K1200R goodies - worth it?

[Jon T]

I'm considering a k12r & have found one without servo brakes, abs & ESA. How reliable have these bits of kit proved to be in the past few years, are they enough to make the difference in choosing a bike? Do bits like this effect the value of an older bike? I'm quite tempted by the relative simplicity of this one, along the lines of the 'less to go wrong' argument. Any input from current or past owners would be appreciated.

Cheers, Jon

 

[BBB61]

I think that buyers are generally looking for ones with all the goodies, or at the very least with ABS and heated grips. What is the year, mileage and price of the one you are looking at Jon?

 

[Jon T]

Hi Bob,
It's an 05, 17k miles with heated grips & trip computer, at a non-bmw dealer for £6300. I quite like the spec but I'd like the panniers too if I could find some... It seems a bit steep compared with bikes in MCN?
It's a bike I'd like to think I'd keep for a few years, so if the standard bike manages without abs & ESA, maybe it's a better long-term proposition without them?

 

[BBB61]

Jon,

That price seems a bit steep for an '05 model. See this one listed at Park Lane as a comparison:-

http://www.bmw-dealernet.co.uk/national_viewstock.asp?SP_ID=1782738&BRA_ID=33



As for not having ESA, my first K1200S had ABS but no ESA and it handled fine with no issues whatsoever. My current 1200S has ESA and it's nice to be able to change settings on the move but I don't see it as a must have.

 

[Jon T]

Yeah, private 05 bikes seem to start at about £4500. If there aren't any issues with the early bikes that make it one to avoid this bike stands a chance, but it would have to be for more sensible money.
Do you happen to know if there's an equivalent to this fine forum for the k1200r?

 

[BBB61]

Jon,

Try these:-

http://www.eurokclub.com/

http://www.i-bmw.com/index.php

http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/

 

[Roger GSA]

Yeah, private 05 bikes seem to start at about £4500. If there aren't any issues with the early bikes that make it one to avoid this bike stands a chance, but it would have to be for more sensible money.
Do you happen to know if there's an equivalent to this fine forum for the k1200r?

Try this Pretty sure they cover the R as well
http://www.bmwk1200s.com


Roger

 

[newboy]

I am also on EuroKclub.com - worth asking everyone on somewhere like that.

It's a little dear but not that much as it's from a dealer really....

As an example -my bike (I have a 05 K12S with servo/ABS- no ESA) was bought last year (August) from a BMW dealer with 9k miles for £7k with panniers added in as a sweetener when asked for a price drop....

 

[BBB61]

Try this Pretty sure they cover the R as well
http://www.bmwk1200s.com


Roger

The only problem with that site is the guy who runs it.

 

[beemerboy9]

It's outside the dealer network becuase a BMW dealer would find it difficult to sell a bike with that spec quickly enough.

 

[Jon T]

Hmm, interesting thought, beemerboy. I notice that a lot of the bikes out there are 'fully loaded', fine if you're buying a new bike then changing it when the warranty expires, but I'm looking at buying a 4 yr old to keep for a few years. For me, the absence of abs & ESA could be seen as an advantage!
I'm having a go on it at the weekend, then we'll see what they offer me for my Sportster...

 

[Jon T]

Hi chaps, I had a hoon round on the k12r at the weekend, and I don't recon I'm going to take the fella up on his offer of my 1200 Sportster Sport + nearly 4k for it. It was fun alright, ferociously quick, but worse gearchange than my R100GS and for now at least, less use to me. Thanks for all of the helpful replies!

Cheers, Jon