BMW r1200c

[dxhall]

Anyone ever ridden one of these?  There's one for sale near me for a reasonable price.

[oldbike54]

 Worst BMW ever built . Only good as a hack tug , uncomfortable , slow , just a weird motorbike .
Yeah , there are some that love them , but there are folks that love Carrie Underwear also . Don't , just don't .

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

it's a cruiser.  Not sporty like a Cali.   Scrape the floor boards on every turn.  Not any real power.

Okay if you like the looks of it. 

[fatbob]

It's tuned for low end torque, low horsepower. Runs like a cruiser.

[webmost]

Anyone ever ridden one of these?  There's one for sale near me for a reasonable price.

I own the CLC -- which is the big bagger version. Named her Annie, cause we bought her for our anniversary. Remarkable looks. Excellent slow quiet hypnotic rumble. Bearswatter and I put 90+ thousand miles on that beast Annie, and always arrived wanting more. Dead on cruise control. ABS would stop you on a dime and give you eight and a half cents change. I did buy a C a couple years later. Only owned it eight days. Bought it in Kentucky & rode it 650 miles home in a day, dismounting relaxed and refreshed. Alas, my neighbor Klaus, who was born in Bavaria, watched me ride in, fell in love with that schwarz mit weiss at first sight, and had to have it. Well, I owned a chromehead and he did not, I owned four cycles and he none, so I let him talk me out of it. The C has only 5 gears; the CLC six. The C is good for solo touring; the CLC for two up. Like all beemers, Annie does have her quirks and her maintenance preposterosities. Annie is the bike I hit a bear with... and stayed upright. That was when Bearswatter earned her nickname. Story for another time. Telelever rocks. Mini-apes on the C are super comfy. If you need zippy power, the chromehead ain't it. If you need relaxation, go for it, unsurpassed. We have an annual get-together last weekend of April at Lake Conesus in upper NY state.

Feel free to ping me at tree owe too tree fore fie see-row ate see-row sebben if you have any questions, or if you want to know what to look for.

Many people believe that if a bike does not look like every other bike then it must be ugly. Here's a fact: You will have days when half a dozen people roll down their window at stop lights to admire. Day I rode her home, passing thru Lancaster, a fellow in a liquor store parking lot caught view while throwing a leg over his bike, got so caught up watching Annie roll by he dropped his ride. Emerged from a locker room after officiating a high school football game, there were three cheerleaders stroking Annie's tank with their hands. People love the curves of these things. I can't explain it.

They do sell cheap for a beemer. Not as cheap as a brick; but cheap enough.

[Kev m]

I think most of the answers are from people who never rode one or at least would never have actually considered owning one.

I picked up a press bike R1200C from BMW NA in NJ the year it was released and rode it for a week or so.

It wasn't perfect and I won't lie to you, but it was neat and fun.

Jenn considered one for her second bike (to replace her R65) but wound up with a then new Harley 883L probably for the different ethos more than anything else.

It's a fine bike that is just a bit anti-BMW-stereotypes.

[oldbike54]

 You would be wrong Kev , I have ridden them , serviced them , hated them . Rode one 50 miles one day , needed a crane to lift me off the thing .

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

I always thought the Harley soft tail was the sorriest excuse for a motorcycle I'd ever ridden until I bought an R12C. Dorcia absolutey *loved* the looks of it, and loved the "comfort seat" as pillion. She would go anywhere on that bike and ask for more. I was in pain after 100 miles. The ergos would blow you off the back at 60. Beemer engines are boring  but that sucker wins the trophy. The Telelver steers very lightly and gives absolutely no front end feed back. The anti lock brakes were problematic, but could be fixed for only 2 large. The suspension harshness could be fixed by an aftermarket shock at $750.
I didn't care for it. 

[fotoguzzi]

no but my riding lawn mower makes better sound and maybe #/HP figures..

[Kev m]

You would be wrong Kev , I have ridden them , serviced them , hated them . Rode one 50 miles one day , needed a crane to lift me off the thing .

 Dusty

I could be wrong, but that would preclude my "or" in my original statement which indeed seems to save me.

Shit it was more like 100 miles just to get home the day I picked it up from the press fleet.

That was the week we picked up a K1200RS too IIRC.

[Kev m]

I wrote a bio for RevZilla the other day (it's live now) in which I wrote in the third person that:

"He likes anything with two wheels, from a dresser to a Vespa, but his personal tastes tend largely toward Harley, Guzzi"

And it's funny cause my little bro emailed me shortly after it was published to give me crap saying I'd never ride a Vespa.

He was wrong of course, I'll RIDE just about anything, like my friend's new rebel home from the unexpected auction 10 miles on shorts without a helmet or even eyeglasses...😌 And I'd probably enjoy anything the same way too.

But there's a huge difference in what I might have fun on and what I might buy.

I'm MUCH more fussy about the latter, and the doesn't insult the former, it just means I'm really, really picky about what I choose to invite into my garage long term.

I guess I'm a Moto slut, I'll toss anything a ride, but I won't start a relationship with most.

[Scud]

I put a couple thousand miles on one that I used to borrow periodically. I remember thinking it was the best handling cruiser I'd ever ridden (this, by the way, was a backhanded compliment). But at that time, I had never ridden a Moto Guzzi. I still haven't ridden a Guzzi "cruiser." But between the R1200C and any Guzzi that could potentially fit the "cruiser" category, I'd take the Guzzi in a second. Isn't the Jackal the most basic Guzzi cruiser? I'd take that over the top of the line 1200C.

The looks of the 1200C are love/hate. Love the back, hate the front.

[Carlo DeSantis]

These models were not my cup of tea, and I have never ridden one.  BUT I do admire their looks; they remind me of the pre-1970 BMWs.

Best,

Carlo

[Huzo]

You blokes have got enough sense and experience to know that no one is right and no one is wrong when it comes to saying what a "good" bike is. If YOU think it is, THEN IT IS !!!. We only ride these things for enjoyment, because the're not economical (a Hyundai Getz is), they're not always reliable (a plastic bucket is), and they can be dangerous (a Volvo is not), well at least not if you're the driver. The guy asked for opinions (I think) so we're right to praise or shit can the bike to him, but not to argue with each other about their impressions. An opinion by definition, can never be wrong.

[Kev m]

Well Huzo my friend you are, of course, completely right (bet you didn't see that coming).

But of course I can debate it from a certain point of view (ah, I'm sure your reality is back to normal now). 😇

Let me explain.

It's not a question of right or wrong, but still debatable since it can be a question of relevance or usefulness to the OP.

For instance, let's pretend the OP said:

So I've never had Victory Brewing Company's Golden Monkey and I was thinking of picking up a case.

If someone who hates beer and only drinks red wine replies "it sucks" are they "right"? Well sure according to your opinion argument. But is the reply useful? Not at all.

If he says "It sucks, it's very hoppy" it starts to become at least slightly relevant.

If he says "It sucks, it's very hoppy for a Belgian style beer. The citric notes are there but overwhelmed by the hops" then at least he's giving potentially useful information.

Now the next guy says "Dude, you're nuts. Either you haven't had the same beer I did or you don't normally drink beer, or at least hoppy beer. I mean not everyone is going to like that level of hops so I can understand why some of you don't like it, but man if you DO like hops that beer is a powerful statement of what you can do with a Belgian style. The citrus cuts through the hops at first taste slowly giving way their bite on the after taste. It's not for everyone but it's got some unique flavors you can't find anywhere else."

Would he be wrong or not contributing to the discussion?

Would he not be helping give the OP a bigger picture?

Would the reply not be worth it?

I say because I AM A beer guy (even though I hate Golden Monkey) but I can see the parallel to this thread. Especially with the wine drinkers saying a hoppy beer sucks when they wouldn't have bought beer in the first place. 😝😝😝

[twodogs]

I like beer  (sorry, could not help myself) 

[JJ]

A buddy of mine has one...(like in the photo), and yes, I rode it.  It was OK, but it is a cruiser-style, and would not be my first choice for a Boxer BMW.  Sometimes called "The Bond Bike" because it was in that Pierce Bronson 007 movie. 

I would say, if you want a nice Boxer twin, there are many other better options out there...

[ohiorider]

Anyone ever ridden one of these?  There's one for sale near me for a reasonable price.

The R1200C forum might provide you with some useful information, too.

http://www.chromeheads.org/

Bob

[tazio]

Does it speak to YOU?
There's always been room for weird in my garage.
1965 Plymouth Barracuda, Harley Sprint, 1967 Kawasaki 650TT, 2stroke Harley's....
I know guys into MZ and Buell!!! Lol
I've seen a few a these lightly customized. Not too shabby.
If the price is right, lives too short NOT to try weird!
In the end it IS a beemer, and it would be fun to see the creepy looks
on them 'ol beemer boys faces as you ride around with one of those suction cup
Mohawks atop your helmet. Priceless!!
P.S. I'd park out front and visit Dusty as often as possible with this rig.
Just sayin'....

[oldbike54]

P.S. I'd park out front and visit Dusty as often as possible with this rig.
Just sayin'....

 Won't work , I don't allow C models anywhere near .

 The basic platform is , er , OK . The motors are under stressed because they employ the same lower end as the other oil heads of the era , but with small valves and short cam timing will only rev to about 5500 RPM's . Just about the time you think it is going to wake up , it goes to sleep. The ergos are strange , even for a cruiser , some weird mix of standard and chopper . As mentioned before , they have a following in the sidehack community .

 The 1200 C was a beemer for folks who don't like beemers 

 Dusty

[Huzo]

Well Guzzi my friend you are, of course, completely right (bet you didn't see that coming).

But of course I can debate it from a certain point of view (ah, I'm sure your reality is back to normal now). 😇

Let me explain.

It's not a question of right or wrong, but still debatable since it can be a question of relevance or usefulness to the OP.

For instance, let's pretend the OP said:

So I've never had Victory Brewing Company's Golden Monkey and I was thinking of picking up a case.

If someone who hates beer and only drinks red wine replies "it sucks" are they "right"? Well sure according to your opinion argument. But is the reply useful? Not at all.

If he says "It sucks, it's very hoppy" it starts to become at least slightly relevant.

If he says "It sucks, it's very hoppy for a Belgian style beer. The citric notes are there but overwhelmed by the hops" then at least he's giving potentially useful information.

Now the next guy says "Dude, you're nuts. Either you haven't drank the same beer I did or you don't normally drink beer, or at least hoppy beer. I mean but everyone is going to like that level of hops so I can understand why some of you don't like it, but man if you do that beer is a powerful statement of what you can do with a Belgian style. The citrus cuts through the hops at first taste slowing giving way their bite on the after taste. It's not for everyone but it's got some unique flavors you can't find anywhere else."

 Would he be wrong or not contributing to the debate? Would he not be helping give the OP a bigger picture? Would the reply not be worth it?

I say because I AM A beer guy (even though I hate Golden Monkey) but I can see the parallel to this thread. Especially with the wine drinkers saying a hoppy beer sucks when they wouldn't have bought beer in the first place. 😝😝😝

I think you were responding to me Kev, you can call me Huzo if you like, I usually refer to my bike as Guzzi, but I digress. What I was saying was the OP was asking for a selection of opinions, not a brewing argument about whose opinion was right or wrong, and my reality for me is always normal because it's MY reality. BTW have you ever googled the "Argument Sketch" by Monty Python ? You would love it...

[Kev m]

Won't work , I don't allow C models anywhere near .

<snip>

 The 1200 C was a beemer for folks who don't like beemers  [emoji23]

Suddenly I want one. [emoji13] [emoji28] [emoji13]

[Huzo]

Suddenly I want one. [emoji13] [emoji28] [emoji13]

No you don't..

[Ncdan]

I've never rode one of these beemers in question, heck, I ant never even saw one in person but reading the responses from my fellow MG forum buddies is priceless,lol :)

[oldbike54]

 Go ahead , you are after all really a Harley guy ...

 Dusty

[Joe A.]

I own the CLC -- which is the big bagger version. Named her Annie, cause we bought her for our anniversary. Remarkable looks. Excellent slow quiet hypnotic rumble. Bearswatter and I put 90+ thousand miles on that beast Annie, and always arrived wanting more. Dead on cruise control. ABS would stop you on a dime and give you eight and a half cents change. I did buy a C a couple years later. Only owned it eight days. Bought it in Kentucky & rode it 650 miles home in a day, dismounting relaxed and refreshed. Alas, my neighbor Klaus, who was born in Bavaria, watched me ride in, fell in love with that schwarz mit weiss at first sight, and had to have it. Well, I owned a chromehead and he did not, I owned four cycles and he none, so I let him talk me out of it. The C has only 5 gears; the CLC six. The C is good for solo touring; the CLC for two up. Like all beemers, Annie does have her quirks and her maintenance preposterosities. Annie is the bike I hit a bear with... and stayed upright. That was when Bearswatter earned her nickname. Story for another time. Telelever rocks. Mini-apes on the C are super comfy. If you need zippy power, the chromehead ain't it. If you need relaxation, go for it, unsurpassed. We have an annual get-together last weekend of April at Lake Conesus in upper NY state.

Feel free to ping me at tree owe too tree fore fie see-row ate see-row sebben if you have any questions, or if you want to know what to look for.

Many people believe that if a bike does not look like every other bike then it must be ugly. Here's a fact: You will have days when half a dozen people roll down their window at stop lights to admire. Day I rode her home, passing thru Lancaster, a fellow in a liquor store parking lot caught view while throwing a leg over his bike, got so caught up watching Annie roll by he dropped his ride. Emerged from a locker room after officiating a high school football game, there were three cheerleaders stroking Annie's tank with their hands. People love the curves of these things. I can't explain it.

They do sell cheap for a beemer. Not as cheap as a brick; but cheap enough.

Nice review. give me ping when you're at Conesus lake, I'm about 1 mile from there. there are a few Guzzisti here also if you want to get a ride in. Happy New Year!

[Kev m]

I think you were responding to me Kev, you can call me Huzo if you like, I usually refer to my bike as Guzzi, but I digress. What I was saying was the OP was asking for a selection of opinions, not a brewing argument about whose opinion was right or wrong, and my reality for me is always normal because it's MY reality. BTW have you ever googled the "Argument Sketch" by Monty Python ? You would love it...

Ha ha, Auto-correct is my enema!

[emoji28] [emoji28] [emoji28]

OK, you completely missed my point.

Sure the OP asked for opinions/info.

But there's no reason that opinions should be defacto unchallengeable on relevancy based on biases.

For opinions to be helpful to the OP they need to be framed in both experience and perspective.

No matter this is a silly and unnecessary side debate.

You reacted to an assumed position or event that hadn't happened yet.

And maybe I did the same, assuming we were going to get a whole host of people paning a bike that is not in their normal realm of preferences anyway. Like me owning a scotch wen I drink rum, it would be useless.

No I can't say I've seen it, but I'm sure it's funny.

[Kev m]

No you don't..

Probably true.

And not as clever as you think it was.

[Kev m]

Go ahead , you are after all really a Harley guy ...

 Dusty

Probably more than not.

Though the R12C is as much an anti-Harley BMW as it might be an anti-BMW, BMW.

[dxhall]

I'm thinking that I should pass on this one.  I'd probably get abused by both pirates and squids - maybe at the same time.