Hello,
just had a test ride today on a BMW S1000XR and R1200RS. Both very nice bikes. The XR is almost brilliant.
Here is my short review and rating. Bear in mind the rating is based on my personal prefernces and riding style. Yours may be different
Here is the test route:
https://goo.gl/maps/wjhba Unfortunately I do not had too much time for that so it was about 30 minutes ride fore each bike. Total of one hour fun.
I have started the test ride with the XR. Standard seat suits me perfectly.
I am 183cm (6 foot) high and weight 100kg (16 stone) - I know I should eat less burgers
Anyhow on standard seat I can get both my foot firmly on the ground. Although the position feels very high compared to the Fazer. You seat on the bike and the seat keeps your bum supported firmly from behind. Think sofa. To me compared to the Fazer was like I am seating in a double decker bus. Not sure yet that is a good or a bad thing.
So the whole sofa thing moves very well. It is unbelievably agile and flickable. Once you got used to the position you just want to swerve left and right. The steering is very light and the bike leans almost telepathically.
The engine has distinct agcricultural sound. Feels like you are on the top of very light and capable tractor.
The gears are very smooth. Because the engine has good pull you can ride it basically in any gear. I have to say I have not used the 6th at all. Honestly 3rd is all you ever need to stay legal. XR moves with the speed of your thoughts without been intimidating you are always in control. I have used TC on, ABS on, Road settings for the engine and Dynamic settings for the suspension on both bikes. Both of them were full extra models with everything you will ever need. I have not used most of it. Only few times traction control light was obviously fixing my lack of skills
ABS has not been engaged no kittens were killed during the test ride. I have to say it was very fun. I can do that every day for sure.
XR pulls off in 5th from about traffic lights at 15mph without any clucth slip needed at all. When you pick up the revs the sounds gets little better from distinct agcricultural to slightly howling agcricultural. That is fine with me. The sound is not anywhere high in my bike features priorities list. Although I prefer Fazer screaming banshee standard exauts high revs sound. Probably you can get Akrapovic or Remus and tune it to your taste.
Based on the handling and the high position with very good visibility we may have the perfect commuter bike here for the XR. The XR also wins in the engine department. It has the most power and it is the most relaxed and predictable power delivery in all revs. You know exactly what happens at all times. The worst is the RS. Sure plenty of power. Too much torque when I do not need it.
Now the RS. It was big disappointment to me. Initially I was expecting this is the bike I will like most. Do not get me wrong it is great bike. But does not make much sense to my riding style.
First the position. Think about proper sport bike. Not funny. Does not make sense to me because if you have that position with this engine its not very comfty.
When I've checked the
http://cycle-ergo.com/ on paper R1200RS looks more relaxed position and not sport at all.
RS1200RS has 17° forward lean angle knee angle 77° and hip angle 73°
FZS600 has 16° forward lean angle knee angle 74° and hip angle 73°
In practice somehow you feel you seat tucked in the RS. The position of the wrists was feeling way more sporty too.
It has enourmous by my standards low toque pull. In fact I may have pulled low wheelie after going out of a roundabout to the A404 dual cariageway. I was in 2nd gear and Landrover Sport was closing behind me too cloose for my liking on the roundabout. I have pullled the throttle probably too ambitously and surpise small wheelie/slapper/change of pants
It got ok I have moved to 3rd and the cariageway was disapearing fast behind. The bike is fun. But not as predictable and forgiving like XR.
On the dual cariageway when doing some speed RS feels more planted with better aerodynamics.
In the twisties RS feels heavy to me. XR is way much better. Even the old Fazer steering is better. XR side stand - almost impossible to get when you are on the bike the footpeg is on place that covers the sidestand.
Somehow the bike feels heavier than XR too. Its obvious that the boxer engine makes its center of gravity low. On second thought I'm not sure this is very good. Compared to XR bike RS first hesitates to start steering than goes oversteering.
Funny enough I have collected the most admiration when riding via Marlow on the RS. Not sure why and not sure I like that. Probably the low rumbling sound of it. Basically the RS is a show off bike. More fashion statement than sense.
Final rating:
1. Handling steering - XR, Fazer, RS
2. Engine and power delivery - XR, Fazer, RS - note obviously the RS has more power than the Fazer I just do not like the engine for my riding.
3. Seat and position - Fazer, XR, RS.
4. Look - draw for all from the front look, side look - XR, RS, Fazer - no surprise here good old Fazer looks ugly sidewise
5. Sound - Fazer, RS, XR - note I am not a fan of low rumbling Harley style sound. For you it may be the RS.
Do not have videos. You know why. Ta Da.
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