they're not for the light of wallet. I've owned three new bikes since my last Beemer and the cost per mile - for all three bikes - has been less than the one BMW. Just my experience, or common - I don't know, before I take another gamble, I'd love to hear from other high mileage owners . . . .
Rennie Scaysbrook
"I think this one (the flat twin) will retain the buyers of the BMw brand.... Where as the S1000XR will draw in riders to the BMW brand that weren't there before..." Lol, awkward.
I wonder, have you ever heard of the K1300r and K1300s? They are in line 4cyl BMW bikes that are sport tourers and have been around for some time.
But yes, the S100XR will bring something new to the brand, a chain.... something BMW riders have been asking for for many years (said now BM rider ever).
Here is to hoping they don't look to extend the market to too many new buyers... not sure I could handle the continued regression in tech and the normalisation of a once 'go our own way' brand.
To the anonymous uswg01, I've never posted my exact comment about the cost of BMW ownership. As I said on the post, BMW bikes are sweet rides - I've owned them, I know that to be true. However, another truth is the relatively high (excessive) cost of ownership. Personally, I've also had more problems with BMW dealerships than I've had with my other bikes, and my experience extends over 40+ years, many bikes and more than 500 000 k's of riding 160 000 on BMW's. Jealous? Nope. It's just my opinion.
I own four Beemers and have owned many prior to the four I have now and I have no excessive costs. Is my ownership typical? I do not know. I have read stories such as yours but my experience indicates otherwise.
Niko VI. Have you ridden this bike? I'm assuming not. I have, and it's phenomenal. Back up your claims.
+Dan Hill As did I and all I can say is....I WANT THIS BIKE!!!! Beautiful, easy to ride, great performance and best of all....That flat twin!!!!
+JEFFREY WILSON but for the same price you can get a s1000xr. its a hard decision. have ridden the s1000xr and it is amazing too. I'm looking at both and they are exactly the same price.
I've never seen a more...German, motorcycle.
I'd rather see the XR donk in the RS bike
Prettiest Beemer made..