Anyone knows about BMW K1200S

Well, just a bit offset from VFR, like what I did with the Cafe Racer.
I am now keeping and eye on BMW K1200S. Found it is really nice looking bike, not too big, not small, has saddle bags
I have never seen it in person, so never ridden it, of course.
Also I have very few knowledge of this bike.

Someone may have experience on this, please share; or knowing someone want to sell, please help to inform.
Thanks.

Yeah, here 's how it looks:

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We have a long time member Brian (dbs05 I think is his screen name) who sold his 2003 VFR for a K1200S. He loves it. The purpose is identical to the VFR, but with more power, shaft drive and a few pounds heavier, and a larger price tag.

I dont think we have any KS in Vietnam, so I don't know how to compare with VFR in terms of size, handling and also the performance.
The think I like from KS firstly is it's shape, then the drive shaft.
The think I may hate the most from this KS is the headlight - looks ugly.

Suggest you research this bike in some of the owner forums:

http://www.k-bikes.com/
http://www.ibmwr.org/
http://bmwsuperbikes.com/

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A friend of mine traded his VTEC for one and loves it. It is comfortable and extremely powerfull, cruising at 200km/h with ease. It has a slightly longer wheelbase and that is noticeable in the tight stuff. It has a small gas tank (18,5L) but combined with the low fuel consumption it still has a decent range.

...allied with poor build quality and awful reliability with a huge number of warranty claims.

A good friend had one that spent more time at the dealers than it did on the road.

Clearly my personal opinion, but I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.

IIRC....Most BMW's use premium fuel, something to consider.

Great looking bike ! Have had BMW's in the past. It will be a long time before I get another one. The last one had major breakdowns every 10 k miles, it was expensive junk. Build quality is nowhere near Honda. Make sure a dealer is nearby ,you will be seeing them. A cranky ex-BMW owner. However the side bags are bear proof ![image: DCP_2668.JPG] [image: DCP_2669.JPG]

Never owned a "Beemer" (BMW motorcycle) but I do own a "Bimmer" (BMW auto).

Great engine and transmission, but I've come to realize the stories I've heard of regular (and expensive) electrical issues appear to be true.

My 323ic convertible will be going on the block soon, but not before I fix (or pay to have fixed) the check engine light (lean mixture issue w/cold engine), air bag warning light caused by seat belt sensor, faulty coolant level sensor, power convertible top mechanism, failure (intermittant) of the HVAC blower motor to work, etc.

I've discovered the joy of owning one of these "ultimate driving machines" can fade quickly along with the balance in your bank accountt.

Been there...done that. My next convertible will most likely be a Honda S2000 or Mazda MX5.

No more BMW's for me unless I inherit or win one..

My brother has one...lots of repairs and it doesn't do anything better than a VFR800. Oh yeah it breaks a lot. Another thing, it breaks a lot.

I may have some incite regarding both the VFR and the new to me K1200s. I purchased a 2005 three months ago after having a 2002 VFR and also a 1993 VFR that had 85,000 miles on it when I got the 2002...I had read all the horror stories about the 1200 and wasn't really looking to change as I have really liked the VFR'S over the years. What swayed me about the BMW was the motor and the way the bike tracks down the road....It has a heavier feel to it and doesn't wander on the highway.I live in New Mexico where I can almost ride year round and the K1200 even in the mountains has a good solid feel to it. The duolever front end takes a little to get used to but I have rode bikes for 45 years and it turns in real well..
The build quality may not be as good as the Honda but I have taken all the plastic off of it and really gone through it and the Huns just do it differently than the Japanese...I have a long trip planned this summer and will really see how the BMW performs but over all I am happy with it...The mileage isn't as good as the VFR but it seems I am riding harder as the grunt from the motor comes on hard, you are not waiting on the VTEC...I did the cam chain tensioner fix that some of the bikes had but so far so good....I am 62 and sure get looks from the younger riders as they can't quite get it that an old man would ride a blke like that....One thing that I do miss is the good forum to follow. I still check in here daily and probably show up for the get together in Colorado this summer...The BMW riders truly have an attitude that I can't figure out but I don't participate in posing with there fancy GS 'S and Aerostitch suits and don't go anywhere....

Wow, great guys with lots of experiences.

I also heard about some electronics issues with the Beemer. I also realized that the replacement parts for a BMW is also more difficult to find and more expensive than Honda's. Especially in Vietnam.

A friend of mine owns a BMW 1200RT (2008) and travel with me (2007VFR800) in a trip to Dalat. We went thru about some miles offroad. My VFR was very stable, great. Whilst at the end of the offroad session, the bad smell of 1200RT comes up and he said he found engine to be inert. The smell seems come from the clutch pads, with abetos smell. We need to stop for a while, get it cool down then back to hotel.
I don't heard any more issue from him as I don't care of BMW at that time.

However, thru some adventure forums on net, I still see people are using a lot of BMW motorcycles, especially GS dual sport.
I also have no experience on GS, however I believe if people still prefer GS for very long ride, on multi type of road (or even offroad), that must be some reasons, something to be appreciated from Beemers, and must not be just the brand.

I did some search and found that the K1200S dated 2007-2008 with ODO<~20,xxx miles cost around $8.5-10K.

Eg.:
http://orangecounty....2934914872.html
http://sfbay.craigsl...2952671555.html

K12s looks cool to me now:

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End up a week at office with this:

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Hey, that last pic is my '05 K12S. Can just note it shares longer distance sporting ride duties with the '01 VFR here. Very different than the VFR, but just as amazingly enjoyable, and can mention it has been an incredibly reliable bike. Have owned it since new seven years ago, and it is on the short list of favorite bikes owned.

[image: View Post]sfarson, on 21 April 2012 - 12:30 AM, said:

Hey, that list pic is my '05 K12S. Can just note it shares longer distance sporting ride duties with the '01 VFR here. Very different than the VFR, but just as amazingly enjoyable, and can mention it has been an incredibly reliable bike. Have owned it since new seven years ago, and it is on the short list of favorite bikes owned.

It's good to know that there are satisfied owners out there cos I know of several who aren't.

VietHorse...you still seem keen on getting one, despite the known reliability and build-quality issues. Just make sure you buy one of the reliable ones!

I don't know about the 1200, but I put 100k miles apiece on two Beemers with no problems.
'72 R75/5 ; '02 RT

Hahahahah....
I 'd love to hear some different ideas instead of logging in Beemer forum and get all the good feedback for K12s.
Thank you all for your personal experiences and recommendations.
Anyone else has some ideas?

[image: View Post]VietHorse, on 21 April 2012 - 11:05 AM, said:

Hahahahah....
I 'd love to hear some different ideas instead of logging in Beemer forum and get all the good feedback for K12s.
Thank you all for your personal experiences and recommendations.
Anyone else has some ideas?
Take the info from here and ask the nice peeps at the BMW forum for their opinions on the pacific problems you've read here.........Really

Viet,
When shopping for a new bike I narrowed it down to a K1300S or VFR1200F. So, I road a 2012 K1300S during a BMW Demo day. It was a nice 26 mile route involving most road types. I finally ended up buying the VFR, and can offer a comparison between the two bikes.

Both bikes feel smooth, refined, and very stable at highway speeds and under windy conditions. The VFR however, handles much better and feels much lighter than the BMW even though they weigh about the same.

The VFR's manual transmission shifts flawlessly-super smooth, short throws, and easy to get into neutral from 2nd or 1st gear. The BMW shifts smoothly but the throws were long requiring more upward foot movement to upshift to the next gear. Getting into neutral from 2nd gear was difficult on the BMW-required great finesse.

Both engines are smooth with minimal vibration. The VFR seemed to have more low-end power and really comes alive at 7k rpm. Sound is subjective-I prefer the VFR1200's V4 over the BMW's inline 4, however, I was a bit disappointed the new 1200 V4 doesn't sound no where as good as previous generation VFR engines.

Fit and finish was amazing on the VFR, and excellent on the BMW. Unlike the VFR I did like the standard equipment offered by BMW-saddle bags, heated grips, onboard trip computer, tire presser monitoring system. Riding position ergonomics felt about the same on both bikes.

Ultimately, I'm glad I got the VFR over the BMW. Hope that helps.

A friend of mine has one that he's ridden all across the US and hasn't had any trouble that I'm aware of. He's had to take it to the dealer a few times for what he calls a "spa day"... brake replacement, general service, recall or software upgrade or some such thing.

The seating position is similar to my 6th gen but it has lots more power. With the stock pipe it's as silent as a stock VFR but the TB pipe he added made it too loud in my opinion.


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Mr.Dutchy what a great looking bike.
Mr.Monk knows what he is talking about. My 97 RT had no problems at all.My 02 RT broke down all the time and you sure could not tell the Germans anything. (Funny story) Coils went out on the 02 RT, ordered new ones-simple right?? New coils did not look like the old failed ones. Called BMW NA to find out what the deal was, got a real German on the line and read off my VIN # to him. He said that I had normal coils on that bike. I told him that my coils were enclosed in a museum quality aluminum box and did not look like the new coils that had been sent to me.
  He told me that I was wrong as that type of coil was for a LO bike only. He then told me that I must have an antenae(sic) on the tail of the bike.Nope it was on the front cowling. I must two battiries as well. NO. As I was holding the LO coils in my hand he told me that my VIN said regular coils on my bike. At least it was funny at the time.

Don't worry on the recall. If yes, I think HS did experience that for his VFR1200. I think so. Hehe..

My neighbor rode my VFR 800 & wanted one but could not get any kind of a deal.  He ended up with a new K12S.  I went with him to pick it up & rode it part way home.  We have since ridden together & traded bikes on the rides.  The main thing I noticed was the lack of front end feel, but the bike goes where it is pointed, so no problem there.  He has it serviced at the dealer but I haven't inquired as to the cost.

In short, extremely nice machine, you will be very happy with either a K12 or K13S.  I thought about getting one also but I have a Blackbird for that kind of thing.

[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 28 April 2012 - 10:36 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 28 April 2012 - 10:08 AM, said:

It does seem to me that the most negitives are coming from mid to late 2000's era.
As of this week the 1000rr is being recalled: conrod bolts may become loose, ouch!

Ouch! Ouch! Okay make it triple Ouch!!! :)