- Review Centre
- Motoring
- Motorbikes
- Tourers
- BMW K1200RS
- Overview
Have a picture of BMW K1200RS?, please send it to us.
Picture courtesy of John Filak.
| Build quality | 9.3/10  |
|---|---|
| Reliability | 9.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 9/10 |
| Reviewer Rating | 9.5/10 |
| Overall Rating | 8/10  |
Full review by
WRHollick
on 30th Aug 2008
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
Good Points: Comfort, power, tank range,brakes(ABS), heated grips, bar, seat and foot peg adjustment, self cancel indicators, shaft drave, low seat, digital gear readout, 12Vdc power socket, stability, economical for a 1200cc.
Bad Points: Not much to report really, if anything it is a little heavy but then hey it is a tourer!
General comments: 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 is plenty at 135BHP, over 150 MPH if you want it, MPG works out between 47-57 but averages out at over 50 for mixed A and B road riding, find 20/50W Valvoline oil to be best , almost no oil consumption between changes (5K). I brought the bike with 25K and gave it a major service , valve clearances, k&N air filter (A must!) changed all oils. Maintenance can be time consuming, for example care has to be taken when taking the fairings off to get to the engine, camshafts will need to be removed to adjust shim clearances. So there are things to consider if you are a DIY.
Although they say that the valves should not need adjusting that often(check every 12K), I changed 3 shims at 25K so let you know in about 6 months (6K). Useing K6 Metzeler tyres which are good for this bike in all conditions and give great confidence to the rider, front tyre 7K, not sure on rear as I had a bad puncture after 3K and needed to replace tyre but some say they will run 8 or 9K?. Handling is good for a tourer, will hold its line well in corners and is rock steady on motorway. I can keep going on about this bike for ages but at the end of the day you will not go far wrong if you want quality build and value for money.
WRHollick's review and ratings | 385 words
Review by
madysnesdad
on 11th Oct 2007
User Rating : 10
Respect :
0
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.
madysnesdad's full review | 76 words
Review by
niglom
expert review 
on 23rd Jul 2005
User Rating : 8
Respect :
+4
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 K ...
niglom's full review | 451 words | 1 comment added.
Review by
k1200rs2000
on 5th Aug 2004
User Rating : 10
Respect :
+1
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...
k1200rs2000's full review | 82 words
