anyone considering the K12

[Fenlander Strasse]

I've had a two and a half hour test on one and was very impressed. The funny thing is I filled it up with 95 octane without thinking about it and it ran perfectly well - no pinking at all.
Quick, stable and comfortable.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

K1200R

I've seen a few piccies of the 'R' naked version due next year. It actually made me grin just looking at it - not often you can say that about a BM's looks! I reckon it's the best looking of the new breed naked bikes there is..... even better than the Tuono, and I think I'm going to want one !!!


pr0ne

 

[GS TRV]

Last sat. I had a 30 min ride round Misano track on one - as part of BMW Italy's launch.

My impressions were - it handles really well, brakes are excellent, colours are strange - the blue looks like a cop bike (perhaps intentional), torque is crap compared to a GS - you really need to rev it & the panniers are ridiculously small.

If I had a LOOAAADDD of money and insisted on shaft drive - then it would probably do for me (keeping the GS of course), but I can't help thinking that for what it's aimed at i.e Hayabusa, Blackbirdd types then it certainly misses the mark by some margin.

 

[SQD8R]

why do you feel it misses the mark in terms of 'busa and blackbird owners?

panniers too small. That would rule me out entirely since I camp everywhere I go. Lack of torque compared to the GS that would keep me out too. I love torque over outright hp. Plus like I said before I wolud have kept my ZX10R if I wanted to go really fast.

Thx for the report.

 

[GS TRV]

It misses the mark as both the Busa & Bird have engines which deliver a lot more without wringing their necks. The only real advantage i see over them is the shaft drive.

RE. The panniers - the sales rep tried to justify them saying that it is a sports bike after all and only useful for the odd weekend away - obviosuly he'd never been on any weekends away himself!

Tents? Forget it!

 

[Fenlander Strasse]

I think it's a bloody excellent sports tourer, the roll on power in top is roughly what you get in 4th on a K1200RS, and if I get one the tent will go on the back no probs. It's only if you add a female passenger that luggage space becomes an issue.