BMW K1200GT SE

[MIKE R]

I test drove one of these yesterday and was mighty impressed, so impressed I am considering trading in one of my GS es.

A great bike on a 125 mile test run, but can anyone give me any impressions what they are like to live with. Are there any major problems, what is the cost of servicing etc?

Many thanks

Mike

 

[Davel]

I had no problems with mine whatsoever.

A very nippy bike but big and heavy in slow traffic and bloody cumbersome for pushing around in your garage.

On the move though, I loved it and it really is a fast mile muncher for touring.

 

[Stu-13]

Had mine for a couple of weeks now, I use it for all types of trips six days a week; I've clocked up 700 miles already. I'm really enjoying the change more than I thought and the extra comforts the GT brings to the party. The whoosh from the engine is very intoxicating and with the ESA your style of riding or a change of mood is well catered for at a push of a button. The extra 50bhp puts gives big grin every time you spin it up from 5 to 9,000rpm in third (on track days of course) . The extra kg’s aren’t a problem unless you’re pushing it! I’ve taken off the pannier for in town work and apart from the lack of lock it’s not really that harder than the GS.

 

[Stu-13]

Are there any major problems, what is the cost of servicing etc?

Air box and fuel map may need changing on some early bikes, mines been done and it’s a sweet and smooth as you like, this is already done all late 07 bikes onwards. It takes 97octane fuel to get full power but even with very heavy hand it will return over 40mpg. Servicing is every 6k and it’s a still a shaft drive, as there’s a K1200, R, S, R Sport and the GT so hopefully any other bugs have been found and sorted.

 

[MarkN]

I've had mine for 10 months (bought new in April07) and it's been superb. I've done 26,000 miles on it so far and apart from the recall for the airbox the only things that have gone wrong in that time is the cruise control button broke and the left hand grip became lose.

Servicing is cheaper than a RT with the biggest service coming at 18,000 miles and this is a valve check and is about £400.

Tyre wear is pretty good and the best I've got was making a pair of Michelin Pilot Road 2's last 12,000 they would have lasted more but I got a rear puncture and thought it best to renew rather than repair.

The head light is the best I've ever had on a bike and it's worth the money on it's own over the standard GT.

Fuel consumption averages out at about 55mpg on a run and the tank will last you about 230 miles until a refill.

If there is any downside to the bike it's that I find it a bit noisy with wind noise but that's the only down side to the bike I've found.

If you'd like to know anything else please ask.

Cheers

Mark

 

[Stu-13]

Fuel consumption averages out at about 55mpg on a run and the tank will last you about 230 miles until a refill.

If there is any downside to the bike it's that I find it a bit noisy with wind noise but that's the only down side to the bike I've found.

It's good to see your putting a few miles on the clock with little grief.

My BC is only showing 41mpg, although I have been having some fun with it. I've also noticed that the fuel count down seems to be very safe. On the GS with 10miles to go you'd get 19lts in on the GT at 20miles to go I only get in 20lts??

On the screen from I'm tempted to give the ZTechnik screen a go, it seems to get a decent feed back from some of the US sites?

Cheers

Stuart

 

[team duvet]

Extra info?

Hi Guys

Mate of mine has a K1200GT SE 07 plate, says it has a rattle whats sounds like its coming from the engine...BUT! this is only when the bike is warm not the usual when any trouble i.e cold engine etc. Started after the 600 mile service, now has 3.5K on it.

Dealer said "Not to worry"

What's yours like guys when nice and warm? any info appreciated

TD

 

[Stu-13]

Hi Guys

Mate of mine has a K1200GT SE 07 plate, says it has a rattle whats sounds like its coming from the engine...BUT! this is only when the bike is warm not the usual when any trouble i.e cold engine etc. Started after the 600 mile service, now has 3.5K on it.

Dealer said "Not to worry"

What's yours like guys when nice and warm? any info appreciated

TD

If it's a early 07 it's unlikly to have the new fuel map and airbox mod, plus they were taking ages to come in from BMW. I hope the dealer wasn't buying time with the "not to worry" bit, which translates to come back if it is still bugging you. The motor is very slick and only rattles/rumbles at very high rpm! Get your mate to try a 08 demo bike as a bench mark.

 

[MIKE R]

The extra kg’s aren’t a problem unless you’re pushing it! I’ve taken off the pannier for in town work and apart from the lack of lock it’s not really that harder than the GS.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going for a second test tomorrow.

On the first ride I really enjoyed the power and the ESA. It does not weigh that much more than the 12GSA when fully fueled (about 26kgs I think). I took it over a moorland road between Bentham and Slaidburn in Yorkshire...lots of nice tight bends, pot holes etc and I was surprised how it took it all in its stride.

I really hope I don't enjoy the second ride as much as the first...I really can't afford it but lifes too short!

Mike

 

[MarkN]

Hi Guys

Mate of mine has a K1200GT SE 07 plate, says it has a rattle whats sounds like its coming from the engine...BUT! this is only when the bike is warm not the usual when any trouble i.e cold engine etc. Started after the 600 mile service, now has 3.5K on it.

Dealer said "Not to worry"

What's yours like guys when nice and warm? any info appreciated

TD

This is normal. I've heard this from several people and my bike also does it.

My bike needs the cam tensioner looking at as it makes a noise on start up but my dealer has told me to wait for the 36,000 service because when thy replace it they have to do a valve check and the 36,000 mile service is a valve check, so BMW will be picking up most of the bill for the service

 

[pikeydave]

I've got my GT tankbag knocking around if anyone's interested in it.

 

[patzx12]

Back from Dublin today on my 07. Had the airbox mod and got it serviced 1000 miles early but what harm. The bike was smooth but now absolutly smooth.
Great bike for comfort. I am just wearing summer gear and not a bit cold.
It felt mad heavy when i got it but not now, i can throw it around real easy.
We are really enjoying the bike.
I want to do a Europe run April \ May. The bike will come into it's own on a big run it,s plenty fast.
Still it's not my No 1. I still prefer my GSA but i am lucky to have both.

 

[MIKE R]

Went to Rainbow today for a second test drive on their demonstrator, hoping I wouldn't like the bike as much as the first ride

Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, I loved it even more so I bought it! Thanks to Shaun for a really good deal. It should arrive next weekend.

So its goodbye 1200GSA and hello K1200GS.

I'll still be on the site though because I still love my 02 1150!

Mike

 

[MarkN]

Welcome to the club Mike! The GT is a wonderful bike, you'll love the head light at night, the speed, the smoooooooothness, the comfort and the sheer joy of riding.

A quick tip for you, if you'd like to get another couple of litres of fuel in the tank then plug up the filler cap and drill a 5mm hole in the neck about an inch from the top and on the opposite side from the overflow. This small hole will let the air escape and allow you to get another two litres in the tank which will give you another 20 miles on the range.

The only other thing I'll say is that if your bike comes standard with Metzeler Z6's, get them changed, they're horrible in the wet as there is no tread in the centre of the tyre. Get a set of 020's or better still some Pilot Road 2's. The PR2's are fantastic, they grip and last and if you get the correct rating for your bike they'll last for 12,000 miles.

Cheers

Mark

 

[MIKE R]

The only other thing I'll say is that if your bike comes standard with Metzeler Z6's, get them changed, they're horrible in the wet as there is no tread in the centre of the tyre. Get a set of 020's or better still some Pilot Road 2's. The PR2's are fantastic, they grip and last and if you get the correct rating for your bike they'll last for 12,000 miles.

Cheers

Mark

Many thanks for the tyre advice. The tyres that are on are black and round but I've no idea of the make. Although they appear to be only about half worn, I like to play safe and put a new pair on when I get a secondhand bike...you just don't know about repairs etc.

I'll be ringing around this week and I'll check out a pair of PR2s

Cheers

Mike

 

[Stu-13]

Just a qucik note but I've just put on a Ztechnik screen, loads better than the standard one! Will get a pillion report tomorrow.

 

[MIKE R]

Just a qucik note but I've just put on a Ztechnik screen, loads better than the standard one! Will get a pillion report tomorrow.

In what ways do you find it better? I get wind noise but no buffeting and can ride with my visor up to about 80.....sorry 70 without any problems with the standard.

Mike

 

[Stu-13]

In what ways do you find it better? I get wind noise but no buffeting and can ride with my visor up to about 80.....sorry 70 without any problems with the standard.

Mike

I found the standard screen to small even at it's highest. The new screen is taller, but more importantly wider screen, with a double bubble profile. It pushes the air out and past the rider which can make the ride a bit spooky with little noise. I have the seat on the high setting so I imagine on the normal height things are better still. Off the public highway 90-100 becomes way, way too easy, although you will get through the super go juice real quick!

 

[MarkN]

Hi Stu,

Where did you get it from? Is it the Z5342 and the Million pound question, how much are they?

It looks a great screen and it also sounds like it works too.

Cheers

Mark

 

[Stu-13]

Hi Stu,

Where did you get it from? Is it the Z5342 and the Million pound question, how much are they?

It looks a great screen and it also sounds like it works too.

Cheers

Mark

Not sure about the code but I think they only made one for the GT, Bahnstomer put one one there demo bike for me, I went for a quick 20min test, I stuck on the CC and played with the screen. I then got one from them which was in stock £150, fitted for free there and then. If your not sure ask nicely take the demo bike out and make sure you like it.

Stuart