[BizJetGuy]

As most of you know, I'm bikeless at the present time and I've been looking at a few sport-touring rigs.

I had the chance to ride a 2003 BMW K1200RS today and its a very capable scoot. *I don't know if my expectations were too high or what, but this bike really didn't impress me. *I guess I expected more power from a 1200cc machine. *Quality is top notch, let there be no doubt. *And I'm particularly impressed with the anti-dive tele-lever front suspension... I mean you can grab a big 'ole handful of brake and the front end doesn't squat one bit. *I also liked the electronic cruise control and the standard four-way flashers but those are items that can be added as aftermarket to virtually any sport-tourer. *Seating position and the stock seat would be good for long days in the saddle with no complaints and it cruises well on slab while it's also capable of spirited runs on your favorite twisties.

I know I shouldn't be making comparisons to the CBR since it's apples-to-oranges but there are a few issues that I couldn't help but wonder about. *Throttle response: *The Bimmer is VERY slow to come up on the RPM's when you blip the throttle, and that took a lot of getting used to. *Wind buffeting: *I got the chance to ride two-up, as well, and with the GF on the back, any side-to-side movements of her helmet made mine move, as well... quite odd. *While the riding position was more comfortable, she wasn't totally at ease on the back... she said she had a strange fear of falling off the back - something she never felt on the Blade. *That could be resolved with a rear box or backrest, however. *Shifting: *where were the 'clunks' that I had grown to know and love?? *I honestly had to look down at the gear indicator a few times to verify I had shifted gears. *Shifts were solid and crisp on the CBR... almost TOO smooth on the K12RS.

Conclusion: *The K1200RS is a great bike, however, it just didn't stir anything inside of me like my blade did (on each and every ride). *Buying a bike has always been a very emotional decision for me and the Bimmer didn't 'talk' to me like I thought it would. *I'm very familiar with the automotive side of BMW and I kind of assumed the passion would be there with the bike as much as it is for the car, but it wasn't. *I really don't see a K1200RS in my garage anytime soon (especially for what they cost).

Next stop: demo ride on the Aprilia Futura probably in the next few weeks. *I was scheduled for a ride on an ST1300 but it was sold before I could take it for a spin... I'll keep looking for a chance, though.

[Baketech]

Check out the pic in this THREAD

A friend of mine has the 1200....nice bike, with great brakes. Its very capable in the twisties and some little details make it a great road machine for the real world. Rear preload adjuster, adjustable footpegs and so on... Suprisingly, it can nearly match a stock 929 for roll-on....cubes rule...

I like the looks of this bike, too and I will consider it if I'm ever in the market for another sport tourer.....

[bwhip]

Would a Boxer Cup Replica spark a bit more interest? I considered it at one point, but decided I was more of a speed freak than a touring kind of guy.

[G-Force Junkie]

Yup, a couple of big ol' fat jugs is quite a bit different than a screaming inline 4. Perhaps something along the lines of the XX or ST1100 (or 1300, whatever it is now) would be more your flavor? FWIW, there were a couple of 1200's (i think, one a full dressed one a fairingless) at a track day and both guys kept up with the fastest of the street group. Sure its alot of the rider, but the machines were more capable than I had imagined.

[ccwilli3]

Quote Wind buffeting: I got the chance to ride two-up, as well, and with the GF on the back, any side-to-side movements of her helmet made mine move, as well... quite odd.

Every bike I've ever ridden 2 up, I've had that happen.

[BizJetGuy]

G-Force Junkie : Yup, a couple of big ol' fat jugs is quite a bit different than a screaming inline 4. *Perhaps something along the lines of the XX or ST1100 (or 1300, whatever it is now) would be more your flavor? *FWIW, there were a couple of 1200's (i think, one a full dressed one a fairingless) at a track day and both guys kept up with the fastest of the street group. *Sure its alot of the rider, but the machines were more capable than I had imagined.

The K1200RS is an inline 4. *The 'R' bikes are the boxer engines.

The bikes are very capable and I have nothing against them at all... it just didn't inspire me, that's all.

[BizJetGuy]

ccwilli3 : Quote Wind buffeting: *I got the chance to ride two-up, as well, and with the GF on the back, any side-to-side movements of her helmet made mine move, as well... quite odd. *

Every bike I've ever ridden 2 up, I've had that happen.
Yeah, but this was REALLY noticeable... much more than what I've been used to. *It was like a roller coaster ride there for a while

[krash954]

Wait till you ride a few of the others in it's class. Then go back and ride the Beemer, you will really realize what a great bike it is. I could not be happier with my K12GT, but it took a while to realize what a well rounded bike it is.

It doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well, but does almost anything you could ask of it without any real draw backs like most more focused bikes, and does it with un-equaled comfort.

[G-Force Junkie]

BizJetGuy : Quote (G-Force Junkie @ July 12 2003, 10:19pm)Yup, a couple of big ol' fat jugs is quite a bit different than a screaming inline 4. *Perhaps something along the lines of the XX or ST1100 (or 1300, whatever it is now) would be more your flavor? *FWIW, there were a couple of 1200's (i think, one a full dressed one a fairingless) at a track day and both guys kept up with the fastest of the street group. *Sure its alot of the rider, but the machines were more capable than I had imagined.

The K1200RS is an inline 4. *The 'R' bikes are the boxer engines.

The bikes are very capable and I have nothing against them at all... it just didn't inspire me, that's all.
Ahhh, I was referring to the Boxers then. Talk about an expensive frame slider

[BizJetGuy]

krash954 : Wait till you ride a few of the others in it's class. Then go back and ride the Beemer, you will really realize what a great bike it is. I could not be happier with my K12GT, but it took a while to realize what a well rounded bike it is.

It doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well, but does almost anything you could ask of it without any real draw backs like most more focused bikes, and does it with un-equaled comfort.

I agree 100% - it is a great bike. *I don't know if it's the bike for me, though. *I didn't have that 'got to have it!' syndrome I had when I first saw the 929. *I haven't ruled it out, though... I've still got a few bikes to ride before I make any kind of decision.

What a fun process

[Baketech]

BizJetGuy : What a fun process

Jeez isnt that the truth.....look at the wide range of bikes...and the amazing technology for jack money....its a great time to be riding...!

[krash954]

BizJetGuy : I agree 100% - it is a great bike. *I don't know if it's the bike for me, though. *I didn't have that 'got to have it!' syndrome I had when I first saw the 929. *I haven't ruled it out, though... I've still got a few bikes to ride before I make any kind of decision.

What a fun process

I know how you feel about the bike not screaming 'I am it, you better take me home', but I think you will find none of the sport tourers will do that.

When I picked mine up and I signed the dotted line I was kinda like 'Oh SH!T, what did I just do'...... but every day I have rode the Beemer I have been rewarded with the comfort that I made the right decision. I like my bike a little more every time out, and it's been about 2 and a half months now since I purchased it. I also rode as many of the bikes I could like you are, and the ones I couldn't I sat on extensively and read every bit of info I could get my hands on about them.

I bet you can find a very well rounded bike for less, but for me this was the right one. And I just don't think you can find a sport-tourer that appeals the way a state of the art latest greatest sportbike does.

Although I have to be honest and say that since I have got the Beemer the 954 has only been up and down the block once (in 2 1/2 months) to keep the battery somewhat charged. Like I said, it's no where near as focused as any other bike I have rode, but kinda does all things very well, with comfort.

Good luck!!!

[Zeeman]

I tend to agree with you on your feelings of the bike. I've been both a pillion and a rider on one, and being a pillion always made me feel I was going to fall off.

As for the slow revving, and power issues, I think it's mainly because BMW built a bike with torque rather than power. You give that thing full stick at 1500rpm in top gear and it will just pull like a 13 year old schoolboy who just saw his first porno. A 929 or 954 can't do that. But the thing does weight aheck of a lot, I don't care what abyone says, I could feel all 250+kg when I was riding it, it does well to hide it, but the bike is like a truck, it's huge, you KNOW it's heavy.

Would be a good bike for touring 'round the country on though..

As for soul, I don't think it has any, the engine sounds like a car engine, and doesn't really talk to you, but still it's a nice bike.

Z...

[BizJetGuy]

krash954 : I just don't think you can find a sport-tourer that appeals the way a state of the art latest greatest sportbike does.

You're exactly right. *I think riding the bimmer really made me miss my blade even more. *It's a totally different animal.

I'm still looking for the holy grail, though. *And I'm trying to keep as open a mind as I can and realize that a sport-touring rig is NOT going to give me the same stirrings that full-on sportbikes do.

Zee - you're spot on about the torque. *I don't see where a K12RS would even need to go into 6th gear unless your cruising on high speed slab. *I did notice the weight but only at low speeds. *It's quite nimble for a bike of its mass. The pillion issue could be easily resolved with a removeable backrest or hard case.

I guess this is the beauty of taking my time and looking at all of my options. *It allows me the advantage of riding lots of different bikes and figuring out what suits me best. *So far, I haven't eliminated any bikes and it seems like I think of a different model every week.

Now, where's that VFR brochure??

[Baketech]

BizJetGuy : Now, where's that VFR brochure??

Now you're talkin.....

[Joel]

BizJetGuy : Next stop: demo ride on the Aprilia Futura probably in the next few weeks.

I think that's a good idea.