K12S Questions

[jekrumpe]

I just purchase a 05 K12S with 5200 miles, completely stock. I love it, except for the fact that it is jerky and hesitant at slow speeds, low RPMs, deaccelerating etc. It is difficult for me to address this with the throttle. Is this just a common characteristic? Would an aftermarket exhaust (just a slip on) improve throttle response and help eliminate this jerkyness?

Also, I'm getting around 35MPH city driving and have not had enough highway experience to tell....is this normal gas mileage??

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[SweetT]

My K1200RS gets about 36-38 around town depending on how fast I want to go from stoplight to stoplight.

As far as the throttle response goes, I would call the folks at Rhinewest Cycles. They make chips for the ECU that smooth throttle response and help with gas milage. I've heard the 2005 K1200S had an issue with fuel injection mapping. Oh, I just remembered that I read that you can take it your BMW shop and they will reprogram the ECU with an updated map that should solve your problem. I think it only takes a few minutes and its not too expensive.

[kbasa]

Have you had all the software updates done to it?

Check with your dealer. They can tell you. Early bikes, if I recall, had the issues you describe.

[jekrumpe]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will follow up with the dealer.

[Mika]

I did a quick search at nhtsa.dot.gov (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm) for recalls and TSBs. Did not find anything on the issue you listed but found the following. If you are going to the dealer best have these checked out.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / K1200 S 2005
Recall Number: 05V363000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ROUTING OF THE INTEGRAL ANTI-LOCK-BRAKE SYSTEM (IABS) SENSOR CABLE IF SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE, FOR EXAMPLE, A FRONT TIRE CHANGE.
Consequence:
THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH, AND RUB AGAINST, THE FRONT BRAKE DISK. IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ATTACH AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO THE IABS SENSOR CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.



Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / K1200 R 2006
BMW / K1200 S 2005
BMW / K1200 S 2006
BMW / R 1200 ST 2005
BMW / R1200 GS 2004-2005
BMW / R1200 GS 2006
BMW / R1200 RT 2006
Recall Number: 06V164000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.
Consequence:
TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS BRAKING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL ADD A PHYSICAL RESTRICTION, IN THE FORM OF A BANJO BOLT WITH A FLOW RESTRICTOR TO THE BRAKE LINE, AND ON CERTAIN MODELS DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT BRAKE DISCS OF A SLIGHTLY LARGER THICKNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / K1200 GT 2005-2007
BMW / K1200 R 2004-2007
BMW / K1200 R SPORT 2005-2007
BMW / K1200 S 2003-2005 2007
BMW / K1200 S 2006
Recall Number: 07V066000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FREQUENT SHORT TRIPS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, CAN CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE OIL TANK, AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESCAPING WATER VAPOR CAN CONDENSE ON THE OIL TANK AIR BLEED VALVE. IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THIS WATER COULD FREEZE AND BLOCK THE AIR BLEED VALVE.
Consequence:
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A PRESSURE BUILD UP IN THE OIL TANK COULD CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE REAR TIRE. AN OIL LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE. OIL ON THE REAR TIRE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW OIL TANK CAP CONTAINING A VALVE TO PREVENT OVERPRESSURE IN THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY OR MARCH 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[Jeff]

check at the dealer for updates to the engine managenent system. I have a 06 KR and the engine is just fine in town and and absoute rocket on the backroads. Mileage is high 30's, if you want to use the horses you have to feed em.:p

[cjack]

My K1200RS gets about 36-38 around town depending on how fast I want to go from stoplight to stoplight.

As far as the throttle response goes, I would call the folks at Rhinewest Cycles. They make chips for the ECU that smooth throttle response and help with gas milage. I've heard the 2005 K1200S had an issue with fuel injection mapping. Oh, I just remembered that I read that you can take it your BMW shop and they will reprogram the ECU with an updated map that should solve your problem. I think it only takes a few minutes and its not too expensive.

And make sure the dealer runs a vehicle inquiry on your VIN and all the pertainent recalls will be noted on that. There may be 3 or 4 if they are not done yet. They all can be completed in less than an hour or two total.
I have an '05 and an '06 and they both run about the same after the BMSK update(s). Some popping in the exhaust if you roll the throttle off in second gear to turn a corner. More so since the updates. Not an issue for me, at least the hurky jerky is gone. They get in the 30s around town and in the mid 40s on the road. I get about 7 K plus miles on a rear M1 tire. More on the front M1. Others get less...depends on how you ride it. So you can go anywhere and back on a set of these sticky tires. The M3s are supposed to be better in all respects. I have yet to try them. It's a comfortable bike in severe sidewinds and for 500 mile days or more for us (my wife rides her own). Stock seats. I use 15W50, the newest synth from BMW and it seems to be good for minimal transmission clunk. None of the bikes use any oil.