BMW R1200RS as commuter bike

[FazerBoy]

Hi,

I’m thinking about getting a BMW R1200RS as an all-rounder to replace my BMW F800R.

I know it is more powerful and has decent wind protection so will be better on the open road, but I do commute daily about eight miles each way from North London into Central London and wondered how it will cope with this.

I am wondering about it being wider and heavier and also (never having owned a flat twin before) whether the cylinder heads will clout raised kerbs when one is squeezing between queuing traffic and traffic islands etc? Is it fairly manoeverable in town?

I will take one for a test ride but thought I would also canvass the opinions of any owners here who commute on their RS.

Thanks

Jack

[Dr Jekyll]

Having ridden both briefly and done a lot of commuting on an R1200GS I'd say it feels heavier to manoeuvre but is fine at low speed riding and filtering. The low end torque helps and those cylinders are a lot further off the ground than they look.

[black-k1]

Like every bike used as an all rounder, there are going to be compromises. I've ridden the R1200RS (although not as a "into London" commuter) and think it would be as good at commuting as any large capacity sports tourer, and better than most. Definitely worth trying out to see if it works for you.

[308mate]

Engine config makes it very manouvrable, being a torquey twin, traffic Grand Prix is a breeze. There is one I see regularly on my commute and between it and the XR the real world performance for that use case is neglible. The most obvious difference is that I sit a bit higher, which I like.

[squirdan]

i have the R1200R and its a superb commuter - i ride from SW London to Shoreditch every day. Width is not an issue. Steering lock is excellent, low speed stuff v smooth, LED lights are nice and bright, keyless ride v handy. the only thing I'd say is that at commuting speeds its a bit quiet...think an Akrapovic is needed to make sure van drivers and Uberists are aware of your progress. All of that should apply to the RS