rideredI couldn't believe how much I disliked the BMW. The extra power was nice, and it felt new and tight, but the controls were terrible, I couldn't read the dash and the boxer is no V4. It didn't feel like a sport tourer to me. Not much sport. Would be a mediocre tourer too with the noise and vibration it produced.
I test rode a '16 BMW R1200RS today. Been looking forward to this for weeks and finally had an opportunity. Took an FJ-09 for a test ride during Yamaha demo days in Jan and still trying to source a ride on a '14+ Interceptor for comparison. This is in hopes of replacing my stalwart '02 which is rather dialed in with revalved forks, Penske rear, Staintunes, NWS carbon fiber hugger, and Heli bars. I'm seeking a more modern safety cushion to help with the unexpected- features like ABS and TC, partially motivated by a growing family and a more wary wife.
Got the orientation to the controls and was given a route for an unaccompanied ride that included freeways, ramps, and some surface roads, though limited twisties. The riding position was possibly one of the most comfortable I've ever had on a motorcycle- leaned over just enough but not a hard reach to the bars (I'm 6'1", 33" inseam, 145 lbs). I found the FJ-09's sit up and beg position caused me to slouch.
There are a lot of things that can be chalked up to jerkiness that would smooth out with continued riding, but I felt like clutch actuation was typically smooth but occasionally grabby when leaving a red light. Shifting was smooth and clean. Brakes were fantastic though sometimes I'd feel a vibration in the rear lever when first pressed, as if the ABS had come on lightly. No strangeness if I just used the front. Being able to switch throttle/ride and suspension modes on the fly was fantastic. The standard "road" suspension setting soaked up way more stuff than my Penske, though "dynamic" was a bit on the hard side. Maybe I'm too light for that setting.
Part of the issue with clutch actuation was the disconnectedness between the controls and what the bike is doing, something others have mentioned. With the digital tach buried in the electronic cluster, and the boxer engine kind of sounding the same through the rev range, it was hard to know what was going on. I'm sure you learn it once you own it, but it wasn't apparent where you were in the power band (though that's partially due to a respectable amount of torque all over). Speaking of torque, it didn't quite feel like a 1200cc engine. My friend's Bandit 1200S from early 2000s seemed to pull stronger, and communicated with you better.
About the engine, fairly smooth at revs, but not a V4 at idle. It had a fair amount of vibration, though what's with the bike pushing to the left when blipping the throttle at a standstill? The factory exhaust sounded pretty good for factory, and the quick shifter made you want to speed. Handling was impressive- rock solid in keeping a line. I came in to a freeway to freeway interchange ramp a little hot and had no choice but to lean it over, and it complied.
Tachometers are better as sweeping needles.
Wind buffeting from the factory screen on my '02 is terrible for me, so I'd say the RS was decent in both lower and upper positions. Having the ability to change is nice, and that's really my favorite thing about the bike-- being able to change the experience through throttle and suspension modes. But I just didn't get a lot of character from the boxer, which made the entire bike seem a little sullen. I could see owning one, down the road and pre-owned, as a tourer that was sporty, but why not go with an R1200RT? Sadly, that still has the boxer engine which I was not impressed with.
Overall, I was underwhelmed, especially considering price. It was an antiseptic, and as mentioned, somewhat soulless ride. Exceptional at certain things, but was like an East German athlete during the cold war, brutally efficient. I'm looking for a little more character; the search continues...
Edited 31 Jul 2015 by vinjah![[image: Yamaha-FJ-09.jpg]http://www.ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Yamaha-FJ-09.jpg](http://www.ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Yamaha-FJ-09.jpg){kind=link}
