Trade an R for a K?

I have a low mileage 2007 R1200RT. I've been mulling around the notion of swaping for a k1200gt or k1300gt but I haven't rode a K-GT. I want some feedback from you guys that have ridden both as to why this is a good idea or not. Specifically, handling, torque, maintenance, reliability, confort on longer rides, etc. or anthing else that might play into the mix.

I love the RT but the notion of something that might be a little zippier and smother is interesting. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Zippier and smoother just about sums it up. A friend with an '07 RT and I swapped bikes. Even he admitted the K is smoother and zippier, while I just had a hard time getting past that "riding a sewing machine" feel of the RT. OTOH, mileage is a little lower, and all those "extra" cylinders do add a bit of complexity to the bike.

Your call, of course, but if you want smoother and zippier... :wave

An R for a K....[SIZE="5"]NEVER..:nono[/SIZE]

How about the handling and weight? Noticeable difference?

[QUOTE=r11rs94;813055]An R for a K....[SIZE="5"]NEVER..:nono[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

used to say that and then I did. While i occasionally do miss the RT I am not regretting the move.
It does seem harder to maneuver in tight parking lots however.

Are you daft, man???? :nyah

daft (dɑːft)

ÔÇö adj (foll by about )
1. informal foolish, simple, or stupid
2. a slang word for insane
3. informal extremely fond (of)
4. slang frivolous; giddy

[Old English ged?ªfte gentle, foolish; related to Middle Low German ondaft incapable]

I don't think so..

Only you can decide whether the K is for you, so you're going to have to find one that you can demo, on a variety of roads. :)

Good luck.

[QUOTE=stokesrl;813401]daft (dɑːft)

ÔÇö adj (foll by about )
1. informal foolish, simple, or stupid
2. a slang word for insane
3. informal extremely fond (of)
4. slang frivolous; giddy

[Old English ged?ªfte gentle, foolish; related to Middle Low German ondaft incapable]

I don't think so..[/QUOTE]

LOL....see definition 2.

K bikes are interesting, but the Teutonic Twin is [B]the[/B] iconic engine for BMW....similar to HD and their siamesed connecting rod 45degree v-twin.

I'm just an unabashed traditionalist. No derision of the Ks meant at all. :thumb

Just yankin' your chain. :nyah

My first bike was a boxer, second was a Yamaha and now I have a K bike. I love my flying brick, but there is nothing like a R bike. KEEP THE "R" AND GET THE K BIKE!

[QUOTE=ARGENT BRICK;813725]My first bike was a boxer, second was a Yamaha and now I have a K bike. I love my flying brick, but there is nothing like a R bike. KEEP THE "R" AND GET THE K BIKE![/QUOTE]

My first 2 BMWs were K bikes. My last 2 BMW bikes are R bikes. The K bikes did EVERYTHING better than the R bikes. There is just something about a boxer twin that speaks to the inner me. I still have the R bikes. I guess it is something some Harley riders would understand.

I made the same switch, I highly recommend it. The GT motor is fantastic, smooth and powerful.

I've had the bike 11 months, road it every day and have yet to find a something she's not comfortable on: curves, highway, dirt, gravel.

The K bike is not as nimble as the RT. You have to manhandle a K bike when compared to the R. You can flick an R into a corner, you'll use more body lean with the K. The power difference on the top end is AWESOME. I've owned '01 RT, '05' 1200RT, 07' 1200GT, and current bike is '09 1300GT. The 1300GT is a major improvement over the 1200. More power, smoother power, better brakes (no servo that costs a small fortune if/when it goes), I didn't like the '07 GT, but I LOVE the '09! I've ridden the 1600GT and it's a nice bike. But I'll stick with '09, for now...

[QUOTE=NI5L;813316]Are you daft, man???? :nyah[/QUOTE]

I think you are being bombastic

[IMG]http://sarelp.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2005-K1200s/BMW-K1200s/i-CPCLZxf/0/XL/DSCN2415-XL.jpg[/IMG]

Sure I might just trade.