K Bike attraction

[GJBushman]

I have been riding boxer twins for the past three years: R1100R, R1150R, R1150GS. I purchased a 1985 K100RT this past summer from a friend at work thinking it would be a good bike to ride through the winter. Unfortunately, I had a minor accident with the K bike a week ago and now I'll be riding the GS for awhile. The couple weeks that I did spend exclusively on the K bike were a blast. I love the smooth power delievery of the K100. Yes, a little buzzy but nothing that was over the top. So I've become fascinated with the K bikes and I'm thinking of getting rid of the 1150GS and buy a used K12RS or GT. I don't use the GS for adventure riding. I am generally a slab guy when on long trips. I commute 25 miles to work and then I ride on local roads on the weekends. I don't do gravel or dirt on the GS. I moved up from the 1150R to the GS for better comfort. Storage is a concern, I have system cases and a top case on both the K-RT and the 1150GS.

So here are my thoughts, should I be looking at the RS or GT? Should I buy new? Any impressions on the RS or GT? How is their weight compared to the 1985 K100RT? Is the center of gravity lower? I don't particularly mind the weight of the K bikes but better brakes, even ABS, would be nice.

[Bobmws]

And the Darkside claims another! The RS & GT are virtually identical, a bit more upright on the GT, ride each and decide for yourself. Since the intro of the K1200S there are great deals on late model used bikes. Take a look at K-Bikes.com for more intense info.

[roy]

GJ.
I test road a 1200RS and have to inform you that they are much smoother than the K100's are. Only allowed a 10 mile test ride but was very impressed.

This bike is like the old K's, lots of low end torque that will have you speeding in no time at all.

Happy shopping

[SheRidesABeemer]

If you found the K100 smooth compared to the R bikes, you'll find the RS/GT over the top smooth compared to the K100. :dance I moved to a GT from a K11LT in August. Technically the GT weighs 20 pounds more than the LT, but you'd NEVER know it ridding it, the balance and center of gravity are sooooo much better. And almost as exciting as the acceleration, is the braking. No plunging of the front end, at all. Just a smooth straight stop, every time. It's heaven compared to the top heavy LT.

[bob5150]

:sick Check Bob's BMW in Jessup, they have a couple of leftover RS/GT. I ride an '01 K-RS and absolutely love it. GT's come stock with color matched side cases, heated seat, hand protectors (extra plastic above the turn signal), slightly higher bars.

[eddie]

Hey Bob from edlk1200, no more tickets yet.

[jgr451]

What Gail said.And what Bob said:the dark side gotcha some with the K100.My pal had one that was turboed.I rode it when I had my /5 and my dark side senses began to tingle.Then this same pal(he must be at least slightly of the devil) let me ride his K1200RS when I had my R100RT.

Now the mighty K has me:04 GT.I was tempted by a very nice used RS but ended buying new:slightly better wind protection,electronic cruise...the power,braking and handling are so good,you will be unable to ride sedately ,patiently...Igather the new K1200 has a lot more horsepower,so you might want to look at that.I like the linked ABS though I thought,as a rider from 1971 used to drums front and rear ,it would be a problem.The brakes,like the motor,are fierce.

Hahahaha!!!!Welcome to the dark side!!! :buds

[gsmetal]

Just when I think I'm totally in love with my K1100LT, I get on my R1100GS and I'm in love with that too.


Love having two bikes!

[SweetT]

I bought a used 98 RS with 30K and I got a great deal from a private party. If you can pick up a cycle trader, or check on ibmwr.org, or craigslist.org you can find some pretty sweet deals. Add a givi top case and you'll have no problem with storage.

If you decide to go with a model that doesn't have the cruise control then you should set aside about $300 for a good radar detector. My friend who also rides a K12RS put it to me this way, "Tarren you can buy the radar detector now, or you can wait to buy it AFTER your first speeding ticket." Needless to say my detector has kept the flashing lights at bay several times :brow

[49748]

I purchased my first BMW (a 2000 K1200RS in Mandarin/slate with checkerboard) this past spring (previous bike was a Ninja) and love just about everything about it. I added a Throttlemeister bar end throttle lock as a cheap cruise control and Two Bros. titanium exhaust so I can hear it. My next option will be an aftermarket saddle, as the stock seat doesn't do it for me. I'll probably also look for some bar risers to help with the numb wrists but found the heated grips really helped now that we are into cold(er) weather. I rode 7 hours from central PA to Buffalo NY on Saturday and home again Sunday. I would never attempt that on the Ninja. The majority of my riding experiance has been sport riding, and the K1200RS delivers some of that performance with the comfort of a touring bike.

[BouncinBob]

I too used to ride an oilhead. But something about the K bike whine started turning my head. It got to a point I couldn't carry on a conversation at a rally.

Well I got one. I went to the dealer the first business day of 2000. I intended to purchase a new K12RS in that dark gray color they made since they didn't do black yet. I wound up buying a used K12RS they had on the floor. A 1998 with only 5,000 miles. It had that sad but cute puppy dog face due to neglect, not of cleaning but of riding. So I gave it a new home. 72,000 miles later it died a quick but horrible death. I now have a black one, also neglected with only 7,000 miles that I bought last year. It now approaches 40,000 miles. So collectively I have about 105,000 miles on the model.

Strange feelings, forgive my wanderings. I have not lusted after another make or model bike. While there are some that have intrigued me I have stayed true. The new whizzy brakes just ROCK. I have never experienced this in my life. Even as a kid, someone had a newer better mini bike that I lusted after.

My riding is largely highway. I have kids, one still thinks I'm cool (the other just turned 15). I burn most of my vacation time with them leaving me weekends to attend rallies and such. This makes for long straight shots on the slab. I also like to take all the luggage off the bike and play in the twisty bits. I think it is a great bike.

I would suggest you choose between the GT and RS based on your preferred riding position.

[majicdoor]

I have a 1200GT and I love the bike.Its 2 bike in one.Get the 1200 GT and you never look back :thumb