Old guy, old bikes, first time MOA member

[1wheeldrive]

Hey Beemer dudes and dudettes,

I’m a 66 y/o moto guy that has owned a slew of motorcycles over the years. Just within the last week I bought myself an old MY 2000 K1200RS, which for a long time has been a bike I have lusted for. My new to me one has only 47k miles on the clock, and seems relatively unmolested. I’ve owned a bunch of other BMW bikes (and a few cars) but never joined the MOA in the past. Figured I’d give it a try this time.

Past BMW Motorcycles have included a ‘74 or 75 (forget) R60/5 LWB, an ‘86 K100RT, a ‘94 R1100RS, and an ‘03 F650GS Dakar, still in the garage. This new K12RS seems a fairly unique bike, and so I’ll be needing some info to get it squared away right. It came with absolutely no service history, but I generally don't trust prior owners’ stories anyway, and go through them from stem to stern, full maintenances all in one fell swoop, to establish a new benchmark. Did this with the F650 last year, but that is a relatively simpler bike than this K12RS.

I’ll be sure to hit you up for advice and technical info in the appropriate sub-fora. Just wanted to make an introduction. Also, my forum handle here is the same as what I go by most other places, though usually with allowed spaces and capitalization (1 Wheel Drive).

See you all out there!

 

[20774]

Welcome to the forum! So your handle suggests you ride unicycles! Look forward to seeing you around the various forums.

 

[1wheeldrive]

No, sir. Every motorcycle I’ve ever ridden has been 1 Wheel Drive, because I’ve never owned a Rokon.

See you out there!

 

[HSVPhil]

Hola Mr 1-wheel-drive from the Tenn River valley neighborhood.
You should probably start review Q&As on the Brick Thread:
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/forums/flying-brick-k-bikes.15/

Hope your newest olde Beemer suits your current needs with many Miles & Smiles.

Happy Trails whenever U can!
HSV-Phil --- & --- HSV-Karen [Alabama Airmarshal of CC-214]
USAF-Ret'd — & — USN-Ret’d
'75 R90S ——-—— '82 R100CS
'14 K16GT ———— '16 R1200RS
’09 KLX250S ——— ’88 R100RT
’05 Vespa 200L -—-- ’11 Vespa GTS 300
President of MOA CC-05: mail-to: president@bmwmoal.org

 

[1wheeldrive]

Thanks Phil,

I’m wading through all of the Brick posts, but do not see one specific to Q&A. Or did you just mean all of the threads that have been previously posted as the Q&A?

That section seems more full of the older bricks (K100’s and K75’s) than the few years of K1200’s, and those later models of transverse 4’s seem to have some unique attributes. I will continue to wade on, with hopes of uncovering some of the mysteries that I seek answers to.

 

[mikegalbicka]

Welcome from central Florida. Enjoy that nice ride.

 

[HSVPhil]

I simply was insinuating that a Flying Brick is What It is. Use the magnifying glass to look for particular items requiring research. I once upon a time had a used K11LT; then a new K12LT. They were both poorly ventilated - way too much engine heat coming up between my legs... Maybe your balls broiler will not affect your manly equipment cause you've always admired the K-RS, or maybe you're just such an understanding & forgiving BMW Rider... Of course, any M/C can cook your boy bits when you're stuck in a traffic backup somewhere in your X-country travels. I just had a boil-over on I-80E in the Sierra Madres Mtns in E-Calif on our way home from the MOA National Rally. It should Not be allowed to merge traffic on an Interstate Hwy in the middle of a hot summer's day at 5,500 ft altitude. Ought not to be approved by a competent Cal DOT engineer... Stuck for at least a mile climbing a long incline in 2-lanes.... But you're a competent motorcycle mechanic, and Everyday is a new ADVenture! Make Life a Ride!

Our next ADVenture is quickly approaching for two BMW rentals first in Hawaii [for our state #50 goal], and then a Bucket List visit to NZ (and an eXtended Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours on-road ADVenture).

Ciao, HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

 

[paul_f]

Welcome to the MOA Club and this Forum from Ontario.

 

[oldcamper]

I simply was insinuating that a Flying Brick is What It is. Use the magnifying glass to look for particular items requiring research. I once upon a time had a used K11LT; then a new K12LT. They were both poorly ventilated - way too much engine heat coming up between my legs... Maybe your balls broiler will not affect your manly equipment cause you've always admired the K-RS, or maybe you're just such an understanding & forgiving BMW Rider... Of course, any M/C can cook your boy bits when you're stuck in a traffic backup somewhere in your X-country travels. I just had a boil-over on I-80E in the Sierra Madres Mtns in E-Calif on our way home from the MOA National Rally. It should Not be allowed to merge traffic on an Interstate Hwy in the middle of a hot summer's day at 5,500 ft altitude. Ought not to be approved by a competent Cal DOT engineer... Stuck for at least a mile climbing a long incline in 2-lanes.... But you're a competent motorcycle mechanic, and Everyday is a new ADVenture! Make Life a Ride!

Our next ADVenture is quickly approaching for two BMW rentals first in Hawaii [for our state #50 goal], and then a Bucket List visit to NZ (and an eXtended Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours on-road ADVenture).

Ciao, HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen

?

Many (all?) of the early k bikes recirculated fuel and the metal gas tank could get pretty warm after a long ride in hot weather, but I thought the repackaged k1200’s had much better heat management for the rider.

If your bike overheated in traffic you may want to verify the radiator fan is still functional. It’s not uncommon for the fan on older k bikes to get stuck and need replacement.

 

[skibum69]

Welcome from Newfoundland.

 

[k100fran]

Welcome aboard 1wheeldrive. That RS is a gorgeous bike, to me it is a timeless design.

 

[1wheeldrive]

Thanks. Here’s the only photo I have of the new-to-me K12RS, right when I got her back home to VT, before even unloading.




I did get a set of saddlebags, that are pretty well rashed up, and the right one has a hole on the inboard corner, and has been black duct taped for superior weatherproofing.

 

[lee]

Welcome from a previous K1200RS owner.

 

[langoptc]

Welcome 1wheeldrive! Always a great day when you acquire a long desired bike. I have a couple of those myself (long-desired but not yet acquired). Thanks for posting the pic and good luck with getting the bike to your standards.

 

[Lendog]

?

Many (all?) of the early k bikes recirculated fuel and the metal gas tank could get pretty warm after a long ride in hot weather, but I thought the repackaged k1200’s had much better heat management for the rider.

If your bike overheated in traffic you may want to verify the radiator fan is still functional. It’s not uncommon for the fan on older k bikes to get stuck and need replacement.

If anyone has a k12 or k13 running hot or stalling the idle is controlled by a managed vacuum leak in the air box by a motorized valve, this valve will suffer excessive end play in its little motor, the diagnostic system does not recognize this issue, it is an easy fix