SheRidesABeemer
05-26-2006, 10:03 AM
(mostly cross posted from Rounders (http://www.yearroundriders.com/forum/index.php))
When I upgraded my ’93 K1100LT. the most logical choice was the ‘03 K1200GT. Test riding the ’06 GT, I was struck by how much more this bike was like my ’93 LT, than it was like my ’03 GT. Short of the name plate and Roundel, these two GT’s had little in common.
I recall what my daughter said the first time she heard the ’03 GT, “It sounds different than the LT or K75 but I can still hear the K in it”. I am sad to report that I can’t hear the K in the new GT. I had the sensation that I was riding the K version of the R1200RT. This is not all bad. If you are a K bike fan, and resisted the lure of the RT, this is your K bike. But it’s not mine.
For me, looks matter. I was drawn to the K1200GT when it first graced the cover of the November 2002 cover of ON. I love the lines, I love how it turns heads due to its sleek sporty look, sparkling blue paint. Along with those pretty curves, came a K bike. Sleek, responsive with a sweet stealth K hum. It shifts smooth and quiet, stops on a dime and very well balanced.
I upgraded my K11LT mainly because of the looks, which where dated, squared off, chunky looking. And voila, like bell bottoms and platform shoes, they are back on the ’06 GT. And what kind of hot color is beige? This bike will turn heads, but not in envy. The ’06 GT is a melting pot of other bikes in the new BMW line. It’s a wonder why they recycled the name rather than giving it a new one. The headlight is from the ST, the riding position, the body panels and the bags are all from the RT. I think the dash was borrowed from the Honda Concourse. The engine is from the new K line.
I’m not a technical expert, but did they import the shifting from the R bike as well? Clunk, clunk, clunk. This is not your mother’s K bike. That has R clunk written all over it.
Is this a bad bike? Nope, but I already had an LT and I don't want an R bike. What I do want to steal from this bike are the full bags, the platform tail rack and the the adjustable handlebars.
What self respecting K biker would expect his/her leg to brush against the engine? What is this, the introduction to the K jug? I want my brick back.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/IMG_0034.jpg
The New GT does have a riding position more upright. It has manually adjustable handlebars. I'd love that feature on my current GT.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/gone.jpg
The styling is to much like the old LT, I upgraded to get away from the style. Too boxy for my taste.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/IMG_0033.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/K11.JPG
When I upgraded my ’93 K1100LT. the most logical choice was the ‘03 K1200GT. Test riding the ’06 GT, I was struck by how much more this bike was like my ’93 LT, than it was like my ’03 GT. Short of the name plate and Roundel, these two GT’s had little in common.
I recall what my daughter said the first time she heard the ’03 GT, “It sounds different than the LT or K75 but I can still hear the K in it”. I am sad to report that I can’t hear the K in the new GT. I had the sensation that I was riding the K version of the R1200RT. This is not all bad. If you are a K bike fan, and resisted the lure of the RT, this is your K bike. But it’s not mine.
For me, looks matter. I was drawn to the K1200GT when it first graced the cover of the November 2002 cover of ON. I love the lines, I love how it turns heads due to its sleek sporty look, sparkling blue paint. Along with those pretty curves, came a K bike. Sleek, responsive with a sweet stealth K hum. It shifts smooth and quiet, stops on a dime and very well balanced.
I upgraded my K11LT mainly because of the looks, which where dated, squared off, chunky looking. And voila, like bell bottoms and platform shoes, they are back on the ’06 GT. And what kind of hot color is beige? This bike will turn heads, but not in envy. The ’06 GT is a melting pot of other bikes in the new BMW line. It’s a wonder why they recycled the name rather than giving it a new one. The headlight is from the ST, the riding position, the body panels and the bags are all from the RT. I think the dash was borrowed from the Honda Concourse. The engine is from the new K line.
I’m not a technical expert, but did they import the shifting from the R bike as well? Clunk, clunk, clunk. This is not your mother’s K bike. That has R clunk written all over it.
Is this a bad bike? Nope, but I already had an LT and I don't want an R bike. What I do want to steal from this bike are the full bags, the platform tail rack and the the adjustable handlebars.
What self respecting K biker would expect his/her leg to brush against the engine? What is this, the introduction to the K jug? I want my brick back.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/IMG_0034.jpg
The New GT does have a riding position more upright. It has manually adjustable handlebars. I'd love that feature on my current GT.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/gone.jpg
The styling is to much like the old LT, I upgraded to get away from the style. Too boxy for my taste.
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/IMG_0033.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~sheridesabeemer/K11.JPG