BMW K1200S

arcticflipper · 01-08-2007, 2:06 AM

In a mad non thinking moment, I went and traded the XX on a K1200S

I'm picking up the S this afternoon.
I supose on the one hand I will then at least be able to compare the 2, and find out for myself if all the hype around the K1200S is justified or not really.

The deal went through about an hour before I heard that I could purchase a brand new 0km, 2005 XX in Cape Town.

For USD15000.00 That does sound very high, but it's the normal going price for bikes here by us.

Could they not have informed me earler.

flitemdic · 01-08-2007, 4:14 AM

That is all.

(15K USD for a K12 is pretty good, for a BB, not so much.)

ConqSoft · 01-08-2007, 8:54 AM

I test drove a K1200S a couple of months ago at the BMW dealer here in town. Not impressed with it at all. Definitely didn't live up to what I thought it would be.

arcticflipper · 01-08-2007, 9:32 AM

I just picked up the S, and my first impressions was that it is no XX at all.

It is lighter, and it is fast. I did not feel the speed when I rode it.

I'm still trying to get use to the handeling andshaft drive, but I c say it's not an XX, and sofar I do not think it will ru away from any XX.

But lt's gie it a chance, and see what i in thi bike.

Redd · 01-08-2007, 11:32 AM

What is the postition on that bike compared to the XX?

ConqSoft · 01-08-2007, 11:33 AM

It will depend on your build of course (longer vs shorter torso, etc) but for me it was about the same as my XX is now with the VFR bars. The tank was much thinner though.

sandyraz · 01-08-2007, 10:37 PM

i have 2002 r1150rt heated grip elec windshield abr shocks and brokes sweet handling greatgas mileage valve adjustments peek at them every6k adflust every12k 1 dealer in dallas they rape you...the other one is 1and1/2 hours away then you need ride there and back the inline 4 should be less maint but still quite new design i have riden k1200rs i dont think teres any smother tranny in the world. although k1200rs would keep dead even with vfr750 hee hee brakes are soooo touchy but ya no you are stopping nut cups work great
sandys other half so i believe youll be happy but you meet the nicest peapole on a honda good luck just when japan comes out with cool cans beamers triple size theres but nothing sexier than single sided swing arm and vfr last good one was97 looks too dated and145mph will have some cars walking away from you i guess itsa\ all what you want . i hope youre dealer gives a rip matt

rockpaperscisso · 01-19-2007, 6:06 PM

I have ridden my friends K1200S and thought it handled better than my XX. The Narrower gas tank lets you grip the bike a little better. I have gone to several track sessions with both bike and the K1200S corners a lot better than the XX. Speed down the straight was the same. My friend has had his BMW in the shop way more than I have. Seems Like BMW has a lot of little things that pop up and need to fix. I think you will be verry happy with your new bike. If yor do a lot of touring you might want to raise the bars and the wind screen. The hard bags for the bike are great. they pop off quickly and they look good.
let me know what yo thought are on your 1200s

Jason-1999-XX · 01-20-2007, 5:52 PM

I like the Beamers, they are good machines. I would have one if I wasn't so hung up on Ducati. I have a 748 now, and a new Duc on order. The XX is the bike I ride most, as it is far more reliable (and comfortable) I never rode the S, but I've ridden the K1200R and it really impressed me. I'm sure you'll find the S to be a great bike.

arcticflipper · 01-22-2007, 4:41 AM

Ok I've now been on the S for the last 2 weeks or so, with 1 Trackday in between.

My initial feeling when I got onto the S was " hell this is a thin bike"
It is slightly lighter than the XX, but does vibrate a lot more.

The build quality on the XX is bette in my opinion than on the BM, more attention to detail was placed on the XX.

Driveshaft - this takes time to get use to. No more quick shifts...
Handeling - the S handles better than my XX did, the laptimes showed that.
I dropped 15 sec on the S, keep in mind I'm still getting use to the S.

ABS works great, if you are use to LBS on the XX the chnge over isn't suc a big problem. The rear brake is very sensative, ad ABS kicks in too fast for my liking there. Frnt - have yet to get the ABS to engage.

The S is fast, but the XX has more balls down below. Handeling on the S is much better than on the XX, mainly due to the ESA. Works wonderfull, and you can actually feel it working.

Panniers - that's a slight downfall according to me, I had OEM XX panniers fitted to the XX, what a pleasure. On the S they are very small, even if the fold out, and can not carry the same weight as the XX could.

The major dislike for me is the fact that everything on the S is plastic. I don't know if I like that so much. I now need to invest in a OEM BM takbag, can't use aftermarket stuff as much anymore.

The lights and riding style is very similar to the XX, and it tops out at 295kph.
Or should I say that's where the limiter kicks in....

The S is most prob the best of both worlds, or as close as you will be able to get to it. Suprbike and Sportstourers.

It's got the comfort of the Sports Tourers, but the handeling of the superbikes.

I'm taking it out on a long distance cruise next weekend, and my companions all have XX's. THis will be the real test then. What does the S do against the XX.

rockpaperscisso · 01-22-2007, 11:22 PM

I thought the S was also skinny. It handled more like a 600 than a 1200. fast transitions from side to side.
My buddy has a tank bag for his S that mounts to the gas tank at the fill cap. It does not tuch the tank and moves out of the way for fueling real easy. I am getting one for mine next week. They are pretty spendy though. The bag is made by Marsee. they come in two sizes.

SGTSkiXX · 01-29-2007, 8:38 PM

Rode my buddies and I didn't like the buzzy feeling of the bike I expected a much smoother ride from a beemer and the bike just didn't fit me well at all I would have kept the bird or bought the 05

arcticflipper · 01-30-2007, 2:28 AM

I ave to aggree, the XX is much smoother than the S, especially around 6ooo rpm

I'm slowly getting use to the handeling and riding style of the S, I can say that handeling is much better on the S than the XX. The XX has more balls down below. I miss that, but then again the S get's to the top quicker.

I'm doing Gerotech and Phakisa this weekend to see what the handeling and speed is like in a controlled environment. Had to go out and buy a brand new racing suite for this one, one of the requirements for Gerotech track and Oval.

Will give some feedback and pictures as soon as I can.