K1200RS vs. Aprilia Futura

[SweetT]

My K75 is racking up the miles and I'd like to upgrade to a sportier bike so I'm looking at the K1200RS and the *gasp!* Aprilia Futura. Is there a web page out there that has a side by side comparison of these two bikes?
Do any of you have opinions about these two bikes?

Thanks!

[jdiaz]

I always hated the look of the Futura in the showroom, but like it out on the road. Never tried one out....looks like fun.

Loved my K1200RS. I gave it up without much of a fight, but have spent a year now contemplating how I am going to get it back from its current owner. :)

[kbasa]

Cue bikpaintr.

He's got a Futura that he loves.

[SweetT]

Kbasa,
Will do. Thanks!

[Lee]

Tarren
You can go to Vics 1200 site and there is a guy on the site that has a K1200RS and Aprilia Mille. Not sure if the Mille is similar to the Futura.
Him name is Jim Kriner and goes by DVL Jim on the site.
http://www2.i-bmw.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Go to the site and send him a private message or just post on the site. I think there are several on the site that have Aprilia.

[rbertalotto]

Interesting choice.....I own a K1200RS and an Aprilia Tuono........The Futura is a much better touring bike than the Tuono........But that said, you need to decide what you want the bike for.

If you are touring, you just can't beat the on the road support that BMW affords you. God help you if your Aprilia brakes down in East Cepepe. Between the number of authorized and unauthorized BMW shops and the annonomous book, you just won't be without some type of support for more than an hour or two.

My Tuono is a fantastic bike. So far it has been rock solid reliable. Extremely fun to ride! But it ain't no K1200RS. I've owned a ton of bikes over the years, but none has held my attention for as long as the KRS has. Fast, smooth, very comfortable....did I mention fast!

From a price standpoint, I would suggest you can buy a futura (used) for very low $$. Although the KRS has really taken a resale price hit in the last few months, it will still cost you quite a bit more than a futura.

I would suggest you test ride both....then decide.

http://images8.fotki.com/v132/photos/3/36012/1569556/P1010003-vi.jpg

[GregFeeler]

My K75 is racking up the miles and I'd like to upgrade to a sportier bike so I'm looking at the K1200RS and the *gasp!* Aprilia Futura. Is there a web page out there that has a side by side comparison of these two bikes?
Do any of you have opinions about these two bikes?

Thanks!

Have never ridden the Futura, but it is a good looking bike. I have an '03 K1200RS now with 18,000+ miles many of those accumulated on several multi-thousand mile trips. I've had a lot of different BMW's and this bike trips my trigger more than any one since I got my '72 R75/5 years ago. It's uncanny smooth (more so than your K75 - I have two of them myself), never works hard at any speed, is rock stable at any speed (way beyond any other bike I've ever ridden), and never fails to give me a big sh**t-eatin' grin whenever I ride it. It took me several thousand miles to get the feel of this bike, but now I can't imagine ever being without it.

Like others have said, ride them both if you can. It's a very personal choice and has a lot to do with your riding style and the type of roads you ride the most.

[AZgman]

Yeah, bikepainter loves his Futura, AFTER he tore it apart and rebuilt it! Lots of mods and upgrades. He rides like a freakin MotoGP racer too! :o (Sorry John, you had it coming!)

To me the Futura is closer to a K1200GT than an RS, if you want to compare apples to apples.

[SweetT]

Oh, I hadn't thought about a break down or needing parts DURING a trip! :doh Yeah, I'd bet the futura would be darn near impossible to get parts for on short notice.


Also I did notice that BikePainter had done a lot of mods to his bike in the name of reliablitiy.

I'll have to consider all of this when I start bike shopping next month.

[StevieWonder]

Having owned Italian cars, they are beautiful and spectacular WHEN they work. Every Italian car (FIAT = Fix It Again, Tony) comes with a blow-up mechanic in the trunk. I'm not sure if there is room under the Aprilia seat for one ... better check with the dealer. :laugh