Question on K1200RS

[uncutshirt]

I am trading (today) in my 2007 650GS for a 1998 1200RS, Is there anything I should consider for this model or model year?

It has @40K and has been serviced by the same dealership since new.

Am I crazy for getting a 10 year old bike for 6K?

[Rasbutan]

I am trading (today) in my 2007 650GS for a 1998 1200RS, Is there anything I should consider for this model or model year?

It has @40K and has been serviced by the same dealership since new.

Am I crazy for getting a 10 year old bike for 6K?

It's very reasonable, especially if it's dealer maintained.

Make sure the fuel line o-rings have been replaced. Keep your fingers crossed that the final drive is happy.

and have fun.

welcome to the darkside.

[tkpinsc]

I am trading (today) in my 2007 650GS for a 1998 1200RS, Is there anything I should consider for this model or model year?

It has @40K and has been serviced by the same dealership since new.

Am I crazy for getting a 10 year old bike for 6K?


If the rear engine seal and oil ring have not been replaced they will need it soon. The clutch slave cylinder also usually leaks by now. Seal and o-ring parts =$20 labor =$1500 if you need to pay it done. Add $120 or so for the clutch slave cylinder. If the job hasn't been done you may/probably are dripping oil from between the transmission and motor. Some were done under warranty. If it has been replaced with the new style that is reported to hold up better, $6k is not so bad if there are some farkles like bags included.

I bought one a year and a half ago for 4k with 30m knowing I had to tackle this job. I have tools, a lift and am a reasonable wrench so it worked out ok for me. If you can't tackle the job yourself and it hasn't been done $6k is to much for the bike.

[rbertalotto]

Hire a good lawyer...............well versed in traffic court!....:dance

That's a great bike at a reasonable price.....Your gonna love it!

[uncutshirt]

Hire a good lawyer...............well versed in traffic court!....:dance

That's a great bike at a reasonable price.....Your gonna love it!

Thanks all - The dealer has a good rep for maintenance so I think its a safe bet plus lots of farkles

And... Its the best bike I have ever owned - what a ride!!! :brad
Why didn't I get one before???

[Beemer01]

Geez - what a beautiful ride. The engine is of the same DNA as my 85, though with higher HP.

Good decision, now you can challenge Martin's rice grinder. I'll watch.

Ride safe.

[dklemp1]

I have a 99 K12RS that I bought a couple of years ago. Bought it with 1700 miles, now it has about 20k. It's my workhorse bike and I take it on long trips. The only problem I had was with hoses coming off the fuel pump (which unfortunately left me stranded on the side of the interstate, but that's another story); tech at the dealer said that someone (previous owner, maybe?) had tampered with it or something. Just had the 18k service done and no problems and it's ready for another trip!

The only other thing that I've noticed is that I get a buzzing in the handlebars between 4k and 5k rpms, strongest at about 4500rpms, right in my cruising range. Not really bothersome, but it gets irritating at times. Anyone else have this issue?

[tkpinsc]

I have a 99 K12RS that I bought a couple of years ago. Bought it with 1700 miles, now it has about 20k. It's my workhorse bike and I take it on long trips. The only problem I had was with hoses coming off the fuel pump (which unfortunately left me stranded on the side of the interstate, but that's another story); tech at the dealer said that someone (previous owner, maybe?) had tampered with it or something. Just had the 18k service done and no problems and it's ready for another trip!

The only other thing that I've noticed is that I get a buzzing in the handlebars between 4k and 5k rpms, strongest at about 4500rpms, right in my cruising range. Not really bothersome, but it gets irritating at times. Anyone else have this issue?

My buzz is most noticable around 4200 and I can also feel it through the seat. Most if not all of them have it. Best solution is to use a different gear or speed.

[SweetT]

I have 98 and its a great bike. My best friend and my dad have em too. Sadly they both had about 55K mi on them when both of their final drives went out, in the middle of cross country trips no less! Its not supposed to happen often, but there are only two people I know who have K1200's and both of them lost their final drives. Sheesh! You may want to do a premature final drive oil change at 5k mi to see if there are any metal shards on the magnetic drain plug.

In order to avoid ruining your clutch by having oil or hydraulic fluid get on it, you should drill a 1/8" hole in the bottom of the clutch housing. If your slave cylinder starts to leak or the $.69 o-ring that keeps engine oil from getting on the clutch fails, it will run out of the hole you just drilled instead of filling up the bellhousing of the clutch.

I've never had problems with fuel lines or anything. I think they're great bikes esp for touring two up and camping. You can even have fun at track days too!

[GregFeeler]

My buzz is most noticable around 4200 and I can also feel it through the seat. Most if not all of them have it. Best solution is to use a different gear or speed.

My K1200RS had that buzz only slightly, but it completely disappeared when I installed a Remus exhaust, and I know of another K12RS owner who had the same experience. Our theory is the buzz at about 4,500 RPM is an exhaust resonance in the stock system. Oh, and my fuel mileage when up with the Remus a couple of miles to the gallon.

[GregFeeler]

I am trading (today) in my 2007 650GS for a 1998 1200RS, Is there anything I should consider for this model or model year?

Yes - a ValentineOne: http://www.valentineone.com/. Mine has paid for it's self many times over. :evil

It has @40K and has been serviced by the same dealership since new.

Am I crazy for getting a 10 year old bike for 6K?

That bike will easily last a quarter of a million miles. And, IMHO, BMW no longer makes a bike with it's appeal (to me) and virtues. I know of several people who sold their K12RS's when the new K1200 series came out - or who went for one of the new oilheads, who are now going back to the K12RS. Not that the others are not fine motorcycles - but what the K1200RS does well I think it does better than any other bike I've ever ridden.

[dklemp1]

My K1200RS had that buzz only slightly, but it completely disappeared when I installed a Remus exhaust, and I know of another K12RS owner who had the same experience. Our theory is the buzz at about 4,500 RPM is an exhaust resonance in the stock system. Oh, and my fuel mileage when up with the Remus a couple of miles to the gallon.

This is good to know, as I tend to get (in my opinion) rather poor fuel mileage on this bike. My wife says I drive too fast, but I'm not sure I entirely agree with her...

About how much do these exhaust systems cost?

[dklemp1]

That bike will easily last a quarter of a million miles. And, IMHO, BMW no longer makes a bike with it's appeal (to me) and virtues. I know of several people who sold their K12RS's when the new K1200 series came out - or who went for one of the new oilheads, who are now going back to the K12RS. Not that the others are not fine motorcycles - but what the K1200RS does well I think it does better than any other bike I've ever ridden.

Also good to know. I really enjoy my K12RS, and get a bit dismayed when I see the prices that used K12RS's go for in the MOA Flea Market. Based on my positive experiences with my bike, I guess I thought they'd be worth more. However, it's good news for those looking to buy one, I suppose.

[GregFeeler]

This is good to know, as I tend to get (in my opinion) rather poor fuel mileage on this bike. My wife says I drive too fast, but I'm not sure I entirely agree with her...

About how much do these exhaust systems cost?

Around $800 +/-. However, I found mine very slightly used for $400.

[ARValkguy]

Without a doubt, the most fun motorcycle I have ever been on. Wonderful machine. The only downside I can think of, the fact that we don't have unlimited speed zones. And the color, I like to refer to it as write me a ticket RED. That buzzing wel that is just the bike saying "GO FASTER!"

[GregFeeler]

Also good to know. I really enjoy my K12RS, and get a bit dismayed when I see the prices that used K12RS's go for in the MOA Flea Market. Based on my positive experiences with my bike, I guess I thought they'd be worth more. However, it's good news for those looking to buy one, I suppose.

A low resale price is only important to people selling bikes, and those buying. I have no intention of selling mine, but I do know people looking for them. As I look at used bike prices all over the Internet, I don't think the K12RS is really out of line. However, I do think with time you'll see the prices stabilize and become more expensive relative to other same-year BMW's. The K75 was going for very cheap for several years, and now they are going up in price and seem to move quickly when for sale. Eventually, people figure out that BMW didn't replace what was a great motorcycle and then they are sought after.

[uncutshirt]

Been through three fillups and only getting 25-26mpg
that can't be normal - O2 sensor?

Othe than that even the buzz from the stock exhaust feels nice

curt

[CUZ]

Of all the bikes I've owned this one is by far the most fun. I'm glad I waited until my late 40's though to buy it
If I had this bike when I was 20 I'd have probably been a statistic.
respect it but by all means ENJOY It.

[lancew]

25mpg? Something ain't right. My boss is a "sports car" guy, when had my K12RS I used to tease him that I could get 40mpg and still blow the doors off his 'vette in the quarter mile.:stick

And yes I remember that "buzz" between 65 and 70 mph or so, I always figured the bike was just calling me a wuss and asking to "go faster, please."

[SweetT]

Been through three fillups and only getting 25-26mpg
that can't be normal - O2 sensor?

Othe than that even the buzz from the stock exhaust feels nice

curt

You should repost this under its own heading and you'd get more help