Anyone with a 1199 also own a S1000RR?

I rode a 2012 BMW S1000RR yesterday and I was impressed. The power was creamy smooth at any revs/gear, it sounded great under acceleration, was comfortable (you sit in not on the bike) and the ride was so planted it felt like it was magnetically attached to the road.

The only dynamics that I didn't like was the 'flickability' which was slower than the 1199. I also found the exhaust note somewhat 'droney' after an hour of riding. Aesthetically the bike is a dogs dinner with a strange mix of plastics and textures and everything seems to be asymmetric.

I'm considering trading my Harley in to get the BMW but I wonder if I would use one more than the other or would one of them languish in the garage? The BMW is a better commuter, and potentially a better tourer.

The other lingering thought for me was why can't I get the 1199 to feel so planted on the road? I've charged the rear spring and tweaked the DES a lot but still way more nervous at the front especially.

Love that bike but why make it so ugly ? Though the 1199 is rough, uncomfortable, crazy it's more importantly SEXY! Hence I dropped the extra dough on it

i rode the BMW s1000rr

hate it
pros
ya great engine, power delivery, heat grips, confy
cons
ugly as fuxx, boring, terrible shape and corners

but i rather get my old k7 gixxer then it
if you gonna talk about tour bikes try the multistrato "pikes peak" b4 you make a decision

I had a first shipment Motorsport model, had it for a few years and put about 10,000ks on it. By the way it had a number of recalls too. No big deal just part of being an early adopter.

I had a number of additions on it including an Austin racing exhaust etc. I brought it for mainly track work, to replace my Honda CBR 1000 track bike. For that duty is virtually faultless. And the power is simply mind altering.

What was a revelation though was how good a road bike it was, hence all the Km's, I used this then as my main road bike for long rides, and in this duty again it is hard to fault, pretty much perfect and the BMW quailty and service was exceptional.

I have had Ducati's for over 20 years, but just felt I wanted to experience the BMW so paid a deposit about 6 months before realease sight unseen. By the way I thought it looked fantastic, don't know why people call it ugly?

When I saw the details of the Panigale coming out I felt it was like Ducati's answer to the BMW, I also thought most traditional Ducatisti would not like it. But, for me, I had to have it. And paid a deposit last November again sight unseen.

I kept the BMW as it was just too good to part with it. That all changed when I picked up the Panigale. This was a modern Ducati, but felt very similar to the BMW in its riding position, handling and even power, plus it trumped it with the electronics and the electronic suspension. Plus it is Red and is a Ducati so that was enough for me to sell the BMW.

I don't regret it, the superquadro engine is simply sensational, but you would not be unhappy on either one. If you could pick up a cheap S1000 for a track tool go for it, you won't regret it. Oh, and every one should experience an S1000 in slick mode on the track once in their life...as I said, mind altering. It is amazing that Ducati can now produce a road twin, that will hold it's own against this insane BMW.

arrrr the S1000RR... i do miss the power of it! but the 1199 is so easy to throw around! and that feeling the bmw could never give...

Mmm I use to ride my S1000 in slick mode all the Time in the dry on the road, and its strange, I've never ridden a Ducati before owning the 1199S and all the figures put the BMW ahead of the 1199, but I honestly feel so much quicker and faster on my 1199! The torque is amazing on it. On the Beemer yes it is fast and I loved it, but for me the 1199 is far more comfortable and far far more enjoyable to ride, my cheeks are aching every time I come home from a ride on the Ducati, every time I see a corner coming its pure joy, sorry just didn't get that with the S1000, but like people have said would have one for a track bike, but certainly have not regretted selling my BMW at all for this bad boy Ducati. I didn't and don't think the Beemer looks ugly at all, it's just the Panigale makes it look so dated, and I am actually also looking forward to the early dark evenings now, because the lights are amazing!

Thanks for the input guys. Not a decisive answer I guess as per my experience. I think the accessibility of the power is probably the really big difference, with the nimble handling being the trade off for the planted feel. The looks are a personal preference, and I tend to agree that it's a 'handsome or purposeful' looking bike rather than a beautiful one like the Panigale. Don't get me wrong not thinking of trading the 1199, I've always ridden Italian bikes but the Harley is definitely at risk!

The S1000rr on the track is very stable and it's chassis relays great feedback to the rider from the rear tire. Very predicatable. The Panigale, in my opinion gives no warning at all before it gets out of shape. By then it's too late. I must say that I will try the same slick that's on my BMW on the 1199 and see if the feel is improved.

Two totally different machines and can't really be compared. The only similarity is they both have 2 wheels and requires a professional rider to extract every bit - and I'm not. Most of us aren't.

George Villar said:

The S1000rr on the track is very stable and it's chassis relays great feedback to the rider from the rear tire. Very predicatable. The Panigale, in my opinion gives no warning at all before it gets out of shape. By then it's too late. I must say that I will try the same slick that's on my BMW on the 1199 and see if the feel is improved.

Two totally different machines and can't really be compared. The only similarity is they both have 2 wheels and requires a professional rider to extract every bit - and I'm not. Most of us aren't.

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+1. I have both bikes & they are so different it's truly not fair to compare them.

Other than both being liter bikes, they are completely different animals.

What everyone else has stated above is true:

S1000RR - Very predictable, very easy to ride & very planted. Does everything very well and comfortable, but it's very heavy compared to my 1199.

1199 - I get more looks on my Tricolore than any other bike I have. Stunning to look at, by far and away one of the best sounding bikes, I've every had. Feels like the earth is shaking compared to the BMW. Very comfortable with the racing seat, but I am still struggling with getting the suspension set-up for me.


Sometimes the S1000RR is boring compared to the 1199, which as so much more torque in the lower rev's.

I love them both for different reasons.... I have a deposit down on the S1000RR HP4, so we'll see how the compares.

Which would I pick, if I had too... Man that would be really tough. Depends what I was looking for in a bike.

hmmm that HP4 (track pack) could be a game changer again!

Yes until Ducati bring out the R or SP version, the game will go on and on, in sport bike world it never ends.

I"m not here to berate any other bikes let alone the beemer. I"ve been in the auto trade for 30+ years and I know BMW know how to make an engine. So I wasn"t surprised when it became the most powerful road bike out there as I knew what kind of internal tech it was harbouring after working on the road cars. Anyway I digress,the main thing i would like to add from my experience with my Pani is there aint no other bike in the world like it. You dont take a Pani out for a ride you go out together,just like mates hitting the town friday night. The Pani talks to you when your out together,its an indescribable experience to someone that hasn"t felt it. Any one else agree?,the noises it makes,the sensations it garners,its got life,it aint just another machine. Am I away with the fairies,looking through rose tinted specs,mad,stupid,or a hopeless romantic??? or do my words make sense to any other owners???

supduc10 said:

I"m not here to berate any other bikes let alone the beemer. I"ve been in the auto trade for 30+ years and I know BMW know how to make an engine. So I wasn"t surprised when it became the most powerful road bike out there as I knew what kind of internal tech it was harbouring after working on the road cars. Anyway I digress,the main thing i would like to add from my experience with my Pani is there aint no other bike in the world like it. You dont take a Pani out for a ride you go out together,just like mates hitting the town friday night. The Pani talks to you when your out together,its an indescribable experience to someone that hasn"t felt it. Any one else agree?,the noises it makes,the sensations it garners,its got life,it aint just another machine. Am I away with the fairies,looking through rose tinted specs,mad,stupid,or a hopeless romantic??? or do my words make sense to any other owners???

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lol... I think you need to go see someone ...
But yes.. even with my very limited experience, I know exactly what you're talking about.

Haha...Supduc10 completely agree but to use another analogy for my experience - I'm completely in love with a beautiful, dark eyed, brunette Italian girlfriend and am convinced nothing else can compare, then on a night out with the boys I meet this fit blonde German girl, she's completely different and not my 'type' we 'hit it off' and she's amazing, different, but amazing. Now if I had to live with her everyday maybe she'd be a PITA and I feel guilty but there was something there that makes me wanna go back for more

I've only test ridden them. The BMW felt perfect; comfy, precise, clinical and above all boring. The ducati by comparison is raw and has faults but none of them matter cause of the feel. It's like the Ducati has a soul and the BMW just doesn't. I totally understand when people say the bike "talks to them". The BMW is either mute or has nothing to say. Can't fault the BMW but there's not much to love either. Just my 2c.

WAfatboy said:

Haha...Supduc10 completely agree but to use another analogy for my experience - I'm completely in love with a beautiful, dark eyed, brunette Italian girlfriend and am convinced nothing else can compare, then on a night out with the boys I meet this fit blonde German girl, she's completely different and not my 'type' we 'hit it off' and she's amazing, different, but amazing. Now if I had to live with her everyday maybe she'd be a PITA and I feel guilty but there was something there that makes me wanna go back for more

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Roger that WAf,pardon the pun lol. Just curious,i either dont get out enough or need to listen more but what the F is a PITA? here in the UK we put kebabs in them,but i"m guessing its not one of them haha

PITA - Pain in the Arse

Thanks everyone. This has been a big help to me as well. I'm liking the HP4 but I have an inline 4. I think it's time an Italian was in my garage.

Picked up my bike today and spoke with a nice guy who rides an 1199S and sold his S1000.
Bottom line the 1199 is way easier to ride whereas with the S1000 you need to put in the effort (=heavier)...as a track bike he said respect for the S1000 engine

I had an S1000RR and an 1198s at the same time and traded them both in for my 1199 Tric. The RR was a great bike and easier to ride fast than the 98s. The Tric is better than both and feels way more planted than the RR ever did. Maybe it's personal preference or individual set up?

The Tric has a soul and is not just a bike. The RR was just a bike.