So some background it (skip to question if wanted as below is a bit wordy).
Owned this bike back in the day. Dropped it when in a parking lot space with a bit of a up slope grade. That front end was not user friendly in my book. From what I recall, the bike was fine to ride, if maybe a bit slow on the throttle getting moving. For some reason think BMW detuned the hp on this model when they designed it. Did ride it up to NC from FL one time then later sold it after dropping it. Had a front end (headlight) only a Mother could love I offer and the side bag holding the CD player seemed a waste of space (maybe one can just unplug it and take it out).
Question -
on a scale of 1 to 10 how crazy is it to consider this bike/hack setup? (10 being way crazy)?
It is an older bmw model and now don't know if hard to get parts for (coils? and what not).
It has 33k miles on it and from photos looks nice. Has a brake line going to the side car plus a camber (saying that right) adjuster for road pitch.
Am inferring the sidecar is a nice model but don't know about this specific one per say.
Cut my teeth on a 2011 royal enfield 500cc bullet (first year FI) with a Kozi sidecar. Both the bike an sidecar were small. It was a hoot once I sorted out how not to kill myself riding it. And could do maybe 60mph with a tail wind 🙂
Did have to go do PT due to pulling my right shoulder a bit after first getting it.
To say underpowered might be an understatement on that bike. Should have keep it but needed space at the time it seemed (one car garage and too many other bikes (mostly bmw).
Makes my Heart skip a beat
Made the mistake of seeing this one and now wondering if it would be a good setup.
The issue is I like the color (same as my prior r1200clc), it is a bmw (boxer engine is my first love) and it seems like maybe a sweet setup.
Concerns
Thinking one should replace tires if 5 years or older (will google that point).
Cost to service this setup
Uncertain how many prior owners and local dealer has not record of last service (they changed ownership and computer records systems)
Guessing, could be wrong, the r1200clc engine has low in grunt that might be good for a sidecar (could be 100% wrong). Plus wonder/worry about if the rear end etc can handle the stress.
I don't recall if this bike gave off a lot of heat due to the fairing and engine layout (thinking the fI in the tank maybe made the tank a tad warm). Living in Florida is not a fun place to sit on a hot motorcycle. Heck, it is so how here now days I don't even what to be on a bike much during the summer.
Have a 2024 r1250gs low plus a 2005 bmw r1200rt and two other bmw bikes.
Though do have a soft spot for sidecar rigs...not as an only bike but as something you want to hope on and tool around town riding. Just gives one a good feeling, at least to me when I had the royal enfield.
thank you
Definitely a nice looking rig. I can see the attraction.
Beemer Boneyard, and a few dealers in EU have been able to supply anything needed on my '95 R1100GS (sans the fuel sending unit).
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
I wouldn't worry about the R1200C having enough power to be a good sidecar tug. I have a '98 R1200C with a very heavy Ural sidecar attached and it will do 80mph with no trouble. The great thing about these engines is the torque (you are right, the factory detuned it to increase the torque). My rig will do 20 miles an hour in first gear, at idle! I have owned two other rigs and driven several others. My '98 R1200C, with the paralever front end handles far better than any of them. I almost forget I'm lugging around a sidecar (until I use the rear/sidecar brake and the wholle rig wants to make a right turn).
Your concerns about parts availability are valid, with pillion "flip up" seats going for hundreds of dollars and windshields can be $500.00 or more. And there are some parts that are simply unobtainable. I can't really speak to your engine heat concerns, as I live on the coast where 70 degrees is a hot day. For what it's worth, I bought the rig from a guy in Arizona. He never mentioned heat being a problem. Can't see why it would be any hotter than any air/oil head BMW being used as a tug. Take a look at the Chromeheads site to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into, but I don't think you would regret buying a rig powered by relatively a low mileage R1200C. Good luck!
BMW Cruiser Motorcyclists...Home of the R1200C, R1200CL and Montauk
Here's an example of the cost of OEM parts:
I have thought about buying a used R1200 (they are available for about 4 grand) and parting it out, just to make some extra spending money. Adding up the prices wanted for parts, the total would be about a grand more than the original cost of the used bike. But then I come to my senses and realize the time and effort to strip and sell and ship parts would not be worth the trouble. That, plus I don't want to be responsibe for taking one of these beautiful (in the eyes of the beholder) bikes off the road.
