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On the road with the 2001 BMW K1200RS by Ian Parks.

Won the lotto? Want to get dad something extra special for Fathers Day? Does he sit glued to the telly watching the World Super-bikes? Would he love a sports bike of his own? Well, I have the bike for you. Enter the BMW K1200RS, a bike that looks sporty, sounds sporty, and handles sporty, but has more than enough class to set it aside from all the rest. The RS can trace its lineage back to 1986 when the first K100RS ‘flying brick’ burst onto the market amid much fanfare and media hype. While the machine is probably too heavy (285kg unladen) for the true sports bike category, it can fall quite happily in to the sports tourer mould. The new 16 valve 96kw (130hp) engine is very smooth and strong throughout the rev range and has more torque than a Country Women’s Association meeting. Matter of fact, the whole engine gearbox combination can be referred to as, smooth. With 117Nm torque @ 6750rpm, it is hard to figure out why you would need a six speed gearbox, superb unit that it is. Red line is 9000rpm but it is daunting to think how you would get up there, such is the pull of the motor.

The test bike had, adjustable handle bars, self cancelling blinkers, fuel injection, 2 position adjustable windscreen, the new generation EVO power assisted ABS brakes, electronic cruise control, heated hand grips and you can’t get a better tool kit. The brakes are basically idiot proof, you can take a fistful of front brake and never worry about skidding, the computer sorting out which brakes need the most force. Unlike the R1150RT, the K1200RS will allow you to ‘drag’ the rear brake for those sporty cornering techniques learned in the advanced rider courses. Thanks to the two position seat height adjustment, the bike is suitable for rider heights from 165cm up.

My first stop after procuring the K, was to the household of Mr and Mrs Sports Bike Rider. Mr Rider was very excited saying, "you’ve got one of my favourite bikes there!"

However, when I pressed him for a reason, he looked wistful, and started to speak of the look, style and feel of it. Mrs Rider was more forthright, as she always is, and said she liked the colour, but wouldn’t swap it for her SV650.

Since the advent of the new bells and whistles K1200LT, the police have had to make do with Honda’s heavyweight ST1100, or the not quite ball tearing BMW R1100RT twin, and let’s face it, power without handling and acceleration, has no passion. So, why not go to the K1200RS for a cop tredley? I’m sure the police riders would be making excuses to be out on patrol if they had them.

The 20.5 litre fuel tank will give 270 kilometers (2 up) before the warning light lets you know that a break is needed. I found the instrument cluster very easy to read. The mirrors are superb and are unaffected by vibration. The cruise control can be set at any speed so, for that street where the police always sit, you can activate a safe speed knowing that you will never get caught over the limit. Touch the brakes, flick the button again and the cruise control memory will place you back at the previous speed, brilliant!

The favourite pillion thought the seating was quite comfortable over the 350 kilometers we travelled, although she would prefer a little more leg room.

Major servicing is best left to the experts, however there’s lots of kilometers between them while items like Battery, brake fluid, coolant etc. are very accessible. The rear suspension has plenty of adjustment for pre-load and damping. The fully adjustable headlight is excellent.

The hard-case panniers at $798 a pair are a good investment. There is also a rear luggage rack ($97) that can carry a very handy ‘softcase’ ($207).

The 2001 model has an updated fairing, which is more ‘finished’ and stylish than the older versions. Tyres are by Bridgestone Battlax with 17 inch front ($176) and rear ($279).

The K1200RS has the same parking light as the R1150RT, but at least with the blackish background colouring, it is hard to spot. The horn doesn’t inspire as much as other models have, especially when tintops start invading your space.

Price on the road for the test bike is $24,895, too expensive? try the previous excellent models. K series mechanicals have a reputation for longevity and reliability with 300,000 kilometers not unheard of. Good thing about this bike is, you can ride it all day and get off still feeling fresh for the pub, and you can be in having that first beer while your Jap bike mounted mates are oiling their chains.

K1200RS? I reckon it means Rocket Ship, and I can hear Starship Enterprise Captain Picard’s mellow British voice now, "computer, warp ten,...engage".

May you lid never skid.

Test bike courtesy of John Brisan Motorcycles, Whickham 49694500.

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 Night Black, Pacific Blue Metallic, Frost Blue Metallic / Marrakesh Red

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