Finally had the chance to demo a 1250RS today. My preferred dealer in Charlotte has taken over my local dealer in Greensboro, NC. So, they had a big grand opening with demo rides (Ducati & BMW), food truck, freebies and a stunt rider.
My first ride out was on a new Ducati SS. I'm mentioning it because the quick shifter differences were very obvious. Compared to my '16 and the new RS, the shift action on the Ducati was much smoother. Up or down through the gears. Personally, I think it has everything to do with the loading and unloading all of the gears associated with the shaft drive, as opposed to the chain drive on the SS. It's been said before - when you get it right, the shift assist on the RS is wonderful and smooth. When you don't...well. Ducati vs BMW? Apples and oranges, really.
Throttle response (Dynamic Pro): First thing apparent from pulling out of the parking lot was a slightly disconnected feeling. My '16 feels more like the grip is connected to the throttle bodies, old school, with a cable by comparison. Maybe it's something that could be adjusted? Anyway, once on the move, through a little stop and go traffic, the 1250 felt slightly smoother, but very similar. The most noticeable change, once the ride opened up a bit, was in the 4-6K+ range. there is an extra grunt through the mid range that is very satisfying. It definitely felt faster accelerating through the lower gears. And it also showed up rolling on in top gear. Nice engine!
Suspension: In Dynamic mode the new RS is firm, but compliant. It manages to achieve the perfect balance between the two. My '16, in the same mode, can actually feel harsh, mainly on "square edge" bumps and pavement imperfections. In the Road setting, the 1250 is more controlled, with less brake dive coming to a stop. And no pogo action from the rear suspension, as mine occasionally does. Obviously, juggling the rider settings on the 1200 can change this behavior, it's just the new bike, with it's auto preload, does it better. I would be interested to know if the fork has different damper settings or maybe they've changed the oil viscosity.
Brakes: I think it's time for some new pads on my bike
Instrument Cluster: Beautiful display. Easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The amount of info available maybe the same as on our bikes (?), but you have to navigate to the My Bike screen to get to it. It could be that you can customize it to display other info on the main screen but I ran out of time to dive into it further.
Biggest Surprise: The stock windscreen wasn't terrible (Please stop throwing stuff at your computer screen!). If anyone would like to unload their stock screen please contact me. I never had the opportunity to remove mine, as it was replaced before I bought it.
Apologies for the lengthy post. I'll upload some pics of the demo and showroom bike in a bit.
Cheers, David

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Lovely pictures, Dave! And great review too. We both though we needed brake jobs after the test ride. I already have my pads, fluid, GS-911 and vacuum bleed kit ready to go; just waiting for the pads to wear out a bit more.

(08-31-2019, 08:48 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: Lovely pictures, Dave! And great review too. We both though we needed brake jobs after the test ride. I already have my pads, fluid, GS-911 and vacuum bleed kit ready to go; just waiting for the pads to wear out a bit more.

What pads did you buy?

Thanks Dave.
I'm surprised the dealer did not put the black lids on the black RS.

(09-01-2019, 11:10 AM)Lee Wrote: Thanks Dave.
I'm surprised the dealer did not put the black lids on the black RS.

I would have also preferred those, Lee. Would have given the panniers less of an added on look. That particular RS was listing in the $23k range. With the optional wheels at almost $1000 (a bargain, considering the replacement cost) and the billet package (can't remember the correct name) costing $2700. The demo bike had the 719 designation, which, I assume, accounts for the gloss black finish on the wheels. If I were being nit picky, I would have rather the whole frame been painted black, as the grey didn't really seem to connect with anything and wasn't an interesting contrast, like the red frame bikes.

(09-01-2019, 12:50 PM)Duccrazydave Wrote: If I were being nit picky, I would have rather the whole frame been painted black, as the grey didn't really seem to connect with anything and wasn't an interesting contrast, like the red frame bikes.

I looked at a black R1250RS without the 719 options and I thought all of the frame was black.



   

   

I like the black bike without the 719 options. Look at the money I would save

Oops, I see Dave was talking about the brown bike when he mentioned the partial grey frame.
I don't like the brown bike so I didn't look very close

(09-01-2019, 11:09 AM)Lee Wrote: What pads did you buy?

The ones you recommended from Beemer Boneyard - Carbon Lorraine.

(09-01-2019, 01:31 PM)Lee Wrote: Oops, I see Dave was talking about the brown bike when he mentioned the partial grey frame.
I don't like the brown bike so I didn't look very close

They grey frame is the only redeeming quality of the brown bike ...

But that is just my opinion!! The brown bike will appeal to others I am sure.

Right you are GG! Thank goodness we all don't have to like the same things. Life would be quite dull.

(09-01-2019, 04:12 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(09-01-2019, 11:09 AM)Lee Wrote: What pads did you buy?

The ones you recommended from Beemer Boneyard - Carbon Lorraine.

I thought that's what you bought, but could not remember.
I have 2 sets of rear Carbone Lorraine sitting on the shelf.

Nice comprehensive write up Dave. Interesting that the Ducati shifter was smoother than the RS. My S1000RR shifter was better than any of the other quick shifters I have tried ie: R1250RT, K1600GT and the RS. Your thoughts on chain vs. shaft may have some merit. I am typically not a brown bike person but that brown and gold RS looks ok to me.
I would have to agree with you Lee I think the black RS without the 719 option and with black (not gray!) bags would be my first choice.

(09-02-2019, 06:33 AM)Olgry1 Wrote: Interesting that the Ducati shifter was smoother than the RS. My S1000RR shifter was better than any of the other quick shifters I have tried ie: R1250RT, K1600GT and the RS. Your thoughts on chain vs. shaft may have some merit.

All the inline 4s with Shift Assist I've ridden have been much smoother than our RSs.
We had K1300S and I have tried the S1000RR and XR.
I figured the Shift Assist does not work as well on a twin but the Ducati is a twin, so that theory goes out the window

Kind of surprised that they put the super billet heads and sport wheels on the black model and then used non black side bags. But good review!

Just had another minor couple of details that I forgot to include about the new engine. My '16 has always had a slight hunting (lean surging) right around 2800RPM, both before and after the Remus install. Never really thought much about it, until I rode the 1250. Smooth from idle all the way to upper revs.
Also, I didn't check the traction control settings on the demo ride. But on a 1st gear start I gave it a big handful, that typically has my bike hovering the front tire a little. The Nanny's were having none of that! It cut out for a split second like I had hit the kill switch! I guess it has anti wheelie as part of the TC?

(09-03-2019, 08:06 PM)Duccrazydave Wrote: I guess it has anti wheelie as part of the TC?

Yes, the 2 times I had the TC light display was when the front wheel was off the ground.

A friend has had a couple S1000RRs and he said on that model you can fine tune the TC to float the front wheel.

I have noticed(in my very short time on the bike), that you cant "push" the lever when using the quickshift, you need to "jab" it. I have found a couple times if I go at it too slowly, it either doesnt register that I tried to change gears or literally pushes back at my foot.

For sure, you’ll find, that as you put in more miles and seat time, you’ll adapt to the quirkiness of the shift assist. After 2 years I still, occasionally, execute a perfectly rough up shift, lol.


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(09-04-2019, 04:36 PM)Duccrazydave Wrote: For sure, you’ll find, that as you put in more miles and seat time, you’ll adapt to the quirkiness of the shift assist. After 2 years I still, occasionally, execute a perfectly rough up shift, lol.


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"... a perfectly rough up shift ..." I like how you put that. Not only the shift assist is quirky ... its a BMW R bike. It is quirky by design.