honest comparison - if possible K1200GT and ST

[clickr]

I have been looking (test riding) the St1300 ever since I sold my VMAX. In many ways the ST1300 is like the Vmax with a faring. V4, shaft drive, about the same HP, 5 speed (Vmax - 4 carbs ST-4 throttle bodies) (St - much much better brakes.)

Issues with the ST (as read from you guys and gals) heat, fork rebound too soft, no cruise, bad handlebar positioning, maintenence costs, rear end spline lube(s), lack of dealer knowledge, tupperware (and fastners), water pump and radiator (paint), 1,000+$ 12k service

Comparing to the 06 K1200GT, no front shock tubes, in-line 4, 6 speed, cruise, shaft drive (rear axle sealed for life), (don't know about throttle bodies but do know fuel injection), fairing easy to remove (screws). built in handlebar adjustment, low seat option, + hp, (fewer dealers). service costs seem lower.


Has anyone else seriously compared the two bikes (don't even talk Yamaha FJR - don't like the riding position.) and what are your findings?

As I compare a new STabs + farkles, it seems to come pretty close to base K1200GT (abs, cruise,) (many other options are dealer installed) cost.

Thanks for the input:

Cheers.

[John Anthony]

Do a search and you'll discover a number of threads dealing with these two (as well as other) rides. Wife and I had a K1200GT overnight courtesy of our local BMW dealership and after riding, I wrote up a fairly detailed assessment.

PS - Maggie ultimately opted for the R1200RT and I kept my ST1300.

John

[naturally wired]

In the US the ST can be had for $12800 with abs any day of the week....The GT will run you $18800 plus options...thats $6000....I haven't riden one yet but I guy I spent a few hundred miles with was and he seemed to keep up just fine!....for the $6k I'd rather have another bike !.........which is what I did and what I paid for the ZZR used!!!.....Beemers K bikes are topshielf(.) and I have nothing bad to say about them........you will pipe either bike so thats a cost either bike will have....if you ride a V-MAX what other farkles are you talking about ? Plus what country do you live in, if I may ask ?


" I SURE DO LOVE MY BIG V4"

[dduelin]

I have been looking (test riding) the St1300 ever since I sold my VMAX. In many ways the ST1300 is like the Vmax with a faring. V4, shaft drive, about the same HP, 5 speed (Vmax - 4 carbs ST-4 throttle bodies) (St - much much better brakes.)

Issues with the ST (as read from you guys and gals) heat, fork rebound too soft, no cruise, bad handlebar positioning, maintenence costs, rear end spline lube(s), lack of dealer knowledge, tupperware (and fastners), water pump and radiator (paint), 1,000+$ 12k service

Comparing to the 06 K1200GT, no front shock tubes, in-line 4, 6 speed, cruise, shaft drive (rear axle sealed for life), (don't know about throttle bodies but do know fuel injection), fairing easy to remove (screws). built in handlebar adjustment, low seat option, + hp, (fewer dealers). service costs seem lower.


Has anyone else seriously compared the two bikes (don't even talk Yamaha FJR - don't like the riding position.) and what are your findings?

As I compare a new STabs + farkles, it seems to come pretty close to base K1200GT (abs, cruise,) (many other options are dealer installed) cost.

Thanks for the input:

Cheers.

I'm not sure whether or not you are starting with good info. Some of the items you listed are subjective and are problems for some owners and non-issues for others. Heat, fork rebound, handlebar ergos, tupperware fit here. None of the motojournalist tests on the ST1300 mention handling problems related to soft fork rebound and few owners report aftermarket changes are necessary to correct OEM equipment and calibration. The tupperware removes and installs easiy with a combination of allen-headed screws, phillips screws, and plastic pushbutton retainers. Most ST owners ride the bike with stock handlebars although many owners do opt for risers to raise or pull back the bars.

Maintenance costs higher for the ST? Your kidding here right? The 16K maintenance is the most expensive and seems to run between $650 to $850 if you have the dealer do it. If you do it at home it's materials only....which you can do at home if you are so inclined. I understand the K has electronic diagnostics for the recommended 6K valve adjustments. I'm sure that's a black box you can't get at Auto Zone or Pep Boys. The BMW dealer will have to check the bike with his black box at 12K and then every 6K to see if the valves are in spec.

Both bikes need to have the rear drive splines lubed when the wheel is removed for tire service or other rear wheel maintenance. That's just good practice. Otherwise the ST has no requirement for regular or scheduled spline lube. The difference with the two bikes is the history BMW has with rear drive failures. Honda has no such history with the ST. The ST does recommend rear drive oil replacement at 24K intervals - a 15 minute job. The water pump and radiator problems are not present with that many bikes and certainly not a large number of the total.

The Duolever front suspension is innovative but the reviews of it on the MK. I K1200GT were not very flattering. It's one thing to break new ground but when the new ground offers less precision and feedback than the ST's old fashioned fork --??? (CW August 2005). You will have to buy the cruise as an option on the new GT, it isn't standard. And you will have to opt for the optional lower seat as the stock one is 32 to 33.5 inches high. The ST is 30.5" at the low setting. Hope the lower seat feels better than the BMW's OEM one, the riders in the one test I have read on it felt is was a weak spot in the design. Oh well, many ST owners quickly buy an aftermarket seat as well.

The handling and performance of the new KGT will be very very good, I don't doubt that. It's 4 years newer than the ST and that is a long time in today's market. For $18,800 with ABS and no other options the BMW is $3700 more at MSRP. The ST doesn't generally sell at MSRP though and from what I understand BMW's do, so the delta is probably closer to $5000.

For $5000 you can buy a set of $150 handlebar risers, a seat, and have plenty left to pay for a few maintenance checks at the dealer.

It won't be the same as having the newest BMW though and sometimes only that will do and that requires paying the price of admission.

[EASt]

Have you checked Bamarider's (http://www.bamarider.com) website?

I believe he owns both of them, and makes a pretty honest comparison on what he likes about each over the other.

[naturally wired]

East..... thats a R not a K !.....plus don't get me started on R's

[EASt]

East..... thats a R not a K !.....plus don't get me started on R's

Sorry. I wasn't sure. I've never been able to understand the R and K and GT and RT and all that. :hyp1:

[naturally wired]

:shrug2: ;) I'm not a Beemer expert but the first letter is the clue R is for the 2 cylinder boxer engine and K is for the more modern in line 4 cylinder.....

A while back in the 80's they did make a three cylinder k bike though :confused:

[EASt]

:shrug2: ;) I'm not a Beemer expert but the first letter is the clue R is for the 2 cylinder boxer engine and K is for the more modern in line 4 cylinder.....

A while back in the 80's they did make a three cylinder k bike though :confused:

That didn't help me much. ;)

[tccox]

:shrug2: ;) I'm not a Beemer expert but the first letter is the clue R is for the 2 cylinder boxer engine and K is for the more modern in line 4 cylinder.....

A while back in the 80's they did make a three cylinder k bike though :confused:

Made it into the 90s. My first BMW was a 1993 K75 Standard. The most boring, soulless, totally characterless motorcycle I've ever owned in many years of street riding . Only the second motorcycle I've ever had than when I sold it I had no regrets at all.

[Redeye]

Not ridden one myself - can't afford to buy one at around $23,000 her in the UK.

A good friend who does a lot of mileage has spent a couple of days on one (Blackbird rider) and he was really impressed with the performance and handling.

Only one downside which killed the deal - the seat's a *****! Very hard! And if you go for the low seat option it's the same seat with less padding to lose the height.
That was all he said and walked away from it.
Now owns new 06 Pan!! What can I say?