BMW R 1100 R - ABS reviews

My 2009 R1200RT was love at first sight. I had owned three different Japanese made bikes that were all very good machines, but none larger than a 500CC. I racked up a total of 100,000 miles on the three, but not one of those miles were as much fun as the first few I put on the R1200RT. I tried the bike out with only 1 mile showing on the odometer. I rode about four blocks and came back. The salesman, asked my wife if there was something wrong because I was back so soon. When he saw me flip up the face shield with an ear to ear grin, he told me to go RIDE that thing! I was already sold, but did as he said. Needless to say, it followed me home that night, or my wife followed in the car as I drove this beautiful machine home. I have covered over 9000 miles from mid-October to Mid-July. Other than two flat tires and a faulty heated hand grip, this bike has been an absolute joy to own. My Tundra sits and wonders when I will come back and use it. I do ride solo to work, but most of the time, I drive with my wife behind me as a passenger. It doesn't matter what we throw at it as far as road conditions, this motorcycle can handle it. We live on the coastal plain, so it is flat as can be, but also visit the Texas Hill Country frequently, with twisting curves and sizable elevation changes. The bike never complains and is only becoming more fun to drive as it breaks in. The engine and transmission are just now becoming free enough to smooth out and really offer its full capability. The brakes are very powerful and will stop even a heavily loaded bike quickly and easily. Now if I can just get my wife to remember to grab hold of the grips instead of just fall into my back in a quick stop... I orginally wanted a Gold Wing, but the weight and the complexity of the engine was more than I wanted to deal with. I made a great choice for me. The handling, the power, and the luxury of the ride make it a joy to ride all day. I have covered a bit over 350 miles in a single day, and covered just over 1500 miles in a one week trip. All I need is a week free and I am ready to go again. The sooner the better!!! Show less

I have owned my rt since almost new. It is rock solid, left me stranded only once. A flat tire, to tell the truth. The paint has held up well. The hand controls are starting to show some wear but I have 68,000 on it and it will be over 69 when I return from a trip to my brothers middle childs high school graduation. I know. What an excuse to get away and do the Skyline Drive again. The 60,000 mile service was well worth the cost. Tires and oil changes are about all I've done. It is due for shocks front and rear. Show less

I've had my used 2003 R1150R for over a year now and ridden it all over the roads of VA, WV, and MD and also roundtrip to Fl and have enjoyed all 12,000 miles I've put on it. Handles the twisty's fabulously and with a Sargent seat and a an Alaska sheepskin butt pad burning 2hrs of highway before a break is not a problem. Been 100% reliable so far, not a single issue, just required normal maintenance. Buy it - you'll like it! Show less

Strong Bike. Massive storage. Great weather protection and amenities. Heated grips and seat are a life saver on cold days. Smooth power and tall 6th gear allow this bike to ease on down the road. Comfort and protection are unsurpassed. Bike turns on a rail and tours like a caddy. Luggage pops right off and is super convenient. Like it so much I sold my truck and ride year round! Show less

I just started riding, test rode and fell in love with the 2009 RT. Going from a Yamaha V-star to this bike was an amazing change. The RT is so comfortable, I put 527 miles on it in one weekend. I could have easily hoped back on it and done another 500. I got caught in the rain and the adjustable windshield came in real handy, it is nice to slide it out of the way when the weather cleared. At 20mph or 80mph the bike feels steady. I got blasted by some powerful crosswinds (from a semi) and the RT did not budge. Show less

I bought this in April 2008 with 18,000 on it, as a 40 mile each way commuter, and with the Corbin seat and BMW bags already on it. I love it right from the start. It has massive torque, gobs of acceleration and is fast enough for me (I haven't had it flat out, but I've had an indicated 120 mph out of it without trying hard). I found it a little too buzzy for comfort around 4500 rpm. The Manic Salamander bar end weights (18.5 ounces instead of the stock 9.5 ounces) completely cured that. I found it very windy over 70 mph; Parabellum windshield, adjusted as high as it can go cured that. My other add-ons were for personal preference, not necessity. The bike is as reliable as a stone, comfortable all day, a joy to drive and magic through the twisties. At first I felt like I wasn't getting much feedback from the front suspension, then I realized it just was not having any problems, so there was nothing for it to tell me. It just goes around bends on any surface at any speed I've asked of it without fuss. Show less

I bought the BMW R1200 GSA brand new on the 1st of March, 2008 after a lot of soul searching. I'd recently owned a Honda VFR 800 (pre-V-Tech) which is often reported to be the best bike ever made. It isn't - the R1200 GS Adventure is! It took me a few hundred miles to settle into the GSA - make no mistake - it's a very tall bike and it carries a lot of weight high up when fully loaded with luggage and a full tank. This weight soon disappears once you get moving but it can take you by surprise when you have to stop again. I initially removed all luggage, set the ESA on single rider comfort and made a point of never filling the tank above halfway (there's still more range than most other bikes on a full tank anyway) and this did the trick. Having covered a few miles I'm much more confident now. I'm delighted with the way the bike goes and handles. It's simply a pleasure to ride and although it may not be as fast as the VFR, I believe that I can travel faster on the GSA than I ever could on the VFR. I say this because the BMW just seems to handle anything I can throw at it and never seems ruffled. The high riding position gives a fantastic view of the road ahead while the screen does a great job of keeping the wind blast off. I recently rode 350 miles in one go and it was fabulously comfortable. The boxer engine is super-torquey and delivers a good punch from any revs. There is a bit of vibration at higher revs but it certainly isn't intrusive. I've even done a bit of gentle off-road riding on the dual purpose tires. My only negative is that it's a big, heavy bike to move around at very low speeds or around the garage but if you can live with that I don't think there's anything else in its league. Show less

This is an outstanding motorcycle. It is a very Zen-like experience to ride this bike. I sometimes feel like the bike and I can communicate with one another. No, really, it is a fabulous motorcycle. The seat leaves much to be desired. Show less

This bike corners, cruises and tours like all the best of everything I've owned. The only thing I could find to be critical about is the 6th gear. My 1150 had what seemed to be an overdrive 6th gear. My new 1200 seems to be geared a little lower in 6th. Still if you can afford it, I believe this to be the best bike around. Show less

I bought this bike with 4k miles on it. I changed all the fluids, filters and readjusted everything to fit me and loved the bike more than the original test ride. Having ridden a few 750 Japanese cruisers, this BMW is leaps above anything Japan could have to offer. For average cruising of any distance, this bike is more than enough. The acceleration is somehow topped in performance in braking power at any speeds. Shifting is quick and reliable. Twisties are cheerfully greeted with the chrome of my floor boards from time to time :). I rode Deals Gap within a month of owning this bike and loved the Dragons Tail; I rode it three more times that week. Aside from it being a BMW, it has all the quality forethought of any premium machine; I appreciate the complete took/repair kit. I have no second thoughts of taking this bike on a week long solo trip. Exciting, reliable, sexy and easy to ride both around town and long distances. THANKS BMW, I look forward to a new K1200GT some day. Show less