New K1200LT owner-- Thrilled, and Scary!!

[buzzmanrtfld]

Bought a 2000 K1200Lt last month, my first ride in 25 years. Last one was a 72Kawasaki 500. Wow, what a difference!!! I absolutely love the Beemer, but the tippsy feeling when you come to a stop is scary. Someone tell me I will get used to the top-heavyness??

[rinty]

You'll want to be very careful with your new bike for a while, Buzz, and select your riding conditions with care, as well.

No offence intended, but an acquaintance of mine who recently transitioned to a Gold Wing from a small Honda, just lost his life last week overshooting a corner in Montana. This fellow, who was a fine athlete, had completed all the bike courses in everything.

The top heaviness is characteristic of some of the K bikes, and you should get used to it. K bike owners are almost universally enthusiastic about their machines.

Do an advanced search in the K bike section here for more info on handling characteristics.

Have fun.

Rinty

[rocketman]

Bought a 2000 K1200Lt last month, my first ride in 25 years. Last one was a 72Kawasaki 500. Wow, what a difference!!! I absolutely love the Beemer, but the tippsy feeling when you come to a stop is scary. Someone tell me I will get used to the top-heavyness??

Nope! in fact it gets heavier as time goes on... :lol


No, wait, I rescind that, it gets heavier as you get older! Ha Ha.

But all seriousness aside, it does take a while, below 5 MPH the weight does seem to suddenly pile up, its as if it was riding along behind you just waiting for a chance to catch you and try to trip you up! One thing that helps is keeping the bike straight as you come to a stop, the more the front wheel is turned the more you feel the weight in those last few feet. It took me almost a year of riding it, and i ride 25-30K plus easy, to really feel as comfortable on it as my airhead, but I also have balance issues since losing input from my right inner ear, so for most I'm sure its a lot less time.

In all other aspects its one amazing machine, it will eat up miles on highway or rural roads like you wouldn't believe. Once it gets rolling the handling is quite something its hard to believe you're pushing that much weight around corners on the back roads, and the brakes are well up to the task of stopping it as easily as it get going. I have often ridden it in mild rain and not gotten wet cept maybe my shoulders as long as I was moving the fairing/body work really keeps the weather off you.
I went from a 78 R to the LT, so I have a good idea what it must be like coming from a 73 Kaw 500, it must be an incredible switch up for you! have fun with it, you won't be sorry!

RM

[eljeffe]

Bought a 2000 K1200Lt last month, my first ride in 25 years. Last one was a 72Kawasaki 500. Wow, what a difference!!! I absolutely love the Beemer, but the tippsy feeling when you come to a stop is scary. Someone tell me I will get used to the top-heavyness??

You'll get used to it. Be sure to check out www.bmwlt.com for more LT-specific info.

[AlReich23]

Hi Buzz -

I'm just ahead of you by a month, except that this is my first bike.
I've layed it down twice since I've bought it.
I was able to post it back up myself.
I'm not that young, 47, and I'm not that tall 5' 10".
I ride every day to work (16 miles) and grow more fond of it each day.
It's a great machine, that performs and handles well.
Stop and go traffic still gets me a bit anxious.
Good luck.

[rvb1019]

Hi Buzz -

I'm just ahead of you by a month, except that this is my first bike.


I give you credit if the LT is your first bike. It's a great ride, but for a first bike, I think it could be difficult to handle. Please be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for picking the beast up, here is a link to see a video on how to pick her up by yourself. Trust me, you will get. - Clicky Clicky! (http://www.robertvanbrunt.com/2007_11_01_archive.html#5266017912346008604)

FWIW, I've dropped mine many times already. The first time- 10 minutes after getting her home with my daughter on the back. Scary and Embarrassing!:banghead

As ElJeffe stated, the BMWLT Board (http://www.bmwlt.com) is a great source of information on the LT. You really should check it out!

[bktaylor2]

great bike, i had one for about six months but switched to a 08 rt. i wanted a little sportier ride. one bit of advise which i learned the hard way. if you use the side stand always i repeat always have the bike in gear. the lt will roll off the side stand very easy.