K1200RS (and K1200GT) Review (BMW K1200RS)

Name: tigger955i

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Product:	BMW K1200RS
Date:	25.07.05 (9969 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smooth speed, acceleration, practicality of an everyday bike

Disadvantages: Weight, initial cost

First, to qualify this report.

I've had a lot of bikes and have used them for fun, commuting and touring. I've had most makes (Honda, Yamaha, CCM, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumphs and BMW's), and some pretty fast ones too (stage 2 tuned 150 bhp CBR1100XX Blackbird). I use a bike most days and travel between 10-15 thousand miles a year on them. I use them for pleasure and as workhorses.

What I say next will not sit easily with some of the more effete magazine road testers (who mostly travel to work in cars, have total access to a car park full of motorcycle exotica and don't have to spend a penny of their own hard earned on their rides).

The BMW K1200RS and the K1200GT are simply brilliant all round motorcycles.

It's like most things really, it all depends what you want things for. At 52 years old I want some comfort, some speed, the slenderness to filter through the London rush hour and the ability to munch the miles when needed. Have you ever tried to do 60 minutes on a Ducati Superlight at speed? I did and the Osteopath thanked me for the next three weeks!

My intro to the K1200's was with a K1200LT (see my review on that). I thought it had a great engine but it was just a bit too heavy and wide for my daily commute. This experience led me to buy a K1200RS SE. I used this for work and touring and covered about 12,000 miles in 2001 on it.

I went down to Rome on it and got back from there to Hertford in just 24 hours. I'm telling you, when you let these bikes loose on the open Autoroutes, they fly and they're comfy. You can hold a steady 120mph for about 90 minutes, after which you'll be thinking about refuelling.

The 21 litre tank will average 43mpg (even when pushed hard). That gives 210 miles range despite the refuel light blinking on at 150 miles.

I part-exchanged the K1200RS for a K1200GT in 2004. I wanted the more upright position and the better weather protection. Additionally it came with matching luggage, electrically operated screen, cruise control and heated grips and seat.

The cruise control is super useful on the motorways, it lets you relax and massage your right wrist (no jokes please).

The GT is just an easier going RS and it's so much more practical. It has roughly the same speed, handling and braking of the RS without the wrist and wind pressure. The GT is a direct descendent of the Police Spec RS’s.

With regard to the handling. The 1200 series are not a sports bikes and I wouldn't want one on a track day. But, treated with respect and it'll reward you with its low centre of gravity and reasonably high ground clearance.

The brakes are brilliant on both the non servo and the servo versions. I’m a great fan of ABS as I’ve suffered two front end wash outs in the last 30 years and it’s not something IO want to repeat.

BM’s have some great integrated design features, for instance the luggage clips into recesses already on the bike and locks with the same ignition key. Why shouldn’t it? So why don’t Honda’s?

I've only had a couple of problems with the RS, a seized rear brake pad and a blown clutch seal. The BMW network dealers are good, helpful but expensive. I'd recommend the extended warranty that BMW makes available. This warranty also comes with full European recovery facilities.

So far with GT, no problems at all.

They’re quite expensive new at around £12,000 depending on options. Best bet is to get an 18 month old one the renewable, residual BMW guarantee, you’ll save thousands.

Oh by the way, most UK dealers will let you test ride either for free. Go to it!!


SPECIFICATIONS
•Engine Cubic capacity - 1171 cc
•Bore/stroke - 70.5/75 mm
•Max output - 96/130 kW/bhp at 8750 rpm
•Max torque - 117 Nm at 6750 rpm
•Design - In-line
•No of cylinders - 4
•Compression ratio/fuel grade - 11.5 premium
•Valve control - DOHC
•Valves per cylinder - 4
•Fuel supply - Motronic MA 2.4
•Alternator - 840 W
•Rear-wheel drive - BMW Paralever
•Clutch - Single-plate dry clutch, diameter 165 mm
•Type of frame - Cast aluminium frame
•Wheelbase - 1555 mm
•Steering assembly angle - 62.75°
•Brakes; front - Dual-disc brake, diameter 320 mm, rear - Single-disc brake, diameter 285 mm
•Wheels - Light-alloy; front - 3.50 x 17 MTH 2, rear - 5.50 x 17 MTH 2
•Tyres; front - 120/70 – ZR 17, rear - 170/60 – ZR 17
•Length - 2250 mm
•Width with mirrors - 850 mm
•Handlebar width - 680 mm
•Seat height - 770/800 mm
•Weight, unladen, with full fuel tank - 285 kg
•Max permissible weight - 500 kg
•Fuel tank - 20.5 litre
•Fuel consumption - 90 km/h (56 mph) - ltr/100 km, 120 km/h (75 mph) - ltr/100 km
•Acceleration - 0 –100 km/h (62 mph) - 3.7 sec
•Top speed - 245 km/h

Summary: THE K1200GT IS THE BEST BIKE I'VE EVER HAD! - There I've said it

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