BMWMOA Spread on the new K1200GT

[eljeffe]

The gang over at the BMWMOA has a nice spread on the new K1200GT.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/k12gt_press.htm?pg=1

It looks like a web reprint of the BMW AG Press Kit for the K1200GT

[DaveDragon]

Just curious how anyone will fit highway pegs to the GT?
I know it's a small detail but alternative leg positions are important to a few of us.

[RonKMiller]

If it comes down to a fully optioned 06 GT for what - $20K plus plus? - versus a brand new bare bones 06 Concours at $8K that is a known bulletproof design with an incredibly smooth engine...

1. Same fugly 80's styling. Blechhhh... BMW can do much better. How bland can it get...

2. 96 ft. lbs. of torque for the GT versus 72 for the Kawi - still, more than adequate for one up touring which is going to be the GT's niche - unless they discontinue the LT... not likely.

3. The Kawi has a 7.5 gal tank for excellent range - not sure on the GT but assume it is in the same range.

4. I can actually fix anything that breaks on the Kawi in my garage (or by the side of the road) without having to run (or be towed) to my (ever decreasing in numbers) BMW dealer and get charged at least $75.00 an hour for labor - which I understand will be heading towards $100.00 an hour very soon...

Sure the Kawi is an old design, but what a VALUE.

No doubt the new GT is going to be an awesome scooter, but is it worth the money? I could buy a new Kawi and have a new GS in the garage for about the same price.

I don't get it... but then again I seldom do. :( ;)

[wardenross]

Just curious how anyone will fit highway pegs to the GT?
I know it's a small detail but alternative leg positions are important to a few of us.


Dave,

I don't think you get it. This bike has an *almost* sport-bike (crotch-rocket) sitting position. After riding the LT, the new GTs foot pegs feel *very* up and back.

In actuality, it's no where near a racing rearset setup, but coming from the LT (touring) foot pegs, it will feel more like a sport-bike. My point is, if you enjoy this type of riding position, you won't be looking for any highway pegs. They just don't fit this style of bike.

Same goes for the handlebars. They are very low and forward, compared to the good ole LT.

Comparing the two bikes is like comparing a Corvette with a Z-71 Serra Pick-up.

By the way Jeff, thanks for the link.

[messenger13]

If it comes down to a fully optioned 06 GT for what - $20K plus plus? - versus a brand new bare bones 06 Concours at $8K that is a known bulletproof design with an incredibly smooth engine...
[snip]
Sure the Kawi is an old design, but what a VALUE.

No doubt the new GT is going to be an awesome scooter, but is it worth the money? I could buy a new Kawi and have a new GS in the garage for about the same price.Ron...if I may.

You know I'm a Kawasaki fan. And while I too believe that the Connie is the greatest value on the market today, there are two facts that I simply cannot ignore.

I will NEVER buy a Kawasaki Concours. I will recommend others look at it, and consider it. But I won't. It isn't even yesterday's news...it's not even last decade's news. Which brings me to the next "fact"...
TECHNOLOGY. The '06 BMW K1200GT is so filled with the latest & greatest technology in modern motorcycling, it's almost silly. The front suspension is nothing short of amazing. BMW's brakes...need a say more? ESA . . . phenomenal. And that motor will make the Connie look silly anywhere in the powerband. Period.
So there you have it. Fact number 2 is why one would pay twice what the Connie costs. And that comes from a huge Kaw fan... And I really don't see why people are saying that the GT looks like the Connie. I just don't see it personally.
http://www.bmw-bike-forum.info/k1200lt/images/avatars/618111330416edc760fc38.gif
http://www.zzr1200.net/modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_pray.gif

[JATownsend]

If it comes down to a fully optioned 06 GT for what - $20K plus plus? ... No doubt the new GT is going to be an awesome scooter, but is it worth the money? I could buy a new Kawi and have a new GS in the garage for about the same price.

I don't get it... but then again I seldom do. :( ;)
Well Ron, you do get it! You just picked the wrong bike to compare it to. BMWs are offering too little for too much! Except the LT of course. :D

Honda's revamped ST1300 has all the features except cruise (pity)! But, it can be added.

A riding buddy who is tiring of BMWs odd ways just got a quote for an ABS model of $13,900.

85 ft. lbs. torque, 135 mph, 7.7 gallon tank, 659 lbs. I checked one out in Daytona last week as the Honda pavillion was near the BMW trailer! This could be the perfect one-up Sport Touring bike.

The fit and finish, look and feel, ergonomics are subjectively better than the GT. Toss in the 3 year unlimited mileage warranty and Honda's bullet proof designs (Goldwing excluded) and the '06 ST looks like a winner!

[meese]

I don't really care what kind of a VALUE the Concours is. I had one, and found it to be OK for a daily commuter, but just not fun or comfortable for anything else. And two-up was a joke, even with the factory backrest fitted. I finally got rid of it when I realized that we'd rather take the car than ride the bike.

Maybe comparing it to the LT is unfair, and maybe it is a great price, but it is essentially 20 year old technology. Compare it to a K100, sure, but it's not even in the same league as anything BMW is building now, especially not the GT.

Fortunately for those who can appreciate the Concours for what it is, there is an excellent owners group, a fair amount of accessories, and new bikes are still available.

But I'll stick to BMW's current technology, thanks.

[messenger13]

Is that two dudes I see in the background?! Are they having a GT Brokeback moment, or what?! http://www.zx1112.bigbikeworld.com/forum/smilies/eek.gif


http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/assets/k12gt/P0021269.jpg

[eljeffe]

The fit and finish, look and feel, ergonomics are subjectively better than the GT. Toss in the 3 year unlimited mileage warranty and Honda's bullet proof designs (Goldwing excluded) and the '06 ST looks like a winner!

We are talking about the same Honda ST1300, right?

You mean the one with highspeed wobble that turns into a tankslapper?

Honda dealers that won't work on an ST because they don't know anything about it?

Enough heat to cook your nuts and make you sterile?

Sure, I'll take one. :D

[eljeffe]

Nah, it's a goil. Quite mannish if you asked me. LOL!!

[mwnahas]

Hey Joe
think that is a guy and a girl. pic on page 6 looks like long hair on the back.

[meese]

Maybe BMW is trying to open up a new market segment? Next we'll see a new dealer in West Hollywood, with all the latest fashions on display, of course. :)

[ronjrieth]

ElJeffe,
If you had an ST 1300...you had a different one than I did....my ST was pretty near the perfect solo tourer.....no heat problems...no service problems...only reason I traded mine for an LT was passenger comfort...
Ride Safe,
Ron

[lovetomotor]

The gang over at the BMWMOA has a nice spread on the new K1200GT.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/features/k12gt_press.htm?pg=1

It looks like a web reprint of the BMW AG Press Kit for the K1200GT

I didn't catch the fuel tank size?

[hschisler]

Is that two dudes I see in the background?! Are they having a GT Brokeback moment, or what?! http://www.zx1112.bigbikeworld.com/forum/smilies/eek.gifNow THAT'S funny! Yes, at first glance they look "unisex", but the other photos show the real story.

[messenger13]

And that's about ALL that is similar. Here's just a few of the differences:

Front suspension
Rear suspension
ABS / Brembo brake system
Frame architecture
Engine design
Carb vs. EFI
ESA
UNDER-powered 1K cc powerplant versus an efficient 1200cc powerplant
Electric windshield
Rear passenger comfort
BMW vs. Kaw
Cruise control
Heated seats
Heated grips
Color-matched bags
C'mon Ron! The list just goes on & on & on!!! And all of those items in the list above add up to R&D dollars! Big ones!!! You don't have a leg to stand on...sorry. The Connie is a dinosaur. Don't get me wrong. It has it's place in the market. But it simply cannot be compared to the K1200GT. Not in my book. :p

[messenger13]

He pulled his post! Little sucker! :D

[RonKMiller]

Ron...if I may.

You know I'm a Kawasaki fan. And while I too believe that the Connie is the greatest value on the market today, there are two facts that I simply cannot ignore.

I will NEVER buy a Kawasaki Concours. I will recommend others look at it, and consider it. But I won't. It isn't even yesterday's news...it's not even last decade's news. Which brings me to the next "fact"...
TECHNOLOGY. The '06 BMW K1200GT is so filled with the latest & greatest technology in modern motorcycling, it's almost silly. The front suspension is nothing short of amazing. BMW's brakes...need a say more? ESA . . . phenomenal. And that motor will make the Connie look silly anywhere in the powerband. Period.





So there you have it. Fact number 2 is why one would pay twice what the Connie costs. And that comes from a huge Kaw fan... And I really don't see why people are saying that the GT looks like the Connie. I just don't see it personally.http://www.bmw-bike-forum.info/k1200lt/images/avatars/618111330416edc760fc38.gif








http://www.zzr1200.net/modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_pray.gif




Yeah Joe, you're right - they don't look at ALL like the same bike: The 06 Connie's exhaust pipe is on the other side: :rolleyes: And the paint color is
WAY off as well. :cool:

[messenger13]

Ron, scroll up...read the list and weep. The proof is in the pudding!

[RonKMiller]

Ron, scroll up...read the list and weep. The proof is in the pudding!

I never doubted that - I just would not want to have spent 20 large (and probably signifcantly more for options I consider neccessary) for the "prestige" of a new BMW and have it be mistaken for a 1985 motorsickle from the land of the rising sun...

and then there's the NEW FJR 1300 to consider...;)

[MissionSpecialist]

Actually that last post made the most sense to me. The new Yamaha is the real competition to the GT. One side by side test revealed 2 out of the 5 reviewers liked the FJR better.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3847

In short back seat better on GT, front better on FJR. Similar performance. Trade offs in handling. Similar range and economy. $5000 less for the FJR but not as many gizmos.

I love BMW, but their crappy, uninformed and limited dealer network and high price have always kept me from being a "loyal fan". As for "prestige", does anyone care about that who rides a bike for the ride? If you want prestige there are better and cheaper ways to get it. If you want prestige on a bike - and you got the dough, buy a vintage Indian, which also has ten times the cool factor.

Today I ride BMW. Tomorrow I will ride what is best for me.

Steve