pgoltz112
Mar 9th, 2006, 11:33 am
Yesterday I bought my first BMW, a 2005 K1200LT. :bmw:
I've been a Harley guy for years but after two tours with Edelweiss on BMWs (one through the Alps and the other through Africa) I knew there would be a BMW in my future. So I started looking and with the information I got from this message board, I felt equipped to make a wise, informed purchase. Although I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I found the bike on Craigslist in Reno Nevada. I flew in yesterday and rode it back. For those of you unfamiliar with the territory, I had to ride through the mountain pass where Lake Tahoe is located. Really cold and lots of snow, although the road had been plowed. I was initially intimated by the bike because of everything I had read here about the slow speed characteristics and the likelihood of dropping the bike, but I had no problems whatsoever. I'm used to a heavy bike (I ride an Ultra Classic) but I did have to get used to the top heavy characteristic of the LT. My passenger loved the ride, especially the heated seats.
I had been looking at the 2006, but determined the differences between the 2005 and 2006 didn't justify the steep depreciation I would have suffered. So, the 2005 was the choice and with only 7000 miles on it (an insignificant amount for a bike like this I'm sure), I got everything I wanted (except the Xenon headlight, but then again, I don't like to ride after dark).
Thanks to all of you who have provided information on this message board. I really appreciate the time you all take to pass on your experiences and the information about the bikes you've obtained during your ownership. Because of your contributions to this message board, I felt comfortable buying a bike I didn't have any experience with.
I've been a Harley guy for years but after two tours with Edelweiss on BMWs (one through the Alps and the other through Africa) I knew there would be a BMW in my future. So I started looking and with the information I got from this message board, I felt equipped to make a wise, informed purchase. Although I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I found the bike on Craigslist in Reno Nevada. I flew in yesterday and rode it back. For those of you unfamiliar with the territory, I had to ride through the mountain pass where Lake Tahoe is located. Really cold and lots of snow, although the road had been plowed. I was initially intimated by the bike because of everything I had read here about the slow speed characteristics and the likelihood of dropping the bike, but I had no problems whatsoever. I'm used to a heavy bike (I ride an Ultra Classic) but I did have to get used to the top heavy characteristic of the LT. My passenger loved the ride, especially the heated seats.
I had been looking at the 2006, but determined the differences between the 2005 and 2006 didn't justify the steep depreciation I would have suffered. So, the 2005 was the choice and with only 7000 miles on it (an insignificant amount for a bike like this I'm sure), I got everything I wanted (except the Xenon headlight, but then again, I don't like to ride after dark).
Thanks to all of you who have provided information on this message board. I really appreciate the time you all take to pass on your experiences and the information about the bikes you've obtained during your ownership. Because of your contributions to this message board, I felt comfortable buying a bike I didn't have any experience with.