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Looking to Buy a 2005 K1200S

1K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  tshelver 
#1 ·
Hi,

I was looking for a sport touring motorcycle and have come across a 2005 K1200S at a price I can not ignore. I know almost nothing about this motorcycle, other than it has a sport bike seating position, 160+ HP.

I currently ride a Ducati Panigale S so the seating position is not an issue with me. Vibration IS an issue and from what I understand, this bike cycle will put your hand to sleep.

First, has anyone solved the vibration issue, and what did you do.

This 2005 has 8,500 miles on it and I’m concerned about it potentially sitting around and dry rotting. What are some of the areas I should pay attention to.

I’ve read about a few common problems, but what should I look out for?

Thanks for any help you can provide.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Never buy a pre 07 and that advice came from a BM employee well up the greasy pole :grin post 07’s can be sorted with time/money/luck but the 1300 is a better bet.
I agree 100% with the above from "chriscanning".
Most K1200S and k1200GT having the slant-4 motor (or frontal 4 if you want) are being sold for very low prices for good reasons ;-) Once in while you may be lucky and get one without too many issues, but the odds are not on your side. The vibrations (if any) is not really a problem compare to other expensive maintenance issues (Fuelling, Clutch, Timing chain , Electronics...). Stay away.

If one is looking for this type of bike / engine from BMW, only the K1300S or K1300GT starting in 2008 are worth looking at. Even better are the 2009 and later if you can afford to go a bit higher on your budget.
 
#5 ·
Stange/funny story for you guys over10 years ago here in the UK our currency crashed with the result that European bike dealers flooded the country buying anything with two wheels at the time I was working in the bike trade and came across some incredible stories of guys walking into BM dealers and buying 10/15 bikes and they would be carrying(i’ll Keep it simple) $200,000 in cash with them with the result early K1200s’s are quite rare over here thankfully. :grin
 
#6 ·
Well, I have over 50,000 miles on the first K1200S to hit Atlanta. I have replaced the ABS (BMW matched dealer for a significant discount), I recently replaced the brainbox, and a couple coil packs, rear brakes (disc too), front brake pads are original, and the 90 off of the fuel tank. Has original clutch, timing chain (had tensioner placed before recall), and bike has not had the head off or had the valves adjusted. Tires, buy them on sale and keep stocked. I go through a rear about every 3,000 miles. 2 rears to a front, I don't care what brand, I have ran them all! If you don't buy the good priced one I will, send info please. Bought one for $4000 when working in NYC, had twins for a bit before I sold second and shipped to a Gentleman in Trinidad.

Jim Nance
865.278.8916
 
#7 ·
K bike

The early K1200 bikes had the old servo brakes. Its NON Serviceable so,, If it fails When more than IF, your STUCK. IMHO, I would save some cash and find a 2007+ K1200. I owned a 2001 K1200RS and loved it. It caught fire while I was riding it, When the K1200R, S came out, I hated the look. Then I had to search for a new biks and the K1200R was PERFECT in more ways than the old bike ever was.

The only draw back to a K1200 R or S is the wet clutch. It sucks. Its repairable as I had mine overhauled by a guy in England. Now it TOP SHELF! Find a good operational K1200 and have a test drive. I love mine Its a keeper.
 
#8 ·
love

I have a 2005 K1200S with 100,000km on it.
It was tracked at one stage.
I love it.
I have serviced the servo brakes when they had problems.
I have replaced the engine.
I still love it.

The vibration is not an issue.
I had a CBR before this and this doesn't vibrate like a CBR. It is a 4 cylinder inline engine.
 
#9 ·
I test rode the K12RS back in 2002 due to being p!ss@d off with my R11GS reliability and having fond memories of a first-year K100RS , which I bought on a BMW employee discount.
I didn't find vibration an issues (my Concours 1000 i also had at the time was way worse). But even though it had a full service record at a reputable dealer, at 18K miles the suspension was horrible, and one or two issues with instruments. That played into my BMW-reliability/cost phobia, so I passed on the deal. A pity, as I loved the way the bike rode, felt like coming home to a better, faster, sexier K100RS which I really loved at the time I had it.
I still have minor bouts of lust for a decent K11RS / 12RS.

With most things on a 90s+ BMW, you need to keep a good $$$ reserve in your bank account. Even if reliable, when things go wrong, they cost a lot.

If you are not looking for a badge (unlikely given the BMW / Ducati background), you can get pretty much the same mix of utility out of a Kawasaki ZZR1200, and likely much cheaper running costs. Other really nice bikes of the era include the Honda Blackbird (CBR1100XX).

Instead of the RS, I sold the GS and went to a ZX12R, which I set up for sport touring (bars, screen, soft luggage, heated grips and electric outlets), which was rock-solid reliable, and much lighter and faster (and better handling). Did a 13 day eastern CA tour on that bike, covering central Quebec, St Lawrence north shore, Gaspe peninsula, New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Maine and NH, over 4000 miles and lots of ferries, including 2 overnighters, and was perfectly comfortable.

I tested the ZX back-to-back against the K12S a few years later, and it was still better handling, noticeably quicker and lighter handling.

Apologies for the political incorrectness of posting this :)
 
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