Do you like BMW flat twins?

[NineOneSeven]

I don’t know what it is.. I have never ridden one but I love the BMW flat twin bikes. Love the old bikes, like the new ones.

What is it about these odd looking machines that I like? I always wonder over to any old BMW at the ACE for nosey.

It must be because I am into air-cooled flat four VW’s and Porsche’s, which also can seem quite unconventional .

I saw a load of old BMW racing bikes at Goodwood a few years back and really liked them. A Café racer BMW would be cool.

Is it just me..

[G Man]

I tried the R1200GS and hated it !! Bought a k1200s instead

[PPPPPP]

G Man said:

I tried the R1200GS and hated it !! Bought a k1200s instead

I tried the 1150gs some time ago - did not like it, too quirky but then recently tried the new 800GS that's a different engine format (I think) - it's nice.

[SVS]

I tried the K1200 but much preferred that flat twin in the R1200. (Though I didn't buy a Beemer in the end.) Horses for courses, etc.

[black-k1]

I love the old air cooled flat twins. They certainly had a lot of character and were very well built. The ‘shaft jacking’ when opening/shutting the throttle and the torque reaction from the along the frame crank and big flywheel certainly made riding one a unique experience but they were an extremely practical bike and could cover distances that the Jap bikes of the time could only dream about.

Against today’s bikes they are clunky and slow with suspect handling but they are a classic bike that you really could use every day and know that it would start every time and get you from A to B even in today’s traffic without any problems. There are very few other 25+ year old bikes that could do the same.


Edit to add:

My last air cooled flat twin. A 1983 R100RS. (I sold it about 9 years ago and still miss it!)

Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 11th June 16:00

[Busamav]

Liked the R90s , friend had one , certainly a bike that I was close to considering in 1975, then i rode a new Honda CB750k and it was a dream , so my money went there .

Still love the look of them though, especially in the smoked orange colour scheme

[NineOneSeven]

Yeah, I think I have to get an old classic beemer.

I hope its not a let down. I actually fancy chopping one up to make a racer, but some of them are so nice you wouldn’t want to muck about with it like that.

I hope when I eventually get to ride one its not a let down.

[Jezza 2 Fast]

I had great fun winding up the R1's and GSXXEERSS on a R1200 S at Mallory, got loads of guys coming over for a chat amazed how fast the old girl went :-)

[NineOneSeven]

Nice...

[bez 101]

i have an 1100s and love it, go for it!

[Davel]

I've had a 54 R1200GS and, after a few other bikes, am now on an 08 R1200GS.

I like them!

[PPPPPP]

Davel said:

I've had a 54 R1200GS and, after a few other bikes, am now on an 08 R1200GS.

I like them!

are the two bikes that different?

[Davel]

Not very much really.

About 5 bhp more and, supposedly, a brand new gearbox.

I'm sure there's loads of other things but most of it, to me anyway, looks pretty cosmetic.

Great bike though!

I looked at and tried out both a Fat Bob and a K1200R.

I loved the looks of both of these but the H/D was too vibey, the K1200R was amazingly fast (for me anyway) but a quick way to lose your licence.

The GS is just a great everyday bike.

[Brummmie]

I bought an 1150gs, and it was cr@p, i then went for a Tuono which is more like it.

[Davel]

Ah but I'm an old git and trying to keep my licence!

[Dunc B]

Used to have an R90s,smoke orange in my youth(ish), covered some miles on that including John o'Groats to Lands End one day!
Fantastic machine, but after trying out more modern bikes including R1150GS the oldies really are very agricultural.
So once the nostalgia trip has worn off, sorry but the "oldies" just don't cut it!
Liked the GS very much but cost......ouch!

[gareth h]

I've got a hankering for one of these http://www.flatracer.com/

[NeilBeforeZod]

The R1200GS is so different to your normal average japanese 4 cylinder sports bike, that you have to ride them for a few hours at least, to get used to them. I think mine's great, can't think of anything else that can do all the different things it can.

[Chrisbown]

Hi NineOneSeven,
Had a couple of BMW's and now running a r110ss boxer cup. Great bike a real compromise between a sports bike and a classic I think. Mine has high rise bars, heated grips and panniers but will surprise quite a few when pushed. We are off to the south of France next friday, a group of all big bikes and the boxer will hold it's own apart from top end.
Would advice anyone to get one and they seem not to be depreciating over the last couple of years and if anything are going up !
Try one & let me know what you think.