New (to me) 99 K1200RS Silver/blue
Hello all,
I am new to the forum, and also, I bought a new (to me ) 99 K1200RS silver/blue 2 weeks ago.
My previous bike, which I still have, is a 1995 Honda VFR750F which I put on 80,000 miles in the last 5 years. Althought it is still very servicable, it was time for a change. I wait for the annoucement of the 06 VFR (which the internet rumour mills had the bike represented as the new V5 130-140hp wonder-sport tourer coming out)...and all that was changed was bold new colors!.
I happen to pop into a BMW dealer a fews ago, and saw the K1200RS Silver/blue hiding in the corner...a test ride was arranged for a sunny saturday morning.....freeways sweepers and canyon craving. I was surprise how well the K1200RS handles corners and the wonderment of the unique no dive front suspension. On the fast highways, the K-bike hauls the freight! I was up to 120mph in no time flat..yes, you guys are right,....do pack a radar detector! The Brembo brakes are awesome and hauls the big K-bike down like an arrest-hook on aircraft carriers!
I have now riddnen the K1200RS for a couple of weekends now and can come up with some ideas.
1) the brake light tends to be very dim and only one bulb..I bought a license plate frame with twin tail-light LED lights and plans to add that to the bike so I reduce my chance of getting rear ended.
2) the horn is a little bit whimpy...so will add on BLASTERS 125 db horns.
3) I ordered the brushed alumunium instrument rings over the net, just to fresher up the worn painted bezels.
4) I plan to add some foam padding to the seat. I am 6 ft with 33 inseam and there is just not enough leg room
The unique BMW style turn signal buttons took a while to get use to.
A couple of things that all you bimmer can help me out with helpful comments.
1) The bike idles like a "bag-o-rocks"...I read on the site, that this is normal. Is there any way to make this a bit more quiet...would using different weight oil or different oils calms down the racket? (There was a few loose body panels, and I hunted down the vibrations and tighted them and fixed that)
2) The operating temperature comes up 3/4 way very quickly, and the bike runs in town a couple of hairlines below the red zone (the fans comes on)..Is this normal? No problem on highways.
3) On gas, I know not to use regular (87) but is mid-grade(89) OK, so do I have to go to premium (92) all the time? any comments?
4) Is there anyway to "drill out" the stock OEM exhaust pipe to give it a little more rumble? I do not have many coins left, and not really have loose-change to buy a Staintune or 2-Bros or Reumus...Has anyone done this? any help? I want to do this just to give the bike a little more authority!
5) Helmet Locks- What? the designer forgot about that? what's up with that?
Anyhoo, I am very happy with my new (to me) ride and my decision. The K1200RS rocks on the sweepers and curves...around town, I am getting use to the little bit extra "pork" ...
Any comments would be welcome!
Plastics
99 K1200RS (silver/blue)