How I became the owner of a new K1200GT

[Mudbug]

Several years ago, I was looking for my first motorcycle in 27 years. Cruisers appealed to me, so I looked at Yamaha Road Star, Honda Shadow, and Harley. Actually, when I walked into the Harley dealership I was aproached by a young salesman who asked me which model Harley I was interested in. I said either a Dyna Super Glide or a Dyna Wide Glide. All the bikes on the show room floor were sold, but he said that a Wide Glide just became available and he asked if I wanted it.

Sure, I said. I but down a deposit and waited 6 weeks for it to arrive. When It arrived, was out of town on business. As soon as I got home, I went for a ride around the neighborhood. It was heavy and handled like a out of balance heavy duty truck on two wheels. I wondered if I made the right decison. As time went on , that Harley and I became accustomed to each other. It was never a love, love relationship. I tolerated it but never really loved it. Over the years I put over 43,000 miles on that Harley. Some good, some not so good.

During the 4 years that I owned that Harley, I would go into the local BMW dealership on occassion. They had nice apparel and accessories. They were also customer service oriented.

When BMW introduced the R1200CL, I just had to have one. I liked the looks. Some people thought it was ugly. Most Harley owners seemed to show their approval. Then last December, I started looking at vintage BMW's after talking to the owner of an very nice original R50/2 at a gasoline station.

The more I looked, the more possibilities I saw including some nice K75's and K100's. I found a very nice low mileage 1991 K100RS. I was hooked. The handing, power and smoothness was the best I had experienced on a motorcycle to date. I like that K100RS so much, I ride it to work every day. I tell the wife I'm conserving energy and money ( gas at $2+ per gallon and a tank lasts two weeks if I don't ride on weekends). She knows that I'm using that as an excuse to ride as much as I can.

Yesterday, I received an advertisement card from BMW outlining their recent incentive program on certain models of BMW motorcycles. So, I did some late night research trying to decide between a K1200GT and a R1150RT. I know that the new models, R1200's and K1200's are coming out next year. So I went to my local BMW dealer, Lone Star BMW/Triumph and talked to the salesman, Gary. He was a no pressure, nice guy. I looked around the show room and found only one K1200RS/GT, it was a new ( 12 miles on the odometer) light green 2004 GT. We talked, the numbers were right so I traded in my R1200CL and drove off with the new 2004 K1200GT. When I started it for the first time, it sounded almost exactly like my 1991 K100RS. There the similarity ended. Although I was cautious, I quickly noticed the accleration of the K-GT. It also seemed a bit smoother.

I rode over to Central Texas H-D and showed an old friend my new bike. He had owned a 1985 K100, 19 years ago. Then I went home . The bike made a big hit with my wife. She insisted on a short ride around the neighborhood, without a helmet :eek .

I realize that I am exactly where I belong right now, the proud owner of a new 2004 K1200GT. It just took me a while and a few detours to get here.

Now I ask myself, which bike do I ride to work? :dunno

[kbasa]

Awesome! Congratulations! Got pictures?

Do you have it now or do you have to go back and pick it up?

[Mudbug]

I have some pictures - 4 to be exact. 2 of me on it and 2 of my wife on it.

I'm going to ride it to Luckenback, TX tomorrow and take some pictures there. It's a great ride and a good back drop for pictures.

I'll post one soon when I download to this Linux box.

[Mudbug]

Here is a picture of the new 2004 K1200GT.

[jgr451]

Ya bad bugger,ya stole mine!!

Just kidding...mine is identical and in the fastest colour too(same as yours).

I was a dedicated R guy for 8 years until I rode this K.

Congrats!!:D

[Cliffy777]

Nice looking machine. Great way to travel Texas. In the interest of being fair to your bikes I think the correct answer to is to alternate equally between the two.

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by Cliffy777
Nice looking machine. Great way to travel Texas. In the interest of being fair to your bikes I think the correct answer to is to alternate equally between the two.

I agree, you really have to try to maintain harmony in your garage.

[Mudbug]

I have rationalized a solution. :D Ride the K-GT to work until it's broken in. It is a short ride with plenty of signal lights, stop and go.

After that, I'll alternate. It's going to be hard. :idea Why?

As much as the K100RS was a huge improvement over the Wide Glide and nicely different than the R1200CL, the K-GT is a great improvement in handling, comfort, position, and performance over the K100RS.

[IndyGT]

As a longtime rider who came to the GT via a '91 K100RS, I enjoyed your post and congratulate you on an excellent decision!
Every GT owner I know says the heated seat is a big hit with the wife or significant other and mine is no exception. My wife, who has about 30,000 pillion miles on my RS, said the back of the GT seat lacks the little upsweep that gave her a sense of security on the RS, so I added a detachable backrest from Pirates Lair. The bracket mounts under the luggage rack and is virtually undetectable and the backrest can be installed or removed in about 60 seconds.
Enjoy your GT!
:twirl

[GregFeeler]

I have rationalized a solution. :D Ride the K-GT to work until it's broken in. It is a short ride with plenty of signal lights, stop and go.

After that, I'll alternate.


First, congratulations on your new GT! I know you're going to love it. I bought a 2003 K1200RS two years ago this coming Christmas and it's the finest bike I've ever owned.

However, as for the breakin of your GT I would strongly suggest you not use commuting as your major breakin miles. BMW motorcycle engines (like their cars, and those from Audi, VW and other German companies) are all subject to some long term oil consumption if babied too much during breakin.

The book says to not exceed 4,000rpm for the first 600 miles, then "engine speeds may be gradually increased" over the next 600. Although I avoided heavy throttle loads, I really exercised the engine for the first 1,200 miles. I used all the RPM range, and constantly varried speed and load. Especially, I made it a point of using engine compression braking as much as I could to provide reverse loading on the engine and drive train. After the first 200 miles I would occasionally run up past 4,000rpm - to 4,500 and eventually 5,000 as I was near the first 600 miles. These were not heavy throttle - just a chance to run up some revs under light load and done quickly and infrequently. Although I'm a big believer in synthetic lubricants, I used the BMW dino oil until the 12,000 mile service.

The point of all this is to get the rings to seat and avoid excessive oil consumption. It worked, since the bike has never used any oil once out of the fiirst 1,200 miles, and has uses virtually none (either none at all or just detectable between changes).

Actually, one can argue that the engine is not "broken in" at 1,200 miles, but rather that you just don't have any speed/load restrictions. On my bike at between 4,500 and 5,000 miles it started running noticably better - dramatically so - lots more power and I picked up nearly 3 mpg! :clap There was another improvement at about 15,000 miles, although much more subtle.

One last comment - this time about tires (right there with religion). :eek My bike came with Dunlop D220's, I've had a couple of sets of Michelin Pilot Roads, and now recently a set of Metzler Z6's. The D220's were ok, never did anything wrong but wore out quickly. The Pilot Roads were excellent and lasted much longer and with better handling. However, the Z6's are remarkable!

An early magazine road test I read said they made the K12RS/GT feel like it dropped a hundred pounds. That's not too far off in my experience. The bike feels MUCH lighter at all speeds, is much more responsive in the corners, and yet, even through "quicker" handling actually feels more stable, and if anything has more of that fabled K12RS/GT stability. If these continue to be this impressive as they wear, I have found my new standard tire for this bike. If you try some, be sure and get the "B" series for the rear - it's designed for the loads of bikes like the K12s.

Again, congratulations!

[boofer]

Hmmm...I ride the K100rs to work ( all gravel drive that gets watered to prevent dust - so it gets dirty every day ) the K12RS to just go nuts and belittle Harleys, the R1100RSL for trips (K12 has no bags) and the R90/6 when I just want to belittle Harleys (some kinda theme goin on here)

Strange as it may sound to "some" I do prefer the /6 for those really long trips, suppose it's because you can fix-em with a leatherman and some chewing gum.

[GregFeeler]

Hmmm...I ride the K100rs to work ( all gravel drive that gets watered to prevent dust - so it gets dirty every day ) the K12RS to just go nuts and belittle Harleys, the R1100RSL for trips (K12 has no bags) and the R90/6 when I just want to belittle Harleys (some kinda theme goin on here)

Strange as it may sound to "some" I do prefer the /6 for those really long trips, suppose it's because you can fix-em with a leatherman and some chewing gum.

I have a 1972 R75/5 that I took out of the crate new. Although I ride the K's a lot more often, I took the /5 to the Spokane rally and had a blast! I live in Boise, ID, so it was a short 450 miles to the rally, but through some beautiful twisty mountain roads. It's a real testimony to the kind of bikes that BMW builds that a 32 year old motorcycle can provide a totally satifying riding experience. There is something about the simplicity of the airheads that does inspire confidence, like a trusted friend.

[Mudbug]

Greg Feeler wrote - :type -
"One last comment - this time about tires (right there with religion). My bike came with Dunlop D220's, I've had a couple of sets of Michelin Pilot Roads, and now recently a set of Metzler Z6's. The D220's were ok, never did anything wrong but wore out quickly. The Pilot Roads were excellent and lasted much longer and with better handling. However, the Z6's are remarkable!"

I installed a set of Z6's on my K100RS. They are great. I'm not sure that I like them so much because they are great or because the last set of Michelin tires, which came on the bike from the previous owner, were worn out and needed replacing after I put an additional 5000 miles on them.

Either way, I like Metzelers. I've had great expereinces with Metzlers.

[Grey Matter]

Mudbug, do you mind if I ask how tall you are? The reason I ask is that I have been looking at the K1200GT for about a year. But I fear I may be to cramped on it. I am 6’5” & 300 lbs. My R1150GS Adventure fits nice but the pegs could be a little lower for my mutant 36” inseam legs.

I did a test ride a couple months ago & it was pretty comfortable overall. I only rode 100 miles but am still concerned about long range 500 mile day comfort.

Thanks for any advice.

[Mudbug]

I'm 6'.
The bike is stock which works for me.
There are foot peg lower kits available.

[SheRidesABeemer]

This is really good information. I've coveted the K12GT since it graced the cover of the ON a few years ago. I finally took one out for a test ride, late October. I had it out for over an hour, sure enough, my neck and lower back started to get sore. Some people have suggested that you can "get used" to the riding position, or that a one inch riser is going to help. As someone who has only had bikes where I sit up straight (K11LT & K75C), riding comfort is the one thing holding me back from picking up a GT. I can't replace the LT unless I have another bike that will be good for the 10-12 hour days which are not an exception for me.

My other, more manageable concern is that I would have more tickets by the end of the week on that bike...handling? WOW. Coming from the LT which seems like it's going to fall over at any given intersection, the center of gravity on the GT is wonderful. And then there is that fine K noise that I am so accustomed to.

Any advice from the sitting up straight crowd. Oh, and the K12LT is so not happening for me...my only other interest would be the R1150RT, but I'm reluctant to give up my K.

Gail

[Mudbug]

I have had many years of riding bicycles, road bikes that have the same riding position as Lance Armstrong, Tour de France winner. As a result, I have a strong lower back from being in that position hours upon hours everytime I rode. I rode approximately 5000 miles a year, approx 100 miles per week.

The riding position of the K-GT is not upright. It is slightly forward. In this position, there is a tendency to put the upper body weight on the shoulders, arms, and hands. Eventually this can get uncomfortable. The best way to ride in this position is to use the lower back to hold up your torso and place minimal weight on the handlebars, using your arms and hands to stear the bike and not support your upper body.

The key is to strengthen your lower back, if possible. Barbacks can only do so much if your arms are not long enough.

Not long ago I met a K100RS rider who told me that he rested on his rather large tank bag. That would be another way to rest your back.

An upright position, found primarily with cruisers, does take the stress off you back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. However your back then acts like a upright spring to support your upper body. And bad roads, pot holes, can play havoc with your spinal column. Bumps are transmitted vertically through your pelvis and into your back. I've experienced this riding a Harley for 4 years. There is a reason why old Harley riders of 'hard tails' have so many back problems, no rear suspension and an upright riding position.

All that said, I don't see spending a lot of money on a bike that gets uncomfortable unless it can be easily adjusted like getting a more comfortable seat. If the K-GT is uncomfortablde, maybe the R-RT, especially the new R1200RT, due out after the first of the year, would be the way to go. Look a the specs and all the information on the R1200RT. It is lighter than the R1150RT, lighter than the K-GT, with 110HP and a 7 gallon tank. Not a bad choice in my opinion.

Good luck. :thumb