New Owner
Hi everyone
I have recently bought a K1300GT SE and having been recommended this forum I thought I would join and also record some first impressions. I tried several bikes before buying, including the K1300S (which I found a bit bland).
My bike is fully loaded with all extras (as it was ordered by the dealer fully loaded). It is run in now as I have been riding it for a couple of weeks. The dealer picked up the first service cost and will bear over half of the next 6,000 mile service (so it will cost me £100).
Good points
Performance is remarkable. Overtaking grunt is very impressive - as good as most sports bikes (I have one, so I can compare)
Handling is exceptional too. I do some advanced bike instructing, so the thing has to be hustled quickly along narrow country lanes at times. It has exceptional lean angle capability for a bike of this type.
Pillions think it is brilliant. My other half actually fell asleep on it when we were hustling along the A272 Winchester to Petworth road "briskly".
Luggage capacity (with 49 litre top box) is very good indeed. This was a big reason for buying the bike as we do some substantial European trips.
Fuel ecomony is amazing. If I am sticking mainly in 2nd and 3rd for fast riding on the twisties, it delivers nearly 50 mpg per the computer. At A road fast cruising speeds using higher gears it is doing close on 60mpg. Using 98RON.
Electric screen is good. I am just over 6' 2" and in the wet at the highest setting the airflow clears my vizor brilliantly. Otherwise I keep it at its lowest.
New switchgear works fine for me. I had a BMW before with the 3 switch system. This is better.
Unconvinced areas
Whilst the ESAII is a good idea, I only really like it on its sport setting. "Comfort" is too wallowy for me (and my pillion) and "Normal" is still too soft. Both of these soft setting remove the feeling of contact with the road. This may simply be my sports bike inclinations at work.
The bike belies its weight once moving, but it feels quite heavy when at a standstill. I fear it would take some saving were it to start to tip over....
Areas for BMW to work on:
My pillions find the seat very comfortable, but I find it makes my thighs hurt after a while. I am doing a trip to Italy shortly so I will see how I get on then. Otherwise the (heated) seat will need some modification. Maybe it is too soft?
The panniers need some kind of plastic film to protect the tops (they have it ion the leading edge), as they scuff easily. Does anyone have a solution to this - apart from telling the pillions to be more careful ;-)
The alarm has to be set as soon as you switch off - or the key fob will not set it. I realise this is to prevent current drain, but it makes me nervous that one day the bike will not start. This is just my paranoia I expect!
Overall the bike is absolutely excellent. It is not bad value for money either, now that the exchange rate has pushed the price of the FJR1300 and Kawasaki 1400 up into BMW territory.
Cheers
AJB
Last edited by AJB; Sep 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 am.