BMW K1200RS Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★☆☆
“too heavy”
Written on: 08/05/2013 by whittington (1 review written)
To heavy very hard to balance at slow speeds rider position not comfortable. First bmw. Want to enjoy the bike. But how do I do this. Keep riding or take a cycle course or what. Any bmw k1200rs owners out there can give me some advice (read more)
★★★★★
“Does it get any better than this”
Written on: 07/04/2013 by Notslop6
Bought this bike 8 months ago. Rode it home over 700 hundred miles yes that's right 700 the first weekend I owned it.....frankly I didn't want to get off of it. Great power and performance. Plenty of storage in hard bags. For a bike that was 11 years old It felt like being on a brand new bike. Heated grips maybe the best thing ever. My cousin owns a busa and one ride on this machine and he was trying to get me to trade him. He said it was exactly the right balance between sport bike and... (read more)
★★★★★
“After 35 years of motorcycle riding and ownership I...”
Written on: 21/02/2011
After 35 years of motorcycle riding and ownership I have had more than my fair share of experiences. I love to ride motorcycles. I have no alligiences or bias towards any particular manufacturer. I buy what I like the look and sound of, if the price is right.
Recently I bought a very low mileage, 2001 BMW K1200RS. It had only covered 12,400miles from new and had a full history.
It's too early to comment on reliability, but so far I am very impressed with this bike. It is comfortable, quick,...
(read more)
★★★★★
“OH STOP IT NOW THAT THEY ARE NOT MADE ANY MORE...”
Written on: 22/01/2011
OH STOP IT NOW THAT THEY ARE NOT MADE ANY MORE EVERYBODY LOVES IT.BUT WHATS NOT TO LOVE SPEED STABILITY RELIABILITY ECONOMY RANGE ECONOMY COMFORT ? GRIPES 1 THE LEFT SIDE PANNIER IS NOT BIG ENOUGH SO GET A GIVI TOP BOX OH AND YOU CAN DO ALMOST ALL OF THE SERVICEING ON A DIY BASIS EVEN THE VALVE LASH AINT THAT HARD .IT ONLY GOT A THREE STAR RATING IN MCN BECAUSE OF ITS INITAL PURCHASE PRICE YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR DONT YOU .AND SIMON WIER DIDNT LIKE IT ,YEA WELL HES A JOURNO AKA NOBBER... (read more)
★★★★★
“I have owned many bikes in the last 15 years and I...”
Written on: 03/01/2011
I have owned many bikes in the last 15 years and I have ridden most of them all year round. I don't go off-road and I don't do 'look how much I can carry without being a car'. I often have my wife on the back, well it gets her off mine, but I like to take enough luggage for B&B/hotel weekends. We do this about once a month and once a year we go to the South of France, Italy or Spain. The K1200RS does it all strongly, stylishly, comfortably, economically and leaves me enough umph to be free... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Very smooth engine ”
Written on: 18/06/2010
Very smooth engine
Looks gorgeous
FAST!
Good wind protection from front screen
Good sized panniers
45-55MPG
Cheap insurance
Overall an excellent, bike, however, after having owned it for just under a month I feel that I have made the wrong choice as my daily commute is only a 6 mile round trip and involves city centre riding. This bike is far better suited to touring or longer journeys rather than around town.
Bike will be coming up for sale very soon if anyone is...
(read more)
★★★★★
“The BMW K1200RS? In a word, just bloody great! (3 words?) ”
Written on: 18/05/2010
The BMW K1200RS? In a word, just bloody great! (3 words?)
I have racked up ownership of more than 75 bikes in the last 35 years - everything from 125 stroker dirt bikes to Italian pocket rockets, big-bore Japanese and pretty much everything in between.
When I bought the RS I had an Aprilia Pegaso Cube in the garage which, while being a great B-road weapon, wasn't exactly pillion-friendly and wasn't the thing for a quick trip to France or a blast up the M1, despite having the factory...
(read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 21/04/2012
Intersting report and may I say bloody beaut with so much info crammed in. I'm currently looking to add to the stable (5 bikes in the garage plus 1 cage that doesn't get let out that much). 2007 XS1100AC, 2011 XT1200Z, 2010 Jetmax (maxi scoot), 1989 K100RS (ABS). Was interested in a Suzuki Burgman Executive 650 to add but not too many models (near new / used) around at the moment in NZ. Happened to come across a very low mileage 1998 K1200RS, in damn good condition, and around similar prices to a later model burgman, so reading loads of reviews to get a feel for which way to jump. Hell I could afford both but garage space is now a premium. After reading your review (although two years old now), has given me more food for thought and a decision even tougher than before. Cheers. Bikerdoc
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★★★★★
“ K1200rs? One word.........Brilliant!”
Written on: 30/01/2010
K1200rs? One word.........Brilliant! (read more)
★★★☆☆
“I bought This bike 2hd hand with 33,000 kilometers on...”
Written on: 08/01/2010
I bought This bike 2hd hand with 33,000 kilometers on the clock. The bike is very comfortable and smooth to exccelerate but is very heavy on fuel regardless of what BMW say . The fuel tank is plastic and is prone to going out of shape and realising what can only be described as plastic shaveings. After clocking up 2000 killometers and a full service the engine started misfiring badly and after checking everything i handed it over to BMW motorad themselves who had a go at fixing it and... (read more)
★★★★☆
“I rode BMW K1200rs for traveling all around Thailand...”
Written on: 15/09/2009 by sborihan (1 review written)
I rode BMW K1200rs for traveling all around Thailand from Bangkok to Chiang Rai it never disappointed me, the power and speed I did was very fantastic, I could speed from 160 km/h to 200 km/h without any effort.
for 20,000 k.I did not have any problem with it, I change enginge oil every 5,000 Km, the bike worked well. the more you ride it the more it will be last long engine age.
(read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 20 Reviews
★★★★★
“Had many Hondas et al all good but as time passed...”
Written on: 24/06/2009 by Design steel (1 review written)
Had many Hondas et al all good but as time passed needed a good commuter - lookd at all sorts and then came upon the K1200RS - so far had for 6 months and 7,000 miles (machine now has 35k on the clock) - no issues at all - what a great machine - sure it is heavy, My commute covers back lanes, motorway and London traffic every day with such ease.
You can cover a full tank range in one journey without stopping as the bike just keeps getting better. Overall the most fuss free ownership ever.
(read more)
★★★★★
“Just taken ownership of a 10 year old 40000mile BMW...”
Written on: 14/06/2009 by phil Norris
Just taken ownership of a 10 year old 40000mile BMW K1200RS dolphin blue model. Love it. First shaft bike I have owned and love the hassle free maintenance of owning it. it is well built (not DIY maint friendly though!) and dependable. At over 6ft I like a bike that feels like a bike not a miniature pocket rocket! large tank and good range. gear change indicator. (read more)
Rhperez's Response to 466901_phil Norris's Review
Written on: 25/08/2010
I found this review very helpful because... It was concise and to the point. I'm presently looking at a K2000rs with 40k miles.
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★★★★★
“The BMW K1200RS is just an awsome bike......it is so...”
Written on: 11/06/2009 by netrider (1 review written)
The BMW K1200RS is just an awsome bike......it is so well balanced and I ride it as a commute or as a tourer just as easily although once you get on it you really just don't want to get of...or just take the long way to enjoy a few extra Km's. The ABS saved my life twice - I swear by it and love it.
I got up one morning to go for a ride and got back home 1 month later after 10,000km....strangely I just wanted to service the thing and keep going but my family would have certified me insane.
(read more)
★★★★★
“Well, Believe it or not, the BMW K1200RS is my first...”
Written on: 04/04/2009
Well, Believe it or not, the BMW K1200RS is my first bike ever!! At 31 I figured if I didnt learn how to ride, I never would. Unfortunately, here in Japan, You have to get licensed for the size bike you want and then test again with a bigger bike. Not only did I see this as ridiculous (Spoiled American used to having it my way) I saw it as waisting time I didnt have. So I knew I loved my buddies K1200rs and decided that was the bike for me. I went ahead against rational and intelligent... (read more)
★★★★★
“I posted back in August 08 and continue to praise this...”
Written on: 02/03/2009
I posted back in August 08 and continue to praise this BMW K1200RS bike. For an 11 year old machine this Beemer K1200RS has been fantastic in the 11 months and 12000 miles that I have rode in that time.
I use it in all conditions mainly for my (except snow!) 60 mile round trip to work.
The bike now shows 37k and have just serviced again valves were good no adjustment needed, I changed 2 inlet shims that were a little tight back at the 25K service but all ok this time. All of the spark plugs...
(read more)
★★★★★
“Always had sports bikes since i was sixteen up until...”
Written on: 05/10/2008 by Dom55850 (1 review written)
Always had sports bikes since i was sixteen up until march this year when i decided i want to do some touring,so sold the Aprilia RSV-R and started looking for a tourer,did'nt even contemplate a K1200RS until my BMW mad friend told me there was one for sale locally...I bought it with the intention of touring coming back and selling it.....BUT something strange has happened after travelling across europe (dubrovnik & back 5000mls) i really cannot see any reason in the world to sell it ..it... (read more)
★★★★★
“I have been riding for 23 years now without a break...”
Written on: 30/08/2008 by WRHollick (1 review written)
I have been riding for 23 years now without a break and have owned many bikes. I have only owned the K1200RS for close to six months but have covered 6K in that time, It is a 1998 model now reading 31K. I use it for work (70mile a day) and the odd camping trip including a 1K trip to Scotland coming up in Septemper 08, so it is well used.
I am 5ft 6 and find the riding position good for me, I never get any sort of back ache, over all the ergonomics are not perfect but they are close!
Power...
(read more)
★★★★★
“I'm 37 and started in 1989 with a GSXR 750 then to the...”
Written on: 11/10/2007 by madysnesdad (2 reviews written)
I'm 37 and started in 1989 with a GSXR 750 then to the 1100 then to a Katan 1100 then to a Intruder 1400 back to a Bandit 1200, then over to a Harley Wide Glide and now I've had the K 1200 RS and I ride with my friends and they are amazed at the ability too just keep on truckin', tank after tank gas. What a great comfortable bike, and it has plenty of power to boot. (read more)
★★★★☆
“Let me qualify this report. ”
Written on: 23/07/2005 by niglom (2 reviews written)
Let me qualify this report.
I've had a lot of bikes and have used them for fun, commuting and touring. I've had most makes (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumphs and BMW's), and some pretty fast ones too (stage 2 tuned 150 bhp CBR1100XX Blackbird). I have some experience with motorcycles, so what I say next will not sit easily with the magazine roadtesters (who mostly trarvel to work in cars and don't have to spend their own hard earned money on their rides).
The BMW K1200RS and the...
(read more)
339817_Simo Slayer's Response to niglom's Review
Written on: 22/01/2008
I found this review helpful because...i am looking to buy a more comfortable bike which can still move on long hauls.
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★★★★★
“Purchased a 2000 BMW K1200RS Tourer off of Ebay in Aug...”
Written on: 05/08/2004 by k1200rs2000 (1 review written)
Purchased a 2000 BMW K1200RS Tourer off of Ebay in Aug 2003. 4 cylinder power was great improvement over my trusty K75S..Easy to rack up miles with this bike.
Low seat height makes this a good choice for 5'8" rider...comfort screen is good. Added PIAA 1100XX and hyperlights at rear for visibility. Added second Fiamm norn to improve warning sound.
Cooling and electrical systems are great...
(read more)
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Emspete1's Response to whittington's Review
Written on: 08/05/2013
i bought my k12rs 3 years ago, my first bmw too.since then i have found the rs to be a fantastic bike to ride, well balenced and very very easy to handle at slow speeds.
do not give up on the bike they truley are exelent.
this is my email address if you wish to contact me, i can give you the best settings for you dampers and shocks also the best tyres and preasures that suit the rs.( the rs is quite sensitive to tyre preasures)
hope i can help.
(lower case) peterpiper@talktalk.net
Whittington's reply to Emspete1's Comment
Written on: 09/05/2013
I would like to know what you did or how you come to feel that this bike is well balanced and is easy to handle at slow speeds? I find the bike very difficult to handle at slow speeds. But I have only rode 118 miles since I bought the bike. Any advice you can offer would be of great help....thanks
Emspete1's reply to Whittington's Comment
Written on: 09/05/2013
hi bud. the rs does take a little getting used to after riding other kinds of bikes.
a few tips.....ride more,
tyres.. the rs is very well suited to mitchlin road pilot 2. these are dual compond, hard in the middle and soft on the edges. also the rs i find is tyre preasure sensitive so try keep them within a pound or two. rear 41-42 psi front 36-37 psi. correct presure realy does help with slow speed riding.
next. do not have your stearing damper set too high, if your stearing feels stiff when you are NOT moving then it is set too high. at the other end do not have your rear damper too soft the bike should feel kind of hard if you sit down hard on the seat.
seat hight.. your seat hight is ajustable have the seat at its lowest, may seem odd if you have long legs like i do but this will reduce the centre of gravity. i can happily ride my rs at 5 mph some times slower with no problem at all.
hope this helps a bit. keep going cos these bikes are great once you get the feel of them. the rs is happy to tour and is more than willing to out pace sports bikes on the twisties.