2017 BMW R 1200RS (1000 miles) - Detailed Review

Appreciate the review is a few years old now but is good opportunity to pick up on a few points as I’m about to buy one of the 1200’s over the 1250’s. First is cost. Compared with any other sports tourer they are not that expensive unless fully loaded. Servicing is not that expensive and running costs are reasonable. My GSA was the best bike I ever owned and I regret selling it. 325mile range and supreme comfort for me were matched by peerless handling helped by dynamic esa and tele-lever front suspension and it is a shame this doesn’t have it. Torque is not 125ftlbs as you claim. It’s 92ftlbs but that’s still a lot. Yes, the 1250 is up on power from 125 to 136 bhp but don’t let that put anyone off the 1200 as imho it’s the more reliable and quieter engine and you really won’t feel disadvantaged by the 10bhp less. Acceleration 0-60 is still an eye opening sub 3 seconds which is sports bike territory. Secondly, front brake links rear but tear brake is not linked to the front. The other thing is on extras it is worth having the navigation prep and centre stand and heated grips. After market is strong on these and get the touring and comfort packs as pannier choice is good and heated grips a must. Screens are after thoughts and disappointing at this price point as is the fact buttons are not back lit like Triumphs. Uk made Aero blade screens are great and avoid tall ones as in hit countries for touring you want some airflow over you! Protect centre stand by fitting a touratech or rugged roads bash plate as this helps keep underside clean. A rear hugger is a must. Finally if buying used like me, go for 2017/18 model which adds option of led screen. Its worth it. Once run in, fuel economy is very good. I was averaging 55mpg without any trouble and that was spirited riding on the much heavier GSA. I would recommend the GSA if mainly touring or commuting long distance for extra height, legroom, tele-lever and full led plus spotlights plus tank range and the RS for shorter commutes and occasional touring. At 5’8” I had no problem with the GSA and seeing over traffic was a huge benefit as was touring comfort. No other bike dies it better. Bmw are still king when it cones to touring and reliability and build quality unlike their car division which isn’t so good. They hold used values well. Expect to pay £11K for a 2 to 3 yr old SE model, the most popular choice. Good review overall. You wont want any other bike after trying a boxer. Grunt makes life so much easier.

A review that's still relevant today and much of the observations you had apply to the 1250RS too, though the 1250 now has the TFT and you can get it with tubular bars which makes a huge difference especially if you're a shorter rider. I've recently changed from a 1250GS and the RS is more engaging to ride and far easier to manage at low speed and is very planted so gives the rider a lot of confidence and the traditional UD forks give far more feedback that the GS's telelever (but the GS has a plusher ride). The pillion experience isn't good if you're a short rider as they sit higher than you do as yiu reach for the bars, the screen is still rubbish but a Puig Ultimate touring screen or MRA Vario solves that and the mirrors are better on the GS. Overall if you're not touring 2 up the RS has a lot going for it and is significantly cheaper than the equivelently spec'd GS too now, especially when compared to the new 1300.

Thanks mate. Buying one tomorrow and reaffirmed the decision by watching a decent honest review.

great review Glen thanks for spending the time to do so

Thanks for taking the time. Very informative!

Thanks for a great insight, I am a newbie and looking at moving up to a bigger bike, this model on list and your review most appreciated.

Great review honest and to the point planning a visit to CH this morning.

Nice, in-depth review with a personal touch, much thanks!

Thank you for the great review, it was very helpful and certainly was detailed. Hope you're still enjoying the BMW, it's a beautiful bike.

Fantastic, real world review. Wish there were more like this!

The Wunderlich screen takes all the noise and wind flow away and makes for an amazing ride. Highly recommended and was the first thing I fitted to my RS when I got it a couple of months ago.

What a really good, honest review. 👍

Great review thank you 👍

Great review, enjoy and ride safe.

Nice review, I have the same bike in the same colour. Agree with the not very effective windscreen, though I'll have to pick you up on the linked braking. Lined works with the front brake only - ie, applying the front brake adds a small degree of braking to the rear wheel also. But applying the back brake through the foot pedal applies rear braking only (no front brake at all). As for cost, yes, they're quite expensive, but not excessively so - and when you come to sell, you'll find they hold their value fantastically well. One thing maybe worthy of note is that it's quite a long wheelbase machine and the fork angle is relatively shallow. This gives the bike fantastic stability on the open road, but does make steering in cities a little heavy and slow - the steering lock isn't the sharpest either. Overall though, an absolutely fabulous bike :)

Nice review and love the colour combo. I ride an 850GS but wouldn't mind this model

beautiful bike, ride safe.

Perfect review. Answered my questions. What riser do you have installed?

Excellent review, will look out for more of your content. To mention, 125 nm torque, not lb ft.

wow detailed review thanks , I want one