second. This impressive technology is far more efficient than could be achieved by the average suspension tweak. In theory, these upgrades ensure that the bike handles better than ever, offers whip-snap power and long range comfort.
The ride The only way to know how a bike per- forms is to ride it, so we took the road- ster to what we felt would be an ideal environment: the mountainous back roads of central California. Here we exposed the machine to the rigors of extreme twisties, long straightaways and urban gridlock. We rode day and night, in cold and warm weather (no rain to ride in – it’s California!), and of course stopped at every Starbucks along the way. The Roaster in its natu- ral habitat!
What we love Coming off an R 1200 GS, it is shock- ing how much more agile the R 1200 R is. The smaller front wheel and for- ward posture ensure exceptional, con- fidence-inspiring grip. Less ground clearance than an adventure bike gives you a new level of flickability, begging you to seek out the best yank-and- bank roads around. A redesigned instrument panel
allows riders to choose from three dif- ferent digital display layouts, offering information pertinent when perfor- mance riding, leisure cruising or both. Adjusting the display on the fly took some getting used to, but once we understood the nuances, we were fid- dling with it early and often. Power on the R 1200 R is identical
to the GS, but the air intake design ensures a more efficient power band. This was plainly evident on accelera- tion and caused some whoops and hol- lers as we tore along Skyline Boulevard toward Alice’s Restaurant. You won’t miss the Telelever. The
Dynamic Suspension is incredible, offering intuitive, nearly instantaneous
adjustments when traversing dips and bumps. The annoying brake dive is still there, perhaps more than during the days of the Telelever, but it's minor, performing well even when getting on the binders hard and fast. The forward lean on the bars is well
pronounced compared to the GS. We were certain this would cause comfort issues and were happily surprised when it didn’t. The forward lean is countered by a smooth passage of wind against the upper body, keeping us feeling neutral and comfortable from 25 mph on up.
What we wish Coming in at 6’2” and 6’4”, we Adven- ture Brothers are not exactly small dudes. This was immediately clear when straddling the small-profile machine. There were many snickers on our Sena comm systems, with men- tion of something regarding a monkey and a football. At first, it was no prob- lem. We saddled up and took off, thinking nothing of the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic fold we achieved to fit between the seat and pegs. It wasn’t long before we were yearning for a stretch, though. This was easily forgot- ten when carving corners, but when the long straights came up, the squirm- ing began. To their credit, BMW offers several
seat height options for the Roadster, including a Comfort Seat designed to accommodate the larger-statured. We weren’t able to snag one, instead mak- ing do with the stock seat. It can be successfully argued that seats are a very personal element of motorcy- cling, and if we owned this bike, the stock saddle would have to go. Wind protection
was not an issue most of the time. California’s central coast offers mild temperatures, ideal for a bike with no
fairing. When the mornings were cold, so were we. It was manageable with proper gear, but we wouldn’t want to be caught in a rainstorm or wind- chilled afternoon on the Roadster.
The big question: Would we own this bike? We have mixed feelings on the matter. In their desire to create a bike to fit a wide range of people, the Roaster is arguably too small for guys our size. Still, when canyon carving and thread- ing through town, there is definitely an appeal. A taller seat would be man- datory, and adding the OEM side cases would be a nice upgrade. Just like suit- ing up in muddy textiles and a dual- sport helmet for GS rides, it’s really fun to don the garments of a Roaster owner. A whole different crowd col- lects to talk motorcycles when the R 1200 R rolls in, and they share the same good nature and camaraderie we have come to love in motorcyclists. We say ride it. Most dealerships
have an R 1200 R to test ride, and we promise you the roads will be a lot of fun on the Roadster!
December 2015 BMW OWNERS NEWS
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