BMW strives for the Gold...( Gold WIng that is )
Written: Sep 21 '03 (Updated Oct 08 '03)
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Pros: quality, style, performance, exclusivity, features
Cons: sparse dealer network, poor kickstand and turn signal design, pricey, no intercom
The Bottom Line: A very good bike, though not the best in the market... The Gold Wing still prevails
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| octagonpeg's Full Review: 2000 BMW K 1200 LT |
*Updated October 8, 2003)(See below)
BMW has taken on the bogey in the luxury motorcycle touring marker…the Honda Gold Wing. Does it win or lose?.......well yes.
I am now a 51 year old male who has been riding on and off since I was in my late teens. I have owned a Honda 175 Dual Sport, Yamaha RD 250, Kawasaki Z1, and KZ 900, Honda six cylinder CBX’s, and Kawasaki KLR 650’s, Buells as well as a dozen Harleys and about the same number of BMWs of almost every flavor. Sometimes I had as many as 8 at a time in the garage.
I ride Harleys, because I like the sound and the crudeness that reminds me that at the time, I am on a motorcycle. I ride BMW’s because I want to ride, get there safely, and still have my hearing and the feeling in my back when I get there..
My rides, immediately prior to my purchase of this Black K 1200LT was the K 1200 RS (the yellow checkerboard one) and the R 1100RT (Glacier Green).
Let me tell you now. The R 1100 RT is probably the best motorcycle ever made by any manufacturer…bar none. The radio in it stunk, and I would rather have had the extra storage compartment, than the stupid radio BMW affized to it, but that is another story.
I mention that bike for the same reason I am mentioning the Gold Wing....... Both have horizontally opposed engines, which lower the enter of gravity where a rider wants it….as low as possible.
I never understood why there were so many Gold Wings on the road at big events until I got one from my Harley/Honda dealer for a weekend loaner. After ten minutes on the highway with it, I took it on the back roads and rode the thing like a sport bike. The damn thing is unbelieveable. My R1100RT was close to the same. …the key was the opposed engine.
I have a bad back and wanted a smooth riding bike with lots of power and features. It was the Honda or the BMW K bike. I am not a “Ride Red” kinda guy. The Gold Wing is kinda porky as are most of the people I see on them. ( sorry ).
I interact with the BMW people and was on the ground floor when the K 1200 LT was announced. Luckily for me I was able to even get my hands on a Black one, which officially did not exist.
Do I like it?...yes. Is it a great bike? No. It is a really good bike.
Positives:
- Very nice smooth power.
- Lots of storage space.
- Great fit and finish
- Great instrumentation
- “Linked” antilock brakes.
- Great stereo.
- Suspension is anti dive front and rear with BMW’s unique suspension design.
- Power Reverse.
- Not everyone has one.
Negatives:
- Bike needs a 6th. gear
- Side stand leaves the bike too upright and does not lock.
- Location of the key on top of the clothed handlebar allows the key fob to get caught.
- Turn signal and turn signal cancellation buttons are just wrong.
- Balance…..what balance?
- Obscenely expensive accessories, service and parts prices.
- Dealer network as sparse as hair on a frog.
- * There is no standard intercom system which is unforgiveable in a touring bike of this cost.
The positives speak for themselves The negatives need to be addressed.
Having had the RS version of the K 1200 which had a 6th. Speed, I immediately wondered by BMW deleted in the LT version. I am always looking for the extra gear. After riding so long, I ride by feel and not the guages. When I feel the need to shift, I shift. The RS version had 136 HP and the LT was detuned to make 99. The red line on this engine is much higher than I ever run it, but it still feels busy at 80 mph the speed I cruise at. I am always feeling ready toshift up one more time. Why they deleted the gear was never truly addressed by anyone from BMW who could talk with authority.
The side stand does not lock and puts the bike I a very upright position. A strong drive-by from a semi, could blow it over and if you parked the thing downhill you could find it gone when you got back. I tend to back it to a curb when I park mine. Reverse gear powered by the starter motor is nicer than Hondas.
The turn signals are wrong. On my Harleys if I want to turn left, I press the left turn signal, for right, I press the right turn signal. If I want to cancel the left turn signal, I press the left button again etc. Simple..... Press to start the signal, Press the same button to cancel, Left for left, Right for right.
On the BMW the turn signal cancel is effected by using your right thumb to LIFT a button on the right handlebar. This cancels both Left or Right turn signals. This is not at all intuitive and since I ride different bikes, it is confusing.
The bikes weight is carried very high. The RS version was similar and both want to fall over in parking lots or when parking. Stopping at lights in the rain can be scary for people who might be inseam challenged as I am. I am 6-2 but have only a 31 inch inseam.magnify this if you have a 145lb girlfriend on the back (she is very tall too) who's weight is a bit higher in the saddle than yours and you have a 1,000 lbs to balance.
The few accessories that are exclusively for this bike, such as touring bag liners, tank bag and the rear chrome passenger foot rests are so outrageously expensive that I had to ask the parts guy if the prices were in Pesos, (and I am used to BMW prices). Using an outside source such as BOBS BMW (licensed dealer with a big mail order business) can only do so much with discounting. Even if you take 15 % off, it is a matter of 15% of what? $ 450.00 for chrome passenger footpegs?...I don’t think so.
The BMW two-way radio upgrade and GPS upgrade are equally frightening in cost and I sat those out, since I tend to change bikes kind often. I felt that if I kept this bike and really liked it, I would look into the overpriced stuff later on.
* I was on a road trip the past few days (My new SAAB Vector, and not the bike) and pased a few guys on Gold Wings. It was odd but the thing I noticed immediately with each rider is that each of them had a Microphone Boom in front of their mouths and then it hit me........The BMW does not have an intercom and I never addressed it in tis review.
I have had Full Dress Harleys and each of them had the intercom built in and each came with two sets of helmet mount mikes and ear pieces, one for the rider and one for the rear. I simply overlooked this until now and was reminded that my K bike was devoid of any manner to communicate with my passenger (intercom) or another rider (CB). I also remembered discussing this with the dealer when I bought the bike. The BMW intercom is a very expensive add-on, and an add-on in every way. The BOX controls are placed inside the top cover where the Cassette is located and under the (tank bag which everyone needs).
The BOX controls to the unit are in a very small cheap looking module and are not at all intuitive or user friendly. The add-on controls for the left handlebar are also very add-on looking and you need quite a long thumb or other fingers to make the reach to the switches. The whole thing is an afterthought and an insult to any rider who is gonna fork over 20 grand for a toy.
I didn't make an issue of it because I never really ride long distances as people who are really into touring would do. To me a long day is 200 miles in the saddle. A true lover of touring does 200 miles before sitting down for breakfast at the Waffle House. If you really tour, make sure that you consider this option.
end of update *
BMW makes (or markets), fantastic clothing, boots, gloves and stuff. I do have most every boot they ever made, and same with the gloves. I also sprung for the Kalahari Suit and the City Suit. I also get my denim shirts there, they hae long tails and sleeves, collarless necks to fit under a jacket. The Motorsport logo on the sleeve is a nicety also, and the shirts are made by GEAR,and don't shrink.
Servicing the bike is impossible for anyone without BMW factory training. My bike was recalled before it was delivered. Seems the two cooling fans were blowing fuses.
BMW shipped replacement fans to the dealers from Germany via FED EX, while the bikes were “on the water” in containers. The fans got here before the bikes landed in the port. I wanted to take delivery of my bike on a Saturday. The bike was at the port on Thursday and was at the dealer on Friday, and one of the guys from Motorsport drove the replacement fans to the dealer on Sat. morning. I (and a couple of other expectant fathers) got to see an “A” mechanic take a brand new bike apart. This is not for the faint of heart, and I needed medication to watch it. It took over and hour and a half to simply remove enough of the body work and second epidermis just to get to the fans and wiring. Then a quick unplug and re-plug, and reverse the undressing process to get the baby back together.
I knew that no matter what I learned about working on a motorcycle was useless here. I was competent at mechanics level 12, but this was way out of my league. Even oil changes and filter changes were gonna be done by the service technician.
When you look at a K-Bike you are effectively looking at a 3-Series car with only two wheels.Multiple computers, radiators, fans, and the linked brakes have multiple reservoirs(sp)
Seating on the bike is good for me and tghe seat is adjustable for height, but as with all BMW’s there is no way to stretch out your leg if you start to cramp, which I do on occasion. Yeasterday I ahd to pull over to the side of the road to stretch out a thigh cramp.…Points for the Harley.
Weather protection is great and the calm pocket behind the windscreen and fairing is enough to keep you dry if you get caught in the rain and can keep moving forward. the antilock brakes are awesome, but hope you never need them.....they effectively only work when the bike si upright. If you are going to go down anyway, the brakes won't help you so be cool when you are riding.
I would rate this bike a very good bike. I think for a lot of people the Gold wing would be a better choice. At Americade, Honda demonstrates something that would be impossible with the K bike. The put a piece of carpet on the ground and lay the bike over on it's side. Either side works, Just to emulate a fallen bike. Putting your butt backwards in the seat a moderately sized person can actually lift the bike back to vertical because the Honda has it's weight so low in the frame. Not possible with a K bike.It is an awesome demo.
I, in particular can live with flaws ( I do own a Buell and remember the Harleys?) and will trade off some things for others.
I truly like riding this bike and feel more connected to the road than on a Gold Wing which I think totally isolates the rider from the sensation of being on a motorcycle.
I always felt that Gold Wing riders were subjecting themselves to all of the risks of being on a motorcycle with none of the sensations of riding. I still feel this way.
The Beemer is just that much more of the sensation.
Cost aside also, if you want German precision, exclusivity, and performance, this could be your choice. The "club" is more elite and and certainly more exclusive
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 19,500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
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Epinions.com ID:
octagonpeg
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Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Interested in technology, industrial design, construction, computers and organic hobbies.
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