BMW R1200S (2006 - 2007) Review

Year: 2006

Disagree with MCN's review. This was a superb all rounder.

Buying experience: Bought 2nd hand from a main dealer, and at the time I thought it was great value for money. And still do.

Version: Sport

Year: 2007

I wanted to move to something less extreme and love the look of these. The test ride was comfortable so i took the plunge.After a few thousand miles i can say:- The non-linear throttle is bad enough to consider selling it.- If you tip in to a corner with commitment, the front has zero feel. At slower speeds it's ok.- My hands go numb after 30 minutes on the motorway.- Said numb hands then can't find the absurd three indicator layout.- The straight line braking is phenomenal.- It's very fuel efficient.- It's sensible.- It handles pretty well, if you're firm with it.

Buying experience: Private, lovely chap.

Version: Ohlins/Fat back wheel

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £200

Don't agree at all with the MCN summary. Toured all over Europe on this in the 20teens. Now 2021 and still have it, still enjoying it during the summer months here in Bonnie Scotland. Not the fastest thing on the road, but the quality of design and engineering is top notch. Love the traditional BMW indicator arrangement, they never should've changed it. Never seen another on the road, and for real world riding its the bees-knees. Not however ideal for a pillion.

Buying experience: Had a test ride and immediately traded in my boxer cup replica for the r1200s. Faster, lighter, better handling, the 12 was a huge step up from the 11. Love it and never looked back.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £250

Full of character,engineering

Buying experience: Bought from a local trusted dealer

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £150

Seat a bit hard after about 4 hours..but it is a sport/touring bike.

Buying experience: Dealer. Paid 8400 in 2006. Advertised for 8600.

Year: 2006

Love it, best bike ever ridden after 30yrs of riding, may not have the best handling, power and etc... But it is so user friendly that it can be ridden slow in city and very very fast on highway, can reasure me in corners and yet able to tour on it with super good FC at 20km/ltr and optional tank bag and side panniers.

Year: 2007

I've ridden for thirty years, partial to Euro bikes, thought I was partial to Triumph's and Moto Guzzi's. Owned a K1200GT for a while, didn't light me up. Along with a Ducati ST4s, I ride the R12s. I love it to death. If I were forced to part with one of these, the choice would be easy....the yellow Boxer!

Buying experience: Bought privately, these bikes attract fastidious owners.

Year: 2007

Fantastic sports tourer

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £400

Have just become a BAB after 18 years off them (bad accident in 97 after 25 years of very good times indeed) I bought my BMW because although I wanted "sporty" I didn't want "race replica". I also wanted a bike that could already be considered a "classic" (whatever that means), featured high build quality, stood out well and truly from the crowd, was technically "interesting" and of a "clean" integrated design. The R1200S ticks all these boxes for me. Its not an out and outs sports bike, but as 80% of Australian bikers ride Harleys, it is very sporting indeed by comparison with one of those sheds. It does vibrate (tingle) a bit, but that's all part of its character. I like the big twin motor (only ever had jap 4's all those years ago) and the shaft drive; its very grunty indeed and fairly bellows at high revs. The engineering quality is self evident and I like the way BMW didn't follow the crowd with this bike. It reminds me of Fred Dibnahs traction engine and long may it continue to do so. It is VERY satisfying indeed to ride.

Buying experience: Bought privately sight unseen except for a load of digital photos sent to me by the seller over the net. The seller was located in one of Perth's (Western Australia) best suburbs so I took the punt and everything worked just like magic. This model of bike doesn't attract idiots so I felt quite secure in this respect. Question: why are BMW dealers so snooty?

I've just sold my R1200S, which I owned for nearly 4 years. I traded in for for my next bike and got 67% of the value I originally paid for it back. Now that is value for money. Its by far and away the best bike I've ever owned and I've had 1 Honda, 2 Suzuki's, 2 Yamahas and 4 Triumphs over the years. No stupid oily chain to deal with and character galore. MCN have got it wrong on this one.

Real bike, sporty and comfy in one package. Suspension is excellent, especially on twisty roads. Has torque enough to challenge japan made plastic risepots. Sound is only poor thing. I've have ridden silver one this summer, with great pleasure.

Real bike, sporty and comfy in one package. Suspension is excellent, especially on twisty roads. Has torque enough to challenge japan made plastic risepots. Sound is only poor thing. I've have ridden silver one this summer, with great pleasure.

BMW are attemping to lure owners away from the boring and somewhat overcrowded Japanese inline 4 market by offering a "Real World" sportsbike with the proven reliability of the most powerful (122hp) boxer engine they have ever made. The looks certainly aren't in Ducati 996 territory, but it's without a doubt the most beautiful twin they have made, especially in plain black. I would recommend the alt drive option and the "sports" back wheel (190 from standard 180). Ohlins shock doesnt really make much difference on the road and is a rather expensive option. Vibrations are noticeable however I found after fitting a full remus system it not only improved the look of the back end, but helped the engine to rev more freely - all backed up by a thumping note. Highly recommended if you want a performance bike with ample torque and the charm of a twin. 0-100 it will keep up with most bikes out there. Strengths: Lightweight, well balanced bike with a somewhat "classic ducati" look in many regards. Without a doubt the prettiest "boxer" BMW especially in the gorgeous black paint they offer. Engine has plenty of torque and revs better than a standard boxer BMW. Fast bike from 0-100. Weaknesses: The standard version without the alternative drive has a tall first gear making fast take offs a little more difficult than they should be. Standard exhaust system is ugly and muted, a remus system is recommended. Also there is no real need for the lack of fuel gauge on the bike. Vibrations are noticeable over 5k revs.

Saw the picture early in the year and fell in love immediately. Ordered it just from the photos and was not disappointed. It's still early days, and have just had the first service so not yet fully used its potential (probably never will!), but the power is very usable, and performance and handling gives lots of confidence. Strengths: In the flesh the looks are fantastic, I love the rear end. The handling inspires lots of confidence with loads of usalble power. Weaknesses: Some people will not like the look of the old style boxer twin engine, and if you are after something for track days, there are more focused performance machines out their, otherwise for a usable real world sports bike it's fantastic!