R1150R to K1200RS

[BoxerTwin]

Riding the 10 hours to Vermont for the rally this year (from DC) made me realize that if I'm to do long-distance rides, I need something a little more suited to the task. My '04 1150R is great for shorter trips, but I think the time has come for something a little more powerful (and smooth).

My search has been limited by budget circumstances to '02-'03 range K1200RS. I've done a few test drives, but my local dealer is convinced that any used bike in his inventory is worth $1000 more than market simply because it resides on his lot; not really a problem, as I'll go anywhere if the deal is good, just an annoyance.

My question here concerns maintenance. My R is a breeze to work on, but it appears the K bike is quite a bit more challenging, even for routine upkeep. Has anyone made the switch recently from R to K, and would like to share their impressions?

[IAMBOB]

Riding the 10 hours to Vermont for the rally this year (from DC) made me realize that if I'm to do long-distance rides, I need something a little more suited to the task. My '04 1150R is great for shorter trips, but I think the time has come for something a little more powerful (and smooth).

My search has been limited by budget circumstances to '02-'03 range K1200RS. I've done a few test drives, but my local dealer is convinced that any used bike in his inventory is worth $1000 more than market simply because it resides on his lot; not really a problem, as I'll go anywhere if the deal is good, just an annoyance.

My question here concerns maintenance. My R is a breeze to work on, but it appears the K bike is quite a bit more challenging, even for routine upkeep. Has anyone made the switch recently from R to K, and would like to share their impressions?
I rode an R1150RS up there from Dameron MD.. was actually a lot more comfortable then I think I looked.. and have you tried Morton's for your used bike??

[cjack]

If things go right on the K bike, you can almost treat it like a Chevy. Just drive it. Valve adj are scheduled but I have yet to do one in about 50K miles each on 5 different K bikes. It does seem a bit more daunting, since there are more bits to remove to do some stuff. But it's just 15 more minutes on each end of the task. Coolant should be changed every 4 years. Brake bleeds, fuel filters, etc. are about the same as your R.
A friend of mine has an R1150R and just loves it. Rode it to Alaska two up. Best bike he ever enjoyed and he has had RTs, Ks, LTs, and some Harleys.
Dealer prices are always a bit higher than private sales if that's what you are comparing. And for good reasons.

[BradfordBenn]

After doing a Saddlesore 1K on a Honda VFR, I believe that any motorcycle can be set up for long distance riding. You may want to look at the Iron Butt site for tips and tricks before you change your bike. It is located at http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm

[BoxerTwin]

I rode an R1150RS up there from Dameron MD.. was actually a lot more comfortable then I think I looked.. and have you tried Morton's for your used bike??
Morton's has a nice-looking '02 K12RS on its website, for a reasonable asking price. If it's still there, I may head down this week to take a look.

[BoxerTwin]

Dealer prices are always a bit higher than private sales if that's what you are comparing. And for good reasons.
Yup, understand that, but this particular dealer seems to think his bikes are gold-plated.

[BlackHoof]

Just to stir the pot, have you looked at the older K1100's?
I just switched to the "Dark Side" after several decades &
although I only have 1k miles on my new to me K1100LT, I
know this is gonna be the one for the next umpty ump years.
:bikes

[Ridealot]

Riding the 10 hours to Vermont for the rally this year (from DC) made me realize that if I'm to do long-distance rides, I need something a little more suited to the task. My '04 1150R is great for shorter trips, but I think the time has come for something a little more powerful (and smooth).


More powerful! Thats just the story your telling your wife to justify a new bike right. :stick
Its O.K. we understand.

I knew it was time to get something more powerful back when I was riding a worn out Honda XL250. I was going up a mountain pass and a VW Bus with 4 hippies in it passed me. As they slowly (and I do mean slowly) passed me they where all high fiving each other and acting like they had just won the Indy 500. My God I have never been so embarrassed. I couldn't even get enough speed going down the other side to re-pass them. That bikes name from then on was SLUG BAIT.

[FredRydr]

Yup, understand that, but this particular dealer seems to think his bikes are gold-plated.Make a lower counter-offer with cash or approved financing ready at hand to strike a deal at FMV. What have you got to lose?

I never begrudge a dealer asking for higher prices, especially when his inventory turns over (a sign that his final selling prices are fair and acceptable). You can be assured he's in a business to turn over inventory for cash, not to gold-plate it.

Also, if you hold an unfounded grudge based on a dealer's advertised prices, you may be foregoing the convenience of the closest garage for parts and service. Tell him what you are willing to pay, and if he can't help you, don't get pissed off. Just tell him when you find a bike at the price you can afford to pay, you'll bring it for service anyway. Then you might get a response you like.

Fred

[eric2]

Although its a bit more difficult to do, K1200rs valves rarely need adjusting. Changing the oil is a pita with the internal filter placement but you don't need to take the side panels off. timing chain covers are notorious leakers on the k1200rs series. Beyond that and the aggravating luggage design it's the best road bike I've owned, other than the r12gs that replaced it.

[john1691]

Oil changes are no problem, air filter requires the tank to come off, kind of a pain, but not impossible. I had the 12K service done at the local dealer, kinda pricey........but then, they have a full stock of parts, a showroom, tools, lifts, light/heat bill........I do plumbing and HVAC work and just raised my rates to $55/hr. Seems high to me but it is in line or below local market, not to mention my customers keep calling for more work. When I have a problem I don't feel like tackleing, I work some extra hours and am able to pay the dealer.

As for the K12, love the power band, hated the stock seat (got a Sargent), want to get bar backs (my '00 is leaned forward a little more than the '02-'04) and am thinking about a comfort shield. The many adjustments make BMW so user friendly, but you already know that. Good luck finding a K for yourself!

john1691
2000 K1200RS

[deilenberger]

Depending on your build, inseam and riding skills - the K1200RS can be a bit daunting to ride. It will feel more top heavy than your R bike did. I can't imagine that an R1150 of any ilk doesn't have "adequate" power to take you anyplace.. but I found I'm much more comfortable on my R1150RS than I was on my former K75S, and the seating position is much better for me (short inseam.) The feeling on handling for me is also better - the bike doesn't feel as top-heavy as the K bikes are, and because of that, even though the two bikes weigh about the same, it feels lighter and more nimble.

The K-RS is a super bike, easily capable of taking you into atmospheric ticket cost regions, but in our local club we've had about 5 members who have bought them after owning oilheads, and all of them eventually went back to oilheads... usually with the same comment - the oilhead is easier to ride for them.

As far as maintenance/repairs - the K engine is notorious for lasting about forever with minimal work required.. reliability is excellent, that shouldn't be a concern. You might want to pay a dealer to do the valve adjustment, but any other tasks - and there are very few actually - can be done easily by a moderately skilled owner.

[BoxerTwin]

Morton's has a nice-looking '02 K12RS on its website, for a reasonable asking price. If it's still there, I may head down this week to take a look.
Went to take a look at this one yesterday. Nice bike, low(ish) miles (22k), but the right side of the bike had some touch-up work on the fairing and some scraping on the passenger footpeg. I couldn't decide if this was just a bad garage drop or something a little more serious. The touch-up work was pretty amateurish.

It did something at highway speed that threw me off a little bit, and maybe this is something particular to the K bike, but I doubt it. As speed built up, it would start to "shift" as though affected by a crosswind. I thought maybe I was catching some disturbed air off the traffic in front of me, but it still happened when I moved into cleaner air. Now that I've thought about it, it felt like there was perhaps a spacer missing off one or both of the hubs.

In any case, I came real close to making the deal, but decided to sleep on it. I think I'll wait to see what else pops up on the market in the next few weeks, perhaps an '03 KGT.

[cjack]

Went to take a look at this one yesterday. Nice bike, low(ish) miles (22k), but the right side of the bike had some touch-up work on the fairing and some scraping on the passenger footpeg. I couldn't decide if this was just a bad garage drop or something a little more serious. The touch-up work was pretty amateurish.

It did something at highway speed that threw me off a little bit, and maybe this is something particular to the K bike, but I doubt it. As speed built up, it would start to "shift" as though affected by a crosswind. I thought maybe I was catching some disturbed air off the traffic in front of me, but it still happened when I moved into cleaner air. Now that I've thought about it, it felt like there was perhaps a spacer missing off one or both of the hubs.

In any case, I came real close to making the deal, but decided to sleep on it. I think I'll wait to see what else pops up on the market in the next few weeks, perhaps an '03 KGT.

Not unusual to see low speed drops on one or both sides of those RS/GTs. As to the drift, I don't know, but they do pull right or left or go straight (hands off) depending on who knows what. I have had them all three ways from the factory.