Advice for an '03 K1200 RS owner?

[dk_nj]

I'm anxiously awaiting delivery of a beautiful pacific blue K1200 RS :clap just in time for some cold Jersey weather, and the anticipation is killing me. I used to own an R100 RT in California back in '85 and I loved it. Never had an issue of any kind.

This K bike is quite a different animal, and I'm wondering if anyone can offer any tips or advice about quirks in handling, known problems -- things to watch out for.

Thanks,

[jdiaz]

It doesn't like cruising below 85mph. My '98 model had this problem.

[dk_nj]

Thanks JD, that's very helpful. I can see that this membership is really going to pay off.

[jgr451]

Check out the I-BMW.com site,just google it,if that doesnt work let me know and I will post the url in full.It's ao online forum like this one,only dedicated to the K1200.

My last ride was a 1984 R100RT.My 2004 K1200GT is definitely a different breed of cat!

;) :D

[dk_nj]

Thanks, I'll check out i-bmw.com. I expect to find that the K1200RS is a very sweet bike, but every machine has something unique about it, and as long as I can't ride, I might as well read.

[zemplar]

Just don't get overly complacent initially. The massive power can really catch you off guard if you aren't used to it. It was about a month or two before I put a throttle rocker on and about a year before I put the grips all the way forward (you'll develop upper body strength gradually).

The suspension is superb. Just make sure you don't underestimate the weight if you are riding hard and deep into corners. Experience will quickly teach you what you can get away with.

If you have a chance, take an advanced riders course at your local racetrack....VERY rewarding.

[dk_nj]

Great advice, thanks. I have the bike now, and it is extremely powerful. I haven't found the end of its acceleration in my neighborhood (which includes a few interstates). I will try to keep myself in check while I'm learning to handle this monster.

If learning from experience means taking a horizontal ride with a curbside view, I'm not overeager for the lesson. I'll check out the advanced riders course in the spring.

[zemplar]

Originally posted by dk_nj
If learning from experience means taking a horizontal ride with a curbside view, I'm not overeager for the lesson.

Fourtnately no. However, especially on the track, a few of those "Oh $%#$!" moments happen and you get forced into just adding more throttle, leaning hard, and hoping for the best. In the end, you realize, "that was stupid!", but learn anyway. ;)

[bikerfish1100]

look to take a MSF ERC course in the spring- maybe even try to arrange it with/thru one of the local BMW clubs or shops. unless you're planning on getting in a pile of track time, that course will serve you better for honing your street skills.:bliss it will give you a really good handle on how to manage that behemoth at under 30 speeds.

[Will]

I purchased a '03 K12RS this past June, put 10K on the bike this summer. Here are my thoughts, I last rode a '71 R60 and got on this fantastic monster, every time I ride this machine I love it.

first month or two is spent on learning how to contol the engine.

go to parking lot and work on low speed conering etc. I found book by lee parks helpful on riding skills. I had just got back to riding a year ago after 16 year absence. brushing up skills in a vacant lot really pays off.

had to work on putting the bars in the correct position for me, took a couple of tries to get the position right, now in most forward position.

had to get use to shift lever peg postion. found that I had the opportunity to miss a 1-2 shift or two. ended up with pegs in lowest positon.

gas mileage goes up over time, started at ~30 and hit ~45 with crusie on 85 mph a couple of times this summer. now that temp is down in 30 - 40 dropped to less than 30, cold weather starts and ride.

cold weather I would recommend the expensive bmw heated vest and putting on the fairing panels for the hands from the GT model. the hand guards really work well to keep the wind and rain off the hands. I put them on and off as needed.


hope this helps...

[dk_nj]

Interesting stuff. I have noticed that my mileage is very low, but there's no mystery about why. Every time I get on an open stretch of road I want to remind myself what the engine sounds like approaching 8K. Maybe someday I'll care about fuel economy. Maybe not.

As for parking lots, I'm a big fan of that approach. It's how I learned to drive a car, and it's how I'll teach my kids. Too much of my commute is low speed riding because of traffic, so I've gotten to be very accomplished at keeping my feet on the pegs until I'm practically at a dead stop. I have a lot to learn, and I'm enjoying the process.

I commuted again today and it was a bit chilly in the morning (around 38 degrees F), but the heated grips were almost glowing, and the Aerostich suit was very comfortable. A vest would be nice, but I'm going to hold out for the two or three weeks of of riding I have left this season. I figure by turkey day it'll be time to winterize and start dreaming about spring...

[jgr451]

Yes the stock exhaust note does get interesting after 5000 rpm!!

[tom56]

My 00 K1200RS is an outstanding machine. When parking yours, if the head is down, leave it in gear, they have been know to roll off the side stand.
Take it out west and let her rip. Your won't be sorry.

[dk_nj]

My 00 K1200RS is an outstanding machine. When parking yours, if the head is down, leave it in gear, they have been know to roll off the side stand.
Take it out west and let her rip. Your won't be sorry.

Today I took a ride out through the Delaware Water Gap on I-80. Probably not the "west" you had in mind, but it was a gorgeous day and the scenary was awesome. There was one stretch of road about 10 miles east of the gap where traffic was pretty light, and I opened her up a bit. She really goes, and solid as a rock with miles of top-end to spare.

Thanks for the side stand advice.