New Member Introductions » Down R1200S driver replacement with RS

Mark here in Bay Area, California USA.
Expecting to replace my R1200S with 143K miles on it, for an RS.
Really liked my S. I'm an older rider. The bike is tired and I want a slightly more relaxed seating position.
Thought about S1000R. Ridden one. But no well-engineered locking luggage options. Only improvisations.
Have ridden water-cooled BMW twins: RT and GS. They're different. Feel a lot like a Honda, which is no slight. I've had many Hondas in the past.
Two things I'll miss, though, is the telelever (forgiving, no maintenance) and the separate gearbox (keeps all the tranny metal filings out of the motor). But you can't have everything, apparently. Honestly, I wish the RS had the Camhead motor and telelever.

Retired from 35 years in the motorcycle industry. Started street riding as a lad on Nortons in the 1970's.

What would really help to know is how mileage affects the RS. Like 20K and 40K (miles). Perhaps owners here keep a bike log with service notes (I do for all vehicles). I'll start a relevant thread on the topic.

Have a lot of time on my hands with this newly declared COVID-19 related shelter-in-place order. Perhaps I'll be able to make a meaningful contribution here.
Cheers to all.

Welcome!

Welcome Mark! Bay Area rider here also, there's a handful of us.

I apologize that I can't speak of high mileage. I bought my '16 exactly a year ago with 7500mi and only have added about 3k on it due to a 2 mile commute and lots of work travel this year. What I can say is, you will not be disappointed with this bike! It is wonderful in so many ways.

Hope you find one that suits you.

Zitat von Mark R 1200 S im Beitrag #1

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Thought about S1000R. Ridden one. But no well-engineered locking luggage options. Only improvisations.

What would really help to know is how mileage affects the RS. Like 20K and 40K (miles). Perhaps owners here keep a bike log with service notes (I do for all vehicles). I'll start a relevant thread on the topic.

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Maybe this helps, probably just confuses things :-
Had the following R1200 - S ST R RS RS
Still have the 2005 ST, the 'keeper' so far and comfortable, tele lever, abs power brakes (two yearly fluid changes from new)
This is the 'base' level for comfort, the 2007 R1200S (ohlins/wide rear wheel) was swopped out as not getting used as much, you know that point on a journey when you eaze back, straghten your back, fingers lightly on the grips for a miles before carrying on? That relief move is the default ST position as a guide.
Next was a R1200R, high seat and that was a bit more upright, as you would expect, from the ST and despite only a fly screen it took me to Norway, 5000 miles in two weeks in comfort.
Both the 2015 and 2017 RS are just above the ST for comfort and forward lean, not as upright as the R, both had the sport seat (misnamed? as it is the higher seat, much like the R1200R had) and perfect for 8 to 10 hour rides. My longest days have been 18 - 20 hours (985 miles Denmark home to uk 20 hrs and 4/500 miles in Norway where 80kph/50mph ment 18 hours - midnight across arctic circle centre after 9am start)
I am under 6ft and for a road rider I think the RS is the GS riders missed option, and it is easier to move around, narrower to filter in traffic.
The 2005 ST - had to have the rear drive rebuilt last year @ 39,000 miles but I still consider the failure due to the original stupid idea of maintenance free, no oil changes required, since amended to 6000 mile but the damage was probably already done. I would take either the ST or RS tonight for another europe trip (usually 4/5000 miles in 3 weeks) but not likely to get a chance this year with the virus lock downs.

One of my riding friends has a '16 RS and has topped 60,000 miles without any problems. Another also has a '16 RS and almost 50,000 miles without problems. I currently have a '17 RS with over 30,000 and no problems. My previous '16 RS had almost 30,000 miles and was bought back by BMW for constant water pump leaks (never enough to cause overheating, just unsightly). Other than that, it was flawless. I know several others with water cooled boxers (RT, GS, GSA) and no one seems to be having any troubles, regardless of mileage. I think the late models are going to be the most trouble free Beemers so far.

Frank

Excellent replies. Grateful.
Haven't yet decided on which RS. Either would be suitable. On the used market here in USA there is a relatively wide price gap for the 1200, based on location, mileage and private/dealer. Price also apparently driven down some by 1250.
Factory side and top luggage are required for my purposes.

Took some time to settle on a specific model for replacement. Unless something somehow come up during this indefinite delay imposed by Covid-19 policy, very much looking forward to an RS for the 2020's.

(Right now motorcycle shops and dealers in the Bay Area are ordered closed. It's even against the spirit of policy to go look at private sellers' bikes on Craigslist.)