CB1100 Vs R1200R

[mnm2008_imp]

Trying to see if anyone have both these - CB1100 Vs R1200R
Iam coming off a FJR & Have a exchange offer from a private party.
I did ride both, but it was on different days & for less than 5 Miles.

As i remember CB is much easier to ride (That's the reason iam replacing FJR, as i dont do any touring & its too much for my occasional < 100 Mile Sunday trips).

Any comments?

 

[the Ferret]

Haven't owned a BMW R 1200R but did rent one for 2 weeks to tour Europe. Wonderful motorcycle and I could easily have one in the garage except for 2 things

(1) I like a lugger and it's a revver, like most Euro bikes it's happiest above 4000 rpms

(2) I can't get the BMW final drive or clutch issues out of my head, both horribly expensive fixes.
They might only happen to 5% of BMW, but figuring my luck......

Austria

 

[redbirds_imp]

I test rode an R1200R a while back and liked it except for the same reasons mentioned by Ferret. I did not like the front suspension as it does not have a conventional sliding fork. It felt a bit different on turn in, somewhat like a cruiser. It had the typical BMW throb which I don't find annoying but not near as smooth as the CB. The dry clutch is another put off as replacement is a major deal and expensive. The latest R1200R has a conventional front fork, wet clutch located up front for easy access and the new motor with partial liquid cooling. Over 100hp at the rear wheel now so quite a bit faster than our CB's. It also has engine management for varying road conditions and a significantly higher price. The new R1200R got a glowing write up in Motorcycle Consumer News and is probably a truly fine choice if you can afford it.

 

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Trying to see if anyone have both these - CB1100 Vs R1200R
Iam coming off a FJR & Have a exchange offer from a private party.
I did ride both, but it was on different days & for less than 5 Miles.

As i remember CB is much easier to ride (That's the reason iam replacing FJR, as i dont do any touring & its too much for my occasional < 100 Mile Sunday trips).

Any comments?

I had a 1999 R1100RT. Sold it to make the payment for the CB.

Yes, it's absolutely correct that the CB is a more friendly ride. Handling is neutral.

The R1100RT, had a front-end geometry that took me a LONG time to make friends with. At slow speeds it almost wanted to turn, either direction, rather than go straight. At highway speeds, I didn't trust it - until I figured out how it rolled, so to speak - just press down on the handlebar end you wanted to turn towards, lean a little, and it would follow nicely.

The CB...was the same weight but FELT lighter. Neutral, more-conventional handling and steering geometry. Actually, for a long ride on twisties...I preferred the BMW; but it wasn't a great deal of difference.

More important to me was the more-upright riding position in stock configuration. I didn't need to lean forward.

Leg positioning...more knee bend but the feet were further back. I didn't mind it but my arthritis sometimes did.

The factory fairings were good in keeping wind off - good when it was cold.

Hope that helps.

 

[ClassicVW_imp]

I have owned many BMW boxers. I completely agree with what others have already mentioned...The CB is much smoother and easier to ride. The weight of the two bikes are probably nearly identical, but the CB feels lighter. Also as mentioned, the BMWs are EXPENSIVE to have work done at the stealerships. The new water boxers are easier to get to the clutch, but on the older R bikes, clutch jobs have been known to run $4K and final drives are $2K. Many owners/riders state they will never again own a BMW past the warranty.

 

[4 Paws_imp]

Sold my R1200GS and got the CB. Considered an R but costs just irritated me too much.
BMW great bike, smooth and powerful. After more than fifty years they definitely have the bike right. Maintenance expensive, parts outrageous. Not a do it yourself friendly brand, special tools out the wazoo. Plenty of farkles around though. Wife rode a BMW for several years also, sold it to a neighbor who still rides it. Good bikes but they are definitely German - good and bad.
I bought a CB for more than $10,000 less than an R1200R. That's a lot of gas money.
Price wasn't only factor but I figured I could get the new CB to ride every single day and pick up an older R100 for restoring and wasting riding time on. Never too many motorcycles in the garage. :beerchug: