2004 bmw reviews

I searched for about a month to find this bike. Once I found it, I had to travel eight hours just to pick it up, and then eight more hours to get it home. I'm so glad I did, though! I love this bike. It is just the right size for my height, and I feel much safer on this bike than I have on cruisers. The six-speed gear box makes a big difference on the highway, and the driver controls are easy to get used to. I'm planning on taking my first big journey on this bike later this year. I will be riding from south central Kansas to Seattle. With all of the capabilities of this bike, I am very confident that it will be an enjoyable trip. I highly recommend this bike! And if not this one, then any BMW will do! Show less

Bought my Orient Blue '04 K1200GT in November of last year and I must say that this is the best of the K12's so far. Having had two previous K12RS's ('99 and '02), this latest version of the K12RS has all the same great features of the RS and then some, making it a fantastic value as well. Let's see, you have the smooth 130hp six speed, twin cam, 16 valve four cylinder of the K12RS so that's good plus now, the GT has a heated seat and grips, as well as cruise control and the electric windshield that is also wider & taller than the RS's. I do not like the Mickey Mouse mirrors on the GT (which were the same ones on the earlier RS's) so I suspect a lot of GT riders will be changing these for the RS's or the R1100S's which are fairing mounted. The GT also has as standard, the wider rear 5.5" wheel. So overall, it's a great bike. Show less

Comfortable, supurb handling, great unique look. Not a huge powerhouse, but a solid cruiser enough for most people. About equal with H-D Road King. Gets lots of attention, takes corners great, loaded with factory options. Heated seats, heated grips, CD, Stereo, adjustable preload, on and on. The EVO Servo assist brakes have saved my hide a few times. No reason for me to ever get another bike for both city and highway. Great mileage as well. Average 52 MPG with the 6 speed overdrive system. Show less

I have had my Montauk for a little over one year and love it. BMW quality & reliability is a major reason why I purchased this bike, along with what I believe is a unique and beautiful design. This is the first bike I've owned since selling my first bike several years ago, which was a little Yamaha 600 (Seka II). To me, the Montauk has more than enough power to get up the steep mountains and twisty canyon roads and goes fast enough and quick enough for me in the flats. Breaking is fantastic in dry and wet conditions. The low center of gravity from the engine allows me to look like a champ in slow situtations or when I'm making tight turns- the handling is exceptional! I have the gel seats, which are extremely comfortable, but I plan on getting a heated comfort leather seat because I like the look of leather more than gel. It really is an impressive ride when combining the seat and suspension. I recently added bags, so I am going to put more miles on this year. This is the only reason I don't have more miles on her already. It certainly isn't becuase of comfort! It's an awesome ride. I don't think one can argue with the quality of BMW. The bike quailty goes without question and the service and sales departments have been wonderful. The only suggestion I'd make if you are planning on getting one of these, is to have the dealer put on the standard 1200C seat set up before you buy. It doesn't make sense that BMW didn't keep the same backrest and passneger seat set up, but they didn't. It's pretty pricey to add the standard set up, which is practical. The gel pad that comes standard on the Montauk isn't that great for a passenger and doesn't really do much for the bike. I am sorry they are not going to make this bike anymore. It is a lot of bike for the money, especially when comparing to other cruisers in the same price range (or higher). Get one fast, while you can! Show less

Never purchased BMWs because I didn't have time for long rides & they lacked a 'rush' when ridden. Traded my 954RR; still ride a '95 Buell, H-D & ZX12R. Not as fast as the 954, but handles beautifully on the street. Takes sweepers with confidence & speed. Wide bar does expose you to some wind blast on the highway. Planning on putting a windscreen on. Comfortable, fooler in its performance & speed. I can ride city, country or highway all day, get a rush & pass slower traffic with ease. Would recommend to others. Show less

I've been riding for a long time, and have pretty much owned every kind of bike out there at one time or another. Coming from an H-D Fat Boy, I knew that I wanted something much more reliable and fun to ride. This bike is perfect. In 24,000 miles I haven't had to so much as replace a turn signal bulb. The R1100S can tear up back roads, (and with hard bags) tour a lot better than you'd expect. It's got good wind protection, and is fairly comfortable with a passenger. I personally prefer the Boxer motor, and with an upgraded exhaust, nothing sounds quite like it! There are a lot of great bikes out there, but this one will never be for sale. Show less

This is just my second motorcycle so my data points are very limited. This bike fits me physically and I am comfortable sitting on it. Those with short legs will probably not like this design. I ride with the seat in the high position. The ABS brakes work very well and high effort quick stops can be made by those relatively unskilled in proper technique. I can hammer down on the brakes doing 85mph and the bike just sort of squats and stops like it grabs the road. You better velcro your sitter down because this brake design works. Acceleration is not the raw jump out from under you from a standing start like my Honda Magna had, but once you get rolling in second or third gear the bike has plenty of power for me and it keeps a good power curve with no soft spots. You know that it is a big 2 cylinder but it does not put out signals that it does not like rpms, so cranking it up is not cause for worry. The center of gravity is high but does not seem to be a problem. It has very good instrumentation and great fuel range. I like the bags and the rack for hauling and the attachment points are well anchored. The light fly wheel takes a little getting used to and smooth shifting takes a learned touch. The gears are ground so that they snap and clap into mesh. A real German feel. I have a '97 BMW Z3 with the M44 engine and it has been a very low maintainance car. I expect the same from this bike. The boxer design is not cutting edge but it has been polished to perfection over 4 decades. My only complaint is the windshield design. I like clean air and the shield up or down did not give that to me. Down, and the wind noise around my neck was too loud, and up, the roll over hammered my head around. I sawed it down below the front fairing and now ride in quiet clean air. This is not a cruiser or a true sport bike. But it seems to ride the big slab well at speed and gets around the mountains with soom real ability. It should be a great long distance 2 wheel comfort machine. For me it is a great balance between go fast and go comfort. Show less

I haven't done any long trips, but this bike can do 65 mph all day long and come back for more. It's a "tension reliever" for me and I must say she gets a lot of looks. I much prefer this style and sure am glad I got it before the new R1200RT came out. Show less

First bike after more than 26 years. I've always wanted a BMW and the R1150RT is what a BMW is all about. Powerful engine with that unique boxer twin feel. Quiet and powerful with great even torque at all RPMs. Comfort is excellent. Heated grips and excellent weather protection by the fairing and electrically adjustable windshield let you ride in the rain and cold. It's not an issue to commute to work in 30 degree temps at 70 + MPH. Two up touring with sidecases packed and a bag on the back are as easy as riding one-up unloaded. The RT does long distances with ease and style will make the sport bike riders switching through the curves do a double take to see what's coming up on them. The intergal ABS brakes are incredible. I drove the first 600 miles without using the rear foot brake. A firm two finger pull on the front brake lever will forcefully bring the bike down surprisingly quick from 80 MPH in a straight controlled line. The suspension makes up for many mistakes as the telelever rear and paralever front isolate braking forces from the suspension. Maintenance is easy enough for someone with moderate mechanical skills. I've done all but the initial 600 mile service, changing oil, balancing throttle bodies and adjusting the valves with no difficultly. The BMW community you get with the bike is a great bonus. Super people who are always willing to help. Show less

I've had this bike for a year and although I haven't put too many miles on it, I love it. Have had sport bikes, cruisers, etc., and this bike is a combination of them all. Handles great, has excellent power and is reasonably comfortable. Peg to seat distance is a bit short though. It is definitely a looker and the price was reasonable. My buddy has a VTX1300 and the Beamer is more comfortable and absolutely smokes it. Show less