K1200RS vs. K1200R-Sport

[68820]

I've searched the forum and can't find this topic. Have any of you gone from a K1200RS to a K1200R-Sport? The bike has everything I'd like in a new Beemer: power, handling, style.

I'm sitting on the fence right now. I test rode an new K12R-Sport last week and really loved the motor. It has buckets of power compared to my '01 K12RS. It also handles great. The dealer wants it gone so they are willing to deal a bit. Since I've had the K12RS for six years, it has most of the farkles I like: Sargent seat, peg lowering kit, comfort screen with Laminar Lip for cold weather, Throttlemeister, Stebel horn, etc.

The stuff I kept thinking about while I was riding it was that the pegs were too high for me. The commercially available ones seem to go about an inch lower. Also the grips seemed small compared to the grips on my K12RS. I figure I can get used to that.

Not having much after market stuff doesn't seem too problematic. I'd like to add a Sargent saddle at some point, but the stocker wasn't bad on my 50 mile loop. I also would add a Throttlemeister for trips, but that can come later.

What do you think of the old K1200RS compared to the new K1200R-Sport? How did you get used to the new bike? What things do you miss from the K12RS? What things do you like about the K12R-Sport?

[GregFeeler]

I've searched the forum and can't find this topic. Have any of you gone from a K1200RS to a K1200R-Sport? The bike has everything I'd like in a new Beemer: power, handling, style.

I'm sitting on the fence right now. I test rode an new K12R-Sport last week and really loved the motor. It has buckets of power compared to my '01 K12RS. It also handles great. The dealer wants it gone so they are willing to deal a bit. Since I've had the K12RS for six years, it has most of the farkles I like: Sargent seat, peg lowering kit, comfort screen with Laminar Lip for cold weather, Throttlemeister, Stebel horn, etc.

The stuff I kept thinking about while I was riding it was that the pegs were too high for me. The commercially available ones seem to go about an inch lower. Also the grips seemed small compared to the grips on my K12RS. I figure I can get used to that.

Not having much after market stuff doesn't seem too problematic. I'd like to add a Sargent saddle at some point, but the stocker wasn't bad on my 50 mile loop. I also would add a Throttlemeister for trips, but that can come later.

What do you think of the old K1200RS compared to the new K1200R-Sport? How did you get used to the new bike? What things do you miss from the K12RS? What things do you like about the K12R-Sport?


I have a 2003 K1200RS I bought new and have 37,000 miles on it. Last summer I spent an afternoon with the K1200R Sport. IF I were to buy one of the new K-bikes, that is likely the one. However, if I had to pick between the R Sport and the RS - I'll keep the RS. Why?

It's the better bike for my riding. It's more stable in winds and feels more planted on the road, it's more comfortable (I think that R Sport seat would kill me and will be hard to get a comfortable saddle made), and mostly, the new K-bike engine is too "hyper". By that I mean it is too buzzy and touchy with the throttle. The bike felt to me like it was wanting to escape all the time. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE horsepower, and the R Sport has buckets of that, but it also seemed like it was work to ride comparative to the RS. OTOH, the RS is dead smooth - which really adds miles to a long day of riding. It's is torquey, and seems effortless with it's speed where as the new Flying Wedge engines seem to be working at it. If I could have both, I'd have an R Sport in a heartbeat. But, since I don't have that option now, will keep the RS.

Also, if you don't know, I've heard from my local dealer that both the K-R and K-R Sport are being discontinued. That could be why your dealer is anxious to move the one you're looking at. That wouldn't stop me from buying it, but I would use that as leverage to get the best deal.

[68820]

Thanks for taking the time to reply on a Saturday. I went by the dealer again today and looked hard at the bike. I really like it. I feel like I have a "crush" on it. All the while, my steady is out in the parking lot asking for me to take her for a ride. I'm smitten, but I think the RS may be better for me. When I rode my K1200RS home, I kept thinking about how I'd miss it if I traded.

I know it's heavy and much slower than the R-Sport. It fits me great. I've ridden it nearly cross country and have a couple of unsanctioned Iron Butt rides on it. I've smoothed out all the wrinkles on the bike and have recently added a Starcom Advance1 to the K12RS. I know I could migrate some of its farkles to the K1200R-Sport. But is it worth it?

The R-Sport has power for days. It also looks like a modern bike, where the K12RS is mid-90s design. The K1200R-Sport saddlebags are funky, but functional. It seems like it would be OK for touring, but I don't know. Since my wife rarely rides pillion, I don't have to consider that part of the equation. I reread the article that Ray Zimmerman wrote in the July '07 issue of the BMW Owners' News. I also liked the sidebar that Bob Malehorn wrote in the same article. Good points all of them.

I have a couple of days to think about it. They aren't open until Tuesday. If any of you other MOA members can think of pluses or minuses for either bike, let me know. If you've made the switch, let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Robert

[cjack]

I have been riding the K12S for 3 years now and really like it compared to the K12RS (we rode them for 6 years). The S is every bit as good in the side winds as the RS was...I think better. I know it is not an R or R Sport, but the ride is similar. I do like the additional fairing over the R...maybe the sport would be ok. I had an RS too while I was riding the S the first year and didn't care for it after riding the S. We (Viki has one too...5'3"...) have been from Vermont to Colorado on them, everything stock, and they have been good touring bikes for us.
I too felt the S motor was touchy, but got used to it (took about a week or so), and then of course BMW kind of smoothed it out a bit. No issue anymore. Don't even think about it.

[moosedog]

I have an 02 KRSA and I honestly cannot find a more perfect bike (and I've tried). Mine is completely stock except for a Corbin seat. I just got back from a 5650 mile cross country trip in 19 days. The bike handles everything you throw at it with superb ease. Rain, wind (very heavy cross winds in Kansas, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming) two up, fully loaded. My electronic cruise control is a life and ticket saver. The horizontally opposed engine is smooth as silk. Ergo's very, very comfy. I have had several bikes with inline four engines and really do not want another - for me a real shame BMW went to them. I like the looks of the new K bikes (mostly) but it really doesn't compare in that department either with the smooth and fast lines of the K12RS.

One more thing. Unless you just have money to burn, think of the great trips you could take and all the tires you could buy for the price difference between your current best friend and that new hussy twirling her tassles at you in the window...................................