At least it wasn’t actually snowing. That came later. But it was damn near that cold and raining too. Not the ideal day to take delivery of a new motorcycle, but then, who buys new motorcycles in December anyway!
I never really mean to buy these things, which is to say that I’ve thought about it forever and drive on over to the dealership just to take a look. Purchase isn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion, but it’s lurking nearby.
I had been off bikes for a couple of months due to a combination of business, rotten weather, vertigo, and arthritis. Did I say getting old is a bitch? By the end of the summer, I had come to the conclusion that my days ridding my Aprilia RSV 1000 Factory were over. I loved how it sounded. I loved how it looked. I love how it went down the road. I didn’t love what it did to my body. It was punishing. At the point you dread the idea of getting on your motorcycle, it’s well past time to say good bye.
A few weeks ago I found myself stranded in a hotel room with nothing to do or read so I decided to get on the Internet and read every road test and every thing else I could find on a bunch of bikes that have always caught my imagination, or at least had recently.
- KTM 990 Adventure
- Suzuki Hayabusa
- Kawasaki ZX 14
- BMW K1200S/GT
- BMW 800GS
- Buell Ulysses
- KTM RC8
And probably a bunch more. I blame my friend Ron for all this for drawing my attention to the new 2009 BMW K1300S. I had nicely resolved myself to the idea of riding my FJR, a true do-nearly-everything bike, for at least another year and selling the ‘priller in the spring. But now I was lusting again.
I actually stopped by a Kawi dealer along the way to sit on the big Ninja and liked it enough to think about test driving it, but the fever soon left. Something about the beast’s penchant for eating tires, over heating, iffy quality control, and oh yes, it is way, way too fast, put me off.
The fact that BMW was offering $3500 off their end of year K bikes put salt on the tail. That made them almost kind of affordable, sort of. So with the sun mostly out I wandered over to Ride West BMW to have a look. No S bike. In fact, the only thing they had was the GT, and they didn’t even have that. I would have to order one. But I rode the test mule and actually loved it. So I bought it. Traded the FJR and Priller for it plus a couple of nickels. God bless my wife for only rolling her eyes once.
And then I left town for three weeks. Which brings me back to the other day. The bike had been sitting at the dealer since a couple of days after Thanksgiving and now I could finally get it. Now it’s home in the garage with a grand total of about 14 miles on it.
So here’s what I like so far . . .
- The attention to detail and overall sense of quality is steps beyond anything else I’ve ridden or seen up close.
- I’ll admit it, I don’t mind the goofy turn signals.
- Heated grips and seats.
- Cruise control. I do that kind of riding.
- Massive power, though it comes on later than it does with the FJR (not a slow bike either).
- I know there’s more ground clearance than the FJR, though I haven’t gotten there yet. I do that kind of riding too.
- Factory mount for GPS. Hurray.
- Lots more room for farkling under the fairing. FJR was useless.
- All that technology. These are the cleanest running bikes on the road.
- Feels rock solid leaned over. I know people complain about the lack of feel. I’ll get back to you on that.
- Paint is stunning.
It’s not the list I expect to write after I have some miles on the beast, but it will do for now. Now if the weather will just give me a break.
Tags: BMW, K1200GT, Aprilia RSV1000 Factory, KTM 990 Adventure, BMW 800GS, KTM RC8, Ride West BMW, Garmin Zumo
Wow, what a bike! I test rode one awhile back and would have bought it on the spot if I had the clams. Can’t wait to hear your stories after some long hauls on it.
Glad I found this bit, Have had bikes of all kinds during my 62 years 2nd last being a showie little Triumph Thunderbird of 95 vintage that I loved to bits, but things happen and having to shift closer to kids ,build a house ect the Tbird had to go,went to a good home, house finished and two years with no bike and no money makes a bloke think “whats it all for” start looking for something cheap just to have a ride and then get some money for contracting Asbestosis while serving country, Fxxk it, off to BMW shop test ride everything in sight and leave with 07 K1200gt, have in last 12 months ridden 18000kms and am loving it, no problems with the bike but have made some mods due to failing body parts(mine) Peg lowering kit, bar backs, repadding of seat, Z Tech screen for winter, TomTom onexl on barbacks, intend to hit Pirates lair during trip to NC later this year, Fav ride, any where.
Love to hear what you think about the Z-Tech. I’ve been hearing hard things about Cee Bailey. I’ve had Cal Sci and love them but they do scratch up. Loving my bike.
I can concur with your situation. I too had an Aprilia RSVR Factory (04), which I still believe was the best handling bike I’ve every ridden down a twisty road. However,as with yourself, I began dreading riding the bike for any more than 100 miles to get to the twisties, because the discomfort would become so great as to become a hazardous distraction.
I test rode an 05 K1200S in 05, and was immediately struck by its smooth, sophisticated, powerful competence. I remember saying to myself as I test rode it, “On top of being fast, this thing is so comfortable, I could just keep going all the way to California (from Minnesota)!”
I took me a year to decide to give up my beautiful Aprilia, but now I see the wisdom in it!
I am so happy with the K12, that it’s not uncommon, to this day, for me to let out an audible “Whooopeee!” inside my helmet,’cause the things such a hoot to ride, while being comfortable on top of it!
It’s not that it’s the best or perfect in every respect, but more so that it is well balanced and competent at just about everything, and, unlike almost every other sport-oriented bike, it’s actually comfortable to ride long distance. I think BMW really hit on a unique niche here.
Plus, the K1200 offers technology that others simply don’t, such as ESA (this works great), antilock brakes, drive shaft, mineral oil in place of brake fluid for the clutch, “hard” luggage (on my K1200S),etc.
Anyway, I too have been reading about all of the updated K1300s, the S, R and GT.
It sounds as if BMW has made some significant improvements to all 3 of the machines in the 1300 series, andI’m hoping I get a chance to test ride them.
The European testers agree unanimously that all three machines are significantly better than their 1200 predecessors (a couple of them said they’d choose the GT over a Hyabusa because of greater comfort, luggage capacity and enough power and sporting capability to more than satisfy them.)
The new K1300S would have to be much better in order for me to even consider relinquishing my K1200S!
In any case, congratulations on your choice of the GT, and I hope you enjoy your machine as much as I do mine!
Ed
What a great note. Thanks for the good words. I’ve got all of 450 miles on my K bike so hard to have a meaningful conclusion about it other than I think it’s a fine, fine bike and I know I’m going to love it. I hated to see the Priller go, but only because it was such an achingly beautiful bike. The part about aching was the issue.
I did 200 miles on the K two weeks ago. I read with amusement the energetic commentary on brand specific forums about other bikes, like somehow the differences matter. The FJR, K-bikes, and Connie are so immensely capable in every way. Close your eyes, pick one, and love the one you’re with.
Cheers
K