K1200RS vs itself

[wvcajun]

Hopefully there is someone out there that can tell me (or point me to a concise source) about the K1200 RS/GT. How do previous year models stack up against the 2004 model as far as specs (ABS integral, cruise control, etc). The reason I am asking is I am looking for a used RS with all the safety and performance of a 2004 in the $6000 - $8000 range. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matthew

[jdiaz]

Power-wise, the bikes are all the same. The first ones in late '97 had low handlebars and high pegs, and every few years the riding position got mellowed out a little more.

Integral ABS and cruise control didn't show up until the fairing redesign in 2002? or so. I prefer the look of the earlier ones myself, although my aching back can still remember those low bars.

For $6-8K, you are probably looking at a '98 or '99 model with 30K miles or so. Its plenty of bike at that price.

[Visian]

The K12 board... (http://www2.i-bmw.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=)

and... my thoughts after owning a blue-as-hell 2002 K12RS (http://www.visian.nu/images/k12rs.jpg) for a year now.

The cruise control was added in the 2001 evolution, and it is a very useful tool for two reasons:

1) you can set it and then let go and sit up straight to stretch your back or just relax (not recommended, but of course, I do it all the time)

2) protect your insurance policy. The bike is damned fast and it loves to run at 110. It is very, very easy to creep up from 70 to 90 and not know it... 90 is nothing to that bike.

To amplify upon what Jon said, the other significant change in this evolution was a wider front-end for better wind protection, and cooler, more streamlined mirrors.

Oh yeah, and whizzy brakes (I think) were added at that time. Many people rave about these, I am not a fan because of the significant expense involved in bleeding/renewing the fluid.

Ian