BMW R1200R (2015 - 2019) Review

Front brakes do the job but feel they could be a bit sharper, as said it’s a heavy bike so the Brembo do the job

Enough power and torque for the UK

It’s not got too many miles on it so it’s like new bike with 12k miles , been very reliable so far

I’ve had 12k service at BMW, wasn’t cheap £450 but a one off, future oil changes will be done at home

Electronic suspension, I didn’t really want it but it does a good job and dynamic mode stiffens the suspension up enough to keep up with sports bikes on twisty roads Bike had panniers, centre stand , dynamic ESA etc.

Twin Bembo callipers at the front and single to the rear - Says it all really - Fantastic

Everything to like and nothing to dislike - Brings such a smile to your face - With Shift Assist Pro and Blip it is so quick and very quiet

The quality runs through the bike like a stick of rock

Like any BMW you can rack up the cost if you start to add any extras - Mine is basic but doesn't feel like I'm missing out on anything except a screen - Should be standard

I don't have a pillion. It is important to have the right seat as BMW do them in different sizes. The bike manages full panniers , top box and a seat stacked with bags with effortless aplomb.

Grunty, slightly noisy but it's a Boxer not an inline four. Can surprise sportsbikes on twisty roads due to the effortless low down torque.

Corrosion on engine is annoying I'd expect better. The bodywork paint finish is good but the wheels also have some corrosion.

The dealership I have used do not inspire me with confidence. In future I shall probably travel further and try another. When the staff all seem stressed and grumpy it is not a good sign.

I fitted Shad luggage, better than BMWs own. I like the NAV and heated grips. More than enough toys for someone who started riding bikes in the mid eighties.

This bike is all day comfortable, subject to the usual (old man’s?) problems of stiff knees etc. I usually have to fit aftermarket seats to my bikes, but this is still on the standard seat. i did fit some bar risers. But, again, that s an ‘old man’ thing. I’ve regularly ridden for around 8 hours with breaks for fuel, toilets, coffee etc.

BMW 1200lc boxer engines are nice, torquey motors and, although you have to rev them, to get the most from the torque, 3-5 thousand revs are adequate for all but the fastest take offs.

My bike is now almost 6 years old, and still looks like new, when it’s been cleaned properly. It’s lost 1 star as I had to replace the brake discs at 28,000 miles, due to the front ones being slightly warped. This is the first time I’ve had to replace discs at such a low mileage.My quick shifter works well but is a bit stiff. The newer ones (on the R1250R) are much smoother.

These bikes are not cheap to buy, but depreciation is then quite low. Servicing could probably be a little cheaper, if I didn’t use the main dealer, but the warranty on used bikes is excellent.

The electronic suspension makes all the big BMs a pleasure to ride, and this is no different. I had to change the silencer, as the standard one is massive. This is understandable, due to current type approval. But BMW then added insult to injury by chroming it, so you can’t ignore it.

At it's best Rolling through twisties or slicing through traffic. 2 hours easily without a stretch

Love the boxer engine. Loads of torque and effortless riding without wringing it's neck.

Bmw quality, no complaints.

Has all I need, fuel gauge, gear indicator, riding modes, heated grips.

All the time and great all-rounder around 2- 2 1/2 hours

Power great

Super build and totally reliable

Exhaust after market

Brakes are excellent with plenty of feel to them. The suspension however is a little too firm when on its softest setting. I weigh only 67kgs and find that on the softest setting I get bounced around on badly surfaced roads, which let's be honest account for at least 50% of UK roads. There are plenty of adjustment possibilities in the ESA options and fully loaded it probably rides with less bounce.

Engine is a peach with plenty of usable torque low down the rev range so no need to play tunes on the gearbox unless you are in the mood. The engine gets a little vibey above 4-5k but it's a boxer and that's its character.

Having only the bike for 9 months and covered only 2,500 miles (Covid restricted) I cannot really comment on reliability but no issue to date and finish is very good if you accept that there are probably too many plastic body parts that could have been finished to a higher standard

I have yet to pay for an annual service but being a BMW I do not expect it to be cheap. Fuel costs however are very reasonable with the bike returning 60+ mpg on average providing you do not ride like a WSB rider.

Being the Sport model my bike, purchased as a used model, had loads of electronic toys, whether they are all really required is debatable but they are convenient and work. I even find the cruise control and heated grips great for long journeys. You don't get a rear hugger on the bike and the front mudguard is too short but that's common to the majority of modern bikes so I am not going to downgrade the score on these items,

Done several 2500 mile trips pillion no gripes.

I bought this bike primarily because had both hips done GSXR had to go. Didn’t particularly like the style but wanted to go to continent. Still prefer sports bikes for looks. But what can I say bike is superb. Fuel consumption amazing for a bike with fair bit of grunt semi active suspension great. No chain to lube or adjust, and for its size it’s got a decent price of power. Weak points not a lot, I feel the brembo could maybe have better master cylinder, cruise control amazing but getting more common. Forgotten bike in bmw range. But shouldn’t be.

Shitty lightweight front wheel bearings other than that nothing negative. Quickshifter auto blipped work well.

My bikes got every option apart from keyless ignition. Top box it to small other than that I think needs all the options. Typical BMW they don’t come cheap. Navigator v1 amazing

Quite powerful but manageable and econoy

Very well built nutlike most bikes these days doesn’t have a proper rear mudguard

Comfort and handling

Back brake is very good, great engine braking, quick shift works a treat when you get used to it, especially the down shifts. The front headlight is not much cop in the dark. Lovely two up bike . We ride in general from a full tank till the fuel light comes on. 2hrs and we are ready for a break. Bike has a centre stand which is great for tyre changing and servicing but can be a bit disconcerting for the missus when it starts to scrape. It really is a great looking bike with muscle presence, retro appeal and a lovely soundtrack even with the standard exhaust. Why anyone would change it is beyond me.

I dislike nothing about the engine. Great acceleration, well mannered in all gears.

Still looks like new. Never been near a salted road though. It really does have a premium bike feel. Everything works as it should. Bought a grp hugger for it to protect the fancy esa shock, a fenda extenda and inexpensive chinese lower front casing and zorst crossover protector. The paint system on the rims is a bit shallow. So extra care needed when changing tyres.

I am a diy enthusiast so in the main, lubricants, coolant, hydraulics filters, plugs,pads and valve clearances only cost me the materials. A Haynes or Clymer is a must.

sat nav 5 , wonder wheel, esa, quick shift pro, auto lights, brembo`s, cornering abs, dash, riding modes all work well, tyre pressure sensors work, even tell you pressure. I swear by Maxxis tyres, and try not to dick about with expensive after market tat other than bits previously mentioned. The bike is great from the factory and the after market crap that gets fitted might not be the next would be owners choice.

Breaks are very strong although they don't bite immediately and take a small amount of lever travel before they engage. But once there... they are very strong. Ride quality is very smooth and comfortable. Wind protection is not good as would be expected from a naked bike so an after market screen (BMW touring screen) was necessary and has made it much more bearable in the winter.

Ballistic... what a peach of an engine. Grab a test ride to experience it for yourself.

So far perfect. The bike is beautifully put together with quality components and switch gear. I know the servicing will be a bit pricey... but it's a BMW after all.

I'm getting 50 mpg pretty consistently. Hooligan mode riding will reduce it to 45 mpg but motorway riding will see 55+ mpg. I bought mine as an ex-demo bike with 1500 miles and saved about £1500 from the retail price. At that level it was great value.

BMW are never terribly generous with spec and you have to pay for it. That said you do get ABS and two riding modes as standard and the bike is very comfy straight out of the box. Personally I don't think the dynamic suspension is worth paying for unless you're going to do lots of two-up riding. The one must-have item which is not fitted by BMW is a rear hugger or 'mudsling'. The rear wheel does throw a lot of water onto the back of the riders legs, so this (for most) will need to be an immediate fit.

Brakes: are great but take their time to kick in, on my last bike the bite was straight away and it stopped on the stop, but with this big, they take longer to engage and it seems to like stopping over a longer distance, should be ok, but have had a couple of hairy moments. Pillion: Happy to ride for a couple of hours in the saddle, very enjoyable, no issues with the suspension and set up. You pillion will get very wet from the spray from the back wheel.

Amazing motor, pulls like a truck on steroids. Love leaving it in a high gear and then giving it some beans, and hearing the noise from the Remus can I had installed. Just love not having to worry about being in the right gear or the speed, as with the 800cc BMW's. Engine modes are very good, have loved using the rain mode to help in the wet and when by myself, putting it in User and seeing what the bike can do.

Rear or the bike has small scratches on it already from pillions getting on and off. Everything else is amazing, starts every time and no issues with double starts.

Only had it for a month so far, so hoping this doesn't run into millions, but so far the bike seems no more expensive than my triumph street triple R. Not looking forward to the 12,000 miles service, as I have been told it going to be an average of £400.00.

Made sure I got the sports version (red and white) and it had every single option added to it. The bike is the most advanced thing I have every owned and I love playing with the toys on it. The blipper and gear assist are not important and you can do without, but are fun when used. The modes and setting are worth the money and having the day running light is a good option too. I also brought the side luggage and SatNav 5, as I have decided to be a weekend tourer, both are a good buy, but the SatNav 5 is bloody amazing (expensive) just easy to use and gives you some much information about your journeys and the bike stats.