Balanced Teutonic Luxury and Performance
Written: Sep 23 '06 (Updated Jun 25 '08)
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Pros: Balance performance, luxury, impressive standard equipment and performance
Cons: Overactive brakes, stereo speakers, authorized dealer availability
The Bottom Line: This is another serious luxury touring motorcycle for the serious rider. Direct comparison with others will impress.
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| donc230's Full Review: 2005 BMW K 1200 LT |
When you are truly serious about comfort, luxury, and performance while covering serious distance, you are ready for a K1200LT.
How Did It Happen?
From 1923 through 1984 BMW was known for one and two opposed cylinder engines in motorcycles returning the ultimate of reliable utility. But with the regulatory pressures of more environmentally aware governments, and the market pressures of affluent baby boomers, BMW introduced their first radical jump into the age of modern sophisticated engineering. Yes, they had been the earliest to offer only shaft driven motorcycles, and leaders in electronic ignition and disk brakes, but the 1984 introduction of the three and four cylinder “K” series motorcycles was considered revolutionary to their loyalists.
While the three cylinder models did not survive in the market place, the four cylinder variants thrived. A fuel injected, inline, dual overhead cam engine was a bit futuristic for the time, but to lower the center of gravity (and more importantly for the market, the seat height), the engine was laid on its side! Having the crankshaft in a straight line with the rest of the drive line reduced mechanical power loss, and delivered a configuration where the crankcase stuck out on the right side and the head on the left. See, I told you it was revolutionary.
Having such an innovative drive train flattered the long distance touring market, so the “LT” versions evolved from basically a series of bolted on full fairings to a fully integrated, purpose built, luxury touring motorcycle.
The Numbers
When considering paying over $22,000.00 for a motorcycle you should be sure you compare "apples to apples" with the competition. The only way to do that is to lay their "numbers" next to each other. If you really are seriously considering this motorcycle, I highly recommend getting those "specification" numbers either from a dealer or from the BMW Motorcycles web site at:
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=k1200lt
Standard Features
Back to that $22,000 you are considering parting with, to justify all that cash outlay you will have to know that you have gotten the most for your money. In fact, all of your neighbors and co-workers will want to know where all those bucks went. This is another area where the LT shines. The list of standard features overshadows those of others in this market segment. Again, because this list is so long, it is recommended that you go back to either your local dealer or the BMW Motorcycles web site at:
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=k1200lt
Optional Accessories
Unlike the automobiles that roll from Detroit and Japanese assembly lines, BMW does not play the "low base price game" that suddenly balloons at check book time. I consider the advertised prices more honest without and straight forward. So, to further drive home that "bang for the buck" comparison, there are only five optional accessories available for the LT! Those are: a taller windshield, 6-Disc CD changer, dual accessory sockets, chrome adjustable passenger footrests, inner bags for pannier cases and top case, and a tank utility pouch with map compartment. This bike is truly Get What You Pay For, rather than Pay For What You Get!
But What is it Really Like?
Now that we have dispensed with the numbers you will need to assure a valid apples to apples comparison with your current ride, it is time to get in to why you read reviews in the first place.
Styling
Yet another slippery design from the drawing board of BMW motorcycle design Chief, David Robb, the potential for sneaking through the wall of air on a German Autobahn is immediately evident. The integral fuel tank and fairing flow into the integrated saddle bags at the rear. An even smoother flow into the sizable trunk completes the picture of a motorcycle you climb into rather than onto. But once again, you will either love the rounded styling or hate the rolling cough drop styling
IT IS BIG!
Five to six hundred pound motorcycles had become the hallmark of the BMW, so when the first K1200 series LT’s tipped the scales at well over eight hundred pounds they left quite an impression. It has become the ultimate evolution of the touring motorcycle designed for the market segment that knows it deserves luxury and comfort.
Climbing onto the saddle you are immediately aware that this is a big motorcycle. There is no question about if it will be stable in the wind or if you will be provided adequate coverage from adverse elements. Lowering the powered center stand (oh come on, for this kind of money you should not be required to lift the bike onto its stand), you can feel the weight. There is a sensation of top heaviness upon startup at first, but it goes away quickly after the first ride. Once underway the rider motorcycle interface becomes natural.
Stop!!
BMW’s fully integrated power assisted antilock breaking system works, period! There is a computer hidden deep under the seat that somehow knows exactly how much power to apply to either wheel each time the lever is pulled. My first “stab” at short stopping convinced me that the computer was better than I am at modulation of brakes. I pulled the lever and the big LT stopped. There is one real issue that you have to deal with, the authority of the front tire grip, added to the efficiency of the breaks, can make that last two mph deceleration exciting. It is a very good idea to make sure that the front tire is pointed exactly straight when you come to a stop, otherwise you might find yourself with 800 pounds of Teutonic machinery on your leg.
Comfort
I have to say that this is the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever ridden. There is a feeling of plush luxury on everything your body touches. The riding position is a “long day” upright position, and all controls seem to magically appear where one would expect them. Not feeling the need to hunt for things increases comfort.
The first time I took my wife for a ride on an LT the temperature was hovering around 30F. Falling to my pressure, she shunned proper riding pants in favor of comfortable blue jeans. After less than three miles down the road she was beating on my back demanding I turn off the heated seat! A warm passenger seat at the simple touch of a button is something to behold. Pulling into our driveway at the end of the ride she asked me, “How much did you say this costs?” I answered, “Around $20,000.” Her response was, “How are we going to tell our daughter that she is not going to college?” Do not argue yourself; let the motorcycle do your talking for you.
Both rider and passenger seats are comfortable enough that most custom seat builders do not generally offer their products for the LT. Engine vibration is almost non-existent through either the grips or seat. The heated grips two settings allow for adequate supplementary heat for most all climates.
Handling
Riding an 800 pound motorcycle at speed can sometimes be a handful on curvy mountain roads. This is another area that the LT will surprise you. After that initial three feet from the stop sign, the ability to maneuver at both low and higher speeds is nothing short of amazing. Carving switchback curves feel natural and smooth. But remembering that the hills around where this bike was designed are called the Alps, it should not be a surprise.
Maintenance Costs
There is always a negative comment on maintenance and service costs for BMW motorcycles. Considering the expected life and resale value of this motorcycle, they really are not out of line. Services are scheduled for each 6,000 mile period or about once a year for an average rider. But with the use of any of the aftermarket manuals currently available, an average motorcyclist, with average mechanical ability, should be able to handle a good percentage of those tasks himself.
Nits
This is not a Ducati, so do not expect to carry home trophies from next years Daytona 200. The weight and brakes are something that you do need to learn to handle. For those addicted to fine stereos this one will be a disappointment. Even with the optional six CD changer, it does not make up for the same speakers you would find in a standard 325i. While the navigation system is a big plus, ease of use is not up to that of offerings from Garman.
Dealer Availability
Maybe this is another nit, but there are nowhere as many authorized BMW Motorcycle dealers as those of other marques. BMW is very frugal when granting franchises (my two nearest dealers are 120 and 125 miles from my home). This means that it will be more difficult obtaining real information about the bike (specifications, standard equipment, optional accessories, etc.). So your best course of action is to again haunt their web site prior to any final decision. This can also be a consideration when looking for potential service and repair support. Do understand that the first scheduled service is a 600 miles, but the rest are at each 6,000 miles. An investment in one of the aftermarket shop manuals is a good idea to better gauge your ability to assure maintenance of your new ride.
Conclusion
This is another serious luxury touring motorcycle for the serious rider. When you are truly serious about comfort, luxury, and performance while covering serious distance, you are ready for a K1200LT.
Reliability Update
Recently there has been a significantly high number of final drive failures on 2005 through 2007 model bikes. Failures have been preceeded by leaking and a grinding noise. Mileage on these bikes has been around 30,000 + total miles on machines under load and other longer distance touring conditions. Not being either a BMW employee or dealer, I have been forced to dig information out pretty much the same way as any other customer. But I have found out that there has been "movement" by BMW on this issue: Since being made aware of the condition, BMW AG has revised their service schedule for these machines. There is now a recommendation to change the lubrication in the final drive at least annually, and inspect the "play" in the bearings. BMW has "brought back" the drain and fill plugs on all new production final drives (R series and K series bikes) to facilitate renewal of lubricants. Since there have been no retrofit plans, owners of the "non-drain plug" final drives will still have to remove the component to renew the lubricants.
Once again, permanent lubricants have shown themselves to be unrealistic.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Test Ride
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
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