BMW K 1200 LT-C reviews

I picked up a GS in February 2009 after trading in an RT. I was hit head on in March by a driver who was interested in texting more than driving. I suffered a minor concussion and the bike was totaled (you should have seen the car!). Thought I would try out a different brand. I lasted about two weeks on that bike before I realized what I had done. I sold that bike and went back to the R1200GS. It truly is the best in its class and better than bikes in most other classes. It is a jack of all trades, and depending on how you look at it, a master of quite a few. I got the new bike on April 30 and already have 5500 miles logged. I will log another 3K this week, heading up the coast and taking a few forest roads along the way. It is one of the most well-balanced bikes I have ever ridden. I can keep up with most sportbike riders on Palomar Mt. and the bike rips up the track (I didn't even have stickies on)! The bike seems to glide over gravel and sand alike. The suspension when off road has to be experienced to be believed. I teach a sportbike riders course on this bike and you should see the faces of all those squids when I demo the course with all cases on. I would shill for this company for no money. Wait, I AM shilling for no money! Great company and a truly amazing riding experience. Next stop: Baja and then Latin America. Show less

I traded in my 2006 VTX1800R with only 2,000 miles on it and only having been out of the crate for 11 months. Having rode a Harley and other V-Twins there is no comparison between them and the BMW K1200LT. If you're looking for the best of all worlds, do yourself the favor of a life time and take a ride the best handling luxury sport touring bike in the world. There's no returning to the potato-potatopotato-potato for me. I only wish I would have discovered this dream machine decades ago. Show less

I have put 10k miles on this bike in 4 months. Weekend mountains and canyon twisties, San Diego to LA slabbing, San Diego cruising, and a recent 1200 mile weekend. Rider comfort is superb and this is a smooth machine. I had some initial issues with the seat, but after changing to a high seat I can ride for hours with no discomfort. This bike has all the get up and go a body could want and handles the tightest corners like a dream. The suspension was obviously not designed for someone as fat as I am but it does a remarkable job. Have I mentioned I love my R1200R? Show less

I traded in my 09 Harley for the my new 09 K1200LT. I was looking for the bike that gave me comfort, power and enough gadgets to keep me interested and on the road. Well I am super satisfied and must say if you want to rumble get a Harley, if you want to ride get a K1200LT and let freedom reign. Show less

Great bike! Handles any type of riding conditions. Does anything it is asked to do. Show less

Kinda fun on the twisties but it ain't no touring bike. Commmuter or weekend warrior just fine, but don't try to go for a long highway trip. Show less

My 2009 R1200RT was love at first sight. I had owned three different Japanese made bikes that were all very good machines, but none larger than a 500CC. I racked up a total of 100,000 miles on the three, but not one of those miles were as much fun as the first few I put on the R1200RT. I tried the bike out with only 1 mile showing on the odometer. I rode about four blocks and came back. The salesman, asked my wife if there was something wrong because I was back so soon. When he saw me flip up the face shield with an ear to ear grin, he told me to go RIDE that thing! I was already sold, but did as he said. Needless to say, it followed me home that night, or my wife followed in the car as I drove this beautiful machine home. I have covered over 9000 miles from mid-October to Mid-July. Other than two flat tires and a faulty heated hand grip, this bike has been an absolute joy to own. My Tundra sits and wonders when I will come back and use it. I do ride solo to work, but most of the time, I drive with my wife behind me as a passenger. It doesn't matter what we throw at it as far as road conditions, this motorcycle can handle it. We live on the coastal plain, so it is flat as can be, but also visit the Texas Hill Country frequently, with twisting curves and sizable elevation changes. The bike never complains and is only becoming more fun to drive as it breaks in. The engine and transmission are just now becoming free enough to smooth out and really offer its full capability. The brakes are very powerful and will stop even a heavily loaded bike quickly and easily. Now if I can just get my wife to remember to grab hold of the grips instead of just fall into my back in a quick stop... I orginally wanted a Gold Wing, but the weight and the complexity of the engine was more than I wanted to deal with. I made a great choice for me. The handling, the power, and the luxury of the ride make it a joy to ride all day. I have covered a bit over 350 miles in a single day, and covered just over 1500 miles in a one week trip. All I need is a week free and I am ready to go again. The sooner the better!!! Show less

I just started riding, test rode and fell in love with the 2009 RT. Going from a Yamaha V-star to this bike was an amazing change. The RT is so comfortable, I put 527 miles on it in one weekend. I could have easily hoped back on it and done another 500. I got caught in the rain and the adjustable windshield came in real handy, it is nice to slide it out of the way when the weather cleared. At 20mph or 80mph the bike feels steady. I got blasted by some powerful crosswinds (from a semi) and the RT did not budge. Show less

I finally got my new K1200 GT. It is a used 2007 with less than 2900 miles and was significantly less than the original new' sale price. After riding motorcycles for over 30 years and currently riding a BMW R1100 RT for a State Police Department, I can give some experienced opinions about the K1200 GT. Best bike ever? Who can really make that claim? Best bike I've ever ridden? Without question, yes. Over the last 3 decades having owned and ridden more than 20 varied models from a long favorite 1974 Honda CB 750 Four I crossed the country on after college, through various sport bikes, FJs, Gold Wings, Harleys (both for work and play), this bike is the answer to what I wanted. Being close to 50 years old now and still a professional rider as a highway patrol, and survivor of a few unfortunate impacts with cars and roads, this bike has the attributes I wanted. Looks, which are of course subjective, speed which is undeniable, handling beyond what anyone short of a professional racer on a closed track could fully utilize and most importantly for me... long distance comfort while still feeling the essence of being on a high performance motorcycle. I cannot name flaws worth mentioning when talking about this bike. Perfect? For me, yes. It is remarkably stable at speeds reserved for closed courses (130+). It has precise rock steady handling, ideal wind protection and is adjustable as desired. It also has amenities like no other. I can't imagine who could ride this bike and then choose another to buy... except for the price, which like I said, I got at a significant discount. If you can afford it, buy it now... otherwise save up for it. If you don't you are settling for something short of it. Sometimes that's OK; I've had to do that for years and enjoyed most every bike I've had before. Now I'm spoiled, ruined for anything else. Ride safe, enjoy what you have, live within your means. Show less

I have the wonder of a K1200RS with the GT options all installed. It was equipped for the comfort and performance of the New Zealand Police and is only one of two in this little gem of a country. The bike has 157 horses (normal is 147) and with the extra side fairings, electric screen, heated grips and such, it is a total dream to ride. When you throttle up to pass a car, it almost climbs over the thing before you get a chance to pull out and pass. And, (I'm 57) when the young dudes rip past you on their crotch rockets, it's a breeze just twisting the grip and flying past them to put them in their place. The torque is super and she pulls away with full grunt from about 2000 rpm. I had the same torque on my 1300, but this bike beats the 1300 hands down. The 1300 really does feel like riding an old man's machine now, and she hardly ever gets out on the road, poor thing. But when the BMW key is turned on she just sits their and purrs until I take her out. You've got to take a real ride. Get the K1200RS with the GT options and lift your sport touring to the limit. Show less