tamk435 Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I’m thinking of purchasing a k1200s; any thoughts, issues or problems I should consider before making the plunge. Thanks in advance!!
stubble! Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 Why do you want it? What other bikes are you considering and why? Talking about that would help elicit more targeted feedback. There was a discussion about the merits and drawbacks of the K12S as compared to an RT a few weeks ago. Worth reading. I love mine.
omsbi Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I just have 1k miles on mine, which is 2007 model. It has relatively upright position as sport bike, but I would not ride all day, for me it is a less-than-2-hour bike. I think this is the only one in sport bike category that has ABS in US, and this is a main reason I changed from ZZR1200. An engine is very strong and smooth, and I am enjoying it.
Calvin (no socks) Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I love mine. 05' Beta version. 30 k miles... I never rode one before I took delivery... It is not a crotch rocket. I have no bags, gizmos, tall windshields, bar backs, ad infinitum. A sport tourer.. not exactly.. but if you add all the stuff available you can turn it into a LT... Go for it... Life is short.
Marek Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I just have 1k miles on mine, which is 2007 model. It has relatively upright position as sport bike, but I would not ride all day, for me it is a less-than-2-hour bike. I think this is the only one in sport bike category that has ABS in US, and this is a main reason I changed from ZZR1200. An engine is very strong and smooth, and I am enjoying it. I think the sitting position is just like K1200RS - and that's good for about 18hours, personally I don't need more. Mark
hANNAbONE Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I think I will just keep quiet. Cheers! Todd aND wELL you should, brutha...
tallman Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 Almost as fast as your '98 RT. Handles almost as well as your VRod. Not as pretty as the original GT. One of the above statements is true. Two are not.
cali_beemer Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 I just sat on a new 08 at my local dealer. More leg room than one would expect and the bar position has me leaned over but not nearly as much as one would expect. A set of bar risers and one could spend all day on it. Very similar to my old K1200RS and I did long trips on it. Of course I was alot younger then. I would love to ride one of those 1200S's and see how well that new design suspension works.
tamk435 Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 Thanks for the input dude’s!!! I have a 1998 RT and a 04 Vrod presently; I’m looking for the best of both worlds. I use too ride strictly sport bikes so the sportier riding position and feel is no real issue with me. Just think that the wife would apreciate a more refined ride; when she does ride. I like going somewhat on the fast side and riding roads that turn from time to time. Also I’d like to go back to being the fastest guy in my riding group. Thanks again to everyone for the input; RIDE WELL!!!
1960apache Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 I have a K1200S and I am on my 3rd R1200RT. I don't think I could ever part with the KS!! Great motor, handling, looks great, I put bar riser's and lowered the footpegs, so it is actually quite comfortable for 15 hour day rides. But, the wife can't seem to take more than an hour at a time, so we only ride it 2up for shorter rides. The only other downside (if you can call it that) is that it is an easy bike to get into trouble with, it is so friggin fast when you get the rev's over 8k, I am sure I have embarrassed more than my share of modern litre bikes in the straights and twisties. The RT is just great for anything, very comfortable for 1 or 2, plenty of space for phones, gear, layers of clothing, shoe's for the wife's shopping , it goes 300 miles between fill up's, vs 120-180 on the KS!! The RT is great 1 or 2 up in the twisties, it is a great looking bike on top of it. The boxer has great personality and character, which is a hard habit to kick. And the cruise, heated seat, radio get a lot of use too. I would say if I could only have one bike, I would have to chose the RT, and the main reason, would be that I have had many days where I was fired up thinking I was good for an 18 hour day, and then find myself 300 miles from home more fatigued than I hoped for. The RT shines like a diamond and get's me home in great shape, where the KS would have me regretting that I even rode for the day and I usually don't want to get back on a bike again for at least 4-8 days. So to sum it up, if you need to take long rides 1 or 2 up, go with the RT, and if you mostly do shorter rides, the KS is the King!
Hoover Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 The K1200S is a great all around bike IMHO. Riding straight line or twisty roads for the day is no problem. The engine and power delivery are electric smooth, and the ESA makes getting close to the proper setup a breeze. The K1200S is NOT a sport bike. It make look like one, but it does not really ride like one. While it rides very well for its size, it has at least a hundred pounds on a tride and true sport bike. It is not what I consider a very flickable bike. The servo assisted brakes on my 06 are not as even as I would like them to be if I were chasing canyon corners on every single ride. I am not a knee dragger, so my opinion is biased here since I think people who do this on public roads are insane. The K1200S is NOT a touring bike. There is not allot of room for the radar detectors, radios, GPS, etc. As someone else said a passenger will not be happy on day long rides. My wife says a few hours is enough on the back. While gas mileage is good, fuel capacity has you stopping every 200 miles. What the K1200S IS, is a great all around bike. It CAN chase canyon corners, it CAN be a vacation getaway/touring setup (and it can chase corners while on a trip too ). My longest day was just shy of 1000 miles, and I have spent 16 hours in the saddle with some energy leftover at the end of the day. I have even been known to ride for the day on Colorado Back Country Highways and it performed admirably on these dirt roads as well. I guess what I am saying is that if you are looking for a bike to do specific things then there are probably better bikes suited for that task. But if you are looking for a bike that is up for just about anything, then this bike is a great choice. I traded by 60,000 mile RT on my K1200S and I do not think the K1200S is as cumbersome as the RT. The RT is a great bike too, it has many of the same perks as the K1200S, it just does it better with a passenger. However you sacrifice the power. And isn't that what its all about anyways
Nodakgus Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 I love my K-S far more than I did my 1200GT which I liked much more than my 1200RT. Why K-S? Performance, stability, easy to handle, comfort, weight and killer looks!
W. Mazelin Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 I’m thinking of purchasing a k1200s; any thoughts, issues or problems I should consider before making the plunge. Thanks in advance!! Get it! Carrie (nicewife) & I split time on the K-1200-S we have. It's an '06, we bought Labor Day weekend of '06. The ESA makes setting it up for either of us a snap. The power, brakes, comfort are all good. As a matter of fact, Carrie took it on a solo trip around a few parts of California last year and logged 1,230 very enjoyable miles. We optioned the bike out, ESA, ABS, on-board computer, centerstand & heated grips. BMW was having a special so they threw in the saddlebags & mounts, plus a GPS III and cradle! It's the yellow/silver/black combination - a stunner of a motorbike! 7,807 miles on it so far.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.