1200 - Blackbird Upgrade? Any advice appreciated

Hi All,
So I need some advice (not sure if this is the best place to get impartial advice on this topic but anyway:))
My last 3 bikes over the last 15 years have been Blackbirds - God I love them but as I get older my body doesn't tolerate the riding position as it used to. I have been to a few bike shows and loved the seating position of the Tracer 700 and 900 - it seems a lot of the market is moving to smaller nimbler bikes.
So I rolled this around for a while - even priced a few up but couldn't just get away from the fact lack of horsepower and torque I am so used to. Most of my riding it short town commuting, Sunday spins and the occasional touring (which I want to do more of in the coming years.)
I want a do it all bike - with power and comfort... but big:)
Researched a lot of bikes - never thought of BMW and then I spotted the RS1200. I am in the market for a 2017 model - I will get it in the UK as best choice - not that many over here. (Ireland)
My question is:
- is the 1200 much different to the Blackbird in terms of body position. I have watched lots of YouTube videos but cannot see how far forward the lean to the bars is compared to the BB. This is my primary concern before buying so any info you can give me is mucho appreciated.
Thanks in advance:)

Zitat von Blackbird im Beitrag #1

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Hi All,
So I need some advice (not sure if this is the best place to get impartial advice on this topic but anyway:))
My last 3 bikes over the last 15 years have been Blackbirds - God I love them but as I get older my body doesn't tolerate the riding position as it used to. I have been to a few bike shows and loved the seating position of the Tracer 700 and 900 - it seems a lot of the market is moving to smaller nimbler bikes.
So I rolled this around for a while - even priced a few up but couldn't just get away from the fact lack of horsepower and torque I am so used to. Most of my riding it short town commuting, Sunday spins and the occasional touring (which I want to do more of in the coming years.)
I want a do it all bike - with power and comfort... but big:)
Researched a lot of bikes - never thought of BMW and then I spotted the RS1200. I am in the market for a 2017 model - I will get it in the UK as best choice - not that many over here. (Ireland)
My question is:
- is the 1200 much different to the Blackbird in terms of body position. I have watched lots of YouTube videos but cannot see how far forward the lean to the bars is compared to the BB. This is my primary concern before buying so any info you can give me is mucho appreciated.
Thanks in advance:)

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Not sure that you have the correct interpretation of the cycle-ergo data. I believe the lean angle is the forward lean from vertical, so the smaller the angle, the less lean, which makes the RS considerably less crouched.

With the leg and hip angles the bigger the numbers, the less folded up your legs are, so again the RS is less crouched. The exact numbers will depend on the height and inside leg measurements you enter on the cycle-ergo website

If you select both bikes on the cycle-ergo website in your PC browser, you can use the scroll wheel to move between the two bikes and can even leave the display in a halfway position where they are superimposed.

It is clear from this that the RS has by far the more relaxed riding position, which can be made even better by fitting bar risers, as I have done.

What's a Blackbird?

You’ll find the RS much more relaxed than the Blackbird. I had a Blackbird for a couple years before I changed to a K1300S. All the nuclear power of a big inline four but a more relaxed riding position than the Bird plus niceties like heated grips, hard bags and shaft drive. From the K bike I moved onto the RS because I was wanting an even more upright position but didn’t want an adventure bike. Power from the RS is good and it’s a flexible, easy to use engine, but it doesn’t have the big power of the Blackbird or K1300S. That said, I think I ride the RS at the same pace as the other bikes. The S1000XR would certainly be another option but I have no experience with it.

Zitat von Blackbird im Beitrag #1

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Hi All,
So I need some advice (not sure if this is the best place to get impartial advice on this topic but anyway:))

...and the occasional touring (which I want to do more of in the coming years.)

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Zitat von fred_jb im Beitrag #4

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If you select both bikes on the cycle-ergo website in your PC browser...

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I had a blackbird for 10 years, and have since ridden a Tracer GT, a Z1000SX and a S1000XR as well as the RS I have now. I find the RS is a far better successor than the Tracer or the Z in terms of quality, handling and noise (terrible on the Tracer). I liked the S1000XR - it turned in faster than the RS as well as having more power, but it hasn't got the low down grunt of the RS and the engine is a bit buzzy when revving (which you need to do). It's a personal thing, but I also prefer the looks of the RS and another bonus is that it's easy to clean.

Regarding the cycle-ergo figures, you probably don't need the arms to be so bent. The default on the website is 95% straight. Going to 80% effectively reduces your reach and bends you much further forward.

Thanks Guys for all the great advice,
much more factual than expected!

I did ride a friends XR - not for long I admit as I was positively nervous - I felt completely disconnected from the road - that's my years of leaning forward. A lovely revvy engine but a bit buzzy for me. The XR does look the business but my other small issue is that its too wide to fit down the side of my house.

I'm delighted the body position is less forward than the BB - One of the other big things for me is the electronics in the form of particularly ABS and Traction - The BB has neither and while I have got away with this to date I am more aware of my mortality as I get older so every advantage is needed on the roads.

Other questions if you don't mind:
- What bar risers and lower pegs would you recommend?
- Does the BMW top box take 2 full size helmets?
- Is the standard exhaust too quiet for town riding? My BB has aftermarket cans that are not offensive but have a deep rumble that cars in traffic hear over radios etc. I think its a great safety feature - Does anyone have an opinion on this with the RS?
- Any other highly recommend Mods?

Hi Blackbird I had a 2006 blackbird for 3 years had the bar risers fitted, peg lowering kit, corbin seat, carbon fibre cans.
Loved that bike but I love the RS 1250 more, just seems more torque and smoother plenty of grunt. also as you said
technology has advanced in a big way.
Enjoy