back

First Impressions - BMW K1200GT by Terry 'Fossil' Vyner - Back in 1998 I was looking to make a return to motorcycling after a 14 year break.

was November of that year I started searching for a new bike and I had four different brands of bike in mind. I eventually decided that a BMW K1200RS might be the way to go.

However when it got down to actually sitting on the K1200RS in the showroom it was just too much of a stretch for this old and battered body, I got off the K1200RS and climbed on to the R1100RT and the rest is history as they say.

I have owned my R1100RT since the 7 January 1999, it was just the best Christmas present I have ever bought myself. When I read that BMW were going to market the K1200GT, I think I must have been one of the first to ask about the possibility of a test ride on the demonstration bike when it arrived.

On Friday 22nd February I had my test ride on the K1200GT. It has some very good points, but is still not my cup of tea. I absolutely love the smooth exhilarating power that is available from any RPM in any gear (bloody awesome). The gearbox is a six speed and changing gears is like slicing butter with a hot knife, very different to the slightly more agricultural feel of the R1100RT. The bike is also equipped with an electronic cruise control which is easy to operate and would obviously be a license saving tool (all that power). It does not have any entertainment devices such as radio, tape deck or CD player. But then it does have so much power.

The brakes on this bike are truly awesome, able to hall it down from any speed very efficiently. The front and rear brakes are linked when using the hand leaver to brake, however the foot pedal only operates the rear brake as on normal brake set ups. The brakes are ABS equipped and servo assisted for increased power and efficiency. The seat is more comfortable than my RT's and my favorite pillion said the rear seat was also of acceptable comfort level. However when she was getting off the bike she burnt the inside of her leg on the muffler, no good, not good at all (Mind you she was not wearing clothing suitable for riding at the time)!

Things I didn't like were the crouched sitting position, which is not as bad as the K1200RS sports bike version that convinced me to buy the R1100RT back in 1999. I had decided this bike was not for me just from riding the bike from southbank motorcycles along the West Gate Freeway and the Ring Road on the way home. Once on the move the K1200GT is very user friendly like my RT but I think it is even more of a hand full when trying to wheel it around and put it on the centre stand (It could benefit from the side handle like the one on the RT for hauling it on to the centre stand). Another detraction from what is otherwise a very competent and potent bike, is the lack of wind and weather protection compared to my RT. Even though it does have the electronically adjustable windscreen (It doesn't come up far enough for my liking). The exhaust muffler is in the same place as it is on the RS version and I have seen how it encroaches on space in the left hand side pannier on the RS models, to the effect that it limits the amount of space in the pannier to about two thirds of the capacity it could be and it's an odd shape as well. Therefore I have concluded that I shall retain the tried and trusted R1100RT for a few more years and see if the powers that be in the design department at BMW are going to bring out a K1200RT, just for me.

Below are photos taken by Canberran, Trevor Astle, of the K1200PS. The bike that the GT is derived from.

Specifications BMW Motorcycles K 1200GT.

Engine Cubic Capacity 1171cc

Bore/Stroke 70.5/75 mm

Max Output 96kw 130bhp at 8750rpm

Max Torque 117Nm @6750rpm

No. of Cylinders 4

Valves per Cyl. 4

Fuel Supply Motronic MA 2.4

Power Trans/Gearbox 6-speed

Suspension Rear wheel shaft drive – BMW Paralever

Spring Travel Front/Rear – 120/135 mm

Brakes EVO – ABS, or I can stop quicker and better than any Jap Bike.

Tyres Front – 120/70 – ZR17

Rear – 170/60 – ZR17

Dimensions/Weights

Seat Height 770/800 mm

Weight – Unladen with full fuel tank – 285kg

Fuel Tank 20.5 litres

Fuel Consumption @ 90km/hr - 4.9 ltr/100km

@ 120km/hr - 5.8 ltr/100km

Top speed over 200km/h

Colours

Motorcycles and specifications shown are indicative only and subject to change.