K1300S - suitability, reliability, and maintenance costs

[David Morrow]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a K1300S. Probably a silly idea because I love my FJR. A friend has a K1200S and loves it. Another friend rode that friend's bike and loved it. I need to try one soon too.

My questions are, not knowing Beemers very well are :

1) How is the K1300S for long days and long distances. Please don't recommend any of the other Beemers because I just don't like to looks of the other touring models and wouldn't buy one of them ( without trying to offend owners of said models).

2) Almost every bike out there has some mechanical or electrical peculiarity - some more expensive than others. What are the K1300S's weaknesses ?

3) What are maintenance costs like ? How do they compare to Japanese bikes ? I'm sure they are more but just how much more ?

[Sport-Touring]

[falconati]

1.) Not sure, have not ridden.
2.) There were some surging issues, and many reports of engines cutting out while in motion.  These have both claimed to be fixed (and the rumor mill has calmed down), so this is probably less of an issue than when they first came out.
3.) No experience.

[GilaMonster]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a K1300S. Probably a silly idea because I love my FJR. A friend has a K1200S and loves it. Another friend rode that friend's bike and loved it. I need to try one soon too.

My questions are, not knowing Beemers very well are :

1) How is the K1300S for long days and long distances. Please don't recommend any of the other Beemers because I just don't like to looks of the other touring models and wouldn't buy one of them ( without trying to offend owners of said models).

2) Almost every bike out there has some mechanical or electrical peculiarity - some more expensive than others. What are the K1300S's weaknesses ?

3) What are maintenance costs like ? How do they compare to Japanese bikes ? I'm sure they are more but just how much more ?

Here's my experience with 30K miles on an '06 K1200S:

1.  It's a great bike for long distance as long as you are riding solo.  I doubt your pillion will agree after a couple of hundred miles.  My longest trip was 2,800+ miles over eight days to MotoGP at Laguna Seca and back to Tucson, by way of Oregon.

2.  3 year 36K warranty.  I have heard of some fueling map issue with the K13S, but I also heard the same thing with the K12S.  I have had no issues.  However, keep in mind, this is a horsepower bike rather than a torque bike like your FJR.  The throttle response is *now* whether on or off.  There's not much of a flywheel effect on this bike.  Other than that, I have had no wear repairs or warranty, other  than tires and scheduled maintenance, such as plugs, air filter, fuel filter, etc.  I just extended the warranty for 4 years, unlimited mileage for just less than $1K.

3.  Maintenance is on par with a Japanese bike.  Valve checks are at 18K, and typically don't need shims at least until 36K.

I don't know if you have a series 1 or series 2 FJR.  My riding buddy has had both, and I have ridden both of them extensively.  IMHO, the K12/13 is significantly lighter, more flickable, and the suspension is far more compliant without harshness than the FJR.  The FJR does have more fairing protection which can be useful in the rain.  That being said, both are great bikes.

[Jetpilot5]

I would agree with most of the above.  I'm at 38,000 miles on an 06 K1200S.  The biggest trip for me so far has been 1800 miles in 4 days and 750 miles in one day.  I find 500 - 600 mile days no problem but have never done them back to back to back.  My riding is also done solo.

I've had a few issues with my K12S but from what I've read on the K13S there were basically two problems, faulty switchgear and engine stalling.  The stalling has supposedly been cured with updated software and the switches are being taken care of with a recall.  Nothing else on the 13 that I know of.

Not owning a K1300S I can't speak to the maintenance costs.

[sempervee]

 Have a 05 FJR and sold my 05 K1200...
  BMW = Bring more Wallet.   Too many technical issues not addressed by BMW - No longer feel safe or that the BMW is reliable for the kind of money they cost.   Leaky final drive on the FJR $285 OTD 1 week.
  On BMW  = $2500 and months of waiting...YMMV with dealer involved..  

   SOLD BMW and consider myself lucky that it is gone.

[GilaMonster]

 Have a 05 FJR and sold my 05 K1200...
  BMW = Bring more Wallet.   Too many technical issues not addressed by BMW - No longer feel safe or that the BMW is reliable for the kind of money they cost.   Leaky final drive on the FJR $285 OTD 1 week.
  On BMW  = $2500 and months of waiting...YMMV with dealer involved..  

   SOLD BMW and consider myself lucky that it is gone.

I am kind of curious, what does a K1200LT have to do with a K1300S?  They are completely different rides for completely different usage.  Sorry you had problems with yours.

[David Morrow]

I am kind of curious, what does a K1200LT have to do with a K1300S?  They are completely different rides for completely different usage.  Sorry you had problems with yours.

For me, as the OP, it's still very useful information other than suitability to LD riding. The maintenance and reliability issues are paramount.

[miles]

Yeah, but it's a completely different bike.  The LT was a flying brick, and the new S is a transverse.  There is not a single shared part (except maybe bits and pieces like tail light bulbs).  The two versions of K have nothing in common.

That'd be like somebody asking if a VFR is reliable and you chime in that your CB750 is a crappy bike, so the VFR must not be any good...

[David Morrow]

Yeah, but it's a completely different bike.  The LT was a flying brick, and the new S is a transverse.  There is not a single shared part (except maybe bits and pieces like tail light bulbs).  The two versions of K have nothing in common.

That'd be like somebody asking if a VFR is reliable and you chime in that your CB750 is a crappy bike, so the VFR must not be any good...

Thanks Miles, good point. My education continues.

[GilaMonster]

Yeah, but it's a completely different bike.  The LT was a flying brick, and the new S is a transverse.  There is not a single shared part (except maybe bits and pieces like tail light bulbs).  The two versions of K have nothing in common.

That'd be like somebody asking if a VFR is reliable and you chime in that your CB750 is a crappy bike, so the VFR must not be any good...

Agreed, plus the KLT is an 800+ pound tourer vs the KS is a 500+ pound SPORT tourer.  Another analogy, David,  is like comparing your FJR with Royal Star Venture.  They are both made by Yamaha, but that's about the only similarities.

[SVTNate]

I ride an FJR as well and the stalling issue is why I've avoided even going to the local BMW dealer.  I would seriously consider getting a K1300S if I knew it would be as reliable as my FJR, but lurking on BMW forums it looks like the problem has not been resolved.

[tfonner]

Good questions to ask.  I've had primarily Honda's including a VFR.

1) How is the K1300S for long days and long distances. Please don't recommend any of the other Beemers because I just don't like to looks of the other touring models and wouldn't buy one of them ( without trying to offend owners of said models).
    
Long distance is where this bike shines.  It's comfortable and reliable.  I will do a 500 mile stretch then hit the twisties.  The electric windshield, ABS and such are great.  Compared to a VFR I'd take the BMW any day.

2) Almost every bike out there has some mechanical or electrical peculiarity - some more expensive than others. What are the K1300S's weaknesses ?

I have had a lot of issues with the bike stuttering when coming out of a corner.  Dealer has changed air box and has remapped the system.  Still has some issues.  However there is a trick!!  If you are doing the twisties: do it in a lower gear.  The higher RPM's seem to take care of the issue.  Other than that the bike is flawless and this issue would not hamper me from buying another BMW.  My suggestion would be to take the bike you want to buy (the actual bike) and ride it into some twisties in 3rd gear.  Don't downshift, when you come out of a corner kick her in the ribs!!  If it falters don't buy that bike!!!

3) What are maintenance costs like ? How do they compare to Japanese bikes ? I'm sure they are more but just how much more ?
  The maintenance cost are similar to a Jap bike.

[XLR8]

I'm of no help but I sat on this yesterday.  



I'm starting research for next year but this orange is speaking to me. Must resist.

[falconati]

Don't listen to these crazies - the orange is the best color.

[SVTNate]

Orange is awesome.  If I could be convinced that a) stalling issues are fixed and the final drive won't blow up and b) I can get insurance for under a thousand bucks per year, I'd seriously consider trading the FJR for one (in orange, of course)

[XLR8]

The final drive isn't going to blow up with any more probability than your valves will tick.  

[SVTNate]

The final drive isn't going to blow up with any more probability than your valves will tick.  

Valve ticks were Gen 1 FJR's.  I don't own a Gen 1 FJR.

Final drive failure, however, does affect modern BMW's, as does the stalling issue.

[GilaMonster]

I have heard of occasional final drive failures on LTs, RTs, and evan GSs, but never on a new style K bike.  YRMV

BTW, I pay $225 a year for full coverage at Dairyland, but I am an old phart....

[SVTNate]

I am 29 with 2 years of riding experience (but a clean record)... I expect insurance on a K1300 would be substantial.  I pay about $600/year for my FJR, without collision coverage, and I have not found a cheaper quote.

Good to know on the final drive, but the stalling issue is a deal breaker for me.  I can handle having fewer dealers, more expensive parts/maintenance, but reliability is paramount.  Otherwise, the K1300 looks like a pretty fantastic package assuming it's comfortable - which I've read that it is, but I have yet to plant my ass on one.

[falconati]

Wow...I'm 25 and pay less than $500/yr for my Duc and Triumph combined..