2005 BMW reviews

I've had a dozen different Bikes starting with a 1926 HD "F" head 61 with suicide shift. I've had Triumphs and Goldwings. The R1200 RT stands out as the most enjoyable ride. The passing capability is more than adequate. The power windshield and heated grips work well for a variety of weather conditions. The radio and new front and rear rubber makes you road ready. The low milage and winters in a heated garage keep this bike feeling young. Show less

I have owned 19 motorcycles including Yamaha, BMW, Ducati, Honda , and Harley. Only Motorcycle I didn't want to get off of. The high miles are due to 4 round trips from California to Ohio and weekend trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Gettysburg, and Florida. Stable in turns and at highway speeds (85 ). Handles 2 up as easily as single rider comfortably. I have done 1075 miles in a single day and while a little sore completed 940 miles the following day. Never an issue. If you are considering this well rounded motorcycle you cant go wrong. BMW only produced this sport tourer for 3 years and shipped only 500 to the states. Show less

After being a BMW customer for 40 years and having purchased and owned several BMW automobiles and various motorcycles including 600 GS and 800 GS, 1200 LT, and 1600 GTL. I have come to the conclusion that I would never ever purchase another BMW product. BY way of background and not being a person who writes negative reviews, I feel it's necessary to post my treatment by Motorrad this last spring. The motorcycle in question is a 1600 GTL, last July I received a factory recall to have the fuel pump replaced, I advised the BMW dealer that I previously paid to have one installed, they inspected it and said it looked fine. BMW motorrad insisted it be replaced again which was performed as a factory recall in July 2021. The motorcycle sat in my garage for 6 months and was not driven. After starting the bike, I noticed a faulty fuel issue - I took it back to the BMW shop, they tested and advised it needed another fuel pump. THe price for pump and labor was $1,000. They advised me that motorrad would not pay. I called motorad at their 800 number, which by the way is a complete waste of time because nobody answers and you just get the runaround. After numerous calls and being on the phone for hours I eventually got through. THey advised me they were going to check with the deal to verify my complaint and would reach out to me by no later than March 24th. That did not happen, typical of BMW and again after numerous calls they got back to me 4 weeks later. They advised me that the higher ups in the organization would not reimburse me for the second fuel pump hence my posting. I think it's important for everyone that reads this to know that the mileage on the motorcycle from the installation of the recall fuel pump to the one I had to pay for was 17 MILES. Needless to say, they can shove their BMW where the sun doesn't shine. Show less

I rode it 300 miles the first day on I75 and the performance was outstanding! Torque at 70 mph was excellent and stability on the Highway was comparable to my 2019 Roadglide. Handling and maneuvering is 4 and at 610 pounds this 71 yo could do most things right away. My tight turning radius was reduced by 4 feet. I have now ridden the Suchs loop and Natchez Trace and it is very strong in curves. You must have the Nav 6. A local upholstery guy raised the drivers seat 1-2 inches. Negatives: wife hates the ride, Bluetooth barely works Show less

Been riding over 50 yrs. Best touring machine I have ever ridden. Rider/Passenger comfort @ the best it could be. Low maintenance. High relability Show less

Three weeks ago I purchased a used 2005 BMW K1200LT with 2900 miles. I was dead set on a new Gold Wing, but at the price, this bike was too good to pass up. I sold my 2006 1600 Nomad within the week and have never looked back. As a tall rider I'm used to spending some money getting comfortable. I spent for a driver's peg lowering kit, Mick O Pegs and for a driver's backrest. Now I'm good to go. I have ridden this bike to work daily and more on the weekends. It gets better and better. It handles like a sport bike. You can cruise down the highway as smooth as silk with a great sound system and perfectly designed ergonomic comfort. My wife loves her seat and never wants to get off. I have averaged 45 miles per gallon and have a range of over 250 miles. The seats are good, but I always ride with my Sheepskin/foam/gel pad combo, so all bikes feel good to me. Everything is well engineered and simple. The lines are beautiful and I draw a lot of comments and questions wherever I travel. Show less

This is my first BMW. I have never dished out so much cash for a bike (I have owned mostly Hondas and Suzuki). But I wish I had bought it sooner. The heated grips, cruise control, ESA and ASC and tire pressure monitor; this bike eats miles for breakfast! The engine is well balanced and the linear power acceleration is deceiving! Goes from 0 to 70 mph and you don't even know it! Suspension is adjustable for those really bad freeways and you can take it to the hills, and you have a sport demon. This thing can be flicked in an instant. It has a low center of gravity! If you are short, get the optional low seat; it's worth it. But I did not need it! You pay more, and you get a lot in return! Show less

Okay, so I'm 37. My last bike was a Honda Blackbird 1100XX that I rode from the UK to the South of France (top speed, 135MPH), then shipped it to TX and rode to Dallas, Albuquerque, Phoenix, San Diego and Long Beach to ship it home to the UK. Then I moved to Arizona and bought a K1200LT. All my friends said it was an old man's bike. It has an electric windshield, automatic center stand, REVERSE gear, heated seats and grips and CD player. Yes, built for comfort, but WHAT A BIKE! I get just as much fun riding, accelerating and cornering the BMW as I ever did on the Blackbird, but then on the open road, hit cruise, put the windshield up, turn on the CD player, talk to my wife through the intercom, and suddenly it's serious comfort. Get to the windy roads in Northern Arizona and push it from side to side, it feels like a sport bike with excellent handling. A little intimidating at first to push an 800 lb. bike around like that, but it doesn't care. My first day on the bike (I hadn't ridden in a year, so I was a little rusty) I was turning left onto a main street when someone flew out of a gas station on the other side of the street, cut me off and obviously never saw me. Being rusty, I did exactly the wrong thing, I grabbed both of those big brakes with full hand and foot. STUPID! The bike should have low-sided, but it didn't! It stood straight up, chirped a couple of times with the ABS and stopped - amazing! It is heavy, and the reverse comes in useful backing up hill into my garage, but once you're above 10 mph, the weight doesn't take away from handling. It only serves to stabilize the bike in wind and on bad roads. The BMW suspension is 2nd-to-none, no nose-dives with hard braking, and best of all, the wife loves it! Show less

I am 6'4" and in case you didn't notice they do not design motorcycles for tall people, however the 12 GS is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden. Earlier this summer I did a 2552 mile trip in six days...for me it was a huge trip. Prior my longest day was about 320 miles. The motor is great in the mountains just stick it in 3rd or 4th and go. If you need a little more, down shift and you're getting as much excitement as you want. It handles well. Can go off road with out blinking an eye. I have the original tires, but I bet with knobs it would feel more planted. After all, it is a 500 lb. motorcycle. Show less

Just came back from a 1100 mile trip to VA. 500 miles of heavy rain and wind..bike is rock solid and in total control. Have had R1150 RT and R1200 C and liked them both but neither compare to the solid sure footedness of the GS.Avg. 48 mpg at 80 mph. Show less