K or R series

[139679]

Sorry folks i'm sure this has been asked a million times, but i'm new to BMW's and i just purchased an 04 R1150R and love it!! But i can't help wondering if i should be on a either a an RT or a K1200GT. Here's why, I drive 70 miles 6 days a week to work all interstate and would enjoy trips under 300 miles about once a month. I'm a very good mechanic and the R well be easy to maintain. My question is are K models as durable and easy to service? Is there year models to look out for if I was to switch.:dunno A loaded question but your input should be every helpful.

[60127]

Very good question , I test rode a K12 GT last fall , I was riding a R11RT .The K12GT is awesome in regards to ride power & smoothness. The R bike you now have has great power in the low R's , great handling & less mass. With the amount of miles your riding daily my choice would be the K bike , taller windshield , slightly more upright position , cruise control , heated seat , these are just a few of the benefits of going to the K12. Also the acceleration of the K12 is amazing. Just my two cents worth.
Leon.

[139679]

Leon thanks for the input and after just getting out of GNCC and harescramble racing last year the extra beans of a K sound good too. Can someone share engine service and durability issue to consider?:bow :bikes

[osbornk]

With the amount of miles your riding daily my choice would be the K bike , taller windshield , slightly more upright position , cruise control , heated seat , these are just a few of the benefits of going to the K12. Also the acceleration of the K12 is amazing. Just my two cents worth. Leon.

The R1200RT has all of the things you mentioned. The RT is slower but has more than enough zip. My R1200CLC has all the things you mentioned plus the heavy weight makes it better for the interstate. The wind and trucks don't blow it around like it does the lighter bikes. It also has floor boards with AM/FM/Weather and CD standard. It is much slower but has more get up and go than the 4 wheelers and will easily go better than 100 and never breath hard.

[SheRidesABeemer]

You just bought a bike and now you're asking? That's like getting married and starting to date. Don't do it. Stop looking at other bikes now and go enjoy what you have. :p

ps. You should have bought a K

[139679]

Wow that was cruel but true!! :banghead I will to do just that-- enjoy it:dance . This research is to help decide before I purchase a new RT or GT and you guys are the best source of knowledge other than personal friends. I would likely change bikes before the end of the month. I bought this one to see if I would want to ride one daily to work in foul weather. Thank you for the input.

[Rebus]

I just moved from an '05 RT to an '08 GT so I can't tell you much agout the GT's reliability, but you can't go wrong with either of these bikes.

However, as osbornk said, the heavier weight (50 lbs) and narrower profile of the GT make it a superior highway bike. Wind effects are much less noticeable. You do get more turbulence behind the screen, even with the taller shield. I replaced the stock tall with a Ztechnic V-Stream and have found it tolerable, but it doesn't create the same dead zone as the RT.

I do not notice the extra weight of the bike unless I am doing really low speed manuevers. In fact, the extra weight combined with the stiffer ESA sport setting and longer wheelbase make the GT feel like its on a rail in the twisties, much more predictable than the RT.

The bottom line for me is what happens with rotation of the right hand on the GT - especially when you start visiting the 7-10k range!

Have fun deciding and really, its OK for you to date other bikes at this time.

[139679]

I plan to demo both this saturday at the dealer. It seem's the GT will be high on my list. Will a helmet fit into the side case? How is the stock seat for long hauls? My 1150R makes me go num in about 60 miles followed by pain shortly after. I live near Savannah, Ga and I'll be planning so mountain trips this year for sure.

[rinty]

139679:

Welcome.

You just happened to buy the best model year for oilers, so you're off to a good start (the '04's have twin spark, which minimizes surging). You'll find the GT totally different from your boxer, so it's just personal preference. The major thing you'll notice is the weight; in the city, it'll feel like a whale compared to your bike, but you're used to weight, from riding your 'Wing. You have to ride it on the highway to enjoy it, and it may be the best sport tourer in the world. Before you buy though, demo a couple of 1200 boxers.

For your butt pain issues, getting an aftermarket seat is a lot less costly than going to a different model. Just do some searches here under the words: Corbin, Meyer, Russell, Sargent, and you'll get lots of info.

Good luck.

Rinty

[68820]

I ride a 2001 K1200RS. The bike can do nearly everything these bikes [R12RT/K12GT] do for about $10K less. The second generation K12RS/GT has servo-assisted brakes as well as cruise control. I personally don't see the need for servo-assisted brakes on a bike but cruise control would be nice. This is especially true if many of your miles are on the slab.

Since the new K series debuted in 2005, the earlier K12s are reasonably priced by comparison. The motor is the last in a line that started with the K100 in 1983. With a little TLC, these motors last upwards of 300K. I moved from a '96 R1100R to the K1200RS. I love the smoothness of the drivetrain. The boxer has more "personality" but I don't miss it on my K-bike.

The only downside to the K1200RS/GT is the left saddle bag is small. For a larger bag, the K1100RS can't be beat. Of course the newer K/R bikes have bigger bags. So this may be moot if you're gong to buy new.

[From MARS]

We need to meet somewhere and just trade bikes for awhile. I have an 03 K12RS that I want to swap out for an 1150R but am hesitant to do so because I really love my K. If there is a "problem" with the K, it is that she entices me to take off on multi-thousand mile trips when I really need to be working. The R-bike I can put some D/S tires on and ride on gravel; the K doesn't do dirt.
Tom

[139679]

I didn't get to ride the RT or GT yet, but i've decided to ride the wheels off this one for a while. I'm enjoying :thumb it so much why switch? But i will be changing seats before i have to visit the doctors office. I ordered a Sergent seat and i'm researching saddle bags or rear case choices. Thanks everyone for great input. Anyone near east Georgia?

[Becky973]

It is like apples or oranges. They are two different animals. I have a two K bikes (1200 & 1000 and my husband has an R (1200RT) he did have a K bike before this one. The difference between the two is like day and night. Each have things that you either love or hate. I like the K-bikes better than the R. But it all comes down to what you want/like and when you want it.

Becky