Waffling K1200lt or something else?

[Paul Van Velzer]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

Paul

[hawg]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

Paul


Paul,
Don't know where you get your information about reliability problems but your sources are dead wrong!

My Harley was "reliable" but a PITA. No such problems with the LT.

The LT has been rock solid with no problems. No drops either! All machines have problems sooner or later but if you search this site, you will be assured that the BMW is not only reliable, but the folks on this site RIDE!!! And I do mean we RIDE. Looooooong distances. So you may hear about how uncomfortable the seat is, leg position, etc. Just ask yerself, if it is bad, then why DO people like others on the board including myself ride 1000 miles or more per day and love it? True, for some the seat may be a Weapon of Ass Destruction but most have no major problem with the seat or seating position. I personally have ridden 150 miles per day in Atlanta of all places for the past 2 years. No comfort problems for me.

Reliability? If it were unreliable, we simply would not RIDE...but buy something else. Long distance riders abound on this site. Much more than you will find on other motorcycle brands. Yep, the LT is that reliable. So, put your worries aside and buy the motorcycle that speaks to you. Only you can decide. Ain't it nice to have choices?

Welcome to our site and pay attention to the collective wisdom here.

Ride safe!

[buddoggin]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

Paul

I do a 100 mile a day commute up and down the 405 everyday, so I can relate. I just moved from an Electra Glide to the LT. I love the smooth power of the LT but i'm finding it to be very uncomfortable. I don't like the bent knees riding postion and the seat SUCKS!. It looks like it's going to cost me about 1k to get this beast the way I like it. This includes a Bill Mayers saddle, Mick-O-Pegs and rider peg lowering kit. It's a shame I have to spend this much to make the bike comfy. I owned a GL1800 in 2003 and I don't remember it being as uncomfortable as the LT.

[mneblett]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

PaulI've been riding an LT in daily commuting duty (suburbs into Wash., DC) for more than five years. Don't let all the bad threads scare ya -- it's about as reliable as anything else out there. I also believe it makes a perfect year-around commuter bike (as long as you're not in lane-splitting land on the Left Coast :)) -- lots of space for briefcases/suit coats, plenty of on-bike storage for gear (no having to haul it up to the office), and all the amenities that make commuting tolerable -- stereo, full wheather protection, heated grips/seat/etc.

[dshealey]

---------------. I also believe it makes a perfect year-around commuter bike (as long as you're not in lane-splitting land on the Left Coast :))

You are wrong Mark! :D I lane split twice a day for nearly 5 years on the LT, no problems at all. Usually split about 3 miles each morning, 1-3 miles each afternoon depending on how badly traffic backed up.

It was harder for me on the dealer loaner K100RT than it is on the LT, because of the mirror alignment. The handlebar mounted mirrors on the K100 were much worse, seemed to line up with most of the SUV/Pickup mirrors, which seem to be a major part of the traffic here.

[mneblett]

You are wrong Mark! :D Oh, yeah, like *that's* a first! :)

You experienced lane-splittin' types may be able to do it, but knowing me, I'd sure as shoot find every single LT-mirror-height cage mirror out there! :)

Seriously, with the wider CA lanes, I expect you're EdZackary right. I can't imagine what the jealous idiots around here would do if someone started filtering up to red lights, so I don't even think about doing it, not even with one of our little airheads!

[dshealey]

Oh, yeah, like *that's* a first! :)Maybe not a first, but certainly a rarity!

You experienced lane-splittin' types may be able to do it, but knowing me, I'd sure as shoot find every single LT-mirror-height cage mirror out there! :)

Seriously, with the wider CA lanes, I expect you're EdZackary right. I can't imagine what the jealous idiots around here would do if someone started filtering up to red lights, so I don't even think about doing it, not even with one of our little airheads!
Nearly all my lane splitting was on Hwy 52, one of the newer major routes, and yes, the lanes are a little wider than some of the older freeways. There are freeways I would not split on though, just too narrow, and with crazier traffic.

The big advantage we have though is the fact that the cagers are used to it, and actually move over a little when they know you are coming up.

I would not try it either in any other state!

[RonKMiller]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

Paul

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. ;)

Hmmm. I just finished an 1800 mile 9 day tour with the wife, dog and a 400 lb. trailer in Arizona and Utah.

Elevations from 600 ft. msl to 9,500 ft. msl. Speeds from a creeping 5 mph going down a steep gravel road up to 80 mph constant on pavement. Several thousand curves. Temperatures from 43F to 97F. Winds gusting to 50 mph in an intense dust storm over several hundred miles and a couple of brief and very cold rain showers.

Pretty much everything you can throw at a scooter in 9 days.

1. Load capacity pretty damned good. I used fourth gear a lot, but fifth is really an overdrive anyway.

2. Bosch fuel injection, the best. Period.

3. A little sketchy at slow speeds, but it more than makes up for it at highway speeds. You just gotta pay attention on gravel and in parking lots.

4. Curves? Eats 'em for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With better aftermarket shocks I know I could keep up with ANY sportbike riding solo.

5. Temperatures are all about wind management. With the infinite combinations of airflow available, heated seats and grips, and evaporative cooling vests and ventilated jackets you can be perfectly comfortable at all times.

6. I got blown around a lot, BUT never felt out of control. Thanks to superior aerodynamics.

7. Oh yeah, I got around 47 mpg on the flats, but never lacked power even climbing steep mountain passes.

Would I even consider another machine to accomplish all of this?

NOPE! :D

[ustasub]

I have been commuting 80 miles a day in so.cal for about a year and a half. I bought a Yamaha V-star 650 for that purpose; as well as my own uncertainty of not knowing if I would take to riding at all, not having ridden for 25 years and then only dirt riding.
So my point is..... I bought this stupid bike on impulse. It looked cool. The only vehicle in my life that I did no research on, prior to buying. Boy am I sorry.
Now I'm considering moving up and the K1200 lt is the best riding bike out there. But reliabity scares me. Inherent problems like final drive failure, Clutch failure, Fuel disconnect failure (which in some cases causes fire). And then there seems to be the generally unhappy dealer experiences.
Tell me, should I consider a BMW at all? maybe a Honda product would be a better choice? ST1300?

Paul
Paul,
Welcome to the site. I bought my 00 in Nov 03 with 2500 miles on it. For about a year I was living near Fullerton and commuting to San Diego, ~230 round trip. The stock seat sucked and I got a Kontour about a year ago, much better now. I currently am only commuting 140 miles round trip. The only problem that I had was the clutch got toasted @27K due to a main seal/tranny input shaft/leaky slave cylinder, the dealer couldnt tell as all were bad, so he replaced them all. I drive this bike daily, rain or shine, white lining up the I15 currently and I havent had a problem since the clutch, 85K and counting.

[messenger13]

Bought my first BMW in 2002. I love it, and simply won't be without an LT for years to come. In spring of '08, I will be buying my next brand new LT.

I also ride a Kawasaki ZX-11 Ninja. A very solid and reliable bike. But I don't consider it any more or less "reliable" than the LT.

Stop waffling and go buy the best luxury tourer on the planet! :)

[BillyOmaha]

.....
4. Curves? Eats 'em for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With better aftermarket shocks I know I could keep up with ANY sportbike riding solo.
......Howdy Ron,

I was with you all the way until number 4.

Let's not oversell the LT. The LT is good in the curves, but Wolfgang can simply run away from an LT... any LT...with any rider (that I've come across)... in the curves and, if there is any straight away between the curves, then, well, fogedaboudit!

This isn't a ego thing on my part. The K-R (and most Sport Bikes) are at least 350 pounds lighter, has a lean angle advantage of around 25% (roughly 10 degrees more than the LT) and has in excess of 50% more power on tap.

(I'm a little surprised Joe didn't pounce on this with a reference to his Ninja :confused: )

Still, Ron, I would join you and highly recommend the LT for all of the other reasons you listed.

.

[usmctpdog]

I commuted splitting lanes daily for many many years in So Calif on the 55/91/57/5/405 and it is hard to beat the comfort and agility of slow speed handling on the HD dresser. So I know where you are coming from...

My 05 LT has been wonderful and so much more now since I have installed my
Russell Day Long Saddle. I am sitting higher now and have lessened that severe leg angle making it way more comfy for my knees, etc...

With the new saddle I may even have gotten past the need to install J-Pegs!

[tarheel_rider]

Try 'em all out. Can't compare the ST1300 to the K1200LT. If you want a sport bike that tours, look at the ST1300, BMW ST, BMW GT, or FJR1300. If you want a touring bike, nothing touches the LT. BMW dealers are far better (although fewer) than any other dealer network. Who else encourages test rides on every model they sell? Rarely will you find as knowledgeable individuals than in BMW sales and service. When I was looking at the ST1300, it was rare to find a sales rep who knew anything about the bike, and the service department knew even less. The BMW dealers are one of the best parts of the BMW owner experience IMHO. As you said, do the research and you'll be happy at the end. I ended up on an 02 LT and I couldn't be happier with my choice (although having a second sport bike in the stable would be a nice addition). The LT may corner best in its class, but don't believe anyone who tells you it corners like a sport bike - that just isn't true in my experience. Good luck and welcome to the site.