BMW K 1200 RS reviews

This is my second KRS, the first was a 2000. I am a long time rider and have owned many from dirt bikes to cruisers to sport tourers. This bike has it all. It's sexy, fast and comfortable. When people ask me about it they are shocked when I tell them it's a 1999 model. It has a timeless look about it that is still sought after. BMW has built a magnificent machine that just continues to last. I ride it to work every day about 80 miles round trip. The newer K's are very nice but I tend to gravitate to the classic lines of the early K1200RS. Show less

I have the wonder of a K1200RS with the GT options all installed. It was equipped for the comfort and performance of the New Zealand Police and is only one of two in this little gem of a country. The bike has 157 horses (normal is 147) and with the extra side fairings, electric screen, heated grips and such, it is a total dream to ride. When you throttle up to pass a car, it almost climbs over the thing before you get a chance to pull out and pass. And, (I'm 57) when the young dudes rip past you on their crotch rockets, it's a breeze just twisting the grip and flying past them to put them in their place. The torque is super and she pulls away with full grunt from about 2000 rpm. I had the same torque on my 1300, but this bike beats the 1300 hands down. The 1300 really does feel like riding an old man's machine now, and she hardly ever gets out on the road, poor thing. But when the BMW key is turned on she just sits their and purrs until I take her out. You've got to take a real ride. Get the K1200RS with the GT options and lift your sport touring to the limit. Show less

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

I bought this bike new in May of 2002. The first year saw numerous long distance rides through the mid-west and New England. I also commuted regularly. This year I finished my first Saddle Sore and I enjoy this bike as much now as when it was new. Pros include rock-solid stability, cruise control for long mileage days, integrated luggage, heated grips, easy to adjust suspension, adjustable windscreen; seat; and footpegs, and overall reliability. The bike is heavy but in my opinion this just adds to the overall stability. Slow manuevering is not difficult but does take some practice. There is a slight delay (half second) in the ABS braking from the time you initiate the brake and braking occurs. I have not found this to be an issue and frankly, the ABS has saved my bacon a few times - the bike stops very quickly and without drama. Maintenence can be expensive - My service intervals have ranged from $120 - $500 the latter including tires. I have run a range of tires including Michelin Macadam, Bridgestones BT020 and Metzeler RoadTec Z6. The Michelins were very stable on long slabs and big sweepers, but were a bit of a work out in the twistys. The Bridgestones for me were the opposite - great handling in twistys but at the expense of stability on the highway/freeway. The Metzelers have been the best of both worlds - stability and fun when the curves hit. Power is what you would expect from a 1200cc bike, but there are faster bikes for sure but I've never felt I didn't have enough power for sport-touring which is what most of my riding consists of. The best way to sum up this bike after four years in the saddle is elegant. There are other bikes that have caught my eye, but this one will always be in my garage. Show less

At age 43, I decided to get back into riding after being away for over 14 yrs. Yes, I know it's been a while. Let me just say you never forget how to ride, you just get rusty but it comes back very quickly, with me it did anyway!BMW K1200rs is not a whimpy bike & it let me know that right away upon test riding it at the dealership. It has raw power, comfort, style, pizzaz, incredible handling for its large & heavy size, basicly it kicks major butt! It's ready for you, the question you must ask yourself is - are you ready for it? Trust me, I've riden many bikes in the past and this one I'm keeping. 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

I was at the shop servicing my R1150GS and test drive a K 1200 RS. I sold my GS the next week and immediately purchased one. It is so much faster and smoother than anything I have ridden. No more watching my friends pull away in the straight away. Show less