Good question Boots. I am also looking at the K1200LT. I would like to hear (first hand) about maintainability, reliability, maintenance costs, and availability of dealers when you’re on the road.

 

How's it goin Robert ? I have been looking (for awhile) for some info on this bike because I plan on buying a new touring bike within a month. This was one of the bikes I was considering but "today" in stumbled into this website and have decided to cross BMW off my list - - Jezzzz, they've got some real problems with their rear drive and other issues
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/cmps_index.php?

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=k1200lt_faq_common#faq_k1200lt_faq_reardrivefailure

 

Interesting. Thanks, Boots.

 

Have you seen the new Victory Vision?

 

I have never seen one. A shame they didn't show up at the Motorcycle show in Fredericksburg a couple of weeks ago.

 

Me either, just pics on line. I did find an interesting article
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5767

 

It sure is an odd looking thing.

 

There is only one ...

Yes, i have own a beautiful K1200 LT, going on four years since i bought it almost new from a collector.

This bike is a legend and after you have taken it on a tour you will never want anything else. I have put 26,000 miles on her and she is just broken in. In other words i don't need to hit the last gear until i'm at 80 to 90 or even 100 mph.

I have rode this bike more than 1500 miles in one day and will show you how to do the same. It is SO comfortable. It's also very agile for such a large bike. You won't go wrong with this bike. It has never done me wrong.

Now ... i'm selling it because i'm building a house in Colorado but i'm still holding out, hoping i don't have to sale her.

John 847-372-9442

 

I worked at a BMW dealer for 4+ years and had more than a few chances to ride the K12LT. I have owned mostly sport bikes so it was a total change of pace riding the LT. I did a 600 mile ride in one day and the comfort level was amazing. Doing the same on my sport bike I would have needed to be carried off my bike. Being a bigger bike and weighing more, I thought it handled pretty darn well in the turns. I also love the front telelever suspension. You hardly feel any dive at all when you mash on the brakes. The stereo system rocks and there are so many add-ons that you can put on it. Tons of storage and I've seen quite a few with 200k + miles on them. Oh and the reverse helps out a lot too especially if parked on a slope.

 

I love my k1200 lt

 

LT

I am on my second one with currently 99,200 miles on it she will see the 00000 this week. Don't listen to all you read on the LT forum they are not as bad as they sound there, I don't know why human nature is to complain but that seems to be the case there however most of those guys are long time owners and don't want anything else, there are very few truly disgruntled owners and the rear drive failure rate is as is suggested by the 4% sticker really pretty low. The closest rival to the LT would have to be the GL1800 and while it is also a great bike the LT handles better, has a significantly smoother more stable ride quality and NOTHING I mean NOTHING I have ever owned will stop like it, it has saved my bacon a couple of times. I'm sure you would be happy with a wing I was 18 times then I rode an LT and I stopped buying different bikes to try and see if I liked them, there is a saying about Harley's but where I live it applies to the Goldwing too, Ride a Harley and buy chrome, ride a BMW and buy tires! I think that says about all that needs to be said about it.
Thanks for listening and good luck with whatever you decide on!!

 

They are beautiful bikes that handle really well. Expect a lot of compliments at red lights!

 

I Have Been Riding Motorcycles For 41 Years And My Lt Is The Best Highway Bike I Have Ever Riden, It Handles Light For Its Size And Has A Sweet Spot At About 90 To 95 Mph Where It Will Run Til You Run Out Of Gas. On The Flip Side Though It Hates The City.

 

I purchased a new K1200 LT and rode it for two years before trading it in on a Honda GL1800. The Goldwing out classed it just about every category except cruising down the road. The two bikes are VERY similar when on the road and at speed.

It is at low speed in traffic or in the parking lot when the LT lost favor. I found the LT to be top heavy when loaded, two-up for the road. The CG on the Wing is better located. The Wing has a LOT more power. Communication and electronics were much better thought out on the Goldwing

I am NOT trying to advocate the Wing over the LT; I am simply offereing my objective observations. I can be objective in this because I ride BMW motorcycles from preference and I owned two other BMWs while I was going through the LT- Goldwing discovery process. I think the LT was a better built motocycle and where it matters i.e. on the road at speed, there is very little difference in the bikes.

-QM-

 

I got a 1200 LT lined up

I just got off the phone with a guy that has a 1999 K1200LT for sale. The price is in my range and I will go Look/buy it on Wed. It may need a cluch and has a "small" oil leak. This does not scare me off but I would like to get some advice on: Should I do it myself or do I need to take it in. I figuerd the cluch would cost about $175.00 just for the cluch plate.

I have a K100RT and looked at the manual for a cluch for it and it looks like a "specisl tool is needed to hold the housing. Any input would be good

 

I've ridden many, many road bikes. Gold wing out classed the LT?!? dont get that at all. Same power, LT has much less torque but the real difference is in every corner you scrape the pegs of the gold wing or any other comprable bike and the LT doesnt.

 

If you look up just about any bike or car forum you'll see reports of problems and get scared. It happens with anything. Problems get reported and thousands of owners with no isssues at all have no reason to start a thread. It's that simple.

I can attest to the comfort and handling both being great. You'll never run out of gears or power. You can point it on an flat interstate and take both hands off the bars and remain straight and true. Rock solid but great handling too. The comfort is akin to sitting in a car. As said, the stereo is great and the bags and topcase hold a ton. Better than any other tourer IMO, and I've ridden and owned a few

 

So, did either of you guys buy an LT?

 

I bought one in December. If I had to come up with a short sentence to sum it up:

Liquid sex you'll enjoy more if you fix it yourself.

It's a great bike. Smooth like nobody's business...but if you can't wrench it yourself, paying a BMW tech to take the tupperwear on and off will rapidly eat into your fun budget.

Once the plastic is off, there are some oddities, but it can certainly be worked on yourself if you're mechanically inclined...ESPECTIALLY with feedback from the bmwlt forum...everything that can go wrong has already been documented there.

 

hey boots i to am looking to buy a used K1200LT i was wondering if anybody knows what if any changes were made in 2005 to the K1200LT

 

I know they added the electronic center stand in 05.

 

2002 k1200lt

I would like to thank all the people in this forum for there advice and understanding. i am so glad I found this site and once again ty to all you guys

 

I have to agree that the 1200lt is a great bike and very smooth at speed. I owned a 2000 lt a few years back and I loved it. It saved me from rear ending a car one sunny after noon. The only reason I sold was my wife was uncomfortable on the back.

 

Love mine

I really like my 2003 k 1200 lt

I've put about 20k on it and bought it with 20k

The clutch was a bit of a bit but the gave me a lifetime warranty on it

I found a local independent guy who only works on BMWs and is about half the price for all maintenance type stuff: :icon_cool:

 

Can't tell you a lot, but I've ridden a few because I almost bought one once. It's a cool ride, but was a little more bike than I was looking for... ended up going with an RT.

 

I was looking at a k1200lt several years ago. I had a k1100lt. The k12 was a lot heavier. I finally got a R1200RT it was lighter and just as fast.

 

I had a 2000 K1200LTC, top of the line and it was superb. Much better in every way than my past new 1999 Goldwing and almost as good as my past new 2012 Goldwing but not as fast or powerful. As smooth or more so and got vastly better fuel mileage, up to 55 mpg.

I've had 5 BMW's and I've never had a final drive failure but it is problem to consider if you decide to buy one. Go to a BMW forum and read about final drive issues.

BMW's are a class act!

Sam:coffeescreen: