Thinking about a BMW 1200 LT

[DkKnight]

Hopefully I will soon get a pretty sizable raise and if it comes to pass I am contemplating selling the RSV and getting a BMW 1200 LT. I have always like the look and the features offered on them. The price is higher than the Venture, but that is to be expected when you get power stand, reverse, heated and electric seats etc.

 

I haven't ridden one yet, but when I get back from Savannah I plan on scheduling a test ride.

 

The seat height is about 3/4 of and inch taller than the Venture, but with my corbin seat I am flat footed on the RSV so I don't think that would be and issue.

 

Anyone here ever owned or ridden this machine. If so what are the pros and cons from your perspective?

 

I read a shoot out article between the LT and the 1800 GW. Taking engine size out of it, the BMW faired better with the reviewer than the wing in most categories.... handling, acceleration etc. The only thing the wing really had was you could add more crap to it.

 

Thoughts.....

[FreezyRider]

The other (huge) advantage that a Wing or Venture has over a Beemer is the availability and cost of service. Not sure I'd want to head out cross country on a BMW when their dealerships are so few and far between.

[DkKnight]

How does the cost differ. Most shops are 70 bucks and hour, haven't checked to see what the BMW cost are yet. Not to that point in research.

 

I know there will be fewer dealers to service them.

[Missionary Rider]

Before you buy, check out the cost of regular required service and maintenance. My friend loves his but I was shocked at what he is paying for servicing the bike.

[RickH]

I road tested both the K1200LT and the GL1800 both for about 100 miles. Both were used and both had about 28,000 miles on them.

 

I found the Bmer Buzzy.

 

Parts are dear (expensive).

 

Found it was no match for the GL1800 The GL did everything better.

 

Just my take on them.

[hig4s]

I have ridden the LT a few times,, it was a real close call between the RSV and the LT for me. The bike is much quieter, handles the twisties much better, yet still is comfortable just cruising along. It takes a little while to get use to the difference in controls, but not too bad. The new ABS brakes seem fine. Maintenance cost can be high but there are plenty of people over at their specific forum that can help you out, much like here on the RSV. I have also attended one of their annual rallies, the CCR. It is a heck of a nice get together.

 

I had a few reasons for opting for the RSV over the LT,

1. To me the RSV was just a little more comfortable.

2. they have a fairly high rear shaft spline failure rate, from what I gathered from the forum around 10% will fail between 25k and 45k. BMW does not want to admit there is an issue (sound familiar)

3. There just are not that many dealerships around the country if you do need service, they have less dealerships in the US than KTM. (To be fair, everyone that had a problem under the three year warranty said the nearest dealership, no matter how far away, was good about taking care of them and their extra expenses on the road, it just sometimes took awhile for them to get there.)

 

As far as price, if you buy new they BMW is a bit more, but because of the limited market for BMWs they go down in price faster than Wings, so used are around the same price as a used RSVs. There always seem to be a few used ones listed over on their forum. http://www.bmwlt.com/forums

[Snarley Bill]

no doubt about it the wing sets the standard for a touring bike by a long shot. can't see how you could possibly top it. the motor is what it's all about. electric motor smoothness and power out of this world from idle on up. i would have to put the venture 2nd on the top touring bike list. would be hard to beat either one.

[Eddy]

I have a friend that had an LT. It was a beautiful bike. The GL1800 is better in all areas but maybe the looks and eye appeal is a lot. He had to travel at least 100 miles anytime he needed attention to the bike or general service. The price was definitely higher but he liked the idea of a BMW. It's all in what makes you grin.

Eddie:thumbsup:

[RickH]

I read a shoot out article between the LT and the 1800 GW. Taking engine size out of it, the BMW faired better with the reviewer than the wing in most categories.... handling, acceleration etc. The only thing the wing really had was you could add more crap to it.

 

Thoughts.....

 

Yeah I read that one also. RoadRunner did the same test between the two bikes and placed the GL above the Bmer for the same reasons. Then the next couple months the Bmer owner wrote in complaining about the test and how dare they rate the GL above their Bmer.

 

What you read may depend on whom is paying the advertising.

[Guest Boomerbiker]

I would strongly encourage you to read the latest edition of "Motorcyle Consumer News" prior to committing to the BMW. The article was in regard to a serious maintenance issue with a significant number of the bikes. Just contact me and I will provide you with the information.

[Freebird]

I think it's a great looking bike and I've heard good things about the handling and etc. but also that it was a bit "buzzy". One thing that I've read though is that they have had some problems with rear engine seals that require the engine be removed to repair. Not sure how extensive or wide spread this problem was but enough that it got some attention. It is a great looking bike.

[CrazyHorse]

A couple friends I have one has a 1999 BMW K1200 LT the other a 2001 Goldwing. I have ridden both. I prefer the seating position on the BMW to the GW. The BMW seems to handle better. The GW has more torque and what my buddy calls stupid fast and it has power and doesnt matter what gear your in twist the throttle and go. The BMW gets it power higher up in the power band but still not GW power. BMW is getting 45+mpg the GW about 38 mpg. BMW electric movable windscreen to GW hand operated screen. 6 speed tranny BMW 5 speed GW. BMW wrote the book on brakes no other bike has the brakes of this BMW if you want to turn ABS off you can do it. Both have linked brakes BMW is linked rear to front by pulling the right handle last I heard GW was still like the 1st Gen linked front to the rear by pushing on the brake peddle. I like my brakes with the rear operated alone by the peddle. The BMW way is ok in this regard. Earlier GW had frame and paint issues I think they corrected these now. GW has lots more dealers across the nation and plentiful parts in the future compared to BMW. Reliability have to go to Honda slighty better. Oil change harder to do on the BMW. BMW maintenance costs higher if dealer does it. Adjustable heated seat on BMW the GW I think didnt have this on the 1800 unless they changed it.

 

I prefer the BMW riding position and the handling to the GW. I used to think I wanted a 1800 motor but 1200 is good enough with the cost of fuel.

 

For me I'd rather have the BMW but GW does have some advantanges.

Edited August 17, 2008 by CrazyHorse

[az1103]

I read a shoot out article between the LT and the 1800 GW. Taking engine size out of it, the BMW faired better with the reviewer than the wing in most categories.... handling, acceleration etc. The only thing the wing really had was you could add more crap to it.

Thoughts.....

 

 

I am curious where you found this review, because this kind of comparison occurs on a regular basis and can be easily found in several of the popular magazines. I was, at one time, particularly interested because I too was curious about the LT.

Every review I ever read used words like "quirky, buzzy, high CG, floaty, overpriced, outclassed" and in particular in comparison to the Wing everyone said that you can customize the wing with a variety of sources whereas for the BMW you could only buy from BMW at astronomical prices. One tends to discount some of this to general brand predjudice but then my best friend purchased a R1200CLC, and the fun began..... Batteries, hard to find, almost twice the price, cup holder from BMW $129 !!!!!!! roll bar 350+ for the front about the same for the rear!!! ONLY from BMW - there are NO other suppliers. Matching the radio and cd plugs to any one else's system has been a nightmare, as getting info from BMW in general. You want intercom? over $1000! Plus if you look in the latest issue of Motorcycle Consumer News they have a large article on widespread rear-end failures on the latest paralever systems and of course on how unwilling BMW is to admit to the problem while at the same time quietly fixing it !!!! Typical German approach!.

Now, I have not personally ridden an LT, but I have ridden the CLC and I can tell you that the much touted linked brake system can only be described with two words "IT SUCKS" There is virtually no way to make a smooth stop. It grabs front and rear at same time. You can't let go on the front and apply the rear at slow speed, you can't keep up the revs and "pull it up" with the back brake on tight turns. Yah, the ABS is nice - but the linked brake SUCKS !!! As to the comfort, well that's something you have to decide for yourself, but if you like the comfort of the RSV seat, you won't like the Beamer's it's indended for "teutonic comfort" our wives already discussed, tried out, and passed judgement : My friend is looking for a replacement seat to maintain internal harmony....Not an easy task since you won't find BMW parts or accessories in any of the catalogs or websites.... Think about that... $1200 for a seat.

[SledgeHammer]

I have owned both the GW and the BMW. I sold a 2003 K1200LT to buy the RSV. The GW and BMW are both great bikes, but I liked the BMW better. It was much more nimble and had more than enough power for me (a lot more powerful than the RSV). It was like a crotch rocket touring bike. Both the GW and BMW had amenities that I liked. I really liked the power windshield on the BMW. I like that both were EFI. Neither has anything on the RSV when it comes to comfort. So why did I switch? I love the looks of the RSV, the 5 year warranty, and the V-Twin engine. For me, the looks,reliability, and ride of the RSV makes up for it's other shortcomings when compared to the GW or BMW.

[5bikes]

1. Unreliable- 1/2 of systems broke down in 12 months of ownership.

2. Expensive parts and service

3. Few dealers-nearest 275 miles

4. Extreme High center of gravity

5. Hard to work on, ie. 4 hours to change air filter, dry clutches ruined by clutch slave cylinders or seal leaks, 4 day job to repair.

6. Heavy weight 850#'s

7. 2 weeks waiting on parts

8. Incredibily hard to handle under 20 mph.

9. Rear seat for my SO was uncomfortable

10. Poor headlights

11. Large CD player takes up 1/3 of one saddlebag.

12. Final drive failures too high & leaking seals in transmission

13. Took 5k miles to get semi-used to weird handling.

14. High ABS failures.

15. Speedo 10% off, reads too high

 

DO NOT BUY! Don't waste your money!!

[gibvel]

and the V-Twin engine. .

 

Pssssst sorry to tell you but, if you have a V-Twin in your's, someone cheated you out of 2 cylinders. All the RSVs I've seen have a V-4 in them.

[SledgeHammer]

Pssssst sorry to tell you but, if you have a V-Twin in your's, someone cheated you out of 2 cylinders. All the RSVs I've seen have a V-4 in them.

 

Thanks! I did not get cheated. I should have said V-4 engine. Hey, I have owned 2 Harleys and my first RSV.

[RedRider]

Hopefully I will soon get a pretty sizable raise and if it comes to pass I am contemplating selling the RSV and getting a BMW 1200 LT. I have always like the look and the features offered on them. The price is higher than the Venture, but that is to be expected when you get power stand, reverse, heated and electric seats etc.

 

I haven't ridden one yet, but when I get back from Savannah I plan on scheduling a test ride.

 

The seat height is about 3/4 of and inch taller than the Venture, but with my corbin seat I am flat footed on the RSV so I don't think that would be and issue.

 

Anyone here ever owned or ridden this machine. If so what are the pros and cons from your perspective?

 

I read a shoot out article between the LT and the 1800 GW. Taking engine size out of it, the BMW faired better with the reviewer than the wing in most categories.... handling, acceleration etc. The only thing the wing really had was you could add more crap to it.

 

Thoughts.....

 

My riding buddy just got one. He has long been a sport tourer guy but was intrigued by the LT. It is a beautiful bike and he is a happy camper. Like any fine machine, it requires maintenance. Unlike the GW which just requires gas and periodic oil changes.

 

BTW, PM sent.

 

RR