BMW K 1200 GT reviews

I personally LOVED owning and riding my 2016 R1200GS. I never initially considered buying this bike and was going to buy something else. I thought that I wanted something more pretty, less unique or more powerful...but then I took it for a test ride and understood the hype about BMW GS bikes. The BMW build quality is just awesome. They do it the best direct from the factory with high quality components throughout: Adjustable Sachs suspension, Brembo brakes, braided stainless coated hydraulics, LED lighting, Bosch electronics and tech that surpasses all others. The handling is second to none with a circle turn radius of less than 8 feet . The braking is amaizing, where there is NO dive due to BMW lever suspension system. The bike squats upon hard braking instead of diving from traditional telescopic fork tube suspension. The low center of gravity and torque from the boxer motor is more than adequate and reliability is off the charts. There are more BMW boxers are on the road eating up greater miles compared to others. The torque and HP are enough that I never had to disable the default traction control to get more out of the 1200 engine. It truely is enough and I'm not a small guy. The only downside if it's even considered negative is the tall riding stance and wind protection, but these minor shortcomings that can be solved with greater wind protection mods and lower seat/suspension mods. Touring with the GS is just amaizing too. I could safely stand, stretch and change into so many different comfy riding positions that I would run out of fuel before growing fatigued or uncomfortable. I would honestly implore. Yes, IMPLORE you to try out a GS. If haven't rode a BMW GS, don't wait it will most likely be the one you buy. Also, the different and unique look of the GS is something that will grow in your heart throughout ownership. IMHO it's one of the best looking motorcycles made. After owning my GS for 8 years, I now understand why they will forever be cemented as icons amongst motorcycle enthusiasts. Show less

Love this bike because it's a cruise missle on 2 wheels. Comfortable, quick, and pretty good on the gas. 150hp at the engine is more than enough, even for a short, gravity challenged person. Took this bike in the mountain twisties, highways, and around the Great Lakes. With the cruise control, ABS, heated grips and seat made it a easy choice for my everyday rider - until the snow starts flying. But alas, I'm getting older and this bike is heavy. Moving it around is a little bit of a challenge, but manageable. I think the K-bikes were underrated for what they could do. The in-line 4 cyl really spooled up quick and the next thing you know, you're doing 90 in 3rd gear on a 6 speed transmission. The ride was smooth a butt'ah. Shifting was a little clunky, but if you preload your shift it went thru the gears fine. It was a little pain to do maintenance because of all the tupperware, but that's the same with all these bigger sport-touring and touring bikes (exceptions are the big V twins). Show less

Incredible performance motorcycle, purchased brand new from Irv Seaver BMW Motorcycle Dealership in Orange County California. Thus is the only place it’s ever been taken to for any reason. It’s been garaged its entire life. Show less

I’ve owned this K1200RS since 2004, and have ridden it all over the country. Miles and miles , one and two up. It has never been an issue riding all day for a week or more. As you riders know, this can be tiring, especially if you are not in riding shape. Wind buffering behind the stock windshield is almost non existent. Solid and confidence inspiring going along the interstate. Comfortable and planted while powering through corners of all types. Fun. This bike is solid as a “brick”. The aero dynamics are outstanding. Mechanically, I’ve never had even a small issue with this bike, ever. The BMW K12RS is an outstanding sport touring bike. Even at the age of this model, it’s still competitive with the Yamaha FJR and Kawasaki Concourse. Not as much horsepower or torque, but that is understandable considering the age of the motor and technology improvements etc. If you have an 02-04 with cruse control and heated seats you are riding an almost perfect bike, in my opinion. If I can think of anything else to add I’ll edit this as we go along. Show less

Great bike have had 2 BmW c650gt 2016 and 2019 Love this bike Quick accelerations Great for getting around town as well as long distance trips Great gas mileage Extremely comfortable for driver and passenger 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 purchased my K1200 new at the end of 2003, and sold it at the end of 2019; I put approximately 40K miles mostly in Southern California. This is a superior performer in terms of power, suspension, and braking. The fit and finish was excellent, mechanically sound, no major repairs or issues other than routine service and tires. Compared to my current bike (2019 BMW R 1250 GS) the seating position is "sport" which means you are bent at the waist leaning forward with more bend in your knees. For shorter rides (say under 100 miles) this is not too much of a problem, for anything more you will experience soreness and minor muscle cramps. Heated grips and seat make it comfortable in colder weather. Fairing provides excellent wind protection. The generic "flaw" in this particular bike are the rear engine seals and the seals of the final drive train. At 40K and 16 years mine began to leak with the cost of repair equaling the net worth of the bike. Suggest you ask if the fuel line "quick connects" have been upgraded, this was a BMW recall item, if not replaced raw fuel may leak onto your engine. I used Bridgestone Battle AX, BT021 tires and found I was replacing the front tire every 5-6k even though I maintained proper air pressure. Side cases are air and water tight, with substantial volume, are locked, with a second handle that allows them to be easily removed and used as "little suitcases." This bike weighs about 680 lbs wet, at low speed turning the front wheel is less than nimble, once you get past 10 MPH the front is very responsive. Suspension is firm and tight. I considered a K 1600 GT but they are a larger (and more bulky) bike vs. the K 1200. I chose the R 1250 GS due to superior riding position, horsepower, substantial torque, ride modes, and ground clearance...and have not been disappointed. The K 1200 GT is a superior motorcycle, perhaps one of the last combining practical sophistication, refinement, and raw power. 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

I'm 6'1", 54yrs having owned ZZR1100, Blackbird, GSXr1100, VFR800, FJ1200 to mention but a few. I bought this BMW with 23kkm on the odo. I've managed to find very good you tube directions to do complete service on her. May I add that I'm not a mechanically minded rider but servicing this bike is a labour of love, quite therapeutic might I add. ito riding...She is heavy regardless! I do not believe this bike commutes well but she is an open road intercontinental joy. I've found many scary stories on the net about the ABS II and yes, I believe that its costly to repair. BMW however do warn that complying with regular servicing with circuit bleeding is a prerequisite. I have to say that this bike is one that you could virtually do most of the work on yourself...the only part that has a dark cloud hang over it is the seal in the clutch. I dread that day as its a major job. On idle, expect to hear that dry clutch sound like a 'thousand tambourines' but its apparently normal. Engine performance: Loads of usable torque makes for a very rewarding ride. Perfectly ratio'd gearing simply makes for great touring. She's not going to scare you performance-wise but these days I'm beyond that. I'm not quite sure what the Bavarian designers were thinking though with the tanksize. Fuel range is below par.... I get about 15-17km/litre which should give me over 300kkm per fillup but the fuelgauge is not linear and things get a little scary as she drops toward 1/4 full. I've subsequently learnt that on a long tour you need to plan re-fuels well but this is a very poor and obvious weakness by designers. The price of spare parts is reasonable but the actual cost of BMW agent servicing is simply shocking...learn to look after as much as possible yourself, its completely do-able and you'll have years of a high quality machine serve you well. Show less

Cons: heavy heavy bike would not recommend for a new rider, repairs and maintenance are not exactly user friendly, top heavy difficult to handle in tight and close quarters. Pros: extremely smooth motorcycle, meant for hundreds of miles a day with no problems, the weight seems to disappear when at speed, "drive it like you stole it"! Show less