K1200R Sport test ride (and letdown)

[hcmiller52]

I brought my 1150 GS-A in for it's 12K tuneup yesterday and my wonderful dealer and friend, Max, lent me a brand new (147 miles on the clock) K1200R Sport for the day while my bile was being worked on. I rode the bike over 130 miles, on varying (but neither gravel nor interstate) roads, so I had ample opportunity on which to make some judgements.

First off, this is the most amazing piece of machinery I've ever ridden. Built like a Rolex and fast as all get-out. The bike screams. Handling is unbelievable and the bike is planted and solid, yet light and flickable. It the closest thing to perfection I've ever been in or on. It's also ergonomically comfortable for me and offers phenomenal wind protection, too.

The downside: I really wanted to love this bike because I was seriously considering buying one. After 130 miles, I was not unhappy to get back on my GS. The new K is so perfect but for one thing: where do you ride it to get maximum pleasure from its capabilities? At anything under 60 mph (except in the twisties), this bike screams to be flogged. It burbles until you throttle it up. It's so wicked fast and smooth and agile that it's downright boring on our roads here in the northeast. Someone suggested riding it in 3rd gear at high RPMs for fun.

May be that it's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow.

What have others to say?

Curt

[jdiaz]

May be that it's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow.


You are right on the money. The reason I've always stayed with BMW was that their bikes never beat me over the head with their capabilities.....they always seemed to get better as I became more skilled. However, a transition began with the Oilheads and the telelever K bikes, and now the new models definitely don't do that.

[hcmiller52]

You are right on the money. The reason I've always stayed with BMW was that their bikes never beat me over the head with their capabilities.....they always seemed to get better as I became more skilled. However, a transition began with the Oilheads and the telelever K bikes, and now the new models definitely don't do that.Great way to put it, Jon. Today I rode my Harley Sportster over similar roads in the same area (Western Mass), for 160 miles, and had a heck of a lot more fun, not watching for cops (and there are many during the summer in this touristed area - saw five yesterday while on the K and two today). Each type of bike is best suited to a purpose and, as sorry for myself as I am, I can't find roads around here that suit the purpose of the new K, otherwise it'd be in my garage tomorrow. It's really that good!