Taken the plunge

[Grumpy Goat]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the R has different steering geometry and so will feel different to the RS.

Ray.

From the BMW USA website:

2018 BMW R1200R
Wheelbase 59.7" (1,515 mm)
Caster 4.9" (125.6 mm)
Steering head angle 62.3°

2018 BMW R1200RS
Wheelbase 60.2" (1,527 mm)
Caster 4.5" (114.8 mm)
Steering head angle 62.3°

Caster is an angular measurement of rake so, really, the above is probably trail. The less trail the less directional stability (read the "more flickable") while the more rake means the bike is more resistant to changes of direction.



The above shows the same steering head angle (caster) but different trail, and given the radios of the wheel is constant, I suspect that there is something wrong with the specs on the website. RiderMagazine compares the R vs RS and the differences are even smaller when it comes to trail.

Maybe enough to be significant ...? Perhaps.