BMW K1300R (2009 - 2015) Review

Foot Pegs are slightly more towards the sporty position but low enough to easily move foot from balls to brakes/gear lever and back, even with 34" inside legs. 90 minutes is OK without a stop but the bike does pretty much 10 miles to every Litre of fuel so 150 miles and it's on reserve showing 35 miles range left. A fuel stop realistically defines length without a break.Oh, and it handles like it's on rails providing tyre pressures are kept spot-on

This engine has an incredible power and torque delivery, and equally impressive numbers. It just goes from being very mild and gentle that cares for even a "new kid in the saddle" as I was after 35 years of not riding a bike, to an all-out dragster that nothing can escape from, and it does it without breaking a sweat or the sense of any mechanical stress.

Having phoned up the BMW Motorad dealer that both sold the bike to its first owner and did the annual and routing services every year since, there was a fuel pump recall which was carried out but very little else other than standard interval services. It's a 14 year old bike picked up for an excellent price. So far I've replaced rear brake pads and cleaned off front brake piston calipers which had gone stiff no doubt from lack of use since 2018 only logged as doing 10 miles per year. Oh, and Tyre Pressure Sensors need replacing when the tyres come off but that's to be expected.

I do my own servicing so oil and filter, brake pads, usual stuff as and when but this year about £20 for some EBC Organic Brake pads for the rear.

Whoever bought the bike I now own obviously ticked all the boxes so electronically adjustable (pre-load and damping) suspension, ABS/ACS, but the unicorn of these bikes is it also has the digital "MotoGP" 2D display with digital speedo and track timer with full diagnostics e.g. laps, gear changes etc etc. Not many around as rumour has it it was an additional £2000 just for this option so don't expect to find one and don't let that be a reason not to buy a well looked after example of what the insurance company has listed as a "Future Classic"

I can’t fault the ride quality, the Hossack front end and ESA smooth out pockmarked tarmac like little else out there, although with that comes a bit less ‘feel’ if you’re used to conventional forks. Not an issue once you’re dialled in to it however, it’s just…different. Comfort’s good for long periods one-up, less so for pillions as the seat’s best used occasionally even with the ‘pillion comfort’ version fitted; go for the GT if 2-up long distance at impressive velocity is your thing. I have Helibar risers fitted which makes it noticeably less ‘wristy’ than my previous standard version, although even that is upright by sports bike standards. Very stable indeed under braking (that front end again), and the brakes themselves are highly effective in pulling a large, fast machine to a controlled stop in a respectable distance. All in all, an excellent all round bike: tour; cruise; go…erm, faster, it ticks all the boxes for me.

What I like about the engine: pretty much everything. Stonking power, torque and acceleration when I want it, extraordinary sound track through a road legal SC Project end-can, super-smooth except for a bearable if mildly annoying buzzy patch that shows up in 6th at cruising speed, yet super docile and flexible around town at 30 mph. The engine is superb and makes the bike; liked it as a 1200, loved it since it grew up. The gearbox is better i.e. smoother on my current bike than my previous Ks, but it’s comparative. The up-shifter works better from third onwards so I stick with the clutch below that, and putting it into first at a standstill results in a crunch that makes me wince. They all do that, Sir….

Despite some of the issues I’ve seen with corrosion/bubbling paint on K series swing arms and engine cases all four of my bikes have had no such problems over the tens of thousands of miles I’ve put on them - I do clean the crud off them regularly though. Both my K1300R’s have been reliable and fault-free, only seeing a dealer for MOTs and regular servicing for which I use BMW North Oxford, whose rates are reasonable for this model. My K1200R’s ABS pump failed but a reconditioned unit from a non-franchised BMW specialist sorted that at a fraction of the main dealer price.

Main dealer price for the last service in Spring 2022, not including replacement tyres which I get from a local specialist. MPG is reasonable for a large, fast 173bhp machine and I regularly get 180-190 miles from a tank which I think is pretty good for something this powerful.

For its day this was a very well equipped bike and it still compares favourably with newer machinery in my view. A big improvement for me was the move to ‘conventional’ controls - binning the old 3-button indicators of the K1200 - and improving the handling (noticeable in back to back riding with the K1200) with aluminium rather than steel forks. It all works very well and the adjustability covers my needs from Sunday back road runs to European tours. Helibar risers are recommended for that extra bit of comfort without overly changing the profile of the bike (which I like), and some decent adjustable levers ensure a better and more comfortable operating experience. Slightly heavier bar ends smooth out cruising speed vibes and an Oberon clutch reduces the lever pull weight. Not a modern slipper to be sure but a noticeable improvement. The BMW HP rear sets are lovely things and cheaper these days as it’s an older model; definitely recommended. Favourite tyres are Metzeler Roadtec 01 SEs, the heavy motorcycle edition. Standard 01s are just as good and better for my touring confidence on wet mountain passes with the extra shoulder tread. Dunlops Roadsmart fitted in Belgium after a touring puncture but didn’t inspire as much confidence for me, so back to Metzeler.

Brakes are fantastic. Did the Black Forest and they never once faded, (though I've since fitted after market sintered pads for extra bite). Backside goes numb after around 100 motorway miles but a short break soon sorts this.

One word, INCREDIBLE!

I've owned k1200's and 1300's for over 10 years now and the overall build quality has been fantastic! Mine has been garaged and pampered so there have been no corrosion issues. The only issue I have had was the electronic suspension packed up, but otherwise, they have been superb!

The official fuel consumption figures quoted are around 34. I've toured fully laden and don't hold back on the throttle. My average fuel consumption has been between 53 and 54 mpg!

Mine is the dynamic so has almost everything as standard. Additional bits include raised bars, luggage, screen, power socket, crash bungs, cruise control. Love the quick shifter and I run Michelin pilot road 4's which inspire confidence in all conditions.

Phenomenal brakes (though I have replaced the OEM pads with sintered) but the seat could be marginally more comfortable (but I am being picky here!).

Stunning! Wind it up and the front end will still lift in 5th!

Typical quality BMW. Slight hitch when the electronic suspension packed up but otherwise still going strong and even on the original battery which when load tested recently, came back at 97% retained power!

Main dealer servicing seems reasonable. Fuel economy has been phenomenal! I've toured, fully loaded to Scotland and the Black Forest and cant get the mpg below 53!

It's the dynamic so has almost everything but I've added bar raisers, luggage, rear rack, crash bungs and a few other bits.

This one is not the best one in any area but damn good in all areas, you can do track, travel with passanger and luggage, commute, drive like hooligan..you name it. Most fun bike to drive ive ever got and ive got some ( including blackbird, hayabusa, etc. ).

Engine broke after 15tkm but after factory engine replacement no problem this far ( 90tkm ).

I actually cant think what more there could be, but just be on the safe side i gave only 4 :D

Stopped on a dime, ASC saved my arse more than once, suspension just brilliant. Felt good on a short ride, but I also toured all over Swiss Alps when I lived there.

No issues ever.

It is hard to get more fun for your buck. I do not recall the exact cost of servicing, but it was not prohibitively expensive for what this bike is.

I'm sure it has a NASA rating!

Very well built, good fit and finish.

Not too hard on the gas mileage, but I wish the tank held a couple of litres extra as I get about 380kms safely. A usual ride down under is about 400...

OEM panniers are very easy to remove and are cleverly designed to expand.

Bike is at its best unladen on the highway and, of course, thru mountain passes and twisty sections. …hills/inclinations mean NOTHING! Usually i require a break every refuelling (depending upon the speed and level of intensity experienced), which is typically every 300-400 km. Most-noticeable are my arms and butt, due to the typical seating-position of a Sportbike. Also of note, is that my hands begin to go numb after a few hours straight. This could be due to unconsciously-tightly-gripping, or that i am now over 50 years of age? HAHA!

Delivers power and SUPER-torque THROUGHOUT the entire throttle-range.

In 6+ years of use and 44,100 km (~90% touring)(Across Canada & USA), NO rust NOR corrosion. NO breakdowns/failures.

This is approximate in Canadian$$$. It includes oil changes (EVERY 5K) and the yearly-share of tyres and warranty service.

SHIFT-ASSIST and enjoy the flexibility and ease of the ESA (Oooops, that's an option). …Heated grips and that there are 2 temperature settings, Low-fuel-warning, TPM (i use this as an Early-Warning-System ONLY), ABS (Has been beneficial several instances), Shaft drive, Duo lever front suspension is accommodating/responsive/positive-feeling, Have had Continental: (~10-12K front;~5-6K rear) ; Metzler: (~10K front; under 5K rear), and Michelin Pilot 3 (~13K front; ~8K rear) & Pilot 4 tyres (So Far have over 10K on Front & rear). Metzlers wore out quickest, but were best high-performance for their ability to schtick-well. Continentals were adequate and almost as good as the Metzlers, understandably-trading performance for longer-life. I am sold on the Michelins, ESPECIALLY the Pilot 4. I think they pretty-well-equal the Metzlers for performance and undoubtably-will vastly-outlive them in tread-life. Mind-you, my present riding-scenario consists of approximately 90% + touring. On my "Expeditions" i DO lock-up my kit and ROAR thru WHATEVER particular mountain pass/twisties/etc. that is proximal, or that of which was my destination-purpose.