1300 Mile Ride/K1200RS, 2001 Vintage

[weschmann]

Just finished a 1300 mile in 3 day ride on my new to me k1200 RS. Never having ridden a sport tour before, I have to say it was definitely an experience.... Went from South of St. Louis over to the Kentucky/West Virginia line to go through the Hatfield and McCoy historical area. First day I went 540 miles and was purely miserable with the ride. Lots of leg cramping and butt pain. Second day, alternated between using my Airhawk pillow or just the stock seat, and found that with the Airhawk, my knees didn't hurt as much due to the higher ridding position, but then my butt went ballistic.... Did about 330 miles the second day. Third day, another 400 miles or so, and used a Walmart foot rug over the top of the Airhawk and made it through the day with just some small leg cramping... I hope to take in one of the riding seminars at the fair coming up in Sedalia, otherwise, this may just become a one season bike for me....Any suggestions on riding style would sure be greatly appreciated..... (This is what my lower half was doing with my upper half....)

[rodney.anderson@cox.net]

I owned a K1200RS for a few months and found that the seat was good for about 375 miles in a day before I had had enough.

I ordered a Sargent seat for it, but before I put the seat on the shop wrecked the bike, so I never got to see if the Sargent would have made a difference.

My bike had 2 positions that the foot pegs could be mounted and I had the dealer put them in the low position before I took the bike home. That made a difference in the leg cramping.

If you buy a custom seat you can have it made an inch or so higher, if you have enough inseam so you can get your feet on the ground.

I ultimately solved the comfort problem by replacing the RS with an R1100RT, on which I've done several days of 400+ miles and one of 730 and another of 900. I wasn't ready to quit at the 900 mark, but I was home and it didn't make sense to go any farther.

[r184]

I have an '02 RS and just finished a 2,500 mile 8 day (6 riding, 2 zero days) to the Northwest (CA/NV/OR/ID) from SoCal. 4 of the 6 riding days were in some type of rain, from light to heavy.

Anyway I have barbacks from Pirates Liar, a Rick Mayer seat and lowered the footpegs to their lower position. Seems to work for me. (FYI I'm "a little north of 50 yrs old", 6'2" and 210 lbs). I also stop every 120 miles or so for gas, hydration, a quick stretch, etc.

[haileymon]

I'm a new K12RS owner as well. The PO had installed a Russell Day Long seat and never sat on it due to a back injury. He was 6'4" tall, I'm 5'10". I could barely reach the ground. I was sitting so high it put stress on my wrists and my back. Thankfully, I made a new friend who liked the Day Long and traded for a Sargent.
I have been a Corbin fan for many years., still am, but the Sargent works well. On a long day I augment with a sheepskin (a filleted wash mitt). It seems comfortable enough for all day mountain riding. There's also more room for my significant pillion than on the Corbin. She didn't like the firmness of the Corbin either. I might actually get some 2-up time.
I like the low position for the center of gravity and feet down aspect. But it does fold the legs up. The high seat position put pressure on my wrists and I feel like I'm ON the bike. In the low position I feel like I'm IN the bike. My foot pegs are at the low position but it ain't low enough. (I've made turns on the K that would have made sparks on my faithful C10 Concours, yet I've never been CLOSE to scratching on the K. Meaning: The pegs could be lower.)
I've only had the bike about a month but I feel very stable and sure riding it. I think a serious relationship has begun.

[Bobmws]

....and a bit of work on your part!
Do some basic stretching and core strengthening exercises to get your body stronger and a bit more flexible.
Seat comfort will vary for everyone. Some are happy on the stocker for thousands of miles, others swear by (or at!) any of the custom replacements.
There are footpeg kits and handlebar kits available, but I caution you to give the stock setup a chance before spending $$$$$.
Almost every "new to the K12RS" rider has had the same comments since 1998!
As for handling, counter steering/weight shifting is the key to making the big K-pig move around easier!
Welcome to the original Darkside.

[RBEmerson]

+1 on doing some rider tune-ups (exercise and stretching). Also, stop and get off the bike, walk around a bit, and stretch stuff that's not moving so much while you ride. Finally, actually ride the bike, don't sit on it like a sack of oats. Washboards coming up? Actually lift your butt and let the bike move under you (more comfortable and added weight on the pegs drops the CG for more stability). Ditto for train track crossings. I'm not a knee-dropper, but in some cases I aggressively shift my weight inside the turn, as much for the exercise as anything. The point is don't be a passive lump on the saddle.

My overall riding position is knees into the tank (think about some rubber grip pads from Wunderlich), balls of the feet on the pegs, and slide back in the saddle a bit. I let the wind take some of the weight of my upper body (which is why tall windshields are a bad idea on the RS).

[weschmann]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I've done the training routine before, and shame on me, I've let it backslide this last year when "stuff" got in the way of everything else. Guess I need to start back up again....I have been moving around a lot on the bike trying to find the right position of legs, knees, etc. and have found that there are no positions that allow you to just set an stay a spell, so I'll just have to keep on working at it. One question; "think about some rubber grip pads from Wunderlich" . The bike came with a rubber tank guard to keep from scratching the tank, so is this the same thing, or something else that helps hold a better position?
As far as moving the bike around on the road, I don't have any issues with it and really enjoy the responsiveness, (I coming from a 900 Kawasaki that did not respond near as well as this bike). Anyway, I plan on doing a Pacific coast trip at the end of July and first couple of weeks in August, so I'll figure it out or start looking for something to trade for.... My first choice was the RT but found such a good deal on this k bike that I thought I'd try it first to get some experience....

BTW,If any of you are coming to the Sedalia Fair, I'd like to look you up and pick your experience a little further for pointers....

[RBEmerson]

The pads: http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/mot...T/1250096.html

The idea is it gives your knees something to grip other than slick tupperware paint.

[Kontoboy]

Try some bar-backs, an aftermarket windscreen (e.g., Aeroflow), and peg lowerers. They all get you in a more upright position without putting you in the windstream. I will also hang one cheek, and then the other off for extended periods and periodically stick my legs out into the wind. With all that 500 mile days driving fill up to fill up on a BMW comfort seat are easy. I'm 6'1" and #215.

I also recommend a mini-aspirin to keep the blood from clotting.

Steve, a.k.a, Kontoboy

[TomCollins]

i have had my 2003 k12 for only a few days and am also searching for nirvana. the stretching and exercises are necessary for us over 50 guys. also, shedding a few lbs around the middle will surely help (at least in my case). on bmwspottouring.com, look up the "master yoda" riding position. basically it is how a jockey rides a horse using the thighs and core muscles and very little pressure on the bars.
good luck and let me know if you find the cure.

best regards,

tom collins

[58058D]

I have a few miles on RSs and many on the K12RS....Like any bike that is new to you, and maybe more so, you do have to get your body in sync with the new ergos, I am in full agreement with Bobmws. As far as aftermarket stuff, that really depends on the type of riding you are doing. Doing PCH or other backroad twisties at a brisk pace, none of the mentioned 'comfort' divices will be of any benefit and many (peg lowering ) may be really in the way. For track days on this bike, you really need the pegs in the upper position, even then, yours will still be an inch lower than those of us with an earlier model. For lots of relatively straight or freeway riding or cold weather, I have the big Aeroflow with the stock pegs in the low position. But, seriously, get yourself in reasonable shape but more than that, get used to the bike. I have done serious mileage on mine with the stock seat until it wore out at about 56,000 and have had this Corbin ever since. I use a stock seat on my S and do regular 4 hour rides on it twice a day everyweek. So, it is all what type of riding you do and what you get used to. Before going aftermarket, be sure your pegs are in the low position and seat in the high position, work from there based on your style of riding.

BTW, when doing PCH, stop in and say 'hello', maybe I can show you some really good rides in our area...

[Rip]

I have a 04 gt 1200 and the riding position is similar but more upright. 1300 miles in 3 days on a new bike is tough even for a guy in his 20-30's. You macho man. Your ass, legs shoulders are going to really hurt, even with an airhawk cushion. I rode a couple of thousand miles doing 100-175 miles to get a feel for the bike and find my legs, ass, shoulders and neck. Then I did a 3 day trip of 275 mile days and stretching every 2-3 hours. My ass was killing me the last 100 miles home, but ordered the airhawk cushion and long rides my ass is happy and raised me up about an inch or 2. Get a season under you before you start buying bar backs lowering pegs etc. Save your money until you really get a feel for the ride. I am 59 and can see some barb backs and risers in the future, but for now, I am staying stock and have been adviced by the experienced rders that is the right thing to do.
But each to his own and only you will know what makes you comfy on the road.Whatever, you have one hell of a nice bike.

[bmwrider88]

I, too, am a "new" K12RS owner, and also just finished a 3100+ mile trip from my home in PA up into Nova Scotia, across to Quebec City, and back- in almost 2 weeks' time. (2-up BTW).

I'm not that tall maybe 5-8 (I say 5'-9" but my taller GF begs to differ ) BUT I'm leggy for my height. We did about 350, maybe 380 miles as our longest day until yesterday, when we went from Quebec City to Seneca Falls, NY - using VERY LITTLE freeway travel- a total distance of over 500 miles. UGH.
I really have to get my head around how much I like to travel on this bike. I see a new seat in my future. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE the bike. I own other sport-tourers- 88 K100RS and a 93 R100RS- and this suits me as well as either of them. My buddy has a Russell Day-Long, (on his Moto Guzzi Stelvio) but they seem..... clunky. and tall. I'll digest this trip and keep an eye on this thread. Just got home this afternoon.

Good luck to the other guys who've posted saying they are noobs to their K12s. All in all, I'm loving mine. It was amazing on the Cabot trail, even fully loaded, and two-up!

Two major complaints from me, on the K1200RS:
A: darn near zero hand/arm protection in the rain (even with the add-on fairing "wings")- gloves/forearms soaked instantly!
B: GIANT cut into the exhaust-side saddle bag- WTF?

Neither of these is a deal-breaker, per se, tho each is immediately noticeable and annoying.


Cheers.

[41077]

Bikecushion.com better than an air hawk and really saved my butt. I hadn't ridden much last summer before riding 2500 miles with the bike cushion on a rock hard Corbin. I felt good at the end of multiple 500 mile days and was very comfortable on the bike (k75) but should work for you.
Plus Win (company owner) is a very nice guy. Support small business.

[weschmann]

BMWRider, I had a similar issue with the exhaust side hard bag. Seems the PO installed it wrong and it burned a hole in the bottom... I used some fiberglass repair from the local Wally-mart, and it is now in good shape. Went through some rain just recently and didn't have any problems from leaks in the area....