BMW Motorcycle Options??

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - BMW Motorcycle Options??

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:10:57 PM EDT

Looking at buying another bike, mainly to commute on, and as a two up touring bike on the weekends.

Found some good deals on Craigslist for some BMW bikes. I nothing about them. Owned Japanese bikes of all sorts, and one Ducati.

What do you guys think of either a 2003 K1200LT, ~55K miles all maintnence records, or a 2008 R1200RT, ~61K miles, says maintenance is up to date. K bike is 750 miles away, RT is local.

Here's the Craigslist ads:
R1200RT

K1200LT

The K is actually a 2003 according to the owner, not an '01 like the ad says. Don't know why he listed it as an older model.

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:30:41 PM EDT

[#1]

2009 K1300GT owner here. Formerly owned a F800 & K75.

The LT models are pigs, IMO. Waaaaay too much fairing, makes them too top heavy, IMO.

In 2014, BMW switched to water cooled on the 1200 boxer engines. All others before that are oil/air heads. If riding in traffic is a maybe, I would look hard at a water cooled bike.

If you're like me, budget is an issue. 2014s 1200s are usually in the $12K & up range. If that's not doable, then an airhead might be your only option.

Hope this helps.

Mine:

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Posted: 10/8/2017 2:31:27 PM EDT

[#2]

I would go with the RT

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:42:56 PM EDT

[#3]

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I would go with the RT

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Why??

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:43:35 PM EDT

[#4]

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Quoted:
2009 K1300GT owner here. Formerly owned a F800 & K75.

The LT models are pigs, IMO. Waaaaay too much fairing, makes them too top heavy, IMO.

In 2014, BMW switched to water cooled on the 1200 boxer engines. All others before that are oil/air heads. If riding in traffic is a maybe, I would look hard at a water cooled bike.

If you're like me, budget is an issue. 2014s 1200s are usually in the $12K & up range. If that's not doable, then an airhead might be your only option.

Hope this helps.

Mine: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/15596/BMW_K1300GT-328056.JPG

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That's a good looking bike!!

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:47:42 PM EDT

[#5]

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That's a good looking bike!!

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Thanks. I LOVE this thing! 160hp, heated seats & grips, not a lot of weight. This thing FLIES when I want it to.

This is THE best bike BMW ever made, IMO. No wonder they stopped making them in 2012..........

Posted: 10/8/2017 2:51:57 PM EDT

[#6]

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Why??

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I like the the sound of the bmw boxer engine. From the pictures, it looked like that bike was well cared for.

Posted: 10/8/2017 3:26:12 PM EDT

[#7]

Don't forget about the GS and the GSA. Used 1150 and 1200's can be quite affordable and they are great on the highway and higher speed commuting. The oil cooled water cooled point made earlier applies. Good riding position and plenty of power between 110-125 hp.

Posted: 10/9/2017 8:50:18 AM EDT

[#8]

What about the final drive failure I keep reading about on the R bike?? Is this as common, and bad as I'm reading, or has it been figured out by now??

Posted: 10/9/2017 11:25:57 PM EDT

[#9]

A friend of mine has a BMW and he loves it. They are not always as easy to work as other bikes though.

Posted: 10/10/2017 11:45:06 AM EDT

[#10]

I've been riding BMW bikes for over 30 years. Currently on a 2010 R1200RT and prior bike was a 2009 R1200RT, about 80,000 miles between the two. No mechanical issues on either bike and all the maintenance I've done myself, the normal maintenance is easy to do. IMO the 2008-2013 are the best of the air/oil cooled twins. They have ABS but not the power assist which I thought was too much. 2010 and newer have the twin cam heads.

I like the riding position and handling of the RT series. The GS are great bikes but the used market seem to demand about $2000 more for the same year and mileage bikes. I had a 2000 K1200LT for a few years and put 75,000 trouble fee miles on it. I appreciate the 250 less lbs on the RT though. If I rode two up all the time the LT would get a closer look.

Posted: 10/10/2017 12:00:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Not buying a GS, so that's not an issue for me.

Herein lies the dilemma. I'll commute on the bike solo, so the RT is looking like the way to go. But, if I was to take a trip out of town, it'd most likely be two up, so the LT gets the nod.

The RT is ~$5000, and there's a couple of LT's local for ~$3000, all with about the same miles (60k).

Now what do I do??

Posted: 10/10/2017 7:26:38 PM EDT

[#12]

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Now what do I do??

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RT, homes. Not even close.

Posted: 10/10/2017 8:16:39 PM EDT

[#13]

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RT, homes. Not even close.

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Now what do I do??

RT, homes. Not even close.

Going to look at the RT, Saturday. Unless he's firm on the price, I'm most likely gonna buy it!!

Posted: 10/11/2017 10:36:06 AM EDT

[#14]

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Not buying a GS, so that's not an issue for me.

Herein lies the dilemma. I'll commute on the bike solo, so the RT is looking like the way to go. But, if I was to take a trip out of town, it'd most likely be two up, so the LT gets the nod.

The RT is ~$5000, and there's a couple of LT's local for ~$3000, all with about the same miles (60k).

Now what do I do??

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The RT does fine two up. Passenger comfort is a little better on the LT, better seat and wind protection, but not a huge difference.

Posted: 10/11/2017 11:28:08 PM EDT

[#15]

To me I find two cylinder bikes more "lively"

Had a vfr for 30,000 miles and I was pretty sure I was going to take it to 100,000K but I got on a 2 cylinder air cooled kick and now have an 1150 GS and an air cooled multistrada and I'm thinking about getting a tube frame Buell for kicks.

Posted: 10/16/2017 5:04:58 PM EDT

[#16]

According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports a couple years ago, BMW has a worse reliability/satisfaction rating than Harley Davidson.

Posted: 10/16/2017 5:23:03 PM EDT

[#17]

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According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports a couple years ago, BMW has a worse reliability/satisfaction rating than Harley Davidson.

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Probably because BMW riders actually ride their bikes and parts wear out with use. It is pretty common to see BMWs with more than 100k miles on them.

Posted: 10/16/2017 6:02:43 PM EDT

[#18]

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According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports a couple years ago, BMW has a worse reliability/satisfaction rating than Harley Davidson.

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That’s hard for me to believe. The BMW riders I know are die hard and not because of brand loyalty, mostly they ride Suzuki or Ducati around town.

Posted: 10/16/2017 6:15:55 PM EDT

[#19]

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Probably because BMW riders actually ride their bikes and parts wear out with use. It is pretty common to see BMWs with more than 100k miles on them.

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I think it has more to do with the techno wizardry. When you put a sensor for everything on the bike so you can adjust everything on the bike, your chances of failure go up significantly.

It doesn't make them bad, it means you need to have a good dealer, and also understand what you're buying into.

Posted: 10/16/2017 6:31:57 PM EDT

[#20]

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According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports a couple years ago, BMW has a worse reliability/satisfaction rating than Harley Davidson.

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That's a crock of shit. I ride one & I've spent a whopping $600 on a fuel pump in something like 35,000 miles of riding.

I also know of many riders who are on their 4th or 5th BMW bike.

Posted: 10/16/2017 10:59:23 PM EDT

[#21]

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According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports a couple years ago, BMW has a worse reliability/satisfaction rating than Harley Davidson.

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I knew this statement wasn't going to go over well!!

Posted: 10/23/2017 3:47:33 PM EDT

[#22]

Can't directly comment on the two bikes listed, but I'm on my second BMW... first bmw, f650cs. Fun little bike, kind of a neat concept, but HORRIBLE shitty plastic body panels that stripped screws and were just a general pain in the ass. Bike had a fatal flaw or two that bmw of course denied. Fixable, but mine almost killed me a time or three until I had it taken care of (bmw dealer mechanic asked me to please never bring that bike back, and he was being dead serious).

Second bike, 2001 r1150r. Thus far, this thing has been fantastic. Aside from some break lines being gooped up, I've had zero issues. Maintenance has almost entirely been done by me, a total noob who thought I'd be going broke to maintain it. Oil changes, valve timing, etc is all relatively simple to do and reasonable if you source materials from outside the dealer network. I've got 60 or 65k on the clock and the bike keeps ticking along. Very comfortable position for commuting on (not as good for long trips as the bigger bikes), decent mileage, excellent maneuverability for a bike its size. I find it perfect for me. It's not quite as cool as some of the GS bikes, but the r1150r/r1200r's are capable of filling a lot of roles. I've got enough hard case attachment points i can shop at costco or go for an extended trip, wind screens are super easy to change out and plenty of options that make your bike look sporty or more cruiser-ish

Posted: 10/23/2017 11:25:41 PM EDT

[#23]

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Probably because BMW riders actually ride their bikes and parts wear out with use. It is pretty common to see BMWs with more than 100k miles on them.

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Or probably because out of the BMW ('02 K1200LT) and Harley ('05 Road King) I owned, the BMW was a huge, certified hunk of shit. Other than the birth of my two kids, the day the new owner loaded it up and hauled it out of my driveway was the happiest day of my life.

Posted: 10/24/2017 6:16:47 AM EDT

[#24]

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Or probably because out of the BMW ('02 K1200LT) and Harley ('05 Road King) I owned, the BMW was a huge, certified hunk of shit. Other than the birth of my two kids, the day the new owner loaded it up and hauled it out of my driveway was the happiest day of my life.

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Whom could argue with mesmerizing details?

Posted: 10/24/2017 9:39:58 PM EDT

[#25]

Well, decided on the K1200LT. Went with an '030, with 55K on the clock. Owner had all maintenance records, and a recent checklist from the dealer, all boxes green!! Rode it all the way from Denver, back to Phoenix. Ran flawlessly the entire 864 miles. Pretty happy with it so far.

The only thing it needs, is a rear rotor. Pretty common repair, and I can do it myself, so still happy!!

Thanks to everyone for their help, and advice!!

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Posted: 10/26/2017 3:34:21 PM EDT

[#26]

Nice bike! I put 75,000 miles on my 2000 K1200LT and I think the only thing I replaced was the rear rotor. Easy job.

Posted: 10/26/2017 9:02:43 PM EDT

[#27]

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Nice bike! I put 75,000 miles on my 2000 K1200LT and I think the only thing I replaced was the rear rotor. Easy job.

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That's funny, since the only thing I need to do to this bike, is the rear rotor!! Other than that, I pretty much love it!!

Posted: 10/29/2017 11:39:49 PM EDT

[#28]

Since this thread popped up I was visiting a neighbor the other day and he has an 1100 sport,'99 model.(Not sure the actual model designation) But he says it's bad, because it likes to go 100 MPH everywhere.

Posted: 10/31/2017 7:00:14 PM EDT

[#29]

Going to look at a gently used 2013 K1300S Sat.

Posted: 11/4/2017 9:06:05 PM EDT

[#30]

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I've been riding BMW bikes for over 30 years. Currently on a 2010 R1200RT and prior bike was a 2009 R1200RT, about 80,000 miles between the two. No mechanical issues on either bike and all the maintenance I've done myself, the normal maintenance is easy to do. IMO the 2008-2013 are the best of the air/oil cooled twins. They have ABS but not the power assist which I thought was too much. 2010 and newer have the twin cam heads.

I like the riding position and handling of the RT series. The GS are great bikes but the used market seem to demand about $2000 more for the same year and mileage bikes. I had a 2000 K1200LT for a few years and put 75,000 trouble fee miles on it. I appreciate the 250 less lbs on the RT though. If I rode two up all the time the LT would get a closer look.

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slightly off topic, but I had to chuckle....I've been riding the same R75/6 for 30 years. Rolled into the BMW Dealership, salesman say "nice old bike, when you going to get a new one?" When I wear this one out......he just dropped his head and went back inside.