BMW K 1200 RS - ABS reviews

I started riding again and recently bought a 2005 R1100S. It's a great bike for short rides. I started to do 300+ miles per day and got too sore after the ride. It could just be I'm not as young as I used to be. This past fall I purchased a used RS and 500-mile days are now followed by dinner and dancing with my wife. This bike has it all; looks, speed, handling and all day comfort. Switched to city lids and carry just enough for a quick change of clothes and snacks. If I had to choose just one bike, the R1100S would have to go. Show less

After owning three Hondas, the last one being an Africa Twin, I went to BMW for a bit more power, in the form of the GS1150 Adventure. I ordered the bike with full extras. Since there were no bikes in stock for a test ride, I was told to go to Nicosia, 66 miles way, to test ride one they had there. However, while I was waiting to ride the GS, I couldn't avoid being drawn to the slier and red beast (K1200RS). I asked if I could test ride it, the dealer obliged. I went for a 10 mile run with it and on arriving back at the dealers, I was grinning from ear to ear. I changed my order without even test riding the GS. I initially bought the RS with the intention of keeping it for one year and then part exchanging it for the GS, as I originally wanted. Two years and 20,000 Km down the road, I just can't seem to get enough of it. The seating position is great offering plenty of comfort on long rides and plenty of power on tap. The brakes are second to none! The only logical thing seems to be to buy the GS and keep the RS too. I just can't get rid of it. Show less

The bike just keeps getting better the longer I ride it, the engine is breaking in just right. I know BMW has stopped production of the bike in this form. For sport touring, this bike is great. I spent 3 days riding in the rain and the bike handled perfectly in the mountains of NC, I might add. I though of buying a K12s, but I test rode it and decided that my RS is the love of my life. No mechanical problems, but I've gone through two sets of tires. Show less

As a premise for this review: I ride with GSXR 750's, GSXR600's, R1's and Hayabusa's. Most of the riding done on this bike is on the top end of street sport riding. The bike itself is capable of keeping up with top notch bikes and most of the riders on them. Put a skilled track junkie on an R1 and you are sunk, but 99% of the population on that level of motorcycle only exploits the bottom 40% of its potential. You need to be revving over 2k for a brisk start. Hammer the throttle at 1,000 RPM and the motor will say "whaaaat?" and you won't go very far till 3,000 rpm. The motor is very satisfying from 2,000 to 9,000 rpm and if you keep it between 5 and 8k you can boogie with the big boys for sure. The bike is very comfortable, and it is VERY satisfying to be able to ride hard and fast ALL day long. You can literally trade in one set of exhausted and sore GSXR riders for a second set and keep going nonstop. The motorcycle is heavy, very heavy, and that weight translates into almost herculean effort in switchbacks. No kidding, stay on the balls of your feet and use Keith Code's "Pivot Steering". That being said, it is an outstanding sport tourer, it is fast, comfortable and handles like a dream. Show less

I went into the BMW dealer, with the thought of "just looking". I've been riding Harley's all my life, and I was ready for a change. After Reviewing all the positives and negatives of all the sport-touring bikes, BMW had come up with the perfect Machine, the K1200 RS/ GT. I put the first 600 miles on in February in Buffalo, YES in the SNOW. If the street was clear, so was I. It's a dream to ride; it is smooth and corners well. Has power when you need it. This summer, we toured NYS, to Massachusetts through Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The only problem I had was the bar angles. I got the Barbacks, and now it's a perfect 10. In my opinion, Harleys are great bar bikes; you drive to a bar, show off, and hope it doesn't rain. When you ride BMW, all people ask is "how many miles". This bike is all about the ride. Show less

Having had a taste of the powerfully smooth K12RS in the form of a Dakar '99 model, I was super excited to get this '02 model in my favorite color (Pacific Blue Metalic). The day i picked it up (upstate NY), I went to my brother in law's place in Germantown, MD for the weekend. that's about 320 miles one way. It was a beautiful ride which started at noon on a weekday. I had to remember to keep varying the speed and not rev over 4000rpm. That was the most dificult part of the ride down there. Since my wife and family was to meet me there later that evening, I had nothing with me (no bags etc). It was getting dark and cold fast (this was mid Nov.) and I was in the PA area (near Harrisburg) as I wanted to "sightsee" and take the long way down. I then remembered the heated grips (which my '99 K12RS did not have) and set it to the hottest setting. The windshield also came up at a pit stop (snack/gas) where I put on my "construction" mesh luminous vest for bettre visibility. Got to my brother in law's at 7pm and was amazed at how smooth this K12 engine is. The biggest diff. from my '99 model is the partially linked power ABS. It's like having power brakes. All the usual adjustments are thee (windscreen, footpegs, seat, bars, and the new, better no tools suspension adjustment knobs). Upon my return, it was ready for the (more than) 600 mile service. Have added a few things since then but the bike is a dream...and a keeper. Show less

Yesterday evening I left the house to go to my PO Box which is about 3 miles away from my house. It was supposed to be a quick 15 minute ride. It turned out to be a 150 mile cruise around central NC and I never picked up the mail. This bike is great!!!!!! Show less

Bought my K1200RSA new in 2000. Have 12,500 on the clock with no problems what so ever. Once or twice a year a few buddies and I go on long trips of 2,500 plus miles. Even with both side bags, truck plus a dry bag full of stuff NOTHING can beat the power of this bike. With 135HP I never worry or think twice to passing traffic in any gear. The ride is smooth and comfortable even on the longest days. My only complaint,, the bike is top heavy around town but get the K1200RSA out of the open road and it's near perfect. The ABS works well, yes I've needed them once or twice. Unfortunately, I have to sell it due to the economy but I will buy another hopefully by next year.... If you're in the market for a bulletproof, smooth, powerful bike, the BMW is worth a serious look. Show less

One of the many negative aspects is it's weight but also depending on your outlook. This may be heavy compared to japanese bikes but on a highway with a crosswind of 50 mph as your doing 70mph,I'll take all the weight it has and then some. Bikes have the tendency to change lanes all by themselves with very little weight.Not this one. A little countersteering and attention and you can fly. Show less

When the owner of the BMW dealership (also my friend) told me the K1200RS was like sex on wheels I said Yea Yea save the salepitch because I am going to buy the bike anyway. When I took it for a spin with my riding buddies I could'nt get that ear to ear grin off my face. He was right no b/s or sales pitch sex on wheels. It took me all of 10 minutes to get a feel for the bike. I also had my bags painted the same color as my bike. Great personal touch! Could use a stay in tune exhaust and a better seat but who's complaining! It just don't get any better than this. Show less