| Author | Message | ||
     Thin_air |
Just returned from Street Vibrations in Reno where I saw a BMW K1200R. It was BADASS! I think I might need to have one. Anyone ever ride one? With or without the ABS? Seems to me they are around 20K with all the bells and whistles. Ed | ||
| Shea |
HA! That's the bike I have on my PC as a wallpaper. Never rode one, but here seems to be the scoop from reviews and others that have ridden it. It's a beast in the straights and highway. Lots of power and wheelie potential. Long wheel base makes it horrible for twisties. But hey, all the riders I see on the street only know how to fast in a straight line anyway, right?  | ||
| Rubberdown |
"horrible for twisties." You might want to ride one. | ||
| Shea |
I would love to ride one. I can't understand how it would be good for twisties though, its' wheelbase is 62 inches, which just seems crazy. | ||
| Jaimec |
You'd be surprised how well those long wheel-based Beemers do in the twisties. I surprised a few people down in the Gap on my K1200LT (two-up) a couple of years ago! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
They'll rail the twisties -- you can forget about that being a downside. G2 | ||
| Shea |
LOL I stand corrected!!  | ||
| Madduck |
Work on your arm strength as that bike will get to 140mph so fast it can peel you right off the back. Think of a Street rod with what seems like twice the power. Rode both and bought the street rod as there wer no brown seats with a pucker seam available for the R. That motorcycle is way more fun than any large bike has a right to be. I would have one now if my depth perception was still good. Goes thru most corners just fine, suspension is so different in design that you can't compare it to similar wheelbase UJM motorcycles. Ride one, they don't sell all that well and deals can be had. Good used ones are available. | ||
| Ryker77 |
had an r1200sa. Ultra smooth riding bike. So smooth that you didn't even notice train tracks or bridges. But heavy and lacked the torque. Traded back into the Buell. But I often miss the comfortable ride. Heated grips, hard bags, etc. Looking at the new ZX14 Concours. | ||
| Lonexb |
not mine, but a guy can dream.   brian | ||
| Shea |
Holy crap that's huge! LOL Nevre realized how big it was...errr, man that doesn't sound right, especially when refering to another man's toy. | ||
| Aldaytona |
I get to ride them anytime, an occupational hazard. Don't let the length fool you. It IS the naked bike absolute ruler. But after my first time out on the new R1200S, I feel confident that BMW had spies hanging out in the closet of the XB12R project think tank. In the same way the XB12R is the most magic of the Buells, the R1200S is the most magic BMW ever. The K bikes are speedier, but not magic. XBR riders will know exactly what i'm talking about, CBR, GSXR riders wouldn't get it. | ||
| U4euh |
BMW, horrible in the twisty's,  Take that idea, crumble it up, and toss it out the window. BMW has refined their machines to be top notch notch in performance AND handling. I experienced first hand going down US 421(Rubberdown rocked) Course the rider has ton of effect on that, but these bikes are by no means "your daddy's beemer" | ||
| Bandirola |
I recently bought a 2005 R1200ST which is the sportier of the BMW twins. I hate to admit it, but it blows the doors off of my S3T. It will outrun it in the straights and outhandle it in the twisties. It is also significantly more comfortable and 100% reliable. | ||
| Black_sunshine |
Nice looking but myself, Glitch and Shred had our way with one in the Na Ga. twisties one afternoon. He tried to stay in front of us but we passed him when it got tight and never saw him again until we stopped to get gas. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Sportiest of the BMW twins? True for 2005 models, not any more. The R1200RS is the S3T of the BMW line. The R1200S is their Firebolt. | ||
| Jaimec |
There is no R1200RS, you must be referring to the R1200ST... | ||
| Aldaytona |
You are correct. I hit the wrong keys, it's a 6:30 am thing.  The R1200ST is the S3T of the BMW line. Thanks | ||
| Cruisin |
I took a spin on the K1200S in July at the BMW International rally. I have to say I was damn impressed. I was expecting fast, but not that fast. These things can do 100 at the top of first gear! What I wasn't expecting was how smooth it cornered. Very easy to lean over and I did't feel like it would have problems in tight corners. BMW has definitely improved their bikes and if I didn't love the Buell so much a K1200S would have replaced my XB12R. If I can convince the wife to trade her K75S in for a K1200S I might be more inclined to ride her bike  | ||
| Whodom |
This month's Cycle World has a ~10 bike comparison test which includes the K1200S and a Uly, among other bikes. They were awed by the BMW's engine. They did not speak highly of the BMW's handling (especially in tight twisties), transmission or brakes. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Holy crap that's huge! Long yes, I wouldn't call it huge. The seat height felt about the same as an XB9S. Someone mentioned the brakes, they work just fine. Not Buell fine. ABS takes something to get used to. I'm not sold on them yet. A personal opinion. I sort of wished that I had waited for K1200GT. I have to admit I am happy with my R1200RT. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Just finished the PDI test ride on a new 2007 K1200GT, now that's SPORT touring. | ||
| Crusty |
Boy, I wish I had one ! No; make that two! One to 5h1t on, and one to cover it up with. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Medication time again Crusty. | ||
| Crusty |
Naw; I just have a thing for poor performing, unreliable over hyped and poorly supported pieces of overpriced crap. Someday, you should ask me my opinion of those Teutonic toilets.  | ||
| Thin_air |
Crusty, I have no experience with BMW. I know they don't have as many dealerships but there are several where I am. I am wondering if you have ridden the piece of crap in question or have had experience with BMW that was unfavorable? Are you just spewing shit or do you have something to say? Thanks for your input good or bad. Ed | ||
| M2nc |
I recently bought a 2005 R1200ST which is the sportier of the BMW twins. I hate to admit it, but it blows the doors off of my S3T. It will outrun it in the straights and outhandle it in the twisties. It is also significantly more comfortable and 100% reliable. To be fair you need to compare apples to apples. Either get a 1999 BMW Oil Head ST to compare the S3T with, or jump your ass on a Uly and see what this generation Buell can do. I have no problems keeping up with modern oil-head Beemers on the Uly in the straights or curves and at 2/3rds the cost. Mind you, I still think the Beemers are neat and may own one, one day, but the Uly can cover them all day long in performance, handling, comfort but with less maintenance and cost. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Being more than fairly familiar with both brands, comparing a tube frame Buell with a 2005 R1200ST isn't a fair comparison. I still love the Airhead boxers for the same reasons I love Sportsters, for their simplicity and ease of maintenance. I lust over the new R1200S, as I believe it is BMWs best handling motorcycle ever and it is the closest thing they produce to the Worlds best handling motorcycle ever (BIKE magazine agrees also) the XB12R. As much as I like the R1200S, I wouldn't trade my XB12R even up for it. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've got friends eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new F800 series of sport and sport-touring twins. Both of them feature belt drive, by the way.. |
