18" Cee Bailey 'shield on the R1200R for those interested

[Sheep]

Suddenly the FedEx truck pulls up today as I was about to work in yard... yippee! an excuse.

Took 15 min to unpack the thing carefully, 5 min to bolt to OEM touring bracket, & 2 min to mount on bike. I prefer naked bikes so I only had the BMW sport/flyscreen on. I got the CB for cold/inclement weather. It's such a quick, easy swap you can switch to the one you want right before heading off into the sunset.

Couple comments/notes: I'm 5' 9" and bike has low factory seat. I opted for dark gray tint. You can still see through it if you need to duck a little for some reason. Air blast nips helmet just at very top and very outermost part of arms/shoulders. The acrylic is very thick so no shaking (tested only up to 75mph today) or rattling. No adverse effects on handling. Still have great vision over top to look down onto road in front of bike. Only thing I wish they had was a version which bulged outward down low to keep air completely off handgrips for extreme weather.

Cee Bailey actually emailed me there was slight delay on shipping because the first one made didn't pass their quality control so they made another one... that's great business procedure to keep customers happy. Hope this helps a few who might be making a decision on which 'shield.

Here's a few pics for comparisons:
OEM sport screen right, 18" CB to left
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/sheepstb/CBlySptScrn1.jpg

Bike with sport screen
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/sheepstb/Remusmuff2.jpg

Now with the CB 'shield
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/sheepstb/CeeBailey18-5.jpg

View from cockpit (not actually sitting on bike which would be higher & looking down more)
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/sheepstb/CeeBailey18-1.jpg

[jrock]

Thats a nice bike! I sure would like to have one of those r1200r's. Can you touch flat footed with that low seat.
I wish I could find a windscreen that looked good on my Rockster..... haven't found one yet.

[gixxerjasen]

I've got one on my FZ1. I'll be swapping it for something smaller when spring comes round, but on the few cold mornings I've had it's been incredible!

[Sheep]

Thats a nice bike! I sure would like to have one of those r1200r's. Can you touch flat footed with that low seat.....

Thank you. Yup, completely flat-footed. I can touch pretty well with a std height but much prefer the low version. I might invest in Sargent's new seat for this bike since they make a low version, but have never gotten "monkey butt" yet so don't know if investment is worth it.

I also prefer the looks and ample protection of the smaller screen, but I ride this bike year 'round and the CB will help a lot in the cold temps. Sure like the quick swap-ability.

[Graubart]

I really like those R1200's myself. I noticed that you previously owned a 1250 Bandit. As your English teacher would say, "could you compare and contrast" the two bikes for me.

Not that I'm in the market for a new bike. I mean, I'm well satisfied with what I have right now. Um, you know, I really do like the current stable and to add another bike to it would be ridiculous.....:help:

[Sheep]

I really like those R1200's myself. I noticed that you previously owned a 1250 Bandit. As your English teacher would say, "could you compare and contrast" the two bikes for me....

You can see the R12 above, but here's the Bandit I had:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/sheepstb/Bandit-1.jpg
There are a numerous amount of mods on this bike, some apparent & others you can't see.

I'll list +'s of each, at risk of offending others:
Bandit:
Excellent initial base pricing
Superior engine torque right where it's needed most frequently by riders
Cheaper OEM parts & quicker delivery when needed
Easier electronics to work with & greater choices for aftermarket styling &
performance mods
Simplicity of chain drive, though needing replcmnt & frequent maintenance
1/2 fairing offers tad more protection over full naked R12
Universal controls; BMW has begun the switchover on some '09 models

R1200R:
Overall design & quality of bike; long history of durability of boxer
Better handling
Better tires (only got 4K off Bandit's Dunlops; I'll easily pass 10K on
the R12's stock Metzelers)... update: barely topped 9K & down to last layer of rubber before cord
ABS and unified braking system is tops... available traction control
Superior chassis & suspension from factory... optional electronic suspension adjustment
Slicker, easier shifting gearbox
Lighter, thus more maneuverable in tight areas, pushing or riding
Far better choice of OEM options, also allowing to pick/choose
More comfortable OEM seating
Fuel economy
Longer std. factory warranty
Valve adjustments far easier
Shaft drive smoothness/quietness/cleanliness; no major maintenance
Bike is remains cleaner, needing less fussing
Better instrumentation

The initial price advantage is quickly negated when one tries to bring a Bandit up to standard of R12, examples: cost of braided stainless clutch/brake lines, mirror extensions, heated grips, upgrading front & rear suspension, aftermarket gear indicator, hassles with certain maintenance or mods on the 1/2 faired B12.5, needed protection for rear shock from dirt off rear wheel, need for better radiator protection, mods to improve drabness of bike, etc etc. A stock Bandit IMO is not a pretty bike, and that's part of why there are paint and powdercoating mods on the former B1250.

You cannot remotely compare the Bandit to past R1150/1100's as the R12 version has superior refinements, including 67lb less weight and 28% power boost with larger displacement.

Sorry this is so long-winded. Tried to separate opinion/fact on lists.

[Graubart]

Thanks so much for your in-depth response. :clap:

I don't know when the day will come that I will have another boxer. I've lusted after them since I let my 1984 R80RT go years ago. :doh:

I really do like my Bandit. I do understand what you mean about the cost of mods. I am going to try to go light in that area so that I don't turn this $9k Suk into a $15k Suk. :brainsnap


I will just have to stay out of the BMW dealership! :giveup:

[Sheep]

G...
The Bandit is still a excellent bike, and you can do mods slowly over time. And Suzuki typically makes reliable stuff. Was waiting for DW's headers, then change front/rear suspension. Funny, but being a black bike, I never took the thing out in the rain, yet won't let that stop me from riding the R12. It's more than just color, but the drab gray doesn't show dirt much.

I had soft bags for the Bandit, but if I had decided to keep it for years, I'd have invested in some hard bags. Some BMW dealers will put together attractive deals on bikes so that you're not paying list prices. I got the hard bags, ABS, computer upgrade, comfort pkg, first service fees, sport shield & touring shield bracket for the CB as part of deal and a much higher trade-in on the Bandit than at any other dealer I checked with.