gillboy
Apr 23rd, 2006, 7:10 pm
Hi Guys
Just took my K1200 LTSE in for it's 24 K service. It took 8 hours, so my dealer gave three new Beemers to humour me and distract me from the huge bill that was to follow. I rode solo. It was heavy rain for the K1200GT and damp for the last two. Here are my impressions:
K1200GT
Fast bike, strong motor. It is not as velvety as the LT and you can feel the motor whirring away under you. It feels small neat and handles well. Fuel mapping is crap at slow speeds and small throttle openings, you just cannot make smooth progress as the throttle is like a switch. (on/off) At faster speeds it is not a problem.
The bike had all the gizmos possible and I found their layout and function was top class. (Particularly liked the electronic adjustment for suspension.)
Size wise it fitted me OK for arm reach, but my knees were slightly cramped (I am 6ft 2in with 33" leg) Seat felt too hard and my nuts were forced up against the tank due to it's slope. The rear seat looks a joke as far as pillion comfort is concerned. It is flat, sloping and much higher than the riders perch.
With the screen fully up, the wind protection was just adequate, but noise levels were loud and water flicked off the screen top onto my visor. Hand protection was just as bad, water flicked off the bodywork and drenched my gloves and arms in seconds.
It is light years better than the old GT and it will sell in droves. But at the moment I see it as a solo riders toy (with irritating faults.) If they get the fuel mapping sorted and improve the hand and arm protection by flaring the upper body and provide better seats it will make a very good grand tourer for two.
GS 1200 Adventurer
Huge bike, huge fun, huge throbbing motor, could not fault it. If I had the money I would have taken straight home as an addition to the LT.
RT1200
It accellerates very well and handles like a sports bike. Quite a revelation. The motor is typical throbbing Boxer. The gearbox is still a clunker.
The large frame gave me all the space and comfort I needed for arms and legs. It had stopped raining so I could not assess the wet protectiion. Wind protection was fine with the rather narrow screen up to max height.
The riders seat was fine, but once again the passenger is up in the air on a flat sloping seat. Needs sorting!
It is very easy bike to ride and I must admit it got me smiling. But it will never be a luxury tourer until they change the engine. The Boxer belongs in the GS where it's throbbing adds to the GS character. If they sorted the fuel mapping and fitted the GT engine it would be quite a bike.
The new GT, GS and RT will have a bright future, they look good, are lighter and speedier than the models they replace. They will all suit the solo rider who are prepared to put with their shortcomings. Serious pillions will give all three the thumbs down until BMW sort out their seats.
As I rode home on the LT and relaxed in it's comfort, refinement and protection I smiled inwardly because I knew I still had the best all round riding and touring package. The LT is still King. (Despite a 24K bill of £640)
Feel free to contradict me if your experiences are different.
Safe and happy riding Gillboy
Just took my K1200 LTSE in for it's 24 K service. It took 8 hours, so my dealer gave three new Beemers to humour me and distract me from the huge bill that was to follow. I rode solo. It was heavy rain for the K1200GT and damp for the last two. Here are my impressions:
K1200GT
Fast bike, strong motor. It is not as velvety as the LT and you can feel the motor whirring away under you. It feels small neat and handles well. Fuel mapping is crap at slow speeds and small throttle openings, you just cannot make smooth progress as the throttle is like a switch. (on/off) At faster speeds it is not a problem.
The bike had all the gizmos possible and I found their layout and function was top class. (Particularly liked the electronic adjustment for suspension.)
Size wise it fitted me OK for arm reach, but my knees were slightly cramped (I am 6ft 2in with 33" leg) Seat felt too hard and my nuts were forced up against the tank due to it's slope. The rear seat looks a joke as far as pillion comfort is concerned. It is flat, sloping and much higher than the riders perch.
With the screen fully up, the wind protection was just adequate, but noise levels were loud and water flicked off the screen top onto my visor. Hand protection was just as bad, water flicked off the bodywork and drenched my gloves and arms in seconds.
It is light years better than the old GT and it will sell in droves. But at the moment I see it as a solo riders toy (with irritating faults.) If they get the fuel mapping sorted and improve the hand and arm protection by flaring the upper body and provide better seats it will make a very good grand tourer for two.
GS 1200 Adventurer
Huge bike, huge fun, huge throbbing motor, could not fault it. If I had the money I would have taken straight home as an addition to the LT.
RT1200
It accellerates very well and handles like a sports bike. Quite a revelation. The motor is typical throbbing Boxer. The gearbox is still a clunker.
The large frame gave me all the space and comfort I needed for arms and legs. It had stopped raining so I could not assess the wet protectiion. Wind protection was fine with the rather narrow screen up to max height.
The riders seat was fine, but once again the passenger is up in the air on a flat sloping seat. Needs sorting!
It is very easy bike to ride and I must admit it got me smiling. But it will never be a luxury tourer until they change the engine. The Boxer belongs in the GS where it's throbbing adds to the GS character. If they sorted the fuel mapping and fitted the GT engine it would be quite a bike.
The new GT, GS and RT will have a bright future, they look good, are lighter and speedier than the models they replace. They will all suit the solo rider who are prepared to put with their shortcomings. Serious pillions will give all three the thumbs down until BMW sort out their seats.
As I rode home on the LT and relaxed in it's comfort, refinement and protection I smiled inwardly because I knew I still had the best all round riding and touring package. The LT is still King. (Despite a 24K bill of £640)
Feel free to contradict me if your experiences are different.
Safe and happy riding Gillboy