BMW R1100S as a commuter/Tourer??

[ST Guy]

That's not exactly true, at least not relative to the ST1300. In the last four or five years, the Yamaha has gotten electronically adjustable suspension, LED lights and LED cornering lights, and of course, a six-speed transmission.

Agree. Many ST owners feel that Honda dropped the ball way back in 2003 with the 1300. They wanted more power and while they got it, it wasn't much of an increase. They wanted less weight and they got maybe 10 lbs less. And they dropped traction control. The ST1100 was the last project that Sochiro Honda was personally involved in and it was his baby. At the time, when it first came out, it was an AWESOME sport tourer. A testament to that the ST1100 is still probably the most common police bike in the world. And it's a great long distance ride.

If I were getting a new bike today, it would be the Yamaha.

 

[anytwowilldo]

I seem to recall a video of a BMW burning to the ground because of the plastic quick disconnects.

My 03 R1150RT started leaking gas in the garage, 7 feet from the water heater. Traced the leak to the plastic fuel disconnects. I replaced them with the metal units. BMW should never have used plastic.

 

[Kornholio]

That's not exactly true, at least not relative to the ST1300. In the last four or five years, the Yamaha has gotten electronically adjustable suspension, LED lights and LED cornering lights, and of course, a six-speed transmission.

So they got the same stuff everyone else did many years before...that's not exactly being current or innovative on Yamaha's part.

 

[Surj]

So they got the same stuff everyone else did many years before...that's not exactly being current or innovative on Yamaha's part.

Well, I didn’t say they were exactly innovating. I mean, six speeds man.

But if you look at the timeline, they got electronically adjustable suspension on the FJR in a pretty timely manner (2013-14, depending on region) and cornering lights (2016) are still not commonplace. Besides, we were talking about relative the Honda, but really, the FJR is the most modern of the traditional sport tourers from a Japanese company.

 

[Kornholio]

It is? I think I'd rather have the Connie.

 

[ST Guy]

It is? I think I'd rather have the Connie.

I really liked the Concours when it first came out, but I hear it's a bit top heavy. My biggest beef with it, though, is the small fuel tank. I'm used to nearly 7.5 gallons. And I don't like the electronic key thing either. Just give me a simple key, thank you.

 

[second_red]

Recently rode a 2006 VFR 800 and a 2012 r1200r and as much as I really wanted to get the r12r (Classic with the Wunderlich fairing AND full Ohlins!), I actually enjoyed the more spirited feeling from the VFR. Full fairings didn't hurt either, especially at 60mph and above.

Two things I couldn't get past on the r12: a) The sideways tug on acceleration and b) The lack of pull or torque from a standstill compared to what I've ridden before. The VFR was super fun to take on Lowman's Loop and I never felt a lack of power at speed or standstill. The r12r seemed fine once I was going but off the line it felt kind of muted and flat from a power standpoint. Are those characteristics inherent to the Boxer engine and shaft drive or am I alone in these sentiments?

Not to change the subject entirely, but anyone have comments on the feel of VFR chain vs VFR shaft?

 

[Surj]

It is? I think I'd rather have the Connie.

If "It is?" is in reference to the relative modernity of the FJR, yes. But I too would prefer a Connie.

I really liked the Concours when it first came out, but I hear it's a bit top heavy. My biggest beef with it, though, is the small fuel tank.

Yeah. I've done a bunch of miles on a couple different Connies. Definitely needs more fuel capacity. I didn't find it to be top heavy so much as just heavy, but it's still my fave of the bunch. I've considered buying one several times in the last three years, and it's the weight that kills it for me. It's an awesome, capable bike.

Recently rode a 2006 VFR 800 and a 2012 r1200r and as much as I really wanted to get the r12r (Classic with the Wunderlich fairing AND full Ohlins!), I actually enjoyed the more spirited feeling from the VFR. Full fairings didn't hurt either, especially at 60mph and above.

Two things I couldn't get past on the r12: a) The sideways tug on acceleration and b) The lack of pull or torque from a standstill compared to what I've ridden before. The VFR was super fun to take on Lowman's Loop and I never felt a lack of power at speed or standstill. The r12r seemed fine once I was going but off the line it felt kind of muted and flat from a power standpoint. Are those characteristics inherent to the Boxer engine and shaft drive or am I alone in these sentiments?

Not to change the subject entirely, but anyone have comments on the feel of VFR chain vs VFR shaft?

I've owned several VFRs and a 2011 R1200R Classic. Loved 'em all, and never found the R to be slow, off the line or elsewhere.

There aren't any direct shaft versus chain comparisons with the VFR. The only shaft VFR was the 1200. Well, and the 1200X, which isn't really a VFR other than in name—although many would argue that neither is the regular 1200.

 

[bgamebiker]

Since you want a commuter the K1200S wouldn’t be my choice as the fuel mileage isn’t as good as a boxer Plus with all those Horse Pushers, your rear tire will wear very quickly no matter how easy you ride it .
PLUS the 2006 was the early one and in ‘08-‘09 or so the they redesigned the front end as it was very wooden feeling . worse than a telelever.

I think you've moved on from the '05+ K1200S, but thought I'd share my experience commutinh on an '06 K1200R for years, got it to 67K miles before I needed to address the clutch/ clutch basket - a $2,500 repair...

Pluses:
- fast in town and on the freeway. 167 HP!
- excellent build quality (no rust, corrosion, etc.)
- decent tank range (160+) during commute, 220 touring
- never had a major problem until I rode it out to Lost Coast and that road beat the living crap out of it to the point of the timing chain skipping a tooth (fixable, but had to be towed)

Minuses:
- the worst idle ever, including random stalls, especially as ambient temperatures increase
- bad clutch basket, sounds like the bottom end is going u til you pull in the clutch lever
- clunky transmission, especially into and out of 2nd
- 2 shaft drive seal failures, though the shaft drive never detonated
- big and heavy at low speeds

With enough garage space, I would have parked it until I could get around to the clutch, but I only have space for one bike.

Went to a '13 Speed Triple which I love It doesn't have the build quality of the Beemer, but it's so much fun. Too bad it's major service interval is 12,000 miles whicj goes for $1,100-$1,200... If you wrench yourself, then no biggy, but for a commuter that you have serviced in a shop, then it gets expensive

 

[gixxerjeff]

The Connie didn't get on my radar until they finally added a 6th gear. (2016?)
Now I think I want one.

 

[doc4216]

Recently rode a 2006 VFR 800 and a 2012 r1200r and as much as I really wanted to get the r12r (Classic with the Wunderlich fairing AND full Ohlins!), I actually enjoyed the more spirited feeling from the VFR. Full fairings didn't hurt either, especially at 60mph and above.

Two things I couldn't get past on the r12: a) The sideways tug on acceleration and b) The lack of pull or torque from a standstill compared to what I've ridden before. The VFR was super fun to take on Lowman's Loop and I never felt a lack of power at speed or standstill. The r12r seemed fine once I was going but off the line it felt kind of muted and flat from a power standpoint. Are those characteristics inherent to the Boxer engine and shaft drive or am I alone in these sentiments?

Not to change the subject entirely, but anyone have comments on the feel of VFR chain vs VFR shaft?

I sold my '06 VFR for my '10 r1200r and it was certainly the right choice for me. Too many gremlins with the vfr electrical system (even after upgrading the wiring harness, R/r, and two stators) however, it was a joy to ride. IMO, it is not as comfortable as the r12r and the fuel mileage is better on the r12r. This is the first shaft driven bike I have had but can say, it will be hard to go back to a chain after this. Overall, the only thing I miss about the vfr was the full fairings but I don't miss having to take them on and off the all the time to fix the stator!

 

[Kornholio]

The Connie didn't get on my radar until they finally added a 6th gear. (2016?)
Now I think I want one.

Don't you mean FJR? Connies always had a sixth cog.

 

[second_red]

I've owned several VFRs and a 2011 R1200R Classic. Loved 'em all, and never found the R to be slow, off the line or elsewhere.

I sold my '06 VFR for my '10 r1200r and it was certainly the right choice for me.

Ok maybe I didn’t give it a fair shake. A comfy city and long distance touring bike is definitely in my future so I’ll keep an eye out for one that was as sweet as the bike I passed on (it sold almost immediately after my hold expired). A couple shots of the actual bike that a lucky person is enjoying now. (Shout out to San Diego BMW for the low-pressure and super friendly sales and service staff)

 

[Surj]

Ok maybe I didn’t give it a fair shake. A comfy city and long distance touring bike is definitely in my future so I’ll keep an eye out for one that was as sweet as the bike I passed on (it sold almost immediately after my hold expired). A couple shots of the actual bike that a lucky person is enjoying now. (Shout out to San Diego BMW for the low-pressure and super friendly sales and service staff)

Eh, everyone's different. If it's not for you, it's not for you. But interestingly, I know of a few more people whose "upgrade path" was VFR --> R1200R.

That R is basically the same bike as mine, except I didn't ruin it with those stupid wheels. The "Classic" had spoked wheels stock, that were unfortunately tubed. I sealed mine, but some people switched to cast.

That fairing is also kind of a hot item, by Wunderlich.

One issue that the R1200Rs do have is poor air management for the rider. It seems the majority of owners complain about it, and it seems to be a combination of the tank shape (it seems to channel some turbulence up toward the rider) and maybe just the general forward profile of the bike: light, gauges, etc. I tried something like five screens and totally naked on my bike, and ultimately settled on the smallish BMW touring screen. Many people really liked the Wunderlich for wind management, but it might have been a factor of dropping $1k+ on it.

Anyway, like I said, if it's not for you, it's not for you. For me, probably the best bike I've owned. I wish I hadn't sold it.

 

[second_red]

Eh, everyone's different. If it's not for you, it's not for you. But interestingly, I know of a few more people whose "upgrade path" was VFR --> R1200R.

That R is basically the same bike as mine, except I didn't ruin it with those stupid wheels. The "Classic" had spoked wheels stock, that were unfortunately tubed. I sealed mine, but some people switched to cast.

That fairing is also kind of a hot item, by Wunderlich.

One issue that the R1200Rs do have is poor air management for the rider. It seems the majority of owners complain about it, and it seems to be a combination of the tank shape (it seems to channel some turbulence up toward the rider) and maybe just the general forward profile of the bike: light, gauges, etc. I tried something like five screens and totally naked on my bike, and ultimately settled on the smallish BMW touring screen. Many people really liked the Wunderlich for wind management, but it might have been a factor of dropping $1k+ on it.

Anyway, like I said, if it's not for you, it's not for you. For me, probably the best bike I've owned. I wish I hadn't sold it.

Yeah, I kind of wish I hadn't passed on it since it had full Ohlins in addition to side and top cases...and the sweet Wunderlich. That being said, the Kawi z900rs and Café Racer have been keeping me up at night! I think I could get by with some soft bags.

 

[Surj]

Yeah, I kind of wish I hadn't passed on it since it had full Ohlins in addition to side and top cases...and the sweet Wunderlich. That being said, the Kawi z900rs and Café Racer have been keeping me up at night! I think I could get by with some soft bags.

You've touched on another bike I really like. I didn't contribute to our review of the Z900RS, but my opinion is certainly woven into Max and Fish's story. I enjoyed it immensely, rode it faster than I expected, and really connected with it, for lack of a better way to say it. I have been thinking about it since we had it, how I'd put hard cases on it, etc.

I really like one-bike solutions, though I own several bikes. The R1200R and R1200GS are both examples of this, with very good rideability in town and on the road, and hard luggage. I also own a Buell Ulysses that offers a similar combination of usefulness and fun.

I know it's blasphemy to ugly-up an RS, but I really like hard sidecases and a topcase. I guess the same could be said of the R1200R Classic—it's a beautiful bike, but mine had a skid plate and a variety of other very utilitarian additions.

Anyway, blah blah blah. Yes, the Z900RS is rad.