During my recent travels in Germany, I was able to borrow a K1200R from the Frankfurt BMW dealer for a four hour test ride. The Taunus region north of Frankfurt is liberally sprinkled with excellent twisty roads through the wooded hills and made for an entertaining ride; even allowing the almost unthinkable thought that this bike might be considered a viable alternative to the venerable GS. 
Unlike theK1200 S which I blasted around Rockingham back in June, the naked version seems to lend itself to the sort of customisation which GS owners take for granted. In Garmisch there were already traders displaying modifications: screens. higher bars etc. (Wudo in particular) which would make the thing easier to live with than in standard form. The altered geometry at the front end made it more flickable than the S (although still heavy steering at low speeds; does it really need that damper?), and the loss of a few bhp was hardly noticeable especially with the livelier gearing…
.On returning to the showroom with a stupid grin on my face, the sales guy warned me to wait a while before leaving on my trusty R12GS otherwise I would find that “there was nothing happening when opening the throttle”. So after an involuntary departing wheelie while compensating for this “advice”:grndevil , I quickly readjusted to the GS, and immediately took it to some of the roads I had just been riding on the K and –yes, you’ve guessed it,- had even more fun on the GS! OK there wasn’t the blistering acceleration which in any case could never be exploited to the full very often, even on excellent german tarmac. According to the Frankfurt dealer, Herr Plod has been particularly busy the last few months confiscating licences from new K riders…..?
The GS still seemed the more “complete” bike, just as fast around those same bends as on the R, but allowing one to enjoy the ride according to mood; taking in the scenery, or just looning around. And I dread to think what state I would have been in had I done the 500 mile 9 hour trip home on the K…..
Any thoughts or experiences?
Unlike theK1200 S which I blasted around Rockingham back in June, the naked version seems to lend itself to the sort of customisation which GS owners take for granted. In Garmisch there were already traders displaying modifications: screens. higher bars etc. (Wudo in particular) which would make the thing easier to live with than in standard form. The altered geometry at the front end made it more flickable than the S (although still heavy steering at low speeds; does it really need that damper?), and the loss of a few bhp was hardly noticeable especially with the livelier gearing…
.On returning to the showroom with a stupid grin on my face, the sales guy warned me to wait a while before leaving on my trusty R12GS otherwise I would find that “there was nothing happening when opening the throttle”. So after an involuntary departing wheelie while compensating for this “advice”:grndevil , I quickly readjusted to the GS, and immediately took it to some of the roads I had just been riding on the K and –yes, you’ve guessed it,- had even more fun on the GS! OK there wasn’t the blistering acceleration which in any case could never be exploited to the full very often, even on excellent german tarmac. According to the Frankfurt dealer, Herr Plod has been particularly busy the last few months confiscating licences from new K riders…..?
The GS still seemed the more “complete” bike, just as fast around those same bends as on the R, but allowing one to enjoy the ride according to mood; taking in the scenery, or just looning around. And I dread to think what state I would have been in had I done the 500 mile 9 hour trip home on the K…..
Any thoughts or experiences?
