New K1200LT Owner, any gotchas?

[su_jumptd]

Hello all,
Been riding motorcycles for about 30 years and just purchased a 2003 K1200LT Excides with 6800 miles on it with all the bells and whistles. Rode it from Phoenix, NM to Austin, TX approx. 1200 miles. Ran great…got rained on allot and was surprised on how well it handled. Couple of questions for all you hard core BMW riders. I wanted to know about any gotchas that I might need to keep my eyes open for so I can keep it running perfect, (Example: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18993&highlight=2003+speedometer) One thing I noticed on my trip was that the speedometer is about + 6-8mh at least that’s what I figured after comparing it to the GPS. I’ve read some forums here and noticed that it’s not to much to worry about. But it would sure be nice not to add phantom miles onto my bike. Is it really that hard to make it read the right speed? One more thing I noticed is that my accelerator is really spring loaded…meaning its hard to hold when I accelerate but has absolutely no problem springing back to place…..interesting don’t you think? Thanks for al the help.

[messenger13]

There is a speedo-correction mod. Not hard, but time-consuming. Then again . . . "It ain't yours until you work on it." :p

As for your throttle, the cables probably need changed. There was a new version released sometime in '03-'04. You probably have the old ones. They were a bit stiff.

Any gotchas? Yea!...these bikes and forums are money pits!!! :D

Welcome to the forum. And congrats on the purchase. :)

[cfell]

Hey, I live in Round Rock.. of which Austin is a sub-burp... =) ping anytime as there are many locals who would be glad to meet ya//

[su_jumptd]

cfell,
Is there a local forum that I can look at to plan weekend rides and such? Thanks again.

[pkpr1998]

Fill out your PROFILE!

And yes, you gotcha one nice machine!

[Steve_R]

Yes, on this site. Scroll down and find South Central (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25). That will give you info about your area.

[KYchris02]

check that the mirrors are tethered to the bike. that's an expensive gotcha if one goes flying. welcome to the nut house!

[cfell]

Thanks Steve.. yup... South Central is where you'll find the RTE (Ride to Eat) arrangements, etc..

[motorman587]

That will get ya.

[was]

Too many topics that might be called gotchas to go into any detail here. Do searches on the following and you'll have more info than you wanted to know:
1) Headlights - upgrade to HID
2) OEM Windshield fogging and aftermarket windshields
3) Mirror tethers
4) Quick disconnects for fuel lines - plastic vs metal
5) Lowering footpegs and aftermarket pegs/rests for stretching your legs
6) Squealing brakes and aftermarket pads
7) Slave cylinder drain hole drilling
8) Final drive bearing failure
9) Blinking rear brake lights
10) Tires - characteristics of different brands and bias vs radial
11) Farkels!!!

Good luck.

[RonKMiller]

Hmmm, ya got me already. What's an Excides? ;-)

[fas]

Hello all,
Been riding motorcycles for about 30 years and just purchased a 2003 K1200LT Excides with 6800 miles on it with all the bells and whistles. Rode it from Phoenix, NM to Austin, TX approx. 1200 miles. Ran great…got rained on allot and was surprised on how well it handled. Couple of questions for all you hard core BMW riders. I wanted to know about any gotchas that I might need to keep my eyes open for so I can keep it running perfect, (Example: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18993&highlight=2003+speedometer) One thing I noticed on my trip was that the speedometer is about + 6-8mh at least that’s what I figured after comparing it to the GPS. I’ve read some forums here and noticed that it’s not to much to worry about. But it would sure be nice not to add phantom miles onto my bike. Is it really that hard to make it read the right speed? One more thing I noticed is that my accelerator is really spring loaded…meaning its hard to hold when I accelerate but has absolutely no problem springing back to place…..interesting don’t you think? Thanks for al the help.

With your riding experience you know what's up. Just read Joe's posts and then you'll be all set.....:) If you write more posts than Joe, you too qualify for the nut house.:rotf:

[Tailwheel]

11) Farkels!!!

Tell me more
D

[jayjacobson]

Hello all,
Been riding motorcycles for about 30 years and just purchased a 2003 K1200LT Excides with 6800 miles on it with all the bells and whistles. Rode it from Phoenix, NM to Austin, TX approx. 1200 miles. Ran great…got rained on allot and was surprised on how well it handled. Couple of questions for all you hard core BMW riders. I wanted to know about any gotchas that I might need to keep my eyes open for so I can keep it running perfect, (Example: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18993&highlight=2003+speedometer) One thing I noticed on my trip was that the speedometer is about + 6-8mh at least that’s what I figured after comparing it to the GPS. I’ve read some forums here and noticed that it’s not to much to worry about. But it would sure be nice not to add phantom miles onto my bike. Is it really that hard to make it read the right speed? One more thing I noticed is that my accelerator is really spring loaded…meaning its hard to hold when I accelerate but has absolutely no problem springing back to place…..interesting don’t you think? Thanks for al the help.
Congrats and welcome to our little web site.

[deputy5211]

Tell me more
D

Dave: Farkles are the add-ons that we install on our LTs. PIAA lights, LEDs, cup holders, and so on (and on and on) are all farkles, as I understand it.

[was]

Dave: Farkles are the add-ons that we install on our LTs. PIAA lights, LEDs, cup holders, and so on (and on and on) are all farkles, as I understand it.
Ah-yuh. Here's the Wikipedia "definition": Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles (also spelled farkels), to customize their machine. The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of "function" and "sparkle", hence, farkle. One source attributes the term to Pete Wells, the organizer of a 1997 Honda ST1100 rally [1]. The term is well known in the North American sport touring community.

An enthusiast may be in the process of "farkling". The completed motorcycle would be all "farkled up". Radar detectors, Global Positioning System receivers, heated grips, and satellite radios are some of those farkles. Other accessories could be aftermarket seats or bar risers, which make the motorcycle more suitable for long miles.

The term Farkle apparently originated among the ST1100 riders. It is an acronym:

F.ancy
A.ccessory
R.eally
K.ool &
L.ikely
E.xpensive

From the 2 Wheel Innovations web site:

Farkle:

N: An Accessory intended to improve or embellish the original system; opulent luxury item;
V: to add pleasure or comfort; to strut about after adding additional items to stock unit thus improving value or performance, usually saying "whoo-hoo" loudly to yourself or your neighbors.

As defined by the ST1100 owners' club, a farkle is:

1. (Noun) any modification to one's motorcycle.
2. (Verb) the act of modifying one's motorcycle in some way.

Farkles may have functional or merely aesthetic value, or in fact no value whatsoever! To farkle is to expand one's connection to the motorcycle, to enhance its uniqueness, and provide a venue for personalization."

What I find so astonishing about this site is the number of people who invent their own farkels or construct something that is as good as or better than a commercial aftermarket product. Beware: farkels are endless money drains, and they become addicting!

[su_jumptd]

All,
Thanks for all the replies on all these issues I need to look out for. I have started investigating all of them just to cover by butt. Although I did come across a really disappointing issue. My rear trunk latch broke......gees I guess we have to handle these bikes with kid-gloves. After all the great stuff I've heard about this bike :histerica I'm kinda "bummed out". I looked around the forums and came across this post:

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11708&highlight=rear+trunk+handle+broke

Which talked about the issue I just came across but the replacement part runs approx. $350.....dang. Is there some kind of recall on this manufacture defect, I mean besides paying for this defect myself? I mean something other then paying hard earned money for manufacturer inadequacies.

[su_jumptd]

Sorry RonKMiller: I ment to say BMW K1200LT-E which stands for Elite Model "with" Exodus package, meaning all the nicest goodies factory installed.

[niel_petersen]

Be sure when stopping to always put the bike in gear & roll it forward to take out the drive line lash after shutting down the engine. Then put the side stand down. Twice I've caught my bike from rolling off the sidestand. Next time I probably won't be able to hold it.........

[su_jumptd]

Be sure when stopping to always put the bike in gear & roll it forward to take out the drive line lash after shutting down the engine. Then put the side stand down. Twice I've caught my bike from rolling off the sidestand. Next time I probably won't be able to hold it.........

Got it, I've noticed that already so I'm really careful when putting the bike on the side stand. Not to mention I'm still getting used to the weight, a couple of times I've gone past the center of gravity safe zone "so to speak" and wrestled getting back centered. Won't do that again. Thanks again for the advice.

[rkirker]

Won't do that again. Thanks again for the advice.

Don't say that she will hear ya and throw her weight around and bite you in the A$$ :) . I learned never to get to comfortable at parking lot speeds. :eek:

She is a joy to ride though need to always be vigilant below 5 MPH.

And congrats on the new ride.

Sorry to hear about the trunk latch.
There is an after market kit floating around somewhere if you have to spend the money I would not buy the BMW replacement(My $.02). The after Market set up looked to be much stronger. (Sorry no link just do a search on it)

Good luck !!!!! :thumb: :beer:

[su_jumptd]

Although I did come across a really disappointing issue. My rear trunk latch broke......gees I guess we have to handle these bikes with kid-gloves.

By the way here is a picture of of where my rear trunk latch broke. Apparently there is some kind of metal object behind it when opening that puts pressure on that specific corner....maybe the other corner too. Anyway, just a heads up. Do I hear class action anyone........I mean since so may handles have broken on other K1200LT's. Just a thought. ;)

[Agent86]

Rode it from Phoenix, NM to Austin, TX approx. 1200 miles.

Okay, I give. Where is Phoenix, NM?

[su_jumptd]

Okay, I give. Where is Phoenix, NM?

:confused: Okay, you got me Agent86. For those of us here that are geographical experts, it's Phoenix, AZ not Phoenix, NM. See, thats why I join these nice professional forums, just so the "experts" could point out those kind of things for me.

Thanks......no really Thanks. I stand corrected.... :sleep:

[jayjacobson]

:confused: Okay, you got me Agent86. For those of us here that are geographical experts, it's Phoenix, AZ not Phoenix, NM. See, thats why I join these nice professional forums, just so the "experts" could point out those kind of things for me.

Thanks......no really Thanks. I stand corrected.... :sleep:
Hey, what's a state or two among friends?

[zippy_gg]

Hey, what's a state or two among friends?Then can someone please tell me in which state I can find Springfield???:rolleyes: :rotf:

[SMGray]

Compare the odometer of your speedometer with the odometer of your GPS. Just because the speedo on the bike reads a higher speed doesn't necessarily mean that your odometer will record higher mileage.

I have an 05 LT and my speedo reads about 5 mph higher than it should at 60 mph. Meaning, at a real 60mph as recorded on the GPS, the bike speedo reads 65. HOWEVER, the odometers read IDENTICALLY the same. After 100.0 miles of riding, both odometers read exactly 100.0 miles. I thought that was interesting to say the least!

[MOSLEYDS]

Got it, I've noticed that already so I'm really careful when putting the bike on the side stand. Not to mention I'm still getting used to the weight, a couple of times I've gone past the center of gravity safe zone "so to speak" and wrestled getting back centered. Won't do that again. Thanks again for the advice.

"Won't do that again" http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/MOSLEYDS/smilies/rofl.gif

[su_jumptd]

All,
I'd 1st like to say thank you very much for the gatcha's advice. After all the info that I have gotten on this I took the initiative to go out to my garage and tether my rear view mirrors, "thinking while doing this" I'll probably never need this. Well, yesterday Murphy showed up and I bumped into my bike and the mirror broke loose like it supposed to and wouldn't you know it the good old safety tether did its job. :D So to all who contributed..."THANKS".

On another note, I've got another question. I looked around and didn't really find much info on this but here goes. My windshield is misaligned, when it is lowered it hits right on the nose cone on the right side the other side has about a 1/4" clearance. Does this windshield flex with temperature change? I dought my electric windshield holder thingys are going bad.

One more, I noticed that when the rear view mirrors where off a couple of washers where taped on the inside.....wondering what theyr'e for?

Thanks again for all the help.

[Morley]

One more, I noticed that when the rear view mirrors where off a couple of washers where taped on the inside.....wondering what theyr'e for?

Someone put the washers there because the mirrors were not sitting with the same gap from the fairing all the way around them.
Can you wiggle the windshield up and down? Someone else on here had the same problem and I think the fix was a pin that had come loose and was backing out of one of the arms for the W/S.

[cfell]

run your windscreen up about halfway so it isn't near any painted surfaces.

Now, grab the top of the screen and move front to rear.. do you notice any "play" or slack in it? I'll wager the top pivot pin on one or both sides is out of position. If you look close at the top pivot, there is a slot cut in the hole where the top pivot pin goes... that's in case of an accident where the windscreen is moved forward, it will hopefully "pop" through the slot rather than break the mechanism.

To reseat the pin,
- remove windscreen
- carefully remove the outside E-clip by prying from the slot with a screwdriver.
- Careful, it is spring steel and will try to fly off.
- Now, slide the pin toward the inside until it clears the pivot hole, let it drop back into alignment and move the pin into place.
- Run the mechanism up and down a few times.. watch how it works... and that it is smooth..
-- oh.. replace the windscreen.. =)

Replace the E-clip.. be careful!