This is almost embarrassing to write. I’ve owned my 2007 K1200GT since Thanksgiving, so that’s nearly five months, and I’ve managed to log a grand total of about 1200 miles on the mighty mile muncher from Munich (ouch). I’ll plead crappy weather and leave it at that. It is a pitiful, desultory performance. The good news is that I have a longish ride coming up in a couple of weeks with riding pal Ron which should add 3000 or so miles to the clocks.
Not that it really matters, but I’ve come by those miles . . .
- Toddling around town.
- Running up along the Hood canal
- Two different rides along what I call the Skagit loop (Seattle to Arlington, Up Hwy 9 to Sedro Woolley, and from there along the Skagit and Sauk and back to Arlington via Darrington). It’s DH-56 for Destination Highway fans.
- Wandering around the countryside, mostly west of Olympia, WA.
The most recent (January) Skagit run was instructive as the best part of it, the part where there is nearly no traffic and good twisties, runs between trees and a mountains and is in the shade nearly the entire day. For the record, riding a $20,000 600 lb bike on black ice is less than fun.
While it’s still too soon to have definitive impressions, here’s what I think so far. Keep in mind that my most recent relevant point of reference is my old and loved FJR.
Power: There are measurable differences in power and performance between the K, the FJR, and the Concours. None of this matters. They are all capable of hyper speeds and can out accelerate anything you need to. The power delivery is different bike to bike, but again, who cares? You get used to what you have under your throttle and ride accordingly. And yes, the K delivers in buckets.
Handling: Moto-scribes famously winge about the so-called lack of feeling in the BMW front end. I guess I don’t have the first clue what the problem is. If the issue is that they’re used to front fork dive, then yes, it’s not there (and I agree front fork dive can be put to good use by riders who know how to work with changing rake and trail on the fly). I would describe myself as a better than average street rider, and I don’t find myself leaned over wondering if the front end has decided to step out for coffee or chat with a close friend. Quite the contrary, I find the bike hugely stable and composed at all angles. And importantly for the average rider, it won’t stand up if you decide to grab for some brakes in mid turn. In that same way, trailing the brakes to the apex is a breeze.
Controls: Another favorite peeve of the scribbling-set. Whatever. You get used to anything and I quite like the two-handed turn-toggles. And I wouldn’t necessarily miss them if they weren’t there.
Saddle: I’m still undecided on this one. It’s a different shape than the FJR, and much different than the custom job I had. Ask me again in 3000 miles.
The Little Things: None of these things matter in the great arc or “real men kick start their bikes” sort of thing, but the K-bike majors in details. I still reach for the throttle lock that isn’t there (was on my FJR), but the cruise control that is, is aces. Having a fully sorted place to put the GPS is nice indeed. Heated grips are well integrated and well done. Heated seat is silly, but whatever. Love the Xenon light. The fit and finish all around is stunning.
ESA: A great idea, but hopeless in execution. I can’t discern a useful difference in any of the damping settings. Comfort is too harsh. The balance between front and rear rebound damping was worked out by an iquana. I had Hyperpro on my FJR and it was leagues better. I will get Ohlins at some point.
So yes, a great ride. I’m telling myself I won’t buy another bike for a hundred years. Or course that’s not true, but right now, it seems a really flash ride.
Tags: DestinationHighways, BMW K1200GT, ESA, Hyperpro
Keep in mind it’s all relative. That is a lot more miles than some, with better weather conditions!
Ride on,
Torch
If it’s any consolation, I happen to know the FJR has spent most of this crummy Winter/Spring weather safely in its new garage. If the weather holds, four of us will bust out the bikes this weekend.
Really miss your writing on the FJR. Are you riding the Beemer and not writing, or regretting selling the FJR and not riding, or just not riding or writing? Things change, I know. Dave in VA, ‘06 cobalt blue FJR, some Beemers in the past.
Thanks for stopping by Dave. There are things I do miss about the FJR. It was so perfectly set up for what I liked to do with it. I bought the beemer because I could . . . and because I was getting antsy to move my Aprilia. One thing led to another and here I am. I haven’t been doing a ton of writing. Always something else to take up the time. I’ve taught some, ridden some, got caught in a snow storm in Bend the other day . . . I promise I’ll get back at it. Cheers.
How fun to hear from you. Let me know how it treats you!
Funnily enough, I had my FJR up for sale this Spring, then I rode it a couple times, then I took it off the market. Still stock, needs a few farkles to make it more perfect – CalSci screen, MCL riser, Madco Rider throttle lock & Rich’s saddle – sound familiar
The FJR is awesome to look at, breathtaking to ride, and 100K mile reliable. If you only get one bike to do it all, it’s a solid contender.
Dave. People ask me why I swapped for the BMW. The answer was because I could. There are things I like better, but honestly you’re right. The FJR is an awesome bike at any price. Hang on to it.
I have a 2007 K1200GT. The ESA is outstanding, and I can’t imagine why you don’t like it. In comfort mode, the bike soaks up the freeway expansion joints with ease, and switching to normal or sport modes really firms up the bike on a twisty mountain road. That is why I didn’t grab an FJR or Concours.
Some of this might be different strokes for different folks. Having said that, put the bike on any setting. Get someone to support the bike while you do this: bounce the front end and then bounce the back end . . . in other words test the rebound damping front and rear on each of the three settings. What you’ll find is that the settings are all over the place. The front and rear simply are not set up the same on any of the settings. What should happen is that the rebound damping should get progressively stiffer at both ends (there is no difference in compression damping that i can tell and it mostly doesn’t matter). It doesn’t and that’s what bugs me. But like all things, you get used to it and ride around it.
Who’s awesome Strom is that in the photo at the top?
Oh yeah, nice GT too!
Belonged to one of the “philosopher kings” (search for the article). He subsequently sold it and bought a blackbird.
Read your comments and thought I would let you know my thoughts. My K1200 Gt is just coming up to three years old. 17000 miles on the clock of which I have done 12000. I commute on it, I have been down to Burgundy on it, two up with luggage and top box. The thing is unflappable ans the settings on the suspension do make a difference when fully loaded.I had a Blackbird before it so the advances in suspension technology really show.
Finish, for an expensive bike is not so good. Paint starting to flake a bit round the bottom of the forks and why oh why does BMW use ferrous metal bolts to hold the callipers and discs on; they rust and look bloody awaful.
Still, I love the bike for all that and don’t intend selling soon, even for the K1300GT which I have ridden.
Tony
Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I couldn’t agree with you more on the cheap bolts. I can’t remember the last bike I owned that didn’t have stainless bolts in places like that.
To the bigger topic, I love the bike and I love riding the bike. It’s just brilliant. I also appreciate your comments on the suspension settings. I don’t load the bike up particularly so the settings seem harsh. The part that I’m not crazy about is that the step changes from comfort through to sport aren’t the same front and rear. But it’s not something I think about anymore and the bike is rock solid in all respects.
I have ridden a K1200lt over the past 7 years. A couple of couple of days ago I was hit by a car and totaled my bike. I am considering buying a K1200gt. I just read your article and it helped me to firm up my decision to buy one after my broken bones heal. Thanks!
I’m glad it helped. Two years on I have lost none of my enthusiasm for the bike. It’s a great road warrior.