K1200RS and touring

[jdaaron]

Hi, this is the first for me on the forums... I own a very nice 88' R100RS. I am considering a K1200 RS for touring. I have been told that the fuel capacity restricts the distance traveled between fill up's (like my R100). Any advice/experience on K bike's (not the LT) for touring and cost of care and feeding would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Joe, from Austin TX.

[Mudbug]

Restricted in what way? I have a 04 K1200GT. Same capacity fuel. I get 170+ on a tank at 70-75 mph, 4000 to 4500 rpms. I find it nice to get off and take a break every 2 hours or so.

[StevieWonder]

180 miles between fill ups is NO problem. It's a bit less than an 1150RT but unless you are out in the middle of no-where, not an issue. It's pretty rare when you are more than 180 miles between gas stations. If you keep it down a bit in speed (60ish) you'll find 200 miles is very doable. Essentially, as stated above, figure roughly 2-2.5 hrs between fill ups.

[hcmiller52]

Restricted in what way? I have a 04 K1200GT. Same capacity fuel. I get 170+ on a tank at 70-75 mph, 4000 to 4500 rpms. I find it nice to get off and take a break every 2 hours or so.I also have an '04 GT and have gone 225 miles between fillups (not comfortably, however). I also own an '06 R1150GS-A with an 8 gallon tank. Sure, I can go further with the GS between fillups but I don't understand people and magazines who complain that a 5.5-6 gallon tank isn't big enough for a touring machine. I only ride about 20,000 miles a year. I suppose if it was 50-60,000, like the pundits, it might be an issue.

Curt

[jdaaron]

Jeez, It's nice to get some feedback. I'm looking to do this even though my better half is leaning hard on me to let loose of the R100RS... no way! I guess i will have to let my buddy (rides a R1150 RT) wait for me at the gas station.... then he can catch up. Seriously, I'm looking at an 03' or 04 with cruise control for the longer haul... they look like such nice bikes...:bikes

[StevieWonder]

If you are homed in on just pounding out as many miles per day as possible, it would be nice to have another couple of gallons. I've done 1300 miles in 26 hrs on my '04 1200GT including slogging through Chicago area traffic.

If you want to soak up the scenery on a comfortable bike with great handling and way more than adequate power and make two or three or four fuel stops a day while making 400 to 600 miles per day, then the GT is a great bike. I find I'm ready for something to drink, a chance to pee and stretch my legs after 2.5 hrs. It's all about personal choices.

[GregFeeler]

I get anywhere from 38 to 55mpg on my '03 K1200RS. At anywhere near legal speeds (75~80) I can count on 40 to 44mpg which gives me 200 miles a tank, although I usually like to fill up any time after 175 miles.

As for a long distance touring bike, I am thrilled with my K1200RS. I rode a new K1200R Sport for about 100 miles a couple of weeks ago, and although it is an incredible bike that is stupid fast, I wouldn't trade straight across for my K12RS.

[MCohen]

I wish my 2001 K1200RS had an extra gallon or two of fuel on board. In most places finding gas within the 175-200 mile isn't a problem--gas was always there when I needed it on the way from Colorado to Wisconsin. But out west it can be more of an issue. I ran out of gas at 167 miles (going much faster than posted) in Nevada and just managed to roll into the first town with gas. But those circumstances are rare and just need a little planning. Mostly I wish for more fuel capacity so every stop doesn't need to be at a gas station. I would prefer to gas up, go 100+ miles and stop wherever for food or to stretch my legs without having to gas up as well.

BTW, I added an aftermarket electric cruise to my 2001 model and wouldn't be without it for those long cruises across Nebraska or Kansas.

Michael

[MrB]

I have an 03 K1200GT and I was concerned about range at first. This year I rode 1500 miles in 36 hours out west. I would keep the speed down (below 80) if I'm in the middle of Nevada without knowing where the next gas station is.

My bigger concern is tire mileage these days. These bike tend to melt down tires pretty fast. I plan to use Metzeler ME880's (used on the K1200LT) to resolve this. Others will warn against this, though.

[jdaaron]

OK, I think I can live with 175-200 miles to the tank. Mr. B brings up another issue on the cost of care and feeding an K1200RS... Tires, and maintenance. I'm not shy on the wrench, so are tires and maintenance that big of a deal compared to R bikes?

[cjack]

I get anywhere from 38 to 55mpg on my '03 K1200RS. At anywhere near legal speeds (75~80) I can count on 40 to 44mpg which gives me 200 miles a tank, although I usually like to fill up any time after 175 miles.

As for a long distance touring bike, I am thrilled with my K1200RS. I rode a new K1200R Sport for about 100 miles a couple of weeks ago, and although it is an incredible bike that is stupid fast, I wouldn't trade straight across for my K12RS.

I was somewhat concerned about the fuel capacity of the K1200S bikes, but out west we were getting 60MPG and on the high plains, 50. We got 50 last year out to Vermont. So small tank, great mileage makes it up, but we don't take the dotted roads on the maps. I would get a GS for that.

[john1691]

OK, I think I can live with 175-200 miles to the tank. Mr. B brings up another issue on the cost of care and feeding an K1200RS... Tires, and maintenance. I'm not shy on the wrench, so are tires and maintenance that big of a deal compared to R bikes?

Buy a Clymer manual and do your own wrenching. There are tires that are available to fit the bike and get decent mileage out of without giving up performance. I only ride 6500-7500 miles a year, and change tires every spring on my K1200RS. I was only getting 4500 miles or so out of BT-020's as well as Metzler M-3's, but changed to Conti Road attacks. There are even harder compounds to get you further, but they wont stick as well, obviously. I rode from Lancaster, PA to New Orleans and back on my '00 K1200RS and had a great time.