K1300s owners, speak up!

[KodiakRS]

BMW's "other" sportbike doesn't seem to get a whole lot of press these days.  To me it seems like it may be a great ST mount.  It has a lot of the features that the big ST bikes have, shaft drive, abs, heated grips, and available luggage.  Yet it weighs 100lbs less than most of those bikes.  The ergo's are somewhere between super sport and gold wing which means that some people will love it, others hate it.  Other than the price of admission, what's wrong with this bike?  I would assume that it would sell like hotcakes, or at least have some sort of a cult following but there is very little buzz about it in the community.  Is there some sort of glaring flaw with other than it's traditional BMW price?  Are people scared away by the para/duolever suspension or something?  

[Dan K]

I am not an owner but have significant saddle time on a 2010 and 2011.  These bikes are amazing.  If not for the price of admission, I'd have one in the garage.  Even have considered dumping the Sprint and the Daytona to scrounge up the cash to buy one and give up the track (but not going to ever happen).

Smooth, lots of power, suspension is a little low on feel, but excellent once you learn to trust it.

Adjustable suspension on the fly - rocks.

Ergos like a Sprint - slightly sporty.

For the type of bike it is, I am unaware of its equal.  Yes, I want one.

- Dan

[Cablebandit]

A local girl just had the final drive on her's replaced.  

[Dan K]

Can't speak to durability, but what an awesome bike to ride.  I'd use it for a commuter/tourer in a heartbeat.

- Dan

[Cablebandit]

Can't speak to durability, but what an awesome bike to ride.  I'd use it for a commuter/tourer in a heartbeat.

- Dan

I'd ride it, but I wouldn't own it.

[Dan K]

If you could afford the bike, you could likely afford the maintenance...  I haven't been in lust with many bikes.  I've ridden Bimotas, Ducatis (pretty much all of them), Benellis, Aprilias, BMW's, Hondas, Kawasakis, Suzukis, Triumphs, Yamahas, sure I'm missing a few.  The K1300S, for a gentleman's sportbike / tourer, hits all the marks dead center.

[Cablebandit]

I could afford the maintenance.  That's not the issue.  I always hear how easy BMW's are to work on, but in reality I'd rather spend that time riding the stupid thing.  Change the oil, add gas and tires and ride the crap out of it.  I like taking off anywhere and not really having the thought in the back of my head that it may break and if it does there may not be a dealer around for hundreds of miles.

Now for a weekend around town bike that's not as much of an issue, but since I'm down to one bike right now that sees a lot of miles I'll take reliability over character.

That said, it is an awesome machine.  

[Dan K]

Understood.  Although I've never heard that it's easy to work on a modern BMW, I've heard the opposite, another reason I don't ride one (besides the cash).

I figure in this day and age, as long as I take care of my bikes, no matter where I am, chances are help isn't too far away.  Bikes from the big manufacturers are all pretty reliable these days, and I wouldn't let that keep me from buying one.  Maybe it would keep me from buying one if I didn't have a second bike in the garage, but even if I had to sell a bike for financial reasons, I'd still buy a second beater just to have a back up.

No one else to comment on the K1300S?

- Dan

[Neub]

Well I own one and just came back from 1700 mile playing in the canyons of Colorado.  Previously had a 99 vfr and kept waiting for years for the long rumored 1000 vfr to come out.  When Honda announced the specs and price in Nov 09 for the vfr 1200 and the dealer didn't want to negotiate a price (I wasn't going to pay 15,000 +)  for a preorder I began to look at the other options....Triumph ST, good riding position, handling, power and bags included but I really didn't want another chain drive for sport touring.  FJR, st1300  too heavy and not sporty enough so decided to see what left over 2009 BMWs where sitting around the dealers in MN, IA, WI and what they were wiling to knock off the price....after all its December in MN, everyone want sleds that time of the year, not bikes.  Sent an email looking for a  left over 2009 base model with heated grips out to the dealers and one dealer 30 miles away responded that he had a loaded 1300S, tricolor, abs, stability control, computer dash, heated grips, speed shifter, etc and was willing to knock 3500 off sticker plus BMW was offering an additional 1500 incentive.  Now I am looking at a loaded 19700 1300s for less than the base vfr1200, didn't take long for me to make that decision.  In the last two years and 14,000 miles the bike has been back to the dealer once for a recall on the turn signal switches and a engine management software update all the rest of the maintenance I've done myself including 3 sets of tires.  Moving from the 99 vfr to the 1300s took a little adjustment, torque and power was scary when cranked wide open but handling in the tight corners took more effort due to the long wheelbase but the sweepers were awesome, the bike is so stable.  Once got use to the somewhat lack of feedback from the duolever front end and begin to trust it now I am a believer...it doesn't dive when you have to really lay on the brakes.  When thinking about buying it being a middle income, practical person I was somewhat concerned about the maintenance cost but heck I had to take my vfr to the dealer to have the valves adjusted and the vfr ate 5 rectifiers (which I was able to replace) in the 10 years I had it and given if I went the vfr1200 route the teething problems that are normally associated with first year production figured I couldn't do any worse with the 1300s. After two years still no buyers remorse.

[Jetpilot5]

I had my K1200S for 5 years and 49,850 miles.  My first BMW and I loved it.  Unfortunately I lost my local dealer (60 miles away) a year ago February and while the brand was picked up by another Big 4 dealer in the same town this spring, it isn't the same.  

I will admit as the three year warranty expires and the miles pile up, reliability started to worry me.  I know you can read horror stories on almost any bike made, but there sure have been some high dollar failures on the K1200S.  What had me worried the most was a problem they have with cam chains jumping teeth.  Several new cam chain tensioners have been introduced since the bike came out and now a cam chain jump guard is "recommended" by BMW.  I'm sure it's rare but if it happens and you lunch the top end, the bike is almost totalled.  Add that to the occasional transmission issue (second gear has been updated on the K1300S), clutch problems that seem hit or miss and the occasional final drive failure, it's just made me too nervous to keep it.

BTW, normal maintenance wasn't bad for a do it yourselfer.  Oil changes, air filters, brake pads, final drive fluid changes etc are all pretty basic.  You will need a dealer to read fault codes during a major service and there are also some special tools required for some service items.  There have been some guys that have developed work arounds but I like the proper tool for the proper job.

Still a fabulous machine to ride.  I love the way the K1300S looks (the blue is ) and oh, the power, Power, POWER, POWER!!!!!.

Got to the point while I loved to ride it, I didn't love to own it.

[Bigpoodle]

I'm winding up my second year (I ride 4 seasons, but in Central PA there are extended stretches when it's pretty miserable) on a 2010 K 1300 S, and I am a satisfied customer.  The bike has no peers, really.  There is nothing you can buy whose performance will put this big a grin on your face which is also as civilized for long-distance touring.  Oh, and gets about 50 mpg on mid-grade once it's broken in if you keep to the speed limit (not easy, given the mindblowing acceleration and almost eerie composure deep into triple digits).  The high-tech goodies aren't just BMW showing off, they really do improve the riding experience.  Shift Assist on the loaded models is a total hoot.

As a touring machine, it may be better suited to taller people (I'm 6-2) because long arms make for a more upright riding position.  Low-speed handling is not very good because of the long wheelbase and a turning radius measured in furlongs, something to consider if a lot of your riding is in congested urban areas.  I find the handling at speed extremely responsive.  Maybe it's because I've been riding BMW's Paralever/Duolever bikes for the last 14 years, but I am a little mystified by the complaints about "lack of feel."   For me, I just think where I want to go and the bike goes there, with no drama and all the road feedback I would want.  With the expandable BMW sport bags and a top case (you can save major bucks with an aftermarket Shad or Givi instead of the BMW top case, which I believe is a rebadged Shad anyway) you'll have plenty of luggage capacity with not too much a a handling penalty.  Strap on full camping gear too and the front end gets noticeably light, but that's true of every sport-tourer I know of.

Routine maintenance is quite easy, but as with most fully faired bikes getting the bodywork off to do anything major is a pain in the butt and there's a lot of sophisticated electronics I wouldn't dream of messing with.  I've had one minor recall, for the rear torque linkage, but otherwise have enjoyed appliance-like reliability.

Bottom line IMHO is, if you want the maximum sport in your sport-tourer, the K 1300 S has to be on your short list.

[Dan K]

Nicely put.  Try riding a sport bike with modern day inverted forks and high end compression and rebound damping components, push it a little bit, and you will then understand the feel that you're missing with the duo lever.  Only is an issue when pushing the bike hard, towards the limits of traction, where you need precise feedback. If you don't do that on the K1300S, it's lack of feel is immaterial, and outweighed by the benefits of no nose dive on hard braking.

- Dan

[ConPilot1]

Is that the same powerplant/drivetrain as the K1300GT?? If so I could see it being an amazing bike. I test drove a GT and I tell you it was the finest feeling and smoothly powerful motorcycle I've ever been.

I don't understand why BMW discontinued the K1300GT.

[expatbrit]

I ride regularly with the owner of a K1300S. He's a fast rider anyway (and I'm not) so between the bike and the rider I tend to be left in the dust. He's also a big guy at 6'4, and fits on it fine.

I've ridden it, and the engine is smooth -- incredibly so -- and I found the subjective ergos less aggressive than the Sprint ST I had at the time. He gets pretty incredible gas mileage when loping it along, and it seems fine on both backroads and slab (and he's tracked it a few times -- on a tight track here in Abq, no less). Great wind/weather protection, too.

Pretty incredible machine, all around, and I seriously thought about an orange one instead of the MTS1200, but was eventually swayed by 'upright'.

[Bigpoodle]

Is that the same powerplant/drivetrain as the K1300GT?? If so I could see it being an amazing bike. I test drove a GT and I tell you it was the finest feeling and smoothly powerful motorcycle I've ever been.

I don't understand why BMW discontinued the K1300GT.

Same basic powerplant as the GT,  but tuned for an extra 15 horsepower and 4 ft-lb of torque.  At 50 pounds or so lighter, the S's performance is even more face-melting without giving up the smoothness.  The GT has better ergos and a few more amenities for straight-up touring.

I'm guessing the BMW folks discontinued the GT model of the K 1300 line because it was too similar to the new K 1600 GT at virtually the same price point and they didn't expect an incremental sales benefit to offset the cost of fielding both.

[ConPilot1]

I've seen the K1600 and the 1300GT up close and they are NOTHING alike in class.

The 1600 is like a Wing-pig. The 1300 was a nice compromise of amenities/size, like the Connie or FJR.

[Bigpoodle]

Nicely put.  Try riding a sport bike with modern day inverted forks and high end compression and rebound damping components, push it a little bit, and you will then understand the feel that you're missing with the duo lever.  Only is an issue when pushing the bike hard, towards the limits of traction, where you need precise feedback. If you don't do that on the K1300S, it's lack of feel is immaterial, and outweighed by the benefits of no nose dive on hard braking.

- Dan

I get to switch bikes with some of my riding buds, as well as taking brutal advantage of dealer demo days to thrash whatever sportbikes and tourers they're featuring.  So I understand what you're saying about high-end conventional suspensions vs. the duolever.  All I'm saying is that with experience you can get all the feedback an ordinary rider needs, once you figure out how to read the signals.  On the track, would the difference cost you a few hundredths of a second here and there?  Probably, I guess, given the outlandish sums the folks at Ohlins get away with charging.  On the street, it's more about how well you understand what the bike is telling you, regardless of the suspension configuration.  100% of the loss-of-control crashes among riders of my acquaintance (quite a few, since I've been riding for 45 years) have been aboard those allegedly superior inverted-fork mounts.

[Dan K]

I've seen the K1600 and the 1300GT up close and they are NOTHING alike in class.

The 1600 is like a Wing-pig. The 1300 was a nice compromise of amenities/size, like the Connie or FJR.

There's 2 K1600's - a GT and an LT (I think).  One is less tour-bling.

 - Dan

[Dan K]

I get to switch bikes with some of my riding buds, as well as taking brutal advantage of dealer demo days to thrash whatever sportbikes and tourers they're featuring.  So I understand what you're saying about high-end conventional suspensions vs. the duolever.  All I'm saying is that with experience you can get all the feedback an ordinary rider needs, once you figure out how to read the signals.  On the track, would the difference cost you a few hundredths of a second here and there?  Probably, I guess, given the outlandish sums the folks at Ohlins get away with charging.  On the street, it's more about how well you understand what the bike is telling you, regardless of the suspension configuration.  100% of the loss-of-control crashes among riders of my acquaintance (quite a few, since I've been riding for 45 years) have been aboard those allegedly superior inverted-fork mounts.

I hear ya - the few times I've thrashed a BMW with duolever (rental GS and friend's K1200S) I didn't feel much, and just trusted it without going anywhere near traction limits.  Heck, even at the track I don't come close to those limits unless I'm really in the groove. (And in reality, I'm probably nowhere near those limits even though it feels like it...)

For me it was learning to trust it, and once I did I had great fun.  I do plan to own a K1300S one day.  If not, a Busa or ZX14 if I can handle the insurance...this one guy on ST-N has a beautiful silver ZX14 with a top case decked out for touring that makes me drool every time I see it...I imagine that would be the inexpensive way of getting to what I love about the BMW without the ESA.

- Dan

[ConPilot1]

Was the K1300GT a duolever suspension?? I really know jack squat about it. All I know is I could do no wrong on the bike.

The handling and suspension were two of the things that really impressed me.

[Dan K]

Was the K1300GT a duolever suspension?? I really know jack squat about it. All I know is I could do no wrong on the bike.

The handling and suspension were two of the things that really impressed me.

Yes

[Bigpoodle]

I've seen the K1600 and the 1300GT up close and they are NOTHING alike in class.

The 1600 is like a Wing-pig. The 1300 was a nice compromise of amenities/size, like the Connie or FJR.

The "Wing pig" (albeit more than a hundred pounds lighter than the Honda land yacht) is the K 1600 GTL, which replaced the old K 1200 GL in the lineup.  The curb weight of the new GT (no L) is all of 10 pounds heavier than that of a Connie 14 (a fine ride, by the way, you won't catch me slagging it or trying to sway anybody's purchase decision one way or the other).  It is most certainly in the same class as the 1300 GT (or Connie, FJR, Sprint GT, Honda ST, etc.) and bears a test ride to see whether what it offers is enough to offset the price premium for an individual buyer.

As I recall, the original topic of this thread was the 1300 GT's sibling, the 1300 S.  THAT is more different from the conventional sport-tourers just mentioned than the 1300 GT is from the 1600 GT.  But there's still plenty of overlap in terms of fitness for sportriding and touring with a single machine.  All depends on what feels right to you.

[Cablebandit]

I liken the K1300s as more of a ZX14 / Hayabusa competitor.

ZX14 = trimmed down, motored up Concours

Hayabusa = I guess Suzuki still isn't in the big ST market.  

[Dan K]

Suzuki is relying ont the GSXF1200 (or 1250?) which is fairly well reviewed.

Still want the K1300S, ZX14, Busa type smoothness, stability and unending power in a comfortable package.  Had a Busa for a day in FLorida (e.g., no twisties) and loved it.  The few curves I found were rock steady.

- Dan

[Bigpoodle]

I liken the K1300s as more of a ZX14 / Hayabusa competitor.

That's what BMW had in mind when they designed the successor to the old (c. 1995 - 2004) K 1200 RS and split it into the S and GT lines.  The S was the 'Busa-class competitor and the GT the Connie-class competitor, whereas the RS kinda straddled those categories without excelling in either.  But the S bike is in most people's opinions significantly more civilized than the other hyperbikes (as well it ought to be, looking at the sticker price), and most would say a more natural crossover to the sport-touring category if one chooses to equip it accordingly.  I'm clearly of that opinion, and I'm more than satisfied with the results of acting on it.  

The truth is that none of these categories is an absolute.  People sportride and tour on all kinds of rigs, some of them quite far removed from the generally understood archetypes.  But for those people, whatever they do seems to work for them.  If you like to do more than one kind of riding and think you want a sport-tourer, it's not a bad idea to consider bikes from adjacent categories.  You can make a 'Busa into a pretty good pack animal, and you can do some pretty fancy canyon carving on bikes officially designated as "touring machines."  

If you think something is a sport tourer and it fulfills your expectations of what a sport tourer should do, then it's a sport tourer.  Period.  Doesn't matter what the rest of us self-appointed experts think it is.

[KodiakRS]

How about we judge each motorcycle on it's individual merits and not how it fits into some preconceived class of motorcycle?  

Comparing the K1300S to the fjr/c14/k1300gt group is not a fair comparison at all.  The k1300s is lighter, has a more aggressive riding position, and lacks some of the conveniences of the group I just mentioned.  But neither is it comparable to the zx-14 and hayabusa.  Although the k1300s is no slouch, it's not the outright speed king that those bikes are.  Instead, it has things like ABS, Heated grips, a more relaxed riding position and a shaft drive.  This just happens to be what I'm looking for, most of the convince of a traditional "sport touring" motorcycle in a very sporty package.  

 
I think there are a lot of people who turn their nose up at BMW's because they don't fit into the same categories as the other manufacturers*.  They make a LOT of great bikes that never really get that much attention because of it.  I would rather own an HP2 sport than an 1198SP or RSV4R APRC.  The r1200r and f800r are both great naked bikes, and the f800st is supposedly a great challenger to the VFR800 but you never hear much about them outside of BMW circles.  But all of them have little quirks like a belt or shaft drive that I think drives people away from them, and the brand in general.  I used to think that it was the brand that drove people away, but the s1000rr has gotten more buzz than a hipster in Starbucks.    






*The one exception to this is the ADV category which BMW pretty much created.  

[GilaMonster]

That's what BMW had in mind when they designed the successor to the old (c. 1995 - 2004) K 1200 RS and split it into the S and GT lines.  The S was the 'Busa-class competitor and the GT the Connie-class competitor, whereas the RS kinda straddled those categories without excelling in either.  But the S bike is in most people's opinions significantly more civilized than the other hyperbikes (as well it ought to be, looking at the sticker price), and most would say a more natural crossover to the sport-touring category if one chooses to equip it accordingly.  I'm clearly of that opinion, and I'm more than satisfied with the results of acting on it.  

The truth is that none of these categories is an absolute.  People sportride and tour on all kinds of rigs, some of them quite far removed from the generally understood archetypes.  But for those people, whatever they do seems to work for them.  If you like to do more than one kind of riding and think you want a sport-tourer, it's not a bad idea to consider bikes from adjacent categories.  You can make a 'Busa into a pretty good pack animal, and you can do some pretty fancy canyon carving on bikes officially designated as "touring machines."  

If you think something is a sport tourer and it fulfills your expectations of what a sport tourer should do, then it's a sport tourer.  Period.  Doesn't matter what the rest of us self-appointed experts think it is.

The '02-'04 RS and '03-'04 GT were flying brick motors.  The '05-'07 S is a transverse four cylinder complete redesign.  I had both a '03 KRS and a '04 KGT before my current '06 KS.  The difference between the flying bricks and the new style transverse is night and day.  The flying bricks, in my opinion, were sports TOURERS, and the KS is a SPORTS tourer.  The flying bricks were 130 HP torquey motors while the new style is 167 HP horsepower motors that want more rpm.  The major difference, however, between the two designs is that new style is 100+ pounds lighter than the old flying bricks, and that makes a world of difference in flickability especially at lower speeds.

I regularly ride 1,000 mile weekends, and while the RS/GT was more comfortable, the S is entirely adequate and far more fun in the twisties.  The only downside to the S, in my opinion, is if you have a pillion.  On the S, they will come to dislike you at about 100 miles.

In the end, I agree with you, each style is good for both sport and touring, it just depends which end of the spectrum one likes best.  I went to the S in '06 and have never looked back.  YRMV

[littlefield]

I had always been curious about a K1300S and last year found a used 2010 with 5,000 miles and got it for $13,500. The handling is super stable, neutral and confidence inspiring. You can actually tell a difference in the ride when swithing the ESAII. The power is unbelievalbe, I never had the balls to really whack it in 1st or 2nd gear. The quick shifter works well and is very slick to use. I put an aftermarket can on mine, the sound with it wound up using the quick shifter is awesome. You can get racks that will allow mounting any kind of had case. The only limitation for sport touring I found was the lack of room under the seat for auxiliary electrical stuff. I ended up mounting things under the side pods. The transmission was really clunky. It is suppose to be an improvement over the K1200's but mine was not smooth at all. Ergonomically I had to lower the pegs a little but I'm not spring chicken.
Unfortunately mine got totalled or I would still be riding it (trying to shift quietly). On the bright side the insurance settlement was more than what I paid for the bike.

[Major 662]

No one else to comment on the K1300S?

I love mine.  I prefer sport-touring bikes with a bias towards the sport side, and the BMW fits the bill for me.  I had a Ducati ST3 before the K13S, and the Duc was a bit more nimble, but the BMW is a bit more stable.  I've always said they could replace the handlebars with a metal dial, because you just point it into a curve and you pop out the other side with no adjustments needed.  Then you twist the wrist and it responds with two scoops of pure uncut mach schnell.

For me, it's comfy enough to get me to distant places, but agile enough to make for fun riding when I get there.  Earlier this year, I rode it from Boise to Tahoe, through the Sierras, across the Central Valley to Laguna Seca for the MotoGP, and up through San Fran to Sonoma before circling home.  I used the sport bags (not in the expanded mode) and a tail pack for a week, and that worked well for me.  Mind you, I couldn't bring along the upright piano like Mistersmooth on his Guzzi with the cavernous side bags, but I've found that how ever much space I have, I use it all.

Avoiding chain maintenance with the shaft drive is nice.  I use the clutchless upshifting all the time.  Traction control and ABS are helpful on rare occasion.  The electronic suspension adjustment is nice for long hauls or for tight mountain roads.

[rodon]

Just got mine two weeks ago today at Cross Country BMW, a 2010 with 5100 miles on it. I've added 900 miles already (thanks to some favorable weather) and I am very happy.  



It replaces my 2004 VFR. Sorry to see that one go (only have room for 1 machine) but this thing is amazing. The Remus exhaust makes beautiful sounds and looks great.

[spnorm]

I owned a 2006 K1200S for three years after six years on VFR800's (FiY and the inferior VTEC model   ) and loved the power, relative comfort and high speed handling. What wasn't so good was the feedback from the Duolever front end and servi-assisted brakes; I could definitely ride my a VFR quicker down a twisty road.

The other issues were the engine was rather coarse at high revs and reliability. Warranty claims included the brake servo, front discs, camchain tensioner, air box, clutch, Duolever ball joints and the rear suspension linkage  

I test rode a K1300S last year and many of the issues have been sorted. The engine is much smoother, the gear change slicker and the non-servo brakes were awesome.  The only downside was the riding position which felt very uncomfortable after two years on a GS. I'm sure I could solve that issue by fitting an AC Schnitzer super bike handlebar conversion, but I'll testride a Triumph Explorer and Honda Crosstourer before making a decision on my next bike.