[Craigmri]

Hey guys,

Considering picking up a 2005-ish LT. I've been on sportbikes and cruisers for the last 20 years and my current ride(2004 VFR800) is setup for touring but my 44 year old body wants more plush and my desire for extreme performance is diminishing. When I evaluate what I want in my next bike I think real cruise control, wind protection, hard luggage, shaft drive and ground clearance for cornering(I hate scraping hard parts) so since I tried the Goldwing a couple of years ago I am thinking the K1200LT might be a great value and offer everything I want.

I've read alot about some inherent issues such as final drive and clutch contamination stuff and realize its no different than most bikes that have their own inherent issues but are these generally reliable bikes? I do just about all service and repairs to my bikes short of opening up the engine. Are clutch and diff jobs on these do-able for experienced DIY guys with manuals? Just trying to prepare myself for the worst.

Are the 2005 and on model years the best direction for me or would a bargain on an earlier model year be a reasonable option?

Thanks in advance.

Craig

 

[deputy5211]

Love my '05. Is my 4th LT and my 2nd 05.

Like the Nike folks say... Just do it.

 

[katnapinn]

As you said ANY bike can have issues & the K1200LT is no different. You have to remember what you read here on the Forum only represents a VERY small percentage of the K1200LT's out there. The vast majority are out riding & not posting their problems here.
The majority of FD failures where of the early bikes (2002 & back). Plus in 2005 BMW made some changes in the geometry of the front end & add some horse power to the LT. These bike do have a VERY high center of gravity & can be a handful at low speeds (5 mph & lower) but once moving they handle great. I had a 2000 that I bought in 2005 with 13.000 miles on it. I sold it last year to get a K1600GTL with about 75,000 miles on it & NEVER had any problems with it. I pulled a trail for about 35,000 miles & could still scrape the pegs. Fine one that you can test ride & let the bike speak for its self.

 

[WillieC]

I have a 2005 LT and it is a fantastic touring machine but not the greatest for around town riding. Personally I would ride an LT at least 200 miles if you can and also ride a R1200RT for comparison. I think 2005 and later is a good choice and has some nicer features as well as improvements, however, riders who have the older models like them and do not seem to like the added features. LT's do have problems that can be expensive to repair. Also it has been very difficult for me to get used to the incredibly noisy engine but if you can keep above 4k rpm all sounds GREAT. Sooooo they are really great and if you do your own maintenance that will be a huge savings. But be prepared for expensive parts and try to find used ones. I purchased a used Final Drive from an 05 LT to have as a spare but at 45k mine still seems fine. Mine has had the rear trans seal replaced two times in the past year and the complete clutch assembly a year ago due to the rear main seal. For me the greatest concern is a leaking seal or clutch slave that will contaminate the clutch. The repair at a dealer can be 1,500.00 to 1,800.00 so this is a good DYI if you need to do it. Weep holes in the bell housing and slave area can alert you to a leak and save the clutch but U still need to tear it down for the seals and if I am at that point I would no doubt put a clutch in. Replacing a FD is not as labor intensive and the FD can be rebuilt at a reasonalbe cost by experts on this site. So bottom line is I have never owned a better touring bike and that includes a Gold Wing, Harley Davison FLHXi and a 1980's Yamaha. BUT I ride with a pukered butt listening to the engine noise and potential problems that "could" happen. In time trust builds and the joy of the machine and quality of the ride out weighs the risks.

hope this helps a little and good luck on your decision and try to ride one or two as much as possible before you buy.

willie

Hey guys,

Considering picking up a 2005-ish LT.
I've read alot about some inherent issues such as final drive and clutch contamination stuff and realize its no different than most bikes that have their own inherent issues but are these generally reliable bikes? I do just about all service and repairs to my bikes short of opening up the engine. Are clutch and diff jobs on these do-able for experienced DIY guys with manuals? Just trying to prepare myself for the worst.

Are the 2005 and on model years the best direction for me or would a bargain on an earlier model year be a reasonable option?

Thanks in advance.

Craig

 

[olddog1946]

I just recently purchased an 02 Lt with 97000 miles on it, it did need a clutch and slave cylinder which I replaced myself. I have to say I am impressed with the power this thing has, still not in love with the top heaviness but certainly like the cruise, adjustable windshield, tunes, etc. but mostly LOVE, LOVE< LOVE the gas mileage. While I currently feel more comfortable on my Valkyrie, once I get the seat and highway pegs that fit my butt and legs I may actually have to keep it instead of resell it, as I originally intended. Currently at 99240 miles..will hit 100 K this week I am sure.

 

[copperstatetour]

... my desire for extreme performance is diminishing...

Don't sell the LT short on performance just because it is massive, check out this video chasing a Ducati 2-up on an LT :bmw: . I think this was posted by one of the forum members a while back but I cannot remember who.

I know there is a lot of talk out there about these bikes being top-heavy and unstable, but I have a 2000 which should be more challenging at low speed and I do not find it difficult to handle in the least. When I get a passenger on board that somewhat changes, so I think it somewhat depends on what you want to do.

There is one big feature that the '05+ has missing from the previous, the power center stand. I would like to ride an 05+ sometime just to see how much better they are at slow speed, but the power stand would really be the chewy candy center of any upgrade for me.

Edit: I forgot - oh yeah, you should

 

[taylorjn]

We on on our 2nd LT. Wife LOVES the pillion (AND hearing the pegs scrape on occasion). Smooth as a Wing; corners like a crotch-rocket (almost). While I am not a racer, I love being able to stay with the squids in the corners! And the 47mpg average (36 with the Bushtec attached) is sweet!

We did upgrade the Voice II to Autocom SP-A, as the Voice II was not compatible with our 2-ways.

Keep the tires at 42F 48R, grab, twist, and go!

 

[simon]

Craig,
On my 10th LT, I may not be the best person to comment on reliability as I don't own mine for any length of time! However, I've never had any issues and I regard them as the best bike in the world (JMHO)
Simon

 

[casualemt]

Hey Craig,
I have a 2000 LT, and I love it...came to it from a GL1800 and have never looked back..
You can get into one for pretty reasonable $$ and I can't believe that an '05 has that much more hp, and you pay a bunch more for it...the cool thing about the '99,'00,'01 is the ABS is much simpler and if it has a problem, no problem, brakes work anyway. If you want comfort, storage, happy SO, cool doodads, impressive mpg, and performance too, Well there is only one choice I can think of....NO NOT A HARLEY!!! I said cool doodads, impressive mpg, and performance....The LT of course... :rotf:

OH SHOOT!! I forgot to add...The best internet support system ever for any bike!!!!

 

[copperstatetour]

OH SHOOT!! I forgot to add...The best internet support system ever for any bike!!!!

+1

 

[messenger13_ver2]

...and ground clearance for cornering(I hate scraping hard parts) so since I tried the Goldwing a couple of years ago I am thinking the K1200LT might be a great value and offer everything I want.

I owned an '02 LT. Sold it to buy an '06 K1200GT. Sold it to buy my current 2010 Kaw Concours14. Just a word of caution ... while the LT can handle quite well (for a bigger bike), you WILL scrape hard parts. Anyone NOT scraping hard parts on an LT isn't really riding it.

In my opinion, a sport-tourer might be a better fit for you. Scraping hard parts on a K1200GT, K1300GT or my Concours14 is a LOT tougher, and you still have more creature comforts than your current VFR. Also, do you ride 1-up or 2-up? For 2-up touring, the LT reigns supreme. But for 1-up, I had no problem with 1000+ mile days on my GT touring the country ... or on my current Kaw C14. But "comfort" is a subjective beast.

The one thing these guys do have right though is, you won't find a better motorcycle forum on the internet anywhere! This forum is "IT". :bmw:

 

[K100Dennis]

Yep, go and get an '05 or later so you get the EHCS, nice feature. Take your time in learning about the bike and how to ride it, then develop your "oneness" with her from there. Don't be scared to rev that engine and you will not wipe the smile from your dial, I guarantee it. Man can these bikes fill up some others' rear view mirrors in the twisties ! And they don't like it either at times.

 

[Craigmri]

OK guys,

Found one that intrigues me. While its an early model the condition and mileage motivate me.

Its a 2000 K1200LT Custom with 2,900 miles.....Yes 2,900 miles!!! Only cosmetic issue is the windshield fogged over. Is this normal?

With only 2,900 miles on a 12 or 13 year old bike, should I be concerned about hoses, seals and certainly tires drying out? What is a bike like this worth if in perfect order?

Craig

 

[WillieC]

My questions would be: was it stored in a dry indoor place all those years. Hopefully it was not outside. Was it ridden once a year for inspection and an oil change? If it has not been ran for along time I would probably change all the fluids including the brake lines etc. The windshield can easily be replaced. If it was stored inside, in a dry place, could be a really good bike for you unless they are asking too much $ for it. My GUESS on a price would be around 7,500.00.

OK guys,

Found one that intrigues me. While its an early model the condition and mileage motivate me.
Its a 2000 K1200LT Custom with 2,900 miles.....Yes 2,900 miles!!! Only cosmetic issue is the windshield fogged over. Is this normal?
With only 2,900 miles on a 12 or 13 year old bike, should I be concerned about hoses, seals and certainly tires drying out? What is a bike like this worth if in perfect order?
Craig

 

[gary45]

I got my 2K for $7K used regularly 45K miles - prices higher in Canada - personally a car/bike having sat so long I would be very cautious - opposite common thinking - they can have problems

in Canada right now no one is buying unless they are stealing it from you, money is tight, bad time to be selling good time to be buying

 

[messenger13_ver2]

In 1995, I bought an '83 Honda V65 with only 2K miles on it. But the guy that owned it knew how to store and maintain a bike. That was a GREAT bike, and ran flawlessly until I sold it in 2003.

You'll want to replace the windshield with an aftermarket shield anyway, so no big deal there. If you can pick that bike up for under $8, I'd say you are stealing it. That is, if it's in good mechanical condition.

 

[Razmataz]

I would at least make a low ball offer, say $5000, and start from there. Once in awhile a guy can get lucky!

 

[copperstatetour]

I would plan to immediately change all your fluids, filters and definitely replace your brake lines. For some reason the brake lines on the LT are not very substantial, I have two Y2K BMW bikes, my C has spent about 1/2 of its life sitting outside at work while my LT has been in the garage most of its life - still have the orig brake lines on the C and have had to replace all lines of the LT, go figure. This will also give you an opportunity to flush the brake lines.

It will probably also need new tires for saftey's sake, please search the site for tires when you have a few months to read all the differing opinions, just know that you will be into tires for about $400 or more, they aren't cheap for this beast.

Other than that, if everything functions as it is supposed to, and the bike has been store properly I would think it should be fine. Nothing wrong with a garage queen as long as everything is working right, I suspect based on your original post that you are enough of a grease monkey to know if things are right, if you have concern ride it over to the BMW dealer to check it out and eat some of their donuts.

Bear in mind that maintenance on one of these bikes is a fairly significant undertaking because of all the bits and pieces that you have to remove to get at stuff. It seems like a huge project but it's really not that big of a deal once you have done it once or twice.

 

[copperstatetour]

One more thing to consider on the price you are willing to pay is the color of th bike: if it is blue the sky is the limit, the value for other colored bikes depreciates from there :stir:

 

[casualemt]

Craig, if the price is good, jump on the deal, I have a 2000 model, I ride the piss out of it, I have changed fluids, tires, guess what it is the same age as the 2000 you are looking at......don't worry, it will be fine, especially with only 2900 miles...criminy! that is awesome!! Oh the windshield...just get some denatured alcohol at the hardware store, and wipe it clear....works like a champ, easy and easy. The windshield is polycarbonate, and has a thin coating on it that keeps it from getting scratched, but it collects moisture at times, and the alcohol takes the moisture out. GO FOR IT!!! :dance:
Oh you didn't say what color it is.....

The price, most of the ones I see for sale are in the 5-7K range, I got mine for $4100 with 17K miles, but I think that was a smokin deal.