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Finally Did It

danboxer

New member
Traded in the old but basically perfect 96 R1100R:

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Kx7WK17zHouBErmRFiLae6iJR6wTF062CVub0RQSN9g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z2PD7M2emTg/Tq7Vh2pJAuI/AAAAAAAAABU/YPlNcXdEh7Y/s800/102-0245_IMG_2.JPG" height="563" width="750" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108505263444407427912/R1100R?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLLHiIDy0rHHqwE&feat=embedwebsite">R1100R</a></td></tr></table>


For a 04 K1200RS with less than 4000 miles. Almost bought a new R1200RT but I had to give the a K bike a try. So far the K is AWESOME! Can't wait for Spring!

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cMkVREQycgb7E9WhgYLdP24nv4BdQwYlbrRw1leK7M0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Hum6KLTC-Q/TyM0pOJvJ1I/AAAAAAAAAF8/GPrXC2aCujs/s800/IMG_1196.JPG" height="563" width="750" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108505263444407427912/NewBike?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK-F7_Xw6KzsCw&feat=embedwebsite">New Bike</a></td></tr></table>

Would have loved to keep the old R but just don't have the room for two bikes. I was pretty bummed about giving her up after 16 years of ownership - but much of the sadness went away as soon as I got on the throttle of the K.....

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xTdbMoVDiqhsJIjdWPnLbm4nv4BdQwYlbrRw1leK7M0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-slBnWxOW4/TyM0RL5vexI/AAAAAAAAAF0/-eRG157XEL8/s800/IMG_1194.JPG" height="563" width="750" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108505263444407427912/NewBike?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK-F7_Xw6KzsCw&feat=embedwebsite">New Bike</a></td></tr></table>
 
How about dankbike for a new moniker?

Congrats on the K, Yep you'll miss the boxer a bit but the K will do just fine for ya. I did the transition from airhead to k to oilhead. To be honest I liked the first 2 far more. I also had the K far longer than any of the others, go figure.
 
Thanks for the suggestion but I'm thinking I'll stick with what I got as I still have a car with a boxer engine as well.

I still think there's another boxer in my future however but I'm going to give this bike a chance for a season or two.

And - thanks for your service.
 
I vote for keeping your current ID.

If you have to chnge then I would too. Mine would become MMVIIIGT/MMIXGS. :scratch
 
Always liked the look of the older K with the Shark Gill venting.As for your name just ad "shorts"at the end:)
 
Congrats. I'll be interested to hear your impressions as you ride it more. I've thought about going to an R and I'm curious about the difference in ride and feel. If only I could have two! :banghead
 
Thanks for all the well wishes, compliments, and name suggestions. You guys have a great board here.

As far as differences go - so far this bike is instantly better in two areas that always bugged me about the 96 1100R. The new K shifts much easily and there is no surge anywhere in the RPM range - so I'm much happier right out of the gate. On the other hand - when I test drove a 2011 R1200RT I did not have those issues either - so I don't think it's a K vs R thing, it's more of a newer vs older thing.

Other comparisons will have to wait as the first 100 miles I've put on it here in the Northeast have been tainted by some pretty chilly temperatures and the usual winter road hazards.
 
Thanks for all the well wishes, compliments, and name suggestions. You guys have a great board here.

As far as differences go - so far this bike is instantly better in two areas that always bugged me about the 96 1100R. The new K shifts much easily and there is no surge anywhere in the RPM range - so I'm much happier right out of the gate. On the other hand - when I test drove a 2011 R1200RT I did not have those issues either - so I don't think it's a K vs R thing, it's more of a newer vs older thing.

Other comparisons will have to wait as the first 100 miles I've put on it here in the Northeast have been tainted by some pretty chilly temperatures and the usual winter road hazards.

Having put about 50,000 miles on a K1200RS I think you'll like this bike a lot. A couple of personal suggestions that have worked for me. First, this bike is heavy in the front end, so I run 40lbs in the front tire rather than the book spec of 36.5lbs. For me that keeps the front end more solid and gives excellent tire wear. At 38lbs or less my front tires got eaten up and grooved very badly. I run the stock 42lbs in the rear. Also, I needed to learn to use the throttle much more to set this bike up in corners than with an airhead or K75, and I would think an oilhead might be similar. Once I figured out that the K12RS likes to be steered with the throttle, I fell in love with it and can't imagine ever getting rid if this bike. YMMV.
 
Thanks Greg.

I'll keep those pressures in mind. One thing I've noticed so far but can't confirm yet due to the somewhat sloppy roads I've been traveling is that the bike seems to wandering in turns. I suspect however this is because the previous owner did most of his riding on highways and not in the twisties (much of the outer portions of the tire look brand new).
I also suspect the current tires are original and well past their prime.

I think I'll treat my self to new rubber sooner rather than later. I had Michelin Pilot Road 2 Dual Compound tires on the R and loved em. Any recommendations?
 
Thanks Greg.

I'll keep those pressures in mind. One thing I've noticed so far but can't confirm yet due to the somewhat sloppy roads I've been traveling is that the bike seems to wandering in turns. I suspect however this is because the previous owner did most of his riding on highways and not in the twisties (much of the outer portions of the tire look brand new).
I also suspect the current tires are original and well past their prime.

I think I'll treat my self to new rubber sooner rather than later. I had Michelin Pilot Road 2 Dual Compound tires on the R and loved em. Any recommendations?

Wandering in the turns is *not* something your bike should do. I would suspect tires and/or tire pressure first. I've not run the PR2's or 3's but did go through two sets of the original Pilot Roads before trying Metzeler Z6s. Compared to the original PR's, the Z6s transformed my K12RS in a great way. The Interact Z6s were even better, and now the Z8s are a bit nicer still.

Based on my experience I would go with a set of Z8s first because I know they work so very well for me on this bike. The K12RS/GT is over 600lbs and in my experience a given series of tire on one bike doesn't always work the same as on another. Then, after 9,000 or so miles, if I were you, I would try the PR3s. You'll know this bike by then, and how it handles with the Z8s, so will be able to fairly evaluate the PR3s. Naturally , you could reverse the order of tires, but I'm suggesting the Z8s first because *I* like them so much. So much for objectivity. :lol
 
congrats on the new ride...
i've looked at those time and time again... how does it sit, BTW?

i've always been a vintage bike guy, with old Brits and Airheads, and i have an 88 K100. my *new* bike is a 93 R100RS.
sort been hankering for a NEW new bike... have been looking at the new Triumph Sprint GTs. probably kill myself at worst or get speeding tickets at best on one, however... and i'm not certain how comfortable my very leggy GF would be on the back of one- which is a VERY important consideration.

i'm on the wait-and-see plan, tho- for now.

best of luck!
 
Dan,

Welcome to the "other" side :thumb Try to keep your license in your wallet.

Have fun with your brick. Great engine- you should really like it. Pulls strong from a much wider rev range. And is pretty well bomb-proof.

Hope you have many fun miles.

John
 
BMWRider88,

If by how does it sit your talking riding position I'd say this bike puts a considerable amount of weight on one's hands and wrist. I start finding it a little uncomfortable after a half hour or so but I think I'll toughen up over time. With the R and its straight up position I never had any hand issues. That being said I'm overall quite comfy on the bike.

As far as the extra power goes - I think my age has tempered my throttle hand quite a bit. I remember testing a Triumph Sprint GT about 10 years ago and thinking the power would cause me to do something stupid - I just don't feel that way any more. Quite honestly I didn't quite know what to do with the 80hp on the R. I know I'll never really need the 130hp the K provides but I really appreciate the smooth and seamless way it delivers whatever I ask for, and I bet you will too....

_________________________________________________________________
John

Thanks for the welcome - can't wait to put my wife on the back - I think she'll love it!
 
John

Thanks for the welcome - can't wait to put my wife on the back - I think she'll love it!

Dan

We have found that because of the wide powerband and smooth delivery, these bikes are very good for 2-up sport touring. The opposite of an '09 Concours we had for one year- very abrupt throttle- very difficult to be smooth while 2-up.

My wife really likes our brick with its passenger backrest.

John
 
Congrats on the new bike! I had a '04 zebra and loved it before the allure of the K1200S proved too much to resist. I still miss my KRS especially the cruise control but not its heft.
 
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