I have a 2002 k1200lt. bike rides great but secdual maintance is to high labor and parts. 24k was 1100 you can do three goldwings fo that and have gas money left. AL

LOVE THE BIKE 2005 K1200LT BUT HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT BMW KNOWS ABOUT BUT HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. THIS BIKE SHOULD HAVE COME WITH PASSENGER ARMRESTS AND BACKRESTS.

I have wanted one of these since I sold my K100rs 14 years ago. I finally got my K1200LT 3 days ago. Yes very expensive to get repaired. Yes very heavy. After owning a Goldwing 1500se, ST1100 ,Valkyrie interstate and even the VTX1800 . I find it very nimble and well balanced with what ever you throw at it , but I stand 6 foot 3inch and weigh 120 kg. This could be why It feels lighter than the others I mentioned. Most of the maintenance it will need , I will do myself , as I have done on my other 50 or so bikes in the past . That lowers maintenance costs. So all up she Is going to be a lot of fun , with a few dramas at some stage. Most riders will agree that's part and parcel off owning a bike

I am selling 09 LT, because of top heavy character and bulky rear trunk and the fact that side cases can not be separated like RT. It is a car on 2-weels, hard to work on it, and dangerous because of its bulk and weight. Rob Massina

I have ridden tourers for many years now including a 2007 Honda GL1800. Prior to that I had a 2002 K1200lt. That model was frankly scary at low speed and I dropped that more than once!! Thank goodness for the video on how to get it upright again. What I did to stop this happening as often was have the hydrolic fitted to the bike and was worth the expense, notwithstanding BMW said it could not be done. I'm currently riding an immaculate K1200LTE which was imported into New Zealand from Canada with 5,000kms by a Kiwi who had been living there. It had two great advantages compared to another 2005 USA K1200LT model I owned. Canadians drive on the left side of the road meaning I didn't have to buy a new very expensive headlight fitting and it was in kilometres as opposed to Miles per hour. Compared to the earlier K1200LT models BMW changed the fork angle in 2004 from memory and the bikes from then on have been chalk and cheese in handling and feeling as top heavy. I've just completed an eight day cruise around the South Island of New Zealand with three other motorcyclists covering some 3,000kms and it handled like a dream. The sophistication of this bike compared to my 2007 Honda Goldwing GL1800 came through with things like the electric windscreen, gear shift indicator, surround sound music system and the Garmin Sat Nav system. I broke my back some five years ago in an elevator crash and spent nine months in a wheelchair while I slowly recovered. The golden key for me to resume riding was the hydraulic centre stand that has allowed me to get back on a two wheeler. I'm at a loss to understand why the new K1600 series didn't include this fantastic function. Of interest this trip was the number of tourist photographing and asking to sit on the bike and be photographed at over 50% of the places we stopped! There are significantly fewer K1200lte registered in NZ compared to the Goldwing. BMW Part prices in NZ are outrageous and it's cheaper to buy off shore in the UK and USA EVEN combining freight and potential taxes at the border. All in all I seriously rate the K1200lte and I'm enjoying better fuel economy than the Six cylinder Goldwing.

I recently purchased the K1200 two months ago and overall; I am very pleased with it. I have ridden the bike on one trip since I have owned it in the last two months. The ride was approximately 450 miles round trip and was very pleased with not only the comfort of the ride but also not having to stop to take a rest from the ride as I have had to do with some of my previous motorcycles. The bike is amazing on the interstates and highways but as some of the other reviewers have stated, it does take some care when stopping at a traffic lights. Due to the high center of gravity of the bike, one wrong move and it is not likely you will stop it from going down. However, I believe with a little practice, it will be fine. On the back roads, the bike handles extremely well in tight turns and cornering for such a large bike. Lots of power and very smooth through the gears but I wish there was a sixth gear to go to. The luggage compartments have plenty of room for a two or three day trip if you are riding two up. The CD changer and radio are pretty awesome as well. Replacement parts should you need to replace something cosmetic, are a bit on the high side of cost. All though there are several other motorcycles out there in the same category as the K1200, in my option this bike is top of the line for the sport/touring models.

Saw this K1200LT at dealer in 2006, took test ride fell in love immediately. loved the feel and looks ,great gas mileage-handles like a dream. Took ride to Idaho from east coast and back,2600 miles,2 weeks in the saddle loved every second. That was the first year-new bike I expected some problems and I did have some issues.
Radiator cap would not hold pressure,coolant blew out overflow bottle all over rear tire...Display screen had burnt out pixel line..These items were fixed under warranty.In 2010,rear tire developed side to side play (1600 miles),10 months out of warranty.I had heard of this issue and hoped it would not happen to me.Repairs came out of pocket, about $250.00-At least I caught it before the seal puked! The bike spends the winters in my living room where i have plenty of time to tinker and do some of the required service.All in all my 2006 BMW K1200LT is expensive to maintain,a pleasure to own, and rides like a dream !!!

Bought the bike with about 20k on it. 45k now. Problems with the left speakers and the clutch slave cylinder that contaminated the clutch and the BMW dealer charges around $2k to repair. Same thing happened to my friends 03.
It's a great bike and I love driving it but it's heavy and the dealer network is sparse and very expensive. I personally think another brand of bike would be better for cross country riding only because of the lack of BMW dealers in the states. I'll keep this one until the warranty runs out on the clutch and then try to find a Honda or Harley.

I bought my K1200 LT three months ago and from that moment on I fell in love with it. I checked out as much as I could before the purchase and decided to go for it and having traded in my Honda Deuville 650 I knew it would be a education. The bike is heavy, dam heavy but after a while got the feel and started to feel real comfortable riding it. The weight, width, length and handling is something that is constant in your mind but this does not stop you enjoying the bike. The gadgets, i.e. cruise control, indicator off switch, music controls etc, took some getting used to but after a while no problems.
The seats are a dream for both me and my wife with no problems on long journeys.
The bike is a superb tourer, down side is maintenance can be expensive, but hey its a BMW, a top make, and top vehicles need quality maintenance.
A dream bike and quite frankly one I want to keep forever.

BMW K1200LT: I have been saving up for a BMW K1200lt for sometime, and just happened to find a great deal on used bike.

The negatives: First, it is very top heavy and therefore, when stopped or moving at parking lot speeds, its easy to dump or to come close to dumping (COME ON...MUSCLE...IT...BACK...UP!). When I bought it, the dealer told me to EXPECT to dump it several times, mostly when stopped, and can see why. Turn the handlebar a tiny bit too far, add a touch of tilt on the bike and, wham, it's over on its side. Thank goodness the cases and "wings" absorb it, and it doesn't fall over too far, but I agree with other reviews here....when it goes, it goes and it's tough to stop it due to the weight. Maybe I'm short, but I find the width of the bike, combined with height of the seat, combined with high center of gravity equals unsteady feeling at slow speeds. I do not have the auto center stand, and wish I did, because when 2 up, it's tough getting my passenger on/off...oh yea, me too. If you park the beast and use the side stand, have it in 1st gear, or you can find your bike on ground quickly.

The good stuff: I was amazed how easily the bike handled with 2 up riding, even being big and heavy. AMAZED. Think about turning and you go. It is low to the ground, and I've grounded out a couple of times...but you soon figure out what/where that will happen and compensate. Oh my goodness, it handles on the twisties, and it's really awesome to drive.

Acceleration was amazing, and a heck of a lot of fun. I took the RMPs up on each gear and then shifted...and I was sad to run out of gears, and more sad to see I was going 85 mph...and officer friendly was behind me. (I quickly explained I was seeing what it could do, and never expected to be up at 85 that quickly - he let me off thank god - he was biker, and also said he was impressed with my speed and acceleration...but recommended I not do that again. Whew).

Comfort has been impressive. On my first ride, I went out at 8:00a.m. and got home at 8:00p.m. Not a sore bum in the house. Even my normally complaining passenger said she was comfortable. Now THAT'S impressive. It spreads the weight out over the seat, so you don't end up with a hot spot on your tailbone.

CD player, well, it's pretty amazing. I use it when I'm working in the garage now, better than what I have. IT does skip on a rough surface. Side Saddlebags, well, plan on buying after market liners cuz you'll need them. You know how when you open a suitcase while sitting on it's side, stuff falls out....that's the side bags. Better have a liner in there. Trunk handles two helmets and is great.

Like the other reviewer...I smile while this bike is moving, and find it absolutely amazing in handling, acceleration and comfort. I get giddy when taking curves and moving through the gears. It's amazing, it is. But think about stopping, and you have to THINK about stopping and holding the beast up. No room for sloppy stopping and tossing a foot out. You decide to stop, and plant that foot. You stop, or you go on this bike....you don't inch along thinking about it!!!

Overall...I'm looking for a newer model this fall, with the power center stand, because that is the only thing missing on my bike.

i have had 5 of of the bikes from 1st ones to 2006
all have been so good, i been luckly in owning them
i'm now 49 50 in june and had 67 motorbikes all sizes from 50cc to 1600cc
and yes to much money i losted but with the k12's god i been so happy even had harleys fully dress and gold wings but always went back to bmw
but ex wife got me and now a sodding 125 mondial yes its a bike in turkey were i'm now living god i miss the bmw like crazy, ok back to the story
the bike yes they are heavy but it don't take you long to master and than you always riding with a silly smile on your face, mine i went everywere from london went over 10 times to turkey and she never lets me down and always did it in two and ahalf days even with ferrys from dover so i say to anyone thinging about buying one! go for it you will enjoy every moment on her turn up the music chill and try to stop your self smiling hahahahaha
get the gps on her as well i was amazed when i had one 1st time i plan everything by the gps and we went all the way to turkey WOW and even safe me a lot of miles.................Steven Kelway a ex londoner living in turkey now looking to buy one again cannot wait

I've recently purchased a BMW K1200 LT Lux 2007 (CD Changer, heated Seats and bars etc)

I think the best place to start a review on this bike from a bikers perspective is with a few warnings! some I got on the forecourt from another rider who owns one, and some I learnt myself in the next month of riding!

This machine is amazing, and I've rated it highly but first the warnings.

WEIGHT

This bike is BIG, and it's HEAVY.
I've ridden the SV650s (189KG) for 8 years and the Triumph Trident 750 (230KG) compared to the K1200LT's 387KG's!

You have to plan ahead accordingly though the Telelever suspension helped a lot in the one case where I had hammer the breaks on at low speed whilst turning as the front didn't dip like you'd normally expect making it much easier to get my foot down and hold the bike up! - Big plus for the suspension!

When Two up, make sure you get ON first, and OFF last!
Sounds stupid but when I got off to fill the bike with Petrol and the other half wanted to stay seated that was fine, but getting back on the extra weight at the back as I flung my leg over sent the bike falling over,luckily we held it up (took both of us, me bracing legs and her pushing against the pump to do it though)

SIDE AND CENTER STANDS

That brings me to the Side and Center Stands.
The Side Stand leaves the bike standing more upright than I've gotten used to on other bikes, but with the weight of the machine I guess it makes sense, but this means you have to be more aware of parking on cambers.

Likewise with the automated centre stand.
This thing punched a hole through an "Admitably rather shoddy" tarmac drive way and then proceded to lift the bike at an slant so again you need to be careful where you park the thing.
But the Center stand is a god send though! and it can lift the bike, Rider, Pillion and luggage with ease asd is pretty sturdy.

ABS

A quick word about the ABS.
There is a wanring on the front panel saying that ABS doesn't work while the ignition is off.
But unless you read the manual first (I didn't) you don't realise this means you have to pull the breaks ALL THE WAY IN when starting on a hill to get any breaking efect.
(You'll see BREAK FAILUIRE" flashing on the dash until you've started the engine and pulled away and the ABS and Servo assisted breaks kick in)
When it's working the ABS is fantastic as are the breaks, it stops this monster very quickly, that said I do wish I could turn it off for riding in Central London as having the breaks turn off when you have to break across a meter long painted arrow (no grip) rather than have the wheel kick out 2 inches to the side to grip on the road isn't ideal)
Again this comes down to PLANNING AHEAD, something you have to do a lot on this bike, but sometimes needs must.

The final warning is ground clearnance, this thing doesn't have much!
I've bottomed out two up going round an A roadround about at 40 two up.
Country roads are an experience I didn't enjoy as several ruts were acompanied by lound metal screaches, so again you need to plan your route/path and speed accordingly, I'll be taking this across Europe and Spain in May next year so I've yet to see how that works out, going slowly over larger bumps and round them where possable works out well so chalking it down to experience at the moment.

You'll also have the "Triple switch" indicators which took some getting used to but you'll master those very fast.

Onto the good stuff!
Comfort wise this thing is hard to beat, it's like sitting on a Sofa, and as for the passenger, well the other half complained she almost fell asleep it was so comfortable!, ok that's not a good thing but hey! Comfort it has.

The heated sears and grips are amazing, even in the cold rain I found the first setting to be a bit on the warm side through winter gloves, setting 2 made it uncomfortable to hold and I had to switch it down! that will be great in the freezing weather!

The handling once you get moving is great and it feels so confident, it's just a shame the ground clearance is so low but you learn to plan for that, this isn't a sports bike after all.
Acceleration is supprisingly good on this especially if you max out the revs in each gear and (very easy to do with the low 9k rev limit)
It's so smooth you'll have to actually resist shifting up to get the most out of the rev range.

CD player is great and easy to hear with the Screen up even at motorway speeds upto 70 as it adjusts according to speed (this is adjustable).
Above that you'll probably need a taller screen, at 5"11 and the seat on the low setting my head is above the screen and gets some windblast but comapred to any of my previous bikes I can go past a sports bike doing 100 with ther head down with my head held high and feeling as if I was doing 40.
The passenger isn't so lucky though, at least not my girlfriend as she's quite tall, but again with the taller screen this should be fine.

The lights are very good! and the adjustable angle by a knob on the dash is fantastic and easy.
I'll be adding driving lights to this all the same.

There is a map reading light on the dash and floor lighting which are great for fiding the ignition in the dark or getting round the bike when stopped in the dark.

Storage is phenomenal, two helemts in the top box with a few extras and huge paniers and a luggage rack, you won't be short on space.
A vanity mirror and light in the lid of the top box had my Girlfriend in giggle fits.

The Mirrors are fantastic, and easily adjustable not that you need to! I actually had to TRY to get them into a position where I couldn't see EVERYTHING (just out of curiosity)
That said they are large and stick out and account for a good 12" on the width of your bike so if you're going to clip something they will come off.
That said they are designed to do this, held on by 3 screws that clip into spring mounted clips so they come off easily at the slightest knock but clip in easily and don't take damage.
That said on my Lux it was connected to the bike by steel wire so it didn't hit the floor and get run over, not sure if this is standard on all models, but if you don't have it, GET IT!.

The sound of this thing above 3/4k revs is great but even better is when the engine breaking kicks in a these revs it sounds like an Aircraft landing!

The petrol cap is proving to be a bit of a pain...theres a knack to getting it off that I don't have but my Girlfriend has no problem with, probably just me!

Fuel economy is good! 52MPG as long as you don't get silly on the motorway (which took it down to 48MPG), but a tank range in excess of 200miles on a £16 tank of fuel is pretty good especially on a beast this size! (two up no luggage).

All in all a fantastic bike that takes some getting used to and has a few minotr niggles (can't disable ABS, low clearance) but then this bike is a Tourer that excels at long distance touring, it's not a suprise that trying to use it as a comfortable sports bike isn't working so well! but it managers well enough, and it's supprisingly filterable once you get the size of it into your head (and knok the mirrors off a few times).
Especially as with a white lid and the Antenna people tend to see you and move over even when you're still a mile away, it's a very visable machine!

I have a 2002 BMW K1200LTE with 28K miles.
Excellent touring machine. Maximum comfort, wind protection, and handling. The braking system is superb but be careful when the engine is not running because the power brakes are not available. The factory seat is comfortable and the pillion has no complaints on long trips. The power is more than enough to cruise at 80 plus MPH for hours and still get 50 MPG. I have no problem passing vehicles quickly with a downshift to 4th. Every tourer need an adjustable windscreen and the K1200LT has a good one. Instruments are clear and readable day or night. If you happen to get out in the cold of winter, the heated seat and grips really make a difference. Though I live in Florida I did use the heat on a few colder night and early morning rides. Overall this is a outstanding machine and I would recommend it to those looking for a luxury tourer.

The BMW K1200LT is an awesome bike, all over the engineering is good, fantastic brakes but Wobbles at low speeds.