BMW R1200R MY2015, road test

Without Telelever it will be less BMW, but what a bike!

di Matteo Pozzi 13 May, 2015

Photo BMW R1200R MY2015, road test

BMW R1200R MY2015: The great success achieved by Nine T saw us agree in judging it very positively. In some ways it was the best BMW I had ever tried, at least from the point of view of lust, driving as well as aesthetics. The question that arose naturally (we don't believe it's just us) was related to the curiosity to see what this new trend would bring to classic models. The first to benefit from it would have been the bike of this road test, combining the concepts anticipated by Nine T, first of all the renunciation of the Telelever, the new and more aggressive 125 horsepower liquid-cooled engine, as well as suspensions and more refined, with lots of extra electronics (partly for a fee). The result goes beyond the predictions, which were already positive. We already knew the new 1.200 engine and it is a guarantee, the rest could be guessed. The new BMW R1200R MY 2015 is another motorbike, faithful to itself in some aspects, the reference is obviously to the boxer engine in plain sight and not only that, but very different in riding compared to the model it replaces (we had tried the edition for the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad). To summarize the concept in a few words, It remains comfortable and ideal for city use as well as for a long journey, but driving it on the right roads becomes a great pleasure, just to put it bluntly. A motorcycle much sportier and more aggressive, fun and even easier and more intuitive, this is thanks to the adoption of a traditional fork (upside down type). Purists have been turning their noses up for years now, because the renunciation of Telelever is the latest in a long series, but there is no doubt that objectively the recent models are better products. Once upon a time what we think now of a bike like this, in which everything is intuitive and makes you get on it and immediately it seems to be your bike forever, in addition to the fact that the defects are marginal and difficult to identify, we thought they were models from a large Japanese brand, which now for various reasons is focusing its attention elsewhere, leaving the field open to BMW, the only company capable of truly grasping this occasion with splendid products like the new R1200R. If anyone still has doubts about the praise that comes unanimously from the sector press, historically for the GS, but now also for other motorbikes from the Elica company, the advice is to try it, just a few kilometers are enough to fall in love with it. And speaking of GS, To us, honestly, this R1200R also appeared to be a very valid alternative to its big enduro sister, more fun and even easier to drive, but with greater simplicity of city use, especially due to the much more humane height from the ground.

Aesthetics and finishes:
rating:

Much sportier, without however denying its entire history

There's no point in hiding it, you look at it and it seems like another bike, decidedly more aggressive and sporty, largely for the Telelever which gives way to a beautiful and traditional upside down fork, in the case of the sample under test made even more racing by the treatment of the anodized stays. Fork aside, the whole bike takes a different turn, less traditional and sober, more like a fun bike, even if this term compared to the Teutonic brand sounds really strange. Not at all if combined with the Style 1 package, with red frame and white colors with always red details which further underline the young lines of the bike, more taut and less elegant and aged. A cut so clear that it initially aroused some doubts, but there was no doubt that the "R" needed a good modernization. Even before trying it it is clear that change is so clear as to now put it in direct competition with other bikes that no one would have thought of before, such as the Ducati Monster 1200, just to mention the most striking case. It's a shame for the color and the top case plate mounted on the sample under test which, in our opinion, take away some of the appeal of the new BMW R1200R, on which all those details that have been around for a couple of years make their appearance. we were used to the other models in the R1200 range, starting with the GS and then moving on to the RT: the left wheel for the navigator, the cruise controls, the 125 (rabid) liquid-cooled horsepower engine with relative passage to the right of the exhaust and to the left of the swingarm / cardan, compared to the old 1.200. As in the case of the little sister F800R, the new headlight, very modern and elongated at the bottom (but some would say even more similar to the competition), replaces the more traditional one linked to the image of the Propeller Company. In the case of the R1200R it was a very elegant, perhaps too sober for the times, round headlight with a chrome frame. In this, however, the new flaw, because the headlight mask is a bit too cheap, in cheap gray plastic. Improves the appearance of the smaller, chrome-plated exhaust terminal. The main element of continuity is the boxer engine, with the heads in front of the driver's legs, which more than anything else is the trademark of the R1200 family. In this and other aspects the new "R" does not betray itself: it is it, even if no longer it due to the many updates and the profound renewal it has undergone.

The sign of the passing of time, further underlined by an optional with which our example was equipped, new for 2015 (also available for the GS) which replaces the "physical" key with an excellent Keyless system, in our opinion the best, both in terms of operation and intuitiveness, even complete with fuel cap lock. Only the saddle lock is excluded (where you need to be careful not to forget the key inserted as has happened to us a couple of times). All-new instrumentation which combines the analogue speedometer with a completely digital TFT panel, a very modern thin panel, which can be easily controlled from the left handlebar block (apart from the engine setting). In addition to the choreographic (and convenient in terms of visibility) option which inverts the background and numbers at night (or in conditions of absence of light, the latter in light on a dark background with darkness), you can choose 3 options, with a base ( Style 0) is more complete, or "1" focuses on the rev counter and 2 is more motorway style with the speed data clearly visible.

Engine and performance:
rating:

The 1.200 liquid is no longer new, but perhaps it hits the top here

The transition to mixed water/air cooling, from the previous one to air, was epochal. It was the case for fans of the BMW boxer, who like all product lovers see the new as the absolute enemy, but it was above all in terms of character and delivery. The 15 more horsepower, we confirm it at every opportunity, do not seem to do justice at all to the performance of the new 1.200, which is far nastier than the old engine. 125 horsepower at 7.750 rpm, 125 Nm of torque at 6.500, but above all a lot of impetuosity, like never before from the Teutonic boxer. For the “R” some details change, not just, like it dedicated 2 into 1 exhaust, single central radiator, as well as the intake line, airbox included. Also for this on the R1200R, the last to make the leap (the Nine T remains on the list, but it is a particular motorbike, created to celebrate 90 years of Motorrad), This unit gives its best, bad, but finally regular, more than on the sisters of the family. A naked, or roadster if you prefer, that shows its muscles, completely upsetting the concept. If we had to reduce the innovations of the new model to just two elements, fork and engine would be an obvious choice, even if the entire bike has undergone a truly important update. The impetuosity is so great that we 100% agree with the choice to have theASC as standard, even if the DTC, a more advanced control capable of "reading" the lean angle with gyroscopes, is optional, while the PRO electro-assisted gearbox it is a paid accessory that creates addiction. Even for those who are used to shifting without a clutch (just play in the right way with the throttle control), the double clutch when downshifting is something of a certain pleasure, especially when driving in a sporty way, as moving up a gear with the throttle wide open does a lot super sports motorcycle. Obviously everything works properly only if you change above a certain speed, otherwise it is better to use the clutch to accompany the changes more smoothly. We had tested it on the "RT", where we could have done without it, on the "R" it is one of the options that we would rather recommend. Note subtleties of automotive origin, such as the rev counter on which the "red zone" bar drops when cold, and then gradually returns to 9.000 rpm. If anyone on the whole might judge the new R1200R to be more anonymous, riding it removes all doubts. This is the funniest BMW boxer ever. The Nine T managed to enthuse us at the time, but it was (and remains given that it is still on sale) without the vehemence of the liquid 1.200 and with suspensions that were too soft and lacked adjustments.

Ride and handling:
rating:

For us it is truly the bike equipped with the most manageable and fun 1.200 boxer ever

After doing it with the Nine T, BMW here too abandons the Telelever for an upside down fork with 43 stanchions mm, an excursion of 140 e decidedly sportier calibrations than in the past. If we make the comparison with the more sporty competition, the R1200R remains rather "soft", but suffers the blow only in extreme situations, rapid changes of direction where the sudden shift in weight makes it sway a little more than necessary, but without never make it dangerous. Cons in driving in relaxation it is still a motorcycle with commendable comfort. THE ESA suspensions (Optional which is also combined with the color of the sliders) are semi-active (not on the preload) with real-time action with respect to the stresses received by the bike, both of the mono and the fork. The driver is then allowed to change the basic setting from Dynamic to Road. A non-radical intervention, because it never reaches an exaggerated calibration. The frame, a must given the innovations imposed by the engine which overturns the positioning of the cardan and the exhaust, is made of steel tubes with a double beam structure, with the engine carrying out a load-bearing action. As for the engine, also for the whole bike a great step forward has been made and enormous attention has been paid to the positioning of the weights. The result is that the 231 kg in running order are perfectly divided on the two axles, as well as being more centralized. A lot of technique translates into a clear result from the very first meters of riding. The new R1200R looks like a different bike. Easy, light and maneuverable like no other R1200. The impression is of having a smaller and more reactive motorbike in your hands, with lower handlebars, more enjoyable to ride and which returns feedback in an optimal way, becoming more intuitive. But at the same time it remains comfortable and usable like a scooter in the city, a great kilometer grinder for long journeys, where comfort (the saddle is even more comfortable) and useful accessories make the difference, cruise control (optional) leading the way in motorway driving.

Our mind drifted back to the R1200GS Adventure 2014, a bike that appears gigantic when standing still, but is surprising for the ease with which it can be ridden. For us that is an absolute reference and here we have done better. The old "R" was a profoundly different bike, which we would not have put in competition with a GS, the new one thrilled us so much that it made us think that some giessist, after trying it, might give it a little thought. Also because nothing prevents you from taking it on some dirt roads, almost no one really goes offroad with a GS 1200 and the reduced seat height from the ground makes life much easier when maneuvering from a standstill and in the city. Some might define it as a low GS (and above all without Telelever, we add), without saying anything nonsense. If the handling at low speeds was also a quality in the previous version, someone who twenty years ago took the driving license test with a specially rented R850R will tell you, the new one manages to do better, but above all it becomes a sharp weapon on mixed, slow or fast. For the rest, the innovations also concern the braking system, now similar to that of its sister GS, with Brembo radial calipers and ABS obviously as standard, however, it can be deactivated, as is the traction control. A choice that is perhaps starting to be a little out of date for a road bike, but some still don't like the invasive intervention of the electronics made in BMW, even if now it's really much less annoying than in the past . The only discordant note comes from the original equipment tires for the sample under test, the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT do not match well with a bike with impetuous power delivery and performance on the level of the new R1200R. With traction control off, it's not uncommon to find yourself drawing a few commas on the asphalt if it opens up sharply with the bike still folded, or when you shift up a gear with the throttle wide open using the electro-assisted gearbox. The quality of the bike and the tires make everything easily manageable, without even being scary, but with the right tire you could get there. This ease and intuitiveness of the behavior of the "R" is largely thanks to the traditional fork, which communicates much better to the rider what is "happening".

So tasty to drive that we found an excuse to do a Milan – St. Moritz and return, even if the photos for the article had already been taken. And the good thing is that between it and a Ducati we competed for the "R", because it was more comfortable on straight and boring sections, easier and more fun to take to the limit where the road became "interesting". Defects? It is not free from some vibrations, as demonstrated by the hands with that typical tingling after a journey on the motorway, in addition to the fact that the aerodynamic protection is not at the top (it couldn't be for a naked), but for this there are optional or after market screens , in addition to the semi-faired RS version.

Price and consumption:
rating:

Fair price, excellent consumption

The fact that the liquid 1.200 has 15 horsepower, but above all a wickedness unknown to the old one with air cooling, but consumes less, is no longer surprising. The fact remains that a motorbike that allows you to do everything, absolutely everything, including having fun almost like a fun bike, but that it is satisfied with 5.2 liters per 100 km at 130 km/h and 5.7 as an average value in the almost 1.000 km of our test, is still a rarity today. The list price of the new R1200R is substantially aligned with the old model, with its 13.950 euros. The Style 1, with the red frame, costs 420 euros more (it also includes a small windshield, the under-engine tip and the tank cover), but the white/red color is truly spectacular, for us an indispensable choice. To the list price you can, in automotive style, add quite a few euros of optional extras. The excellent Keyless system costs another 270 euros, for example, while it is of The cost of the Pro electro-assisted gearbox is 400. By drawing on the list of packages and options, as in the case of the sample under test, the total of 17.500 euros can be spent. Prices are expensive, if compared to other motorbikes, not even too much if the comparison is made at BMW and thinking about the value retention over time, clearly superior to all the competition. With a limited expense you can afford the luxury of changing motorbikes every 3 years, which would be impossible with other motorbikes.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
A huge leap in level, it's now one of the best and most fun bikes you can buy (the best-handling R1200 ever)
We do not like it:
It gives up part of its history (Telelever) and the original equipment tires are too small compared to its performance

BMW R1200R MY2015: the Motorionline Report Card

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