BMW K 1200 RS - ABS 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

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 my k75 over 10 years. Ridden it trans-continental a couple times. It is an extremely comfortable bike for long distance, all day rides. Very smooth. Power is all any sane person could want. Only issue has been the fuel pump went out, stranding me. But what do you expect from a fuel pump that is 25 years old? Other than that, it has been a great bike. 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 bought the motorcycle from the original owner in Colorado with 40 K on the odometer. This so far has been the best BMW I have ever owned I have owned five of them, I love traveling on this bike, it is one with road at 75 mph, all weather. With new Michelins , the grip is amazing. Reliable and quick with a heavy load rides so stable. I have added a Sargent seat, ohlin shocks, exhaust, ilium foot rest, and bar backs. Such a wonderful motorcycle. I’m very attached to the bike. Show less

The 2001 BMW R1150 GS is a fabulous motorcycle. A beast of a motorcycle. Well engineered and tough it will take you where miles are afraid to tred! The R1150 GS has power to spare. Surprising lower and performance. My last motorcycle was a 2003 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster. I was impressed with the power of that Harley but this 1150 BMW puts it to shame. The BMW is smooth yet robust. The 6-speed gearing has a wide range. I especially like third gear! A handful of throttle feels like you are blasting off to the moon! At age 67 I only rode my BMW mildly off road on my own farm and then only over improved dry pastures! Mine has just over 31,450 miles at the time of this review! My bike was fully serviced and ready to ride anywhere when I purchased it second hand. The tires were just 1 year old with just 1,000 miles on them. I am 67 years old and recently purchased this BMW motorcycle in September 2021, however it is too tall for me to ride comfortably and safely. I have a 30" inseam but riders need longer legs to safely handle this motorcycle. I thought about lowering the suspension but these GS BMW's are too nice to alter. So I purchased a second BMW R1200C Pheonix last week which suits my stride much better. I do not need two BMW motorcycles so I am reluncticly parting with my GS. This is what Cycle World Magazine had to say about the BMW R1150 GS: BMW R1150GS - BEST USED BIKES Exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. Cycle World July 22, 2015 YEARS SOLD: 2000–2004 MSRPNEW: $14,190 ('00) to $14,500 ('04) BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $4,885 ('00) to $6,500 ('04)BASIC SPECS: The R1150GS is powered by an 1,130cc air-/oil-cooled, four-stroke opposed twin featuring four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, and shaft drive. The 1150 introduced a six-speed gearbox, while later models came equipped with dual spark plug heads and servo-assisted combined ABS brakes. The GS weighs 582 pounds WET with its 5.5-gallon fuel tank topped up and produced 74 hp and 68 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheel on the Cycle World dyno. The "Showa" suspension offers 7.9 inches of rough road-smoothing travel, while the adjustable saddle height (33.1 to 33.8 inches) accommodates a range of riders. WHY IT'S DESIRABLE: Few bikes have proven to be as versatile as the GS BMW Beemer family, with the 1150 exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. It's a road-hardened touring mount and heavyweight dual-sport all wrapped in one. "I went places and saw things on the GS that I never would have on another bike," Mark Hoyer remarked back in the days before he was editor-in-chief. "It truly makes molehills out of mountains." All that, plus the reputation of durability and reliability rivaling that of an anvil easily warrant the price of purchase. THE COMPETITION: Long-travel twins gained prominence in the early 2000s with the introduction of the KTM 950 Adventure and 1,000cc Ducati Multistrada. Undoubtedly, this trend was helped along by the BMW R1150GS, which was honored as the Best Sport-Touring Bike of 2000 by Cycle World in our Ten Best issue. 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

I bought my 2013 R1200R back in August. It's my first BMW. I've always liked the boxer motor. The bike is the new "montego" blue color and came with every available electronic accessory made for this bike - many of which I've never had before on any bike. This 1200cc boxer engine is very deceptive in that it has abundant power delivered evenly across the rev range. Contrary to popular opinion, it is as smooth as any bike I've owned once underway. There is a little (character) vibration at idle. The integrated brakes may be the best I've ever experienced only rivaled by an '01 Speed Triple I once owned. The paralever suspension really dampens front end dive under braking. It doesn't completely eliminate it but comes pretty close. You have to experience the balance under braking to believe it. Comfort for me is excellent. I almost sit completely upright on her. The seat may be the best stock seat I've ever sat on. My rides (when I get to ride) average 150 miles with no real fatigue. With all my aches and pains, I consider that a monumental achievement on the part of BMW. I'll post again as the miles and time pile up. This bike is highly recommended. Show less