Took the 1200RS for a test ride - my impressions

[Noel]

I also found clutch shifting very smooth, with the exception of going from neutral to first at a stop light, when the bike makes a big "CLONK" noise.

Dave, your RS is a 16 or 17? I ask because I know the 17 RT has had some modifications to improve the N-1st clunk w/ the addition of a judder damper. Though a lot of folks don't seem to mind the clunk I do so will typically kill the engine if I'm coming into a traffic light at the beginning of a full cycle, or otherwise keep the bike in gear to avoid the clunk. Also, when the engine is warm, or ambient temp is over about 66F on a cold engine, I always start the bike in 1st gear after rolling back a few inches to get some engine/gearbox separation thru the clutch. With these practices I don't get this clunk ever. Downshifting from say 2nd to 1st in a slow switch back I learned the key is to give much more revs than predicted and being very definite in the shift and all's well.

As for upshifts, are you being sure NOT to roll off the clutch while upshifting? If you do that I believe you're effectively bypassing Shift Assist Pro's working w/ the ignition cycle correctly. I ordered my RT w/o SAP, but have mastered clutch-less upshifting now by simulating what SAP does for upshifts so I can do upshifts w/ no lurch, so very smooth. I could have it retrofitted but haven't had the need to since mastering the upshift side. I don't mind downshifting w/ using the clutch so for the $900 charge to add SAP I'm disinclined, though I know folks really enjoy it.

I don't know about for RS, but for wet head RT it's very useful to inflate the front tire to 40psi to avoid cupping AND the makes quick turns easier. I find my RTW is much more friendly in tight fast turns than my GT was, and what I mean by that it is shockingly as flickable as long as you're staying awake, i.e. anticipating the next turn properly early enough, and holds my lines much better w/ less effort. I've probably become a better rider which may account for this behavior.

Enjoy, which I know you are ;o)

[Carlos Fandango]

The new Iconic version looks lovely

[Richard230]

I am pretty sure that the 2017 models have not yet been shipped to the U.S. market. My RS also really clunks also when shifting into first gear from neutral - when the oil is hot. However, during the first mile or so, the shifting is very smooth and quiet when the oil is cold. So the thin oil used in the LC engines probably has something to do with the violence of the "clunk". I suspect that the 2017 LC models, with the damping spring in the drive train and other minor gearbox changes may reduce the "clunk" and improve overall shifting when using the GASP system.

[Noel]

... the shifting is very smooth and quiet when the oil is cold.

So we just need to install a high quality active oil cooler you're saying

I wonder if as these engine/transmissions get serious wear in them that behavior will settle out. I have to think the reason you get the clunk w/ cold oil has more to do w/ the expansion the comes w/ warming the hard parts up, even a little. You'll note if your wet head is like mine when ambient temp starts approaching 70F even w/ a cold engine you will get the N to 1st clunk. I would imagine the change in viscosity from 60F to 70F oil is very very small, hence the hard parts expansion theory.

[Richard230]

My guess is that if the engine used a thicker oil the shifting would be quieter and smoother. But then that would likely result in more wear when cold as well as other problems, such as making less horsepower and hard starting when the air temperature drops below freezing. Anyway I am sticking with the recommended oil and weight and will put up with the clunk when shifting into first gear. It probably isn't any worse than most large cruiser V-twin engines.

[tarless]

It probably isn't any worse than most large cruiser V-twin engines.

Yeah but it's a "Sport Tourer."

[Bill the Cat]

The new Iconic version looks lovely

The "darth vader" version. Luke, I am your father.....

The force is with me in Alliance blue and white..

[Bill the Cat]

Yeah but it's a "Sport Tourer."

Yes, if BMW would only agree. I went from a Sport Tourer to a Sport Tourer, but my insurance company said I went from a sport tourer to a high performance sport bike, with a substantial increase.

[Richard230]

Yes, if BMW would only agree. I went from a Sport Tourer to a Sport Tourer, but my insurance company said I went from a sport tourer to a high performance sport bike, with a substantial increase.

Oddly, Progressive is charging me more to insure my 85mph Zero than they charge me for insuring my RS. I really don't get that.

[Daboo]

This is the only other larger BMW that appeals to me. Toss some hard bags on it to make it useful, and it could be a lot of fun.

Chris

[TelemarkTumalo]

That looks fantastic!

The new Iconic version looks lovely

[Bill the Cat]

This is the only other larger BMW that appeals to me. Toss some hard bags on it to make it useful, and it could be a lot of fun.

Chris

Chris, one can get hard bags for it. They are very similar in size and shape to the ones on the F800GT. But not exactly the same (exhaust on a different size), so of course you have to buy new ones....

[Bill the Cat]

Oddly, Progressive is charging me more to insure my 85mph Zero than they charge me for insuring my RS. I really don't get that.

Count your lucky stars Richard, my insurance agent was laughing at me. Of course he admitted to riding a harley....

[Bill the Cat]

Test ride one Mark. You're already familiar with the engine from your GS.....

[Scorch]

Chris, one can get hard bags for it. They are very similar in size and shape to the ones on the F800GT. But not exactly the same (exhaust on a different size), so of course you have to buy new ones....

Not to mention that I've managed to successfully fit the expanding panniers from my F800ST on my RS. It looks a little weird from behind, as the exhaust cut-out is on the wrong side, and I took the precaution of adding heat deflection on the underside of the right-hand pannier as it now sits very close to the exhaust.
But I had them on for a week-long tour of Scotland earlier this year, and they did the job brilliantly.

[TelemarkTumalo]

Oh no you don't. You salesmen... Hmmph. With your fancy clothes, quick smiles and multiple financing options. And, those new bikes! Can, I take that black one for a test ride?

Test ride one Mark. You're already familiar with the engine from your GS.....

[tarless]

The RS is no longer on the BMW USA website!! WTF ?!???!?!

[Richard230]

The RS is no longer on the BMW USA website!! WTF ?!???!?!

There has been some discussion about that on the RS forum - not surprisingly. Apparently BMW moved the bike to another category on their website. I think someone said that it had been moved to the "sport" category. However, the word also is that there are still a number of 2016 RS models in the NA pipeline that were not sold last year (perhaps NA stocked up on bikes while the U.S. dollar was strong?) and they plan to sell those before selling the Euro 4 2017 models with the new transmission and springy shaft drive connection. 2017 RS models are already being sold in Europe, but that likely has to do with the new Euro 4 requirements and the fact that the 2017 European models are spit out of the factory months before the factory tackles bikes designed for the US market (without the daylight running lights, etc.).

[TelemarkTumalo]

The RS is no longer on the BMW USA website!! WTF ?!???!?!

Yes, they must be tweaking their website, but found this link to the RS under the financing offer. http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/...html&notrack=1

[tarless]

Richard it was always under the "sport" category which was much to the dismay of us RS owners. But now it's not there at all which I think to Mark's point is that they are not releasing a 2017 for some time. I can see that Max up north form me has a ton of them. I don't think they'd stock up on them due to a strong dollar as they have to pay interest on bikes sitting on the floor. I truly think the bike just did not sell as well as anticipated. THere are many others like me that sold it after a few months, or under a year. The XR on the other hand seems to be doing very well.

[Daboo]

These guys seem to be selling a 2017 model.

I suspect if the RS is being dropped for lack of sales, the F800GT is probably stealing those sales from it.

Chris

[Richard230]

These guys seem to be selling a 2017 model.

I suspect if the RS is being dropped for lack of sales, the F800GT is probably stealing those sales from it.

Chris

That looks like a 2016 model to me. Ads like that could certainly cause confusion to anyone wanting to buy a new RS if the 2017 bikes have not been shipped to NA yet. It does sound like BMW over-produced the RS last year. Maybe they were trying to beat the Euro 4 introduction in Europe and spit out a lot for the NA market? If Max still has a bunch of RS models on the showroom floor, perhaps he is getting a deal on the "flooring" charge. I understand that some manufacturers, such as Triumph, don't charge interest on their bikes during the winter months. Max is no dummy, so I bet he has a plan to sell his bikes when the snow melts. I haven't seen a new RS at my local dealership for a couple of months. My guess is that they either didn't order as many or they traded them to LA dealers for the GS models. Their salesman told me that the LA market loves sport bikes and the SF Bay Area only wants GS bikes, so they typically trade bikes back and forth. I know I sure haven't seen very many RS or GT models during my travels around Northern CA.

[tarless]

That is a 16 model. I don't see any '17s at any of the other local dealers either.
Max has a plan to sell them now. They give good winter deals and deliver them anywhere. They will eventually sell them even if not to locals.

[Bill the Cat]

Just poked around on the site. Saw the 2016 RS, but also saw the K bikes we know have been discontinued. When I bought the 2016, I had a serious discussion with the guys at SFBMW about the addition of the judder dampener to the 2017, and he said that they had re-tooled the transmission and it was now longer by 0.5." Maybe initial difficulties in turning out the '17? or maybe just in getting them to the US?

[Bill the Cat]

I know I sure haven't seen very many RS or GT models during my travels around Northern CA.

I keep my eye out for you whenever I'm riding. You're the only one in the bay area that I know who has one.

[Daboo]

Much of the reason for the "new" models, is because of the Euro4 emissions requirements. With the RS having the same engine as others, I suspect that BMW is simply trying to use the year for reducing unsold inventory. I've seen it with other motorcycle models. It might be a good opportunity to get a "new" bike, but at a discount.

As for the other bikes that are discontinued, if they were competing with existing models and/or weren't selling well enough to justify a redesign, they got dropped.

Just like with the F800 bikes, the R1200 models share a number of components, especially the engine, that makes them worth continuing.

Chris

[Scorch]

Could it be that any leftover non-Euro4 bikes are being sent over to the US because they can no longer be sold in Europe? And that only when they're all gone will the new 2017 model start being shipped?

[Richard230]

Could it be that any leftover non-Euro4 bikes are being sent over to the US because they can no longer be sold in Europe? And that only when they're all gone will the new 2017 model start being shipped?

That was my thought, too. However, some European RS owners say that BMW did a good job of managing their supply of Euro RS models there and pretty much sold out the 2016 models in the EU last fall, which lead to the early production and introduction of the 2017 model there. Which is not to say that BMWNA didn't buy a bunch of them when the dollar was strong last summer in order to relieve BMW Europe's supply of bikes, or at least kiss the factory's production butt. But if they bought Euro models, they would have had to send those bikes back to the factory and modify them to meet NA requirements, such as removing the DRL and changing the VIN, which seems kind of unlikely. My guess is that NA just over-ordered the RS last year and now wants to sell those bikes off before the 2017 models are introduced here - likely sometime later this year.

[Bill the Cat]

Richard, why does the US not get the DRL?

[Richard230]

Richard, why does the US not get the DRL?

Because for some reason the BMW DRL is not approved by the U.S. DOT. I have no idea why as other motorcycle models and even the BMW scooters have DRL. My best guess is that BMW decided not to apply to DOT for their approval - which saves them a few bucks on every bike shipped to the U.S.

[Futterman]

I work for a German company. US market requirements are always an afterthought. They will get around to it eventually.