BMW K1200GT (2006 - 2008) Review

Version: GT SE

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £400

Big, fast, comfy bike. Needs showing who’s boss through the bends!

Buying experience: Purchased as 1st bike from independent dealer with (useless) AA warranty

Version: SE

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £250

This is my first bike after passing my A license in Nov 2019. It’s a very comfy and capable machine, but let’s itself down by being a heavy brute of a bike to move around the garage. It was a good price and although cosmetically needs a bit of work, and the fuel sensor died a few weeks ago, it’s great!

Buying experience: Purchased from Non-BMW dealer. Not a great experience initially but issues were resolved eventually. RAC warranty pointless though!

I've had my K12GT SE since Sept 07, I've done 13000 miles on it and it's nothing short of awesome. It's perfectly capable of holding og R1's on acceleration. I've surprised a few when they saw the panniers and assumed it was a slow old tourer :) I had a ZX12R as well as this at one time and being fair there was not a lot in it to separate them performance wise. I specified the higher screen from new and when fully extended 90 mph is relatively peaceful behind it. The cruise control works brilliantly, only point I would make as a criticism is that the minimum the cruise can be set is 31mph. I'd like it to be settable at 30mph to make scamera dodging a little easier :) The tyre pressure monitors work well and advise when pressures are getting a little low. The Automatic Stability Control works well, reduces power when it detects the rear wheel spinning up, which given it's 152 hp is all too easy to do if you're cack handed. I also found when coming over rises on a favourite stretch of road at 80 mph I used to tweak the throttle on previous bikes to get a small wheely over the crests. The ASC stops such tomfoolery and reduces power to bring the front wheel back to earth gently. It's switchable if you REALLY want to wheely :) Luggage capacity is huge, especially with the optional large top case. The BMW tank back is not to firm a fit, bit disappointed really for a factory item, but it does clip on easily enough. Electronic Suspension Adjustment is a godsend. Set it on comfort mode while traipsing up the motorway then when you arrive in the Highlands flick a button on the move and it'll tighten up into sports mode. Brakes are incredible, very powerful, and semi linked, I originally was unsure but now I'm used to it I like the system. Backed up by the ABS they're a formidable stopping setup! Seat height is a tad lofty, I'm 32" inside leg and don't find it a problem. On mine they're equipped with rider and passenger seat heaters and combined with the heated grips they add incredibly to comfort on longer chilly rides. The On Board Computer system displays ave/current fuel/speed. At motorway speeds 75 to 80 on the GPS I was getting around 55mpg which is incredible. Especially compared to its peers! Allied to the 24 litre tank it gives a fantastic range. The DuoLever front end is simply stunning, almost zero dive from the front end under braking means at night the road stays well lit from the K's huge Xenon HID white headlight. There's little underseat storage but I have managed to store a tubeless repair kit in the seat cowling panels. There's a little glove box in the fairing under the twistgrip. About the only complaints I'd have is theres a clunk into 1st gear, I'd really like to have had a radio option. The R1200RT has a radio so why not the GT? There's certainly room under the left fairing panel. I looked there's a nice radio sized space there :) Oh and for a bike that with all the toys cost over 14000 quid new a toolkit would be nice. The supplied tork spanner and reversible screwdriver are a bit pants!

Was looking to change bikes and since the k13 came out i felt now was a good time to pick up a low mileage k12 as dealers want to shift them to make room for the k13 sales. Picked up a last of the k12 run example from Park Lane at an excellent price at the beginning of August. Quality of switch-gear on the k12 is far superior compared to k13 - progress bmw? Overall very pleased with this bike - ride and handling superb. fantastic two up comfort. Usual bmw clunk into first gear but had that on previous GS. Smooth engine, excellent suspension adjustment. I would say excellent value and great low milage examples to be had well below the price of a new k13.

There have been quite a few comments about vague front end feel. I dispute this the handling is superb for a bike of this size . I think it is confusion over the fact that the ride is so smooth and the lack of feedback is just because you dont feel the bumps and glide over them. negative side would be the seat which lacks support if you are heavier but which can be rectified by an after market seat or a seat rebuild. If you want a serious touring bike with all the attributes of a sports bike but intend to carry people and luggage all day at what ever speed you are capable of, this bike has to be a serious contender.I am a very critical owner but am thoroughly enjoying my bike.

It took a little while to get used to but it's well worth the effort. The engine is fantastic - on a long tour you can just cruise along two up and ride it on the torque. It's a very smooth, calm and quick way to travel. Go out to play solo keep the revs up and it flies. It doesn't lose out much round the twisties (especially now it's got Pilot Road2's on) and it soon catches back up on the straight. Definately the best of both worlds. The SE spec brings most things you need including ESA, which is brilliant. It just sorts everything out at the press of a switch. And, it works on the move, so you can select comfort for a softer ride the motorway and then firm it up when the bends come. The duolever front end feels a bit odd at first but it gives more feel than the telever set up on other BM's and generates a lot of confidence once you get used to it. Comfort was always OK but not great. However, the seats have just been upgraded by BMW under warranty and they are a big improvement, especially two up. The high screen isn't great but works well enough. There have been a few warranty niggles but the dealer has been good at sorting them out. In summary; a superb engine in a very good tourer. If you plan to do long distances and want to enjoy yourself when you get there; this is the bike to have.

Have just covered 1300 miles in the first 2 weeks since taking delivery and it gets better every day! It is noticeably lighter and more flickable than the Pan but it is the instant and endless power that is so impressive. It comes in so smoothly and with so much torque that you never need to change gear if you want to be really lazy. If you do use the gears however, you are rewarded with acceleration that a bike this big should not be capable of. It has all the gadgets you could dream of and with heated grips and seats, true all-day comfort for touring. It is surprisingly flickable on back roads and on flowing A roads it is unbeatable. The bike's stability in corners really is good and inspires confidence. Even two up it is still remarkably lively and it has to be one of the best looking tourers around. RIDE ONE - YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!! Strengths: Power, comfort and genuine useability. Superb build quality and sportsbike like performance in a tourer! Weaknesses: Cost - but then it is a very high spec BMW!! An initial jerkiness in slow speed running was ironed out with a new piece of software at the first service. The gearchange is slightly clunky, especially when changing down, but this is already much improved and should get even better with more miles.

At first glance th GT looks better in person than from Media pictures. The bike when first started needs a few seconds to go thru a systems check before the instruments lights all settle down. The ABS brake failure indicator goes out as soon as you begin to roll. The GT is everything you would expect and more. The bike is simply lovely to ride and very elegant. Hiway speeds is a snap, a simple touch of the ESA will adjust dampening to your taste. All the other options including the electric wind screen were just great. My personal option for riding 2 up would be to have a much taller wind screen to effectively provide greater wind protection for both rider and passenger. ABS is quite a leap of faith! The 3rd generation ABS adapts to the weight load after the third time you hit the brakes and will load that data for any panic stops. Strengths: When you do normall comuting or cross country riding the GT is the Class leader. If buy chance you come upon a sport bike that regularly enjoys a romp on a stretch of road, the GT will delight you with its Hyabusa power to give your mate a little run for his money, side bags included. The GT just flies. The color combinations are very nice as with the fit and finish. Weaknesses: Well theres really not much to pick at on this bike. The right side clutch case cover might bump your foot on occaision. Until you master the brake system the servo assisted brakes can be a task in slow parking lot or stop and go traffic. Don't forget, if you kill the bike while in motion you disable the servo assist brakes, not good. Sometimes I've been known to pull up to the house and turn the key off, not with this bike.