[Spokanedad]

Hey All-

Brand new 02 owner here... Got rid of my VTX 1800 (which I loved) a couple years ago in a divorce. I have been lurking here for a few months as I closed in on buying a new to me bike.

Well mission accomplished. I have spent the last week riding this beauty.. After a couple years off and being used to the torque monster the VTX was, not to mention a whole new riding position- simply amazing... I cannot say what a pleasure it is to ride this bike.

I have to admit I was concerned with the "top heavy" issues called out on this board. It does have a different feel to it- but a week later I can throw it around as easily as any other bike I have owned. It is more difficult to drag the rear brake at slow speeds compared to others because the brakes are so damn sensitive, but it's coming along.

As far as the performance- wow.. You guys were right, this bike loves to be wound out.. In fact it seems happier and shifts smoother the farther you stretch the gears out...

Lastly- CUT THE BROWN WIRE! What a difference! So smooth... Anyway.. A bit of a long post but wanted to report my experience so far.. Looking ahead to many more miles...

Jeff Jennings
Spokane, Wa

 

[LTFan]

Welcome on-board. This is the only first class seat in a flight where you don't need seat belts.

 

[Bones1955]

Great post..took me more then a few days to get over the strange feeling of the front not diving and rocking back at stops.
Unless something is wrong with my bike!
But I read where that is normal?

 

[rowie]

Jeff - sorry the hear about the divorce, but glad you pulled the trigger on a K1200LT. I still have my VTX1800, which I also love the monster torque of, and I took it out last night to dinner with my wife. My VTX is quite modified, including new heated seats and grips etc (tried to make a BMW tourer out of her). So my wife asks me last night "which is the better bike". While I really love the VTX, if I was a one bike garage, I'd be sticking with the LT. Sadly in the near future my VTX will likely be put up for sale as my daughter will be needing a car soon, and I know I'm gonna miss her! But the LT is truly an amazing ride.

 

[Spokanedad]

Great post..took me more then a few days to get over the strange feeling of the front not diving and rocking back at stops.
Unless something is wrong with my bike!
But I read where that is normal?

I know exactly what you mean about the forks.. I believe this is normal for the BMW due to fork construction. I always had to be careful in the past on a quick stop because of the forks diving on other bikes...

 

[palarimer]

Welcome aboard Jeff, I had the same thoughts on weight and reports of it being Top heavy but I love it. You may never get the same drag on the rear break you had on the cruiser the integrated breaking makes that very hard to achieve it took me a couple of weeks to get used to it especially with a passenger, knocked helmets a few times.

Dan Diver did a great post on his experience taking a class concentrating on slow manuevering and breaking, it's a good read. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60596&highlight=class