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Bmw k1300r
- Thread starter trevor
- Start date
eddie21
Forum Mentor
The bikes purchase price is just a down payment, any maintenance costs will be scary!
Sure, new you get a warranty, but they are time limited.
That engine would be a great choice on the Autobahn. Smooth, powerful, I'm sure it will last forever, even cruising at 150mph or so. Couldn't really get much out of it on normal roads. Overkill to the point of being ridiculous. It's not a super low torque monster, the torque builds as the RPM comes up, at at the higher revs it is really strong, but you need a straight road to get there. It's just not all that quick in the lower speeds. Gear ratios, again chosen for the Autobahn.
The one I rode was a K1300R, this one:
Maybe it was an RS, not sure.
I think the engine is the same, or close to it. Didn't care for it. If you did a lot of 150mph corners, it would be perfect. Very stable in the high speed sweepers. Unfortunately we don't have many of those. The mountain roads around here, 30 - 70 mph curves, couldn't get it working right. The bike is too long, too stable, it's just made for the higher speeds. Not quick and nimble, not really much fun on the twisty back roads. Actually hard work slamming it around the tight ones. Boring at anything less that double the posted speeds. Also don't care for the linked brakes. Put on the front brake a bit going into one curve, the rear tire stepped out a little. Bit of a surprise there. Other than that the brakes were phenomenal, as are all BMW brakes.
The seating position wasn't very comfortable, think of it as a cafe racer for a 6'6" rider.
Certainly take it for a test ride, just don't get talked into buying it first.
The one I rode was a K1300R, this one:
Maybe it was an RS, not sure.
I think the engine is the same, or close to it. Didn't care for it. If you did a lot of 150mph corners, it would be perfect. Very stable in the high speed sweepers. Unfortunately we don't have many of those. The mountain roads around here, 30 - 70 mph curves, couldn't get it working right. The bike is too long, too stable, it's just made for the higher speeds. Not quick and nimble, not really much fun on the twisty back roads. Actually hard work slamming it around the tight ones. Boring at anything less that double the posted speeds. Also don't care for the linked brakes. Put on the front brake a bit going into one curve, the rear tire stepped out a little. Bit of a surprise there. Other than that the brakes were phenomenal, as are all BMW brakes.
The seating position wasn't very comfortable, think of it as a cafe racer for a 6'6" rider.
Certainly take it for a test ride, just don't get talked into buying it first.
E
Ecklund
Guest
I like fast standard unfaired bikes so the K1200r has been a serious alternative for me. They go back to around 2005 so they getting pretty reasonable too.
They are kind of strange looking and have a bit too much lean over and knee up riding position; but the latter can mitigated to some extent. I put this bike in the class with the B-king. The B-king is even worse looking but I've seen some mods that can help that too.
The naked K is a very sophisticated, powerful and expensive bike. I couldn't see buying a new 1300, even if they were available in the US, but an early used one at the right price...? But then I like FI and ABS.
Liked the post - thanks.
They are kind of strange looking and have a bit too much lean over and knee up riding position; but the latter can mitigated to some extent. I put this bike in the class with the B-king. The B-king is even worse looking but I've seen some mods that can help that too.
The naked K is a very sophisticated, powerful and expensive bike. I couldn't see buying a new 1300, even if they were available in the US, but an early used one at the right price...? But then I like FI and ABS.
Liked the post - thanks.
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G
Guest
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Consumer reports show that 1 in 3 BMW owners had a major problem with their bikes. ****, even Harley owners were better off than that at 1 out of every 4 owners had a major problem with their bikes....oh, that's bad 
But, on the up side, even with that horrible dependability 74% of BMW owners would buy another one.....hmmmm, maybe they don't know any better?? 
I tell you, 3 yr warranty or not. If I spent that kind of money and had a 1 in 3 chance of a 'major problem'....But that's me and I'm cheap 
But, on the up side, even with that horrible dependability 74% of BMW owners would buy another one.....hmmmm, maybe they don't know any better?? I tell you, 3 yr warranty or not. If I spent that kind of money and had a 1 in 3 chance of a 'major problem'....But that's me and I'm cheap
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Guest
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Have you thought about this one???
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Guest
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Guest
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Although this one's pretty nice.
E
Ecklund
Guest
..But that's me and I'm cheap [/QUOTE]
Huh, a cheap GSR member...
[/QUOTE]Huh, a cheap GSR member...
I've owned a K 1200 S ( full fairing ) and then a K 1200 RS ( half fairing)
I was disappointed with the first bike as the roadholding degraded a lot around 20000 km.
Later on I learned that there was some kind of default in the front suspension linkage
The second bike handled very well specially in the very fast bends ( above 160 km/h).
I got tired of the bike because:
a) it wears the front tires very quickly due to the enormous amount of trail
b) it's not very agile in the twisties ( trail again)
c) the engine was disappointing but this could be due to the fact that here in France the engine is limited to 100 rwhp by law.
I did like the ESA suspension that allows you to select the suspension setting by turning a knob
My latest modern bike is a Kawasaki Z 1000 SX.
Way more fun to ride and much cheaper
I was disappointed with the first bike as the roadholding degraded a lot around 20000 km.
Later on I learned that there was some kind of default in the front suspension linkage
The second bike handled very well specially in the very fast bends ( above 160 km/h).
I got tired of the bike because:
a) it wears the front tires very quickly due to the enormous amount of trail
b) it's not very agile in the twisties ( trail again)
c) the engine was disappointing but this could be due to the fact that here in France the engine is limited to 100 rwhp by law.
I did like the ESA suspension that allows you to select the suspension setting by turning a knob
My latest modern bike is a Kawasaki Z 1000 SX.
Way more fun to ride and much cheaper
S
subforry
Guest
All that technology in a BMW can really lead to some reliability horror stories. A co-worker of mine left for home and only made it 5 feet on his BMW GS before the immobilizer kicked in. Took near to 2 months at the dealership to get it sorted out.
I would love to buy a new motorcycle but the depreciation is astronomical. You could buy one a few years old and save loads of cash.
Speaking of used M/Cs my local BMW dealership was happy to let me ride the bikes in their used stock. Maybe find used one and take it for a spin.
I would love to buy a new motorcycle but the depreciation is astronomical. You could buy one a few years old and save loads of cash.
Speaking of used M/Cs my local BMW dealership was happy to let me ride the bikes in their used stock. Maybe find used one and take it for a spin.
Yeah I hear you about depreciation.
I do like a three year unlimited milage warrenty though. The financing option on a new bike here is .095% making it a very managiable monthly payment. The thing is is that I'm not as mechanically inclined as most of the guys on here so reliabilty on the road with my wife is very important.
I know some guys on here are TOTALLY against the idea of a BMW but I gotta say it's the first NEW bike that really appeals to me. I have been doing lots of research on the bikes and the next step of course would be to ride a couple of them.
One thing I will say is that I have been treated better at the BMW dealership than any other dealership. Period!
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eddie21
Forum Mentor
http://www.kawasaki.com/HelpCenter/help_goodtimes.aspx
Above is the link to the Kawasaki Protection Plan. You can purchase this plan with the money you'll save by not buying the BMW. Also, if you get the C14, there will be enough savings after that to buy a lot of aftermarket stuff, seat, etc... Mind you, you very probably won't need the KPP because the C14 is so reliable. Ask somebody who has one! You'll have voluminous saddlebags, traction control, ABS, and a stable bike that will take you to Newfoundland and back without any concerns. 161hp is kind of fun too. Gosh, that sounds appealing to me!
PS
As far as pleasant dealerships go, once you get the C14 home you won't need to see the dealers again. The warranty will be honoured as long as a certified shop does any work on it. (which it very probably won't need). In 2 1/2 years I've never gone back, even for a friendly visit. The only problem I've had with the bike is... wait a minute... nothing! Period
Edit - here is the link that shows the warranty for the ZG as 36 months, hmm, isn't that 3 years?
http://www.kawasaki.ca/assets/pdf/warranty/Wguide_English_99964-0017_2013-09-05.pdf
Above is the link to the Kawasaki Protection Plan. You can purchase this plan with the money you'll save by not buying the BMW. Also, if you get the C14, there will be enough savings after that to buy a lot of aftermarket stuff, seat, etc... Mind you, you very probably won't need the KPP because the C14 is so reliable. Ask somebody who has one!
You'll have voluminous saddlebags, traction control, ABS, and a stable bike that will take you to Newfoundland and back without any concerns. 161hp is kind of fun too. Gosh, that sounds appealing to me! PS
As far as pleasant dealerships go, once you get the C14 home you won't need to see the dealers again. The warranty will be honoured as long as a certified shop does any work on it. (which it very probably won't need). In 2 1/2 years I've never gone back, even for a friendly visit. The only problem I've had with the bike is... wait a minute... nothing! Period
Edit - here is the link that shows the warranty for the ZG as 36 months, hmm, isn't that 3 years?
http://www.kawasaki.ca/assets/pdf/warranty/Wguide_English_99964-0017_2013-09-05.pdf
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One thing I will say is that I have been treated bette at the BMW dealership than any other dealership. Period!
This part is true. I went into a Suzuki dealership to buy a slightly used weestrom. No test rides, and he actually laughed at me for wanting one. He actually implied that I couldn't get the loan anyway, not sure why. Off to the BMW dealer, test rode a two year old F800GS, paid cash and bought it that day, wheelied past the Suzuki shop on the way home. Enjoyed that so much I went around the block and did it again. After riding both bikes quite a bit, the F8GS is far superior to the Wee, faster, lighter, far better off road, but I would have never known this if the Suzuki place would have treated me right.
E
Ecklund
Guest
Sorry to admit that I'm petty enough to really enjoy that story. OK , not that sorry really.
Also glad to hear the F8GS is a good bike.
When/if the South Sudan mission kicks off again I'm thinking the F8GS is the right bike.
I thought there was suppose to be a standard version of the 1600 six cylinder bike. Mmm... In line six bike engine.
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G
Guest
Guest
Went to the bmw dealer again today to ask some questions that I had after reading so many forums and reviews that it made my head spin.
They don't have the R model on the floor so they are looking into how I can test ride one. might be getting closer.
Do I hear a road trip coming??? if it comes down to purchase time I'm not sure who would do better, you or your wife
Exciting stuff Trevor no doubt about that. I guess all we could do in the garage with one of these is drink beer and stare at it.....hmmmm, a bike you don't actually have to work on all the time. Hey wait a minute, I just realized my bikes actually have a worse mechanical track record than Harleys or BMW's.. damn.. I get your point.
