Test Ride - 06 K1200S

[Zen Rider]

I realize this test ride probably deserves the catogory of "yesterday's news", but it was news to me, and I had a friggen fantastic time and even managed to scare myself (something everyone should do every once in a while), so here yah go ...

First, let me say I now know what the "S" stands for  -- wear your brown pants.  

I got the opportunity to test ride an 06 K1200S on Saturday.  In a word, SCARY , in two words, predictable insanity.   I ran out of property well before I ran out of tach range.  This bike is maker and maybe even a widow maker.  With all that power, it's well mannered and very predictable -  both which I've come to expect from BMW.

The Servo assist was the best I've experienced - coming on in a progressive manner. The servo feels virtually non-existent upon initial contact, and then progressively comes on and On and ON! This bike stops as fast as it goes. I really didn't  think I'd like the Servo on the K/S, but Germany got it right this time - it feels like it was designed with the rider in mind and not merely by an engineer.  

Cornering is a dream (kudos to the duel/telelever set up).  The bike just begs to lean into a corner (at any speed) and then begs for more.  Kudos also for the Eletronically Controlled Suspension - there is a noticable difference in each setting - Comfort, Normal, and Sport - the latter being my preference.

Shifting is incredibly smooth, and the wet clutch set up is a plus.  

The "little devil" sitting on my shoulder sure had a lot to say during the ride.

Oh, and the sound of the engine ... :burnout:yeah, baby!  

[MisterSmooth]

Yo, nice to see you back FJ---I mean Z-man!
 
The blue and white one just looks so nice, too.  If I only could have one bike this one's on the short list.
 
Is that your dealership?

[Against The Wind]

It is a good looking bike for sure.

[Zen Rider]

Yo, nice to see you back FJ---I mean Z-man!
 
The blue and white one just looks so nice, too.  If I only could have one bike this one's on the short list.
 
Is that your dealership?

Nathin: Yes, this is now where I spend my work dayz.  


It's tough duty for sure.  Tough in the sense of being lucky to come home with a paycheck after all the temptations of being the [FONT="]consument "kid in a candy store".  

Okay, you're not helping my decision making.  I'd like to say this bike is on my "short" list too, as I can find nothing to dislike, sans my own limited skills.  I've been riding since age 7 (okay, folks, that's about 43 years), but I feel like such [FONT="]amateur when riding this a-hem, pup.


On a good day, I mean a really good day,  I could, perhaps, realize 2/3's of the bike's capibilites.



It sure fits good, thou.  

I love decisions like these.  :bigok:
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[cbsnbiker]

I took one for a test ride earlier this year. I was impressed.

[Dakota]

Thanks for the pics and the writeup....gosh....that bike is just gorgeous.  How is the comfort factor??

[Jetpilot5]

It sure fits good, thou.  

Yeah, that was one of the things that sold me too.  For a sporty bike, it sure is comfortable.

I'm surprised you thought the transmission was slick.  While mine works fine and I've never missed a shift, I wouldn't call it buttery smooth.

So when do you take delivery?

[cbsnbiker]

Yeah, that was one of the things that sold me too. For a sporty bike, it sure is comfortable.
 

And the availability of factory saddlebags and similar farkles makes it appealing.

[Bry]

*chuckle* and to aid the temptation, by the photo you park it in your line of side.. that's just plain cruel!


Bry

[swordfish]

I put 14000KMS in 2 months and just love every minute of it.

[Zen Rider]

Comfort Factor?  I just knew this was going to be a deal-breaker and end-of-story -- there was no way could this bike be comfortable.  Well, I'm man enough to say I was wrong.  

For a sport bike, it's very comfortable.  The electronic suspension settings help a bunch, and oddly enough, the seat is very comfortable.  Lastly, everything is positioned just where it needs to be.  

My only considerations are my own limitations 1) riding distances in a sport posture with a damaged disk in my neck, and 2) I feel like a real novice on this bike (and, that's not necessarily a bad thing).  

I rode an 06 RT a few hours ago - also a very nice bike, but without the warp speed buzz.      

Decisions - Decisions



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[FONT="]My problem is learning to live within my own reality.  
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[MisterSmooth]

*chuckle* and to aid the temptation, by the photo you park it in your line of sight.. that's just plain cruel!
 
Bry

 
Yeah, that's gonna put it in your garage for sure.  Just a matter of time.  
 
Hundred pounds lighter than your RT, sixty more horsepower, but you can still get hard luggage and it's at least decent for a passenger.
 
 
 
Nice idea scoring a job in a bike shop, Z-man.  Hope you get a serious discount on farkles!

[Zen Rider]

Yeah, that's gonna put it in your garage for sure.  Just a matter of time.  
 
Hundred pounds lighter than your RT, sixty more horsepower, but you can still get hard luggage and it's at least decent for a passenger.
 
 
 
Nice idea scoring a job in a bike shop, Z-man.  Hope you get a serious discount on farkles!

I had to laugh when I saw the pic, too - doh!  

I'm doomed for sure. The GF want's the RT.  So, if I'm not real careful, it's full speed ahead.  

Seems an appropriate metaphor.  

[BBB]

Hundred pounds lighter than your RT, sixty more horsepower, but you can still get hard luggage and it's at least decent for a passenger.
 
 
 

Dry weight of the 1200RT is 229kg, dry weight of the K1200S with ABS is 227kg. That's a difference of 4.4 pounds by my reckoning.

[Lon]

I put 14000KMS in 2 months and just love every minute of it.

Nice!

[MisterSmooth]

Dry weight of the 1200RT is 229kg, dry weight of the K1200S with ABS is 227kg. That's a difference of 4.4 pounds by my reckoning.

 
Yeah, you're right.
 
Thing is, the Z-man has an 1150RT.  592 lbs. dry (or 269 kg if you prefer).

[Zen Rider]

me, the bike, and the bank, that is ...  at least I've solved the problem of leaving it all day on the showroom floor  






I wrestled with this one all night last night - the rational mind said the RT is the bike to buy.  In the end, passion won over rational.  After all, were talking motorcycles - not washing machines.  Anyway, it was a long day at work, and these are the best pics I could muster up.  

With the six fiddie and the newly aquired "S" in the garage, I've got the fun covered - on and off the road.  I can't wait for the weather to clear in the mountains so I can do a bit of canyon carving.  

Oh, and while riding home, the ambient temp guage, hit 35 degrees, and a little flashing snow flake appeared on the read out.  That's soo cool, and I'm soo easily amused.  

[Anthony]

Your post remind me of myself in september when I rode home my new blue and white k12s . I too could not resist her charms . Besides she sure looks good on the road and in the garage. I'm sure you will find every bit of clear weather a reason to ride her as I do. Although i have also rode her in the rain,  after all its a bemmer.

[MisterSmooth]

Holy cow, Jimbo, you don't waste time, do you??  
 
Big congratulations!  You better bring that to the WCRM, y'hear?  

[Mr Sunshine]

So have you brought it BLS's place to show him how much faster it is?
 
I loved my test ride...wish I was able to give it more of a test ride than chasing the test ride leader.

[Jetpilot5]

Congratulations!  I'm sure you'll love it.

[Zen Rider]

Thanks, all!  

Riding this bike is more fun than anyone should have - legally (which I believe ends somewhere in first gear ).  
Without hitting  the the last four gears, you can still be doing double digits[FONT="]!  Friggen Amasing!!!

The panniers and tank bag arrive in a few days.

Although, I swore off "bling bling" for a while, a piece of carbon fiber has already found it's way to the bike.  The fuel tank panel NEEDS to be replaced when swapping out the GPS Nav II Plus.   Doh!  
I'm doomed for sure.  [/SIZE][/FONT]

[Jetpilot5]

 
I'm doomed for sure.  

I've managed to avoid carbon fiber so far, after all, you will be spending money on tires, but I have added a set of these.







Kind of expensive, but it sure is nice having a larger adjustment range than the stock levers allow.  I like that clutch lever closer to the bars.

The fact that they're trick is just an added bonus.  

[Bry]

Thanks, all!  

Riding this bike is more fun than anyone should have - legally (which I believe ends somewhere in first gear ).  
Without hitting  the the last four gears, you can still be doing double digits[FONT="]!  Friggen Amasing!!!

The panniers and tank bag arrive in a few days.

Although, I swore off "bling bling" for a while, a piece of carbon fiber has already found it's way to the bike. The fuel tank panel NEEDS to be replaced when swapping out the GPS Nav II Plus. Doh!
I'm doomed for sure. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Bling sets in.... it does if you visit this...

http://www.motohansa.com.au/docs/wl/K1200S_R.pdf

*sigh* So many ways to lose money....


Bry

[Zen Rider]

Thanks, all!  

Riding this bike is more fun than anyone should have - legally (which I believe ends somewhere in first gear ).  
Without hitting  the the last four gears, you can still be doing double digits[FONT="]!  Friggen Amasing!!!

The panniers and tank bag arrive in a few days.

Although, I swore off "bling bling" for a while, a piece of carbon fiber has already found it's way to the bike. The fuel tank panel NEEDS to be replaced when swapping out the GPS Nav II Plus. Doh!
I'm doomed for sure. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Bling sets in.... it does if you visit this...

http://www.motohansa.com.au/docs/wl/K1200S_R.pdf

*sigh* So many ways to lose money....


Bry

Bry:  You are horrible.  
Time to shread the credit cards, while there's still hope.

But, right after I make a wish list.

I really like the Aluminium Dash Surround.  

[mcfreitas]

Those are sweet levers. What kind are they and where did you get them? I am looking for some shorty levers...

I've managed to avoid carbon fiber so far, after all, you will be spending money on tires, but I have added a set of these.







Kind of expensive, but it sure is nice having a larger adjustment range than the stock levers allow.  I like that clutch lever closer to the bars.

The fact that they're trick is just an added bonus.  

[Zen Rider]

Those are sweet levers. What kind are they and where did you get them? I am looking for some shorty levers...

[/quote]

If I read correctly, the levers are from Wundrluch (sp).  See San Jose BMW for availability - SJBMW is the exclusive distributor for WL in the U.S.

From my experience with WL products on the GS, they make quality, albeit spendy, stuff.  

[Jetpilot5]

Those are sweet levers. What kind are they and where did you get them? I am looking for some shorty levers...

Those are Wunderlich Levers, available from BMW of Santa Cruz.  Nice stuff!

http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/index.html

[ksann]

Happy to have another join into the fold.

Jetpilot forced me to buy one. Then Greg bought one, and now, another.

Very cool.



ken