Is a cheapish K-series BMW a gamble?

[v8-powered]

Had a hankering for another BMW for a while and whilst I love the R series engine I do quite fancy a K series, not too spendy though!
Friend has a K1200 touring barge and he rates it. What say the experienced ones?

[KungFooBob]

The transverse or longitudinal mounted 1200 engine?

[v8-powered]

The transverse or longitudinal mounted 1200 engine?

Sorry, transverse 4 - newish K1200R.....

[KungFooBob]

I looked at these a few months back, mainly in GT guise.

My research at the time suggested that the 1300 was a considerably better option in regards or reliability and performance.

[v8-powered]

I'm probably only looking around the '06 to '08 era, so pretty sure that pushes out the 1300?

[rodbargee]

K1300s a bike of two halfs, one half torquey the other half a srceaming monster very sure footed front and back comfy, very fast, economic not particularily cheap but worth a look at . Great touring bike with really silly half hour potential.

r

It inspires confidence at the front end the telelever weirdness makes it feel heavy at manouvring speeds but is easy to get along with, while we tour we often swap bikes between the BM and the zzr1400 no problem. Get one while you can. They are getting popular as a good choice older bike and it fits into a VIto with the rear seats left in!

[rodbargee]

Always look better in Italy

[v8-powered]

K1300s a bike of two halfs, one half torquey the other half a srceaming monster very sure footed front and back comfy, very fast, economic not particularily cheap but worth a look at . Great touring bike with really silly half potential.

That's exactly what appeals....

[rodbargee]

should have read silly half hour potential.

[v8-powered]

should have read silly half hour potential.

lol, must have cut a bit too much! Whats reliability been like on yours?

[rodbargee]

like a swiss watch Exemplorary, only a couple of recalls for electronic stuff but no real issues check the recall list. I think all BMW trye sensors are the work of the devil. the certainly were on my 520D but only a small inconvenience on the bike. `i know dealers are keen to get good ones to sell.

[Rockburner]

Have a go on mine if you want.
Make me an offer and it'll probably be yours!

[Horse]

should have read silly half hour potential.

I've not ridden any of the newer Bimmers, since the K1100RS and LT models. And, TBH, I didn't like either of them - too tall for my short legs Much preferred the K100s and definitely the oilhead Rs.

But the same 'silly' time applied with the K100. A tale about my mate Beedubya:

He had an early K100LT (with the 'spoiler' screen, for the cognoscenti) in horrible cowpat green. He also had an old Porsche and was a member of the owners club. One Sunday afternoon he was heading of to a get-together of motorcycle-owning club members. On the way, he caught up with some sports bikes, whizzing along dual carriageways but wobbling around roundabouts. He got bored, passed them, and carried on.

Into the pub car park, bike on stand, helmet off ... and in turned the sportsbikes.

"We thought those BMWs didn't handle" said one owner.

"They don't" said Beedubya.

[v8-powered]

Have a go on mine if you want.
Make me an offer and it'll probably be yours!

We exchanged messages some time back about yours. Drop me a message with details etc, could be worth a chat....

[Gimlet]

Servicing is quite expensive isn't it? Check mileages and service history to make sure it hasn't got a big one coming up.

[Gimlet]

K1300s a bike of two halfs, one half torquey the other half a srceaming monster very sure footed front and back comfy, very fast, economic not particularily cheap but worth a look at . Great touring bike with really silly half hour potential.

r

It inspires confidence at the front end the telelever weirdness makes it feel heavy at manouvring speeds but is easy to get along with, while we tour we often swap bikes between the BM and the zzr1400 no problem. Get one while you can. They are getting popular as a good choice older bike and it fits into a VIto with the rear seats left in!

@rodbargee what van is that you've squeezed it into? Looking for a medium sized van myself. Be handy if I can shoehorn a bike in the back.

[Rockburner]

Have a go on mine if you want.
Make me an offer and it'll probably be yours!

We exchanged messages some time back about yours. Drop me a message with details etc, could be worth a chat....

Well, it passed the MOT with no warnings just as lockdown started, and its got about 25k on it now (iirc), otherwise it's just as it was last time!
I'm trying to remember if I've done anything else to it.

[2xtwins]

Can't disagree with what @rodbargee has said above re the K1300s.
I've just moved mine on, part exed against a year old Z1000sx.
The K13 is a big old brute which does pretty much everything well. Will cruise all day at or around the ton, conditions permitting of course, and will romp on past 160, if you're so inclined and again, conditions permitting.
I owned it for 14 months and the obc showed average fuel consumption of 50mpg. Went on a trip with Weeksy, Tricky and others last year and was getting closer to 55.
It's not that agile but handling is safe and predictable, the bike was totally stable at the speeds mentioned and I enjoyed my time with it.
I changed because I could, and got a good p/x price. In a straight line the Z will be eating the Big K's dust. Likewise it cannot match it's mid range torque but after only one week and 300 miles with the Z I'm glad I made the change.
I'm sorry but I don't have direct experience of the K1200s but internet wisdom seems to suggest the 13 is a better overall proposition.
Oh, and by the way, the standard BMW panniers - those little grey things - are next to useless.
One question...what do you mean by cheapish?
As always buy on condition and service history

[rodbargee]

[/quote]

@rodbargee what van is that you've squeezed it into? Looking for a medium sized van myself. Be handy if I can shoehorn a bike in the back.
[/quote] That is a LWB vito 3 litre V6 oil burner it has a second row of seats of which it fits in if you take out the single of the second row


Three bikes in the trailer make for a very cheap form of transport only one toll and derv split four ways as opposed to 4x 40 mpg





Its a heavy rig when fully laden but safe with the K in the back of the van it really plants the van no being driven by the trailer! but 65 is really fast enough!

[v8-powered]

Have a go on mine if you want.
Make me an offer and it'll probably be yours!

We exchanged messages some time back about yours. Drop me a message with details etc, could be worth a chat....

Well, it passed the MOT with no warnings just as lockdown started, and its got about 25k on it now (iirc), otherwise it's just as it was last time!
I'm trying to remember if I've done anything else to it.

Just found your old post on TRC, will drop you a PM