What is the perfect bike to you?

[Pete Erickson_imp]

On paper the 2012 BMW R1200R is the perfect bike for me. Light weight, powerful,, shaft drive, available low seat, available hard bags and trunk, avilable heated grips, available fly screen. I even rented one for 2 weeks to ride around Europe. ..and liked it. Only problem... It's not a Honda ( or Japanese even) so sketchy dealer network, complicated electronics packages, reputed reliability problems, expensive parts and service. It might be worth the risk to me used, but not at full price. Still I'd hate to lose a final drive someplace in N Dakota or Idaho or something.

I concur, don't want to break down here in Bigfoot country

I concur, don't want to break down here in Bigfoot country
BMW has pretty much solved the rear drive problem. In 2007 (I think) they punched a hole through the rear drive for better cooling.

I have a 2012 R12R. It has taken me from Vancouver, WA to Yellowstone, Sturgis, and Glacier. Last year I rode it to Abilene, TX. Did not have a single problem. It averages over 50 mpg at 70 rpm. I have seen close to 70 mpg on ethanol free gas.

That said it does have some issues. Low speed throttle response is really twitchy. If you don't want to look like newbie, you have to modulate the clutch with the throttle or put it in a gear higher than normal. The fuel strip sensor not very well designed or built. It fails a lot. BMW took so much heat that in 2014 (I think) they removed the fuel gauge from dash display. They also extended the warranty on the fuel strip for 12 years from date of purchase. Mine has not failed yet. To change the oil in the rear drive, you have to remove the rear wheel to get to the filler hole. Parts can be expensive, but the aftermarket has a lot of the normal wear and tear items. I had to replace the rear shock at 25k. The OEM shock was about $1,200. I found an aftermarket shock for less than half that price.

The BMW is my go to long distance touring bike.