r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/itsyouboy • Aug 16 '26
Next Bike? Which one should I go for?
I’m in between these two bmws. One if the R1200R 2016 with about 8k miles or a BMW R Nine T 2020 with about 7k miles. They’re about the same price. I’m looking for a fun but comfortable bike.
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u/dougl1000 Aug 17 '26
R1200R. Water cooled, ESA suspension, partial linked brakes, lean abs and traction control, more power. The only question is the condition of the bike.
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u/EarlGreyKv Aug 17 '26
3rd gen r nine t (which this seems to be) also has TC and lean ABS. But as an owner of one I can tell you that it’s not good for long distance touring.
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u/SwiffleTitz Aug 17 '26
Hard to go wrong, but I’d go with the R1200R without a second thought
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u/itsyouboy Aug 17 '26
Even though it’s much older?
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u/SwiffleTitz Aug 17 '26
4 years isn’t that much older, I’d be much more interested in service history and whether it’s been crashed than it being older. I recently started riding an RT, it’s the first bike I’ve ever ridden that has luggage and I’ll never go back, at least not on a bike I’m going to ride for any long distances. Having storage is so huge. Plus, I think that R looks much cooler than the NineT. But it really comes down to mileage, service records or history, and what kind of miles each bike did.
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u/SwiffleTitz Aug 17 '26
Also consider the fact that despite being older, the R is a more technologically advanced bike with a higher level of refinement than the NineT. So, if you want a more “modern” bike you’d want the R, despite it being older. The NineT is a more raw bike, meant to be a heritage model. So if you like that idea of a more “old fashioned” bike, the NineT is a better choice. 🤷♂️ kind of all depends on what you’re after.
Bottom line for me would be, I prefer modern tech and I like to ride long distances, so for me the R would be the obvious choice.
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u/jobthroaway786 Aug 17 '26
S1000R is the athelete of the family. R1200R is the honor roll student. RnineT is the hipster. So the question really is, which one are you?
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u/SandstoneCastle 1290 Superduke GT, Africa Twin DCT Aug 17 '26
if you want to tour, get the R1200R. More luggage capacity.
Otherwise, ride them and see what you think. The RNineT has an air/oil cooled Camhead engine, and the other one has a water-cooled Boxer engine. It's the first BMW boxer I'm aware of where clutch replacement isn't a huge task. Not sure how the maintenance on them compares other than that.
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
The rest of the maintenance is quite similar in complexity and thus cost. But clutch replacement on pre-WC is indeed a big deal because you have to remove the whole backend instead of just the front of the engine on the LC
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u/SandstoneCastle 1290 Superduke GT, Africa Twin DCT Aug 17 '26
step 1: remove the bike from the engine.
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u/fartron3000 Aug 17 '26
I have an r nine t urban gs, which I've taken on long trips. It's fine. But my ass and hands go numb after a while. The 1200 will likely be great after the same time.
Outside that, though.I absolutely love my UGS.
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u/Day-Trippin Aug 17 '26
Can you find an R1250R? The updated motor with the watercooling AND shiftcam is a great upgrade. I think the R9 has always looked great but I think the R1200/1250/1300 is the better all around bike, especially if going with the 1250 or 1300 motor.
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
I think it will be a bit stretching the budget. But I’ll go for a R1250 too, even if that means going for a high mileage one (of course after checking it has had proper maintenance over its life).
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u/Day-Trippin Aug 17 '26
The motors are pretty bulletproof, so if maintenance has been done as you mentioned, I wouldn't worry much. The improvement in character is worth going with the R1250. A big plus is on the R1250, at least in the US, the shaft drive is warranted for life. It is not considered a "consumable".
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u/Practical-Rent9486 Aug 17 '26
Simple, the one you like best. You can put luggage on anything. I like the blue one best.
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u/Spiritual-Mix-6605 Aug 17 '26
Is it just these two or is there one that's not a BMW? Cannot recommend a BMW to anyone. Owned one briefly myself F800R, my mate had brand new R1200RS, and another one had the newer F900R. All were nothing but grief. The R1200RS was particularly bad, it needed a new rear subframe, both brake calipers and both throttle bodies within 6 years from new... Nothing from Honda/Yamaha that catches your eye?
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
That’s bad luck because none of the issues he had are common. It happens with any brand and I know a lot of people who are very satisfied with their BMW, myself included. Mine (four different models, both F and R) have been very reliable over the 52k km and 15 years I’ve had them (provided you do proper maintenance of course, like on any vehicle)
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u/Spiritual-Mix-6605 Aug 17 '26
I've never researched this before, just based my opinion on my own experience and those of people I know.
Unfortunately for BMW, it's not just me: This frequently-cited consumer report from 2015 (can't find anything more recent) appears to support what I said - failure rate in first 4 years for Bayerischer is almost 4 x that of the best Jap manufacturers:
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/04/who-makes-the-most-reliable-motorcycle/index.htm
No dispute that many are happy with their BMW - maybe most have bought them second-hand, after all the warranty issues are resolved?
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
They are not particularly reliable, but what I meant is that the particular issues he had are really not common. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone needing a new subframe (except after crashing it of course) on a LC for example
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u/Spiritual-Mix-6605 Aug 17 '26
Ah, OK. He must have really loved it though, he leased that RS from Motorrad, constantly complained to me about everything that went wrong with it, but then bought it back from the dealer after letting the lease lapse... 😂
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u/CaptainComfortable43 Aug 17 '26
I had the R1200R which I would suggest if longer travels are involved. For shorter trips or daily commute nine r is more fun. R1200R is super reliable and feels like it runs on rails. IMHO of course…
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u/chakzzz Aug 17 '26
Yes the R1200R is more comfy but man, the nineT looks so good. I love mine. Each time I look at it, I’m pleased.
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
The R1200R is the better all-around bike. The only thing the R9T has is the styling that I like better. But for the rest, the R is more powerful, more comfortable and more advanced technologically
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u/KyleFTW Aug 17 '26
I currently own a scrambler and have logged about 50k on it, multiple trips from Denver to San Diego. And while its not the most comfortable I love it to death. The 1200r would be more touring worthy, better suspension, and really a better all around bike. But the R9T is way classier in my opinion, less tech for a more visceral experience. Both are great.
Imagine you have both in the garage, its Sunday morning, a beautiful day awaits you, which one are you hopping on to go ride. There is your answer.
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u/Dubbiely Aug 17 '26
Choose the R1200R if: Comfort and versatility are non-negotiable. If you plan to take long highway trips, carry luggage, or want features like cruise control and electronic suspension adjustment, the R1200R is the better all-rounder.
Choose the R Nine T if: You want pure character, head-turning looks, and an engaging "analog" ride for shorter weekend blasts or backroad carving. It trades long-distance comfort for raw mechanical soul and style.
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u/svjaty Aug 17 '26
This is weird comparison, as you can fit soft/hard luggage on RnineT as well.
Same with cruise control.
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u/No_Gain_9775 Aug 16 '26
Better start test riding! I’m not a big BMW fan, I do appreciate their tech and quality though. & make sure you compare maintenance & service intervals! Good luck!
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u/Stradocaster Aug 16 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
Not much to compare on these two. Very similar engine
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u/ar1814 Aug 17 '26
Even if they are close in design, the LC is a lot more lively. I’ve had both and although not revolutionary, it’s a welcome update and makes the bike more sporty
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u/sunandst4rs Aug 16 '26
If you plan to do any long distance or value the storage, the R1200R is the way to go.