What will replace a K1200LT

[Jerrym]

I really like the K1200LT’s. I have had two of them a 2001 and now a 2005. I have put over 70,000 miles on the two K1200LT’s. I have been riding for 52 years and have had nothing but touring bikes. I feel there is no better touring bike than the K1200LT. There may be some just as good and some that are more dependable. Just because of some of the problems with the LT’s I have been looking for something different. I finely got to ride a new 2007 FJR Yamaha. It is a great bike and not a piece of junk as one person claimed. I was impressed with the wind protection it had. I did not like the setting position or the seat on it. It would help with handle bar set backs and cruise control. It would not take the place of the LT. I have not been on the R1200RT so I can not compare it. I think the setting position on the RT is better but I do not know if it would be as smooth riding as the four cylinder. I do not like the setting position or looks of the new GT. Now I am not knocking the GT at all. I know it is a great bike but I would take the FJR over it. I will have to wait and see what they do with the LT if anything. The reason I wrote this I would like to hear from others like myself that like the LT’s but would like something that would compare and be more dependable other than a Goldwing

[Dean_BMW]

What will replace a K1200LT
In my opinion... nothing! That is why I put up with the poor dealer base and reliability issues. I know that there is bikes that get close, but none of them offer everything the LT does.

[rglassma]

I don't have a problem with the dependability of the LT.. There really is nothing else out there. If there was, I would have ridden it...

[Jerrym]

It sounds like both of you feel like I do. Neither of my LT's ever left me on the road. My 2001 never ever had one problem. The reason I traded it was I worried about the rear drive. Then I get a 2005 and have a rear drive problem. Really my rear drive was different than what usually happens. It could have just been a defective rear drive which can happen to any bike. I did have a fork seal leak and a seal in the output shaft of the transmission. Both were covered by warranty. I do have extended warranty on my 2005.

[UncleRock]

I have had 3 LT's over 1/4 M miles :D (just realized that) Haven't found anything yet to replace it.
Rode Spike's 2007 HD Ultra today and I think after 104 years they are on the right track. No reverse yet, but still a very nice bike.
Rock

[pkpr1998]

Jerry, I think that you have answered your own question.

Seat, handle bar placement, no cruise....you CAN'T replace the LT!

[info]

I've got an LT and an FJR.
Love 'em both but am really worried about the rear on the LT!!!
BMW doesn't seem to step up to the plate with known problems
if you are out of warranty. Yamaha seems to.
Aftermarket seat and barbacks on my 05 work for me..
I don't use cruise much anyway but there is an aftermarket
available for the FJR for ~100 bucks.

[harrowbmw]

Greetings Jerry.

I just very recently rode the new R1200RT and fell in love with it. It's around 100kg lighter than our LT's and she felt magnificant on the road. As I get older I'll be considering one of these beautiful machines for sure. Get a ride on one and you'll be astonished too. Let me know how you get on after you ride one.

Kindest regards to all.

Paul Harrington
AU

E: corcaigh@internode.on.net

[Ghost55]

Don't know what a replacement would be, but in my opinion it is not the RT. Have ridden my brother's new '06, and find it uncomfortable. Riding position is uncomfortable, and the seat has to be immediately replaced. It is rougher running and has a very noticeable "torque roll" on acceleration. The HDs are, I think, comfortable to ride, but they are just limited technologically by the required design of the motor, and therefore are not the answer for what I use my LT for, ie, long distance touring. My brother and his wife both bought new HDs in '02, he an Ultra Classic, and she a Soft Tail Classic. We went on three long distance trips, and they both broke down on two trips, and one of them on one trip. Mostly top end motor problems, cam chain followers, cam chains, valves. The HD dealer finally told my brother that long distance travel at high speed is just not what the HDs were made for. He traded his with 48K on it for an RT. She bought an older RS, and kept her HD, with 32K on it for local use. A large displacement air cooled V-Twin is just not a touring bike.

[donkes]

These posts are depressing. Maybe it's back to a bicycle. ( I love my 05' RT )

[gpolakow]

I have never ridden a bike with the overall handling that can match an LT. It still amazes me. I am not fond of the low speed handling for all the reasons that have been detailed on this list, but once your feet are up it seems to me the LT is very hard to beat in the touring class. And does any other motorcycle have brakes that are as effective? Certainly not any HD I've ridden. What's value would you put on just that?

[pkpr1998]

These posts are depressing. Maybe it's back to a bicycle. ( I love my 05' RT )


as we blow by you on your bicycle! :p

[usmctpdog]

I have an 05 LT and it outdoes every Goldwing and HD Touring bike I have had since 1973 to present. If the LT went away the only other bike I can see me on is what I have now, an FJR or another V-Strom or GS adventure bike.

Possibly an RT, but not nearly in the same league as the LT. :)

[Shriker]

Why all the sour faces.....she aint dead yet. Buy another LT and ride the hell out of it. If it breaks , fix it (hopefully under warranty).

If you spend all your time worried and what iffing......you are not spending enough time enjoying the roses. :)

Only bike in the LT league is a Wing and it is better in some respects. Personally I think BMW definitely WILL continue the LT model. I would love to see something unique like a 6 cylinder but my guess is the next gen will be much like the first ...... a modification of the current K platform , which is quite good.

I could see a new LT model with the basic new gen K structure/engine lengthened and strengthened (that sounds odd - longer and stronger) along with a more low end oriented powerband (hopefully more displacement) with say at least 130+ hp rating (~20 less than the current GT or ~15 more than the current LT model), maybe rubber mounted engine for more smoothness, and definitely less weight , hopefully 800 lbs fully fueled and ready to roll. All the goodies currently offered and then some......Keep price under $25K to start and they will have plenty of takers if she is styled well ...... :bmw:

[ahpd1992]

I agree with Shriker, ride the piss out of it and dont worry about the problems others have reported. Im sure there a lot of us on here that have had none of the problems associated with the LT and Im sure some of us have had ALL of the problems. I too have wondered what I would ride if I didnt have an LT. I used to have an 00RT, great bike, but not in the same class as the LT, RT's are much more sport oriented and arent in the same league for long distance riding/touring. I really cant say what I would choose over an LT. Goldwings are good bikes, LT's are GREAT bikes, the HD Ultra's are very nice, but limited in their reliablilty and engineering. Right now there is nothing I can think of to replace the LT.

Tom

[strsout]

how about a Honda ST1300?
Any previous owner? comments?

[K1200LTryder]

I dunno what I'll replace mt LT with, never really given it much thought. I'll be in my 60's when I do decide I guess. That's just about it, I just dont replace my main bike that often, I guess I'll take a look at what's out there in about a dozen years or so, but for sure, it will be another BMW....I'm hooked.



:bmw:

[hoodoodrum]

LT drive problems can happen in a very low percentage of the bikes. Best insurance is a spare drive when hitting the road. Either carry it at 16# OR pack it up in a box ready to ship overnight by the wife if you are on the road. Learn how to change it out with confidence and you are ready to go... I can do it in 1.5 hours.

[SanMan]

Doing a little day dreaming on my way to work today and I was thinking that exact thing. If I could replace the LT what would I do it with? Could not come up with anything. I am a happy man. :D

Scott

[Mike_H]

The list is short:

K1200LT
R1200RT
K1200GT
HD Electra Glide(s)
Victory Vision
GL1800
Moto Guzzi Norge

I've owned a GL1800 and traded it for a K1200LT which I believe is a far better bike. If I wated to down size, it would most likely be to a R1200RT or a Moto Guzzi Norge.

I owned a Harley, loved the fit and finish, but found it uncomfortable for long two-up back road trips (my favorite kind of riding).

The Victory Vision isn't on the street as yet. I saw it at the International Motorcycle Show and it looks like it is as long as a limo.

The Moto Guzzi Norge is every bit as fun as the R1200RT, but costs $3K less.

[zgmpl]

in the end of 09 it will be a new lt 100% i think it will be klever to wait until may 08 then it will be showen to the world

[scooterfox37]

I can only speak for myself on this thread. I owned a LT for 3 months. I will agree that it is a great bike, but for me, it was too top heavy and sucked at low speeds. I loved the ride of the LT. That said.....I chose to go with a HD Road King. The engine is rubber mounted and the seat height fits "me". It doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the LT. I went to several dealerships and test rode several bikes before I decided and got the bike that was comfortable for "me". I now enjoy my rides and don't panic about dropping the bike at low speeds because I can handle this bike better than the LT. I know this is not what most of you guys want to hear.... but I think I made the right decision.

Lisa :yeah:

[Dean_BMW]

I can only speak for myself on this thread. I owned a LT for 3 months. I will agree that it is a great bike, but for me, it was too top heavy and sucked at low speeds. I loved the ride of the LT. That said.....I chose to go with a HD Road King. The engine is rubber mounted and the seat height fits "me". It doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the LT. I went to several dealerships and test rode several bikes before I decided and got the bike that was comfortable for "me". I now enjoy my rides and don't panic about dropping the bike at low speeds because I can handle this bike better than the LT. I know this is not what most of you guys want to hear.... but I think I made the right decision.

Lisa :yeah:

An acquaintance of mine bought an LT because I liked mine so much. He hated it. I watched him ride it a few times and I quickly saw that his problem was the low speed handling. I could see the fear on his face every time I watched him negotiate a parking lot. The real source of his problem (in my opinion) was that he had short legs and he could barely manage to control the bike at low speeds. Without his feet on firmly on the ground, he felt very vulnerable, and I didn't blame him. Since then, I tell people that have a short inseam to pass on the LT... I don't think they will like the bike.

[Jerrym]

An acquaintance of mine bought an LT because I liked mine so much. He hated it. I watched him ride it a few times and I quickly saw that his problem was the low speed handling. I could see the fear on his face every time I watched him negotiate a parking lot. The real source of his problem (in my opinion) was that he had short legs and he could barely manage to control the bike at low speeds. Without his feet on firmly on the ground, he felt very vulnerable, and I didn't blame him. Since then, I tell people that have a short inseam to pass on the LT... I don't think they will like the bike.

I am 5' 7" and inseam 29 inch. I have put over 70,000 miles on two LT's and have never dropped either one. I have had a number of HD's several other bikes, all touring bikes and to me the LT is much easier to handle than any bike I have owned. No, if you lean it over there is no way to hold it up. Always keep the front wheel straight when starting out and stopping. I can turn it around on any two lane highway if you keep your speed up and power on. To me it is the most balanced touring bike there is. I can not turn a Goldwing around as short as an LT. As far as a HD they are easy to handle but not for long day rides. Three four hundred miles a day is fine.

[UncleRock]

I can only speak for myself on this thread. I owned a LT for 3 months. I will agree that it is a great bike, but for me, it was too top heavy and sucked at low speeds. I loved the ride of the LT. That said.....I chose to go with a HD Road King. The engine is rubber mounted and the seat height fits "me". It doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the LT. I went to several dealerships and test rode several bikes before I decided and got the bike that was comfortable for "me". I now enjoy my rides and don't panic about dropping the bike at low speeds because I can handle this bike better than the LT. I know this is not what most of you guys want to hear.... but I think I made the right decision.

Lisa :yeah:
Being smart enough to ride your own ride is point #1 well done, screw what anyone thinks.
I have fought with this bike many times, have dropped it well into the double digits (then again I have dropped every bike I ever owned) My drops are from my own foolishness, thinking I can still ride anybike- any where.
I bought it for long distance comfort, living in it's saddle 20 out of 26 weeks.
It is heavy on ice, wallows on creek crossings, a barge in deep mud, not to mention plain sucks on fire trails.
Rock
Rock