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Comparison to R1200RS R1250RS


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I'm considering some bike consolidation, and the R1200/1250RS is on my radar. Have any of you owned one of these bikes? I'm interested in how it would do as both a touring rig and a weekend canyon carver. 

’70 Yamaha 125 Enduro; ’75 Honda CB360T; ’81 Yamaha XS650SH; ’82 Honda GL650 Silver Wing Interstate; ’82 Suzuki GS650L; ’87 Yamaha Virago 535; ’87 Yamaha FJ1200; ’96 Honda ST1100; ’99 Yamaha V-Star Classic; ’00 Suzuki SV650; ’07 BMW K1200GT; ’12 Suzuki DR200; ’15 Yamaha FJ-09.  Bold = current

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My riding buddy just replaced his 1200 RT with a R 1250 RT.  it is big but he reports it has noticeably more power and pull and is very fast.

We ride a lot of twisty two-lanes together and his 1200 always handled well.  It was fast, smooth and had great brakes.  He expects as much and more from the 1250.

I've ridden both and they are a  lot more refined for long-haul touring than my little FJ, plus two-up is totally nice on the big BMers.

Can't go wrong.  He paid around $20k last month for a 2020 1250 with 5k miles on it.

His 1200 is for sale for $8k :)

Edited by nhchris
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1968 Triumph Bonneville 650
1971 Norton Commando Roadster
2002 Harley 1200 Sportster
2003 Honda ST 1300
2016 FJ 09
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1 hour ago, Garybinnyc said:

I have a 2022 r1250rs and have yet to take it on any long trips so I can’t comment but hope to take a few trip as the weather in NY warms up.

Looking forward to your experiences. 

’70 Yamaha 125 Enduro; ’75 Honda CB360T; ’81 Yamaha XS650SH; ’82 Honda GL650 Silver Wing Interstate; ’82 Suzuki GS650L; ’87 Yamaha Virago 535; ’87 Yamaha FJ1200; ’96 Honda ST1100; ’99 Yamaha V-Star Classic; ’00 Suzuki SV650; ’07 BMW K1200GT; ’12 Suzuki DR200; ’15 Yamaha FJ-09.  Bold = current

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If you have the dosh for purchase and maintenance, go for it, you only live once.

The power, torque, refinement, suspension but especially the protection are sublime and particularly the 1250 with its electronic suspension, brakes, rider aids and VCT place it in an uber category two tiers above even the T9.  They are however heavier and removing the bodywork for what should otherwise be a simple, quick task is very aggravating and frustratingly overly complex.  And G-d forbid you have even a tip over as body damage can run as much a nice used 15 FJ09!

But for a cross country gentleman's express there is no equal.  And for 2 up weekend jaunts and getaways, few can match its speed, comfort and smoothness.

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3 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

If you have the dosh for purchase and maintenance, go for it, you only live once.

 

I already have a big German money pit... The idea I'm noodling on is replacing the big GT and the FJ-09 with an RS, and have that bike serve double duty. I really love my GT, but I haven't yet gotten to that level of fondness with my FJ, and I'll probably eventually accept that it's just not the bike for me. I'm going to try one more mod (more compact handlebars and take off the bar risers) to see if a little bit more lean and tucked in arms makes it fit me better), but after that I'll probably sell and try to fill that niche with something else. 

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’70 Yamaha 125 Enduro; ’75 Honda CB360T; ’81 Yamaha XS650SH; ’82 Honda GL650 Silver Wing Interstate; ’82 Suzuki GS650L; ’87 Yamaha Virago 535; ’87 Yamaha FJ1200; ’96 Honda ST1100; ’99 Yamaha V-Star Classic; ’00 Suzuki SV650; ’07 BMW K1200GT; ’12 Suzuki DR200; ’15 Yamaha FJ-09.  Bold = current

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3 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Why did I bother trying to help...

I apologize if I sounded dismissive. I just meant to say that the cost wasn't an issue. Your description is what I was after. I've only ridden K bikes, I have no point of comparison to the R bikes. Your description was super helpful. 

’70 Yamaha 125 Enduro; ’75 Honda CB360T; ’81 Yamaha XS650SH; ’82 Honda GL650 Silver Wing Interstate; ’82 Suzuki GS650L; ’87 Yamaha Virago 535; ’87 Yamaha FJ1200; ’96 Honda ST1100; ’99 Yamaha V-Star Classic; ’00 Suzuki SV650; ’07 BMW K1200GT; ’12 Suzuki DR200; ’15 Yamaha FJ-09.  Bold = current

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