I'm the very proud owner of a 2001 R1200C Montana, and I have test-ridden the R18. While the R18 is a much smoother vehicle overall, it handles like a Harley - no lean, imprecise, feels 'heavy'. Conversely, the R1200C feels light(er), nimble, and at least leans like a Japanese standard. But I am admittedly biased :)
I’ve had a R1200C as a 2nd bike since 2014 (added 25k+ to odometer). Not much power but will hold 80 mph on highway all day long and handles much better than most all cruisers in corners. No bike has gotten as many positive comments and questions at gas stations and parking lots. I think it’s just different than what people see and design has aged better than most from the mid-90’s IMO. Interested in the R18 classic to compliment my RNineT. Interested to get your thoughts from vid 2…..
Sorry just seeing this comment. Thank you for stopping by; the majority of BMW motorcycle owners I meet are value-driven and it shows on the type of bikes they ride. To be Frank; I went in open minded about the 1200c; because it’s a peculiar motorcycle and it was definitely ahead of its time. It’s lineage in the 1250 GS is evident and the design of this vehicle as you’ve attested to was certainly a turning point of that era. I do think this bike will be appreciated even more in the next decade or so as more new riders discover these beautiful machines in the used market. Enjoy the ride my friend.
I cant believe I am saying this ! The old R1200c . Gee how time flew past ho well . The R1200c was a great bike . BMW had made one of the greatest bikes in the world . Always better than Harley Davidson's . They road better and lasted longer . Just the only bad thing is the parts cost comepair to other bikes .
I was pleasantly surprised how well the bike (R1200C) handled. To think how long it’s been since the introduction of that motorcycle says says a lot about was BMW was able to build. Thanks for stopping by…
Every one is a exspert now . 30 years ago they would not even look at a BMW . They would stick with the junk Harley . I think now BMW really is hurting Harley and for ME that is a good thing . Most Harley dealers was putting the shaft to people in the acc and breaking it off . Like they did me . Not one shop but two Teds of Alton IL and Freeze of OFallon IL . The only dealer that really tried was Black Diamond of Mation IL . Problem sense new Crank sensor every 450 to 500 miles on a 2004 1200c Sportster . My first harley and my last .
"Never a seller. A sales bomb."....... They were the biggest selling BMW Motorcycle for the first three years after they were released, and over 40,000 sold in 7 years for a bike that, unlike the R18, was NOT a Harley clone, but a unique interpretation of the Cruiser Bike theme, is not a bad effort and hardly a sales flop. But this is the kind of prejudice the "C" Model Cruisers have always received for going their own way and not being dictated to by the pressure to conform to the common misconception that ALL Cruiser Bikes MUST mirror the styling of Harley Davidsons. Who says? Something that the R18 has deliberately done, as openly stated by the plagiarists who designed it. The R18 is a Softail Slim with a Boxer engine. The R1200C is BMW's OWN interpretation of a Cruiser Motorcycle. Love it or hate it, at least they had the guts to go their own way with something individual & unique, and not just produce another Harley clone like the Japanese have been making forever. The Cruiser Bike community for the most part have a very close minded, tunnel visioned interpretation of what a Cruiser Bike MUST be and look like, and anyone who bucks that trend or formula risks their wrath. I say, screw them. Who made them the arbiters of Cruiser Bike aesthetics? Just because they think they're the self-proclaimed, self-appointed guardians of Cruiser Bike styling, doesn't mean they are. It's all in their own minds. The only people who seem to dislike the style of the R1200C, are the ones who believe fanatically that ALL Cruiser Bikes must be American made, American style machines, or clones that strictly conform to that template aesthetically. Open minded folks without such preconceived ideas love it.
