Any other K1200S riders?

MADBMW · 09-03-2006, 02:37 PM

Anyone else on this board with a K1200S? Seems like I'm the only one. Give a shout back and let me know what other boards you are a member of.

kl3640 · 09-03-2006, 07:03 PM

Yes, I'm a K1200S rider. .I've been riding my K1200S since the first half of 2005.

As for the fact that you don't find too many other K12S riders here, this is my opinion of why:

You'll find that the K1200S doesn't really fall in to traditional categories of sportbikes. It's closest contemporaries would be bikes like the 'Busa, ZX-12/14, ZZR, and even smaller bikes like the VFR, etc..., but even there you'll find controversy because bikes like the 'Busa and ZX-12/14 are considered by most to be "large sportbikes" and bikes like the VRF and ZZR are considered by most to be "sport touring bikes, emphasis on sport." The new K12GT would be a better comparison to bikes like the ST1300, FZR(is that what it's called?), or any of the other so-called "speed wagons." Truth be told, the K12 powertrain (even de-tuned as it is on the GT) is better suited to that purpose than for pure sport - everything from the RPM range to the shaft-drive.

So what's the bottom line? Well, I think that the K12S falls kind of in to a category of its own: more touring bike than a 'Busa or big-bore ZX, much more sport-bike than traditional sport-tourer. I've been riding BMW's for 15 years, and they've always fallen in to their own category for the most part - they will design bikes that have the power of a sportbike and the weight and position of a sport-tourer, or a touring bike with off-the-wall handling, or a touring bike with off-road capabilities, etc...

I think that's why the BMW community has always been so tight and dedicated to its own machines. You'll find that most BMW people (while they often have other bikes) have been BMW people for a long time, generally like "different" types of bikes instead of the typical Japanese sportbike scene, and are very dedicated to BMW machines.

Try out k-bikes.com or i-bmw.com for BMW specific conversation - there are bike specific forums, gear forums, trip forums, etc..., and you'll find lots of great info on your K12S.

Good luck.

sfarson · 09-09-2006, 10:13 PM

Right here...

lorenzini · 09-24-2006, 03:00 PM

Amazing bike. A great friend of mine rides one and yes, it's definitely the best of both worlds.

Faster than hell.

MADBMW · 09-24-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfarson

Right here...

Hey sfarson, arent you a member of K1200S.com with Shiva? If you are then you'll recognize me with the screen name Machine. Tried to have the same name here, but it was already taken.

sfarson · 09-25-2006, 02:11 AM

Yes, that be me. Will look for you there.

Steve

windsor · 10-09-2006, 03:16 PM

Hey, guys. I'm considering trading my '05 ZX-10R on a K1200S or K1200R. I really like aggressive street riding and track days. Do you think that either of these bikes is right for me? Thanks.

sfarson · 10-09-2006, 09:42 PM

Unsure. I know I can hang with anyone with the K1200S. This bike at one time had the second fastest recorded lap ever at Nurburgring, just a hair behind an R1. But the strength of this bike is how one can have a supreme sporting ride in your zip code, or have it take you to the curves the next state over.

You certainly have a bike with the ZX-10 that delivers what you are looking for. What the KS has over the ZX, is a kinda class, high tech look, superb suspension, typical and thoughtful BMW amenities, great ergos. On the other hand, this is an expensive bike to bin, it is heavier than your ZX, and the wheelbase is a lengthy one.

A recent ride, image, video report: For Some Different - A BMW Juniper Pass Vid & Images (Colorado)

Ask if any questions.

windsor · 10-10-2006, 02:35 PM

Thanks for the info. I owe nothing on my 10R right now, which makes it even more desirable to me. I wish I could afford to keep and insure both a K12R and the ZX-10R. So many things and so little money!

R1100S-Rider · 10-22-2006, 10:33 PM

The K1200R is good for the straights, but its bad for turns. Nate Kern said he loved the power of the K1200R, but it steers and goes around corners badly.

Chips Ahoy · 10-23-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windsor

Hey, guys. I'm considering trading my '05 ZX-10R on a K1200S or K1200R. I really like aggressive street riding and track days. Do you think that either of these bikes is right for me? Thanks.

From the looks of this video: http://gormanonline.com/files/folder...s/entry11.aspx, the K1200S can handle the track quite nicely.

It's on my short list as a long distance sport-tourer.

Jim Moore · 10-24-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R1100S-Rider

The K1200R is good for the straights, but its bad for turns. Nate Kern said he loved the power of the K1200R, but it steers and goes around corners badly.

Hey, I steer and go around corners badly. That may be the bike for me!

MADBMW · 10-30-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R1100S-Rider

The K1200R is good for the straights, but its bad for turns. Nate Kern said he loved the power of the K1200R, but it steers and goes around corners badly.

I think you need to take a look at the video posted here. When the K1200S went through testing at nurumburg (sorry about the spelling) it ran only eight seconds off the world record. The bike goes around corners fine, it just takes a little bit more work.

Boldblood · 11-26-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfarson

A recent ride, image, video report: For Some Different - A BMW Juniper Pass Vid & Images (Colorado)

A great vid and obviously a great bike! I could tell you wanted to "pan" the camera more, but you couldn't do so and keep riding safe at the same time. It was actually sorta funny, but in a good way.

Again, you have an awesome bike my friend!

sfarson · 11-27-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boldblood

A great vid and obviously a great bike! I could tell you wanted to "pan" the camera more, but you couldn't do so and keep riding safe at the same time. It was actually sorta funny, but in a good way.
...

Yes, that's right! Miss a curve on that road and it would be a long way down.......... ! Couldn't provide scenery glimpses as long as I wanted to

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