BMW K1200S Review (2004)
What Is It?
The BMW K1200S is a popular sports touring bike and is powered by a liquid cooled 1,157 cc inline four engine, producing 165 bhp at 10,250 rpm and maximum torque at 8,250 rpm. Final drive is via shaft and the engine is angled forwards to give it a low centre of gravity.
Specs
- Seat Height: Average (820 mm / 32.3 inches)
- Dry Weight: Heavy (227 kg / 501 lbs)
- Economy: Average (40 mpg / 7.1 l/100km / 14.2 km/l)
- Range: High (170 miles / 274 km)
- Top Speed: Very high (180 mph / 290 km/h)
Pros
- Shaft drive
- Handling
- Brakes
- Power
Cons
- Power delivery
- Really heavy
- Seat
What Is It Like?
Choosing The K1200S
I bought my 2007 K1200S a little over a year ago as I’d always liked the look and was curious what they’d be like to live with. So despite reading many mixed reviews about reliability and build quality I bought one.
Well the reviews are largely right but if you get a well sorted one they are phenomenal bikes. If buying one make sure all the recalls are done and the updated cam chain tensioner is fitted, also the later air box and air control valve as the early ones warped causing rough running, poor tickover and stalling. Problems with the ABS pumps can be very expensive to sort but thankfully I found one without ABS.
What's Good?
So grab yourself a good ‘un and what a fabulous bike you get. It has about 150 bhp at the rear wheel and a great engine with a real raspy, sporty exhaust note. Mine has a Remus can and it pulls hard from low revs, which I do like.
The handling is supreme. I was really surprised by this but it really is very good and with the electronic suspension adjustment just press a button to alter from comfort, normal or sport and solo, with luggage or with pillion.
I've been impressed with this and the ride comfort too for quite a sporty bike. So a really lovely bike to ride, very quick and surprisingly it attracts quite a lot of attention at bike meets etc.
Equipment
I would prefer a digital speedo to the rather hard to read analogue one but the computer is good, giving you everything you need including ambient temperature. There is also a power socket and mine came with BMW’s expandable panniers.
Servicing
Well, maybe not as simple as Japanese bikes of the era. Oil is dry sump so you have a separate tank making things a little more complicated.
The rear hub only has a hole at the top for filling as it was meant to be oil for life. Not the best idea.
Spark plugs, with the canted forward engine are right behind the radiator so that has to come off to change them. All well and good but the radiator refill has to be done using a vacuum pump to stop air locks in the system.
But hey, it’s a BMW. Many do big miles and I’m keeping mine for now.
- Steve C, 2018
Price Guide
Related Bikes
BMW K1300S - Replacement with larger engine, more power and optional quickshifter.
The Second Opinion
Choosing It
I bought my K1200S as a stop gap bike due to my Harley Davidson Road Glide Special going in for warranty work and only had the K1200S a few months while doing not many miles on it.
It's a fairly comfy bike but heavy, very quick for an old bike too, the brakes work brilliantly and the ESA is brilliant for such a big heavy bike. Tyre wear isn't brilliant and the rear Michelin 2CT didn't last long.
Handling
Again it's good but due to its size it's a heavy bike to go from one side to the other i.e. left to right on tight corners. Power delivery is smooth and non-aggressive and I also added a Delkavik stubby exhaust. I don't know if it gave it any more power but did deliver a great sound.
Mods
My 2005 was bought originally in the stock silver metallic paint but was changed to the Chinese plastics from eBay with the motorrad power cup paint scheme on them, which was a great looking body kit but took hours to fit right.
Comfort
Not bad. It's a longer bike and the bars being higher than the likes of a sports bike give a great feel and control, but the grips are far too small. Heated two stage grips work great but number 1 is too cold and 2 is generally too hot in most conditions as normal for a BMW.
Pros
It's a cheap high performance bike with overall great power, handling, brakes and they are very underestimated.
Cons
Slow handling on tight flips from one side to the other and it's heavy when manoeuvring about.
What to Watch For
The clutch will cost a fortune so make sure it's had the K1300S upgrade done, including basket etc. Corrosion is a problem on some as well.
- Matthew W, 2018
Add Your Review
Do you own this bike? We would love to hear anything good, bad, unexpected or that you have changed plus anything that a prospective new owner might find interesting or useful.
More Info
Check out this video review from Suffolk Andy.