Commuter - BMW K1200RS - any experience?

[dern]

As per the title really... looking for something to take on the daily commute and weekends away. Just be me, no pillions.

On paper you seem to get 130bhp (but plenty of weight), 45mpg, 200 mile tank range for £3500-4000

Any opinions?

Thanks,

Mark

PS I know I should buy a deauville for commuting as they do 55mpg, 240 miles on a tank but 65bhp and all for 5k... it's too painful

[black-k1]

After your 'Blade it will be very big, very heavy and pretty large when it comes to filtering. The handing will seem slow and ponderous. However, they are comfortable and economical (for their size) and as you have said, can go a long way on a tank of fuel.

If you are talking £5k then I would took at a twin. Not as fast or powerful but lighter and more nimble. Most of all though, they come with some character, which is lacking in the K series.

[dern]

Which would you go for 1150 or 1200, GS, RT or ST?

The round the world stuff seems to have resulted in a lot of GSs on the market but prices are firm.

Do these bike have a good reputation for reliability?

Cheers,

Mark

PS. I used to commute on a 96 kawasaki gpz1100 so am used to big old lumps

Edited by dern on Monday 28th July 09:37

[black-k1]

If you’re happy with a ‘big old lump’ then the K1200RS would be a good bike. It is very German in that it is efficient in all that it does but it has no soul. Also, at £5k you’re just about into K1200S territory which would be a much better option. It’s slightly lighter but significantly faster and is a whole generation newer. I get an average of 45mpg on a 100 mile round trip fast commute from mine and I fill up between 170 and 190 miles.

As for the twins, I would go for an R1100S or R1100SS (is there a more inappropriately named German bike?) or maybe a Boxer Cup. They tend to be cheaper than the GS and, in my opinion, are better suited to general road work.

[dern]

I'd be quite happy with a bit of ruthless efficiency for a change. I've only done 500 miles this weekend and I must admit getting on the blade again this morning wasn't done in the most enthusiastic manner possible so a bit of comfort wouldn't go amiss either

Don't really want to go as high as 6000 to be honest as I still want to keep the blade.