BMW boxers

[flynrider]

I rented an R 1200R in Europe in 2010. I liked the bike overall except for 2 things. One, like all Euros I have ridden, they are geared to the moon. 5th and 6th gear were useless unless on the autobahn. It didn't seem to like running until it was over 4000 rpms. A lot of tight turns I could take in second or third on my personal bikes required being in first gear on the Beemer. Secondly the left and right turn signal switches were on their respective sides. Beemer riders seem to like that. I didn't. I prefer the Japanese style toggle left or right from left switch push to cancel. But the bike ran well, shifted well, braked really well and overall was very enjoyable.

I did drop the bike while sitting still and put a small scratch on the cyl head cover and left saddlebag.

I love looking at the horizontal cyl heads and have expressed the opinion that the 1977 BMW R100/7 in Orange is one of the top 3 most beautiful bikes ever built..along with the 1999 MV Agusta F4 in red/silver and the 1967 Triumph Bonneville in Burgoyne and white.

No love for Vetter's Triumph Hurricane? It's always topped my list.