Vindication! K12R Voted Bike Of Year

[Dr. Curve]

Bravo and vindication here. For all us K12S and K12R supporters who have been defending against the nay sayers for months..........the new K12R has been voted "BIKE OF THE YEAR" by Motorcyclist Magazine. Some of us have steadfastly held to the notion that the new BMW K, either R or S, would rule 2005 and here you have it.

It tested out nice as well, turning a straight up 10.50 sec quarter at 130.5 mph with a 0 to 100 mph time of 6.23 sec.

Absolutely trounces the others including the S4R Monster, Triumph Speed Triple, and the Yamaha FZ1.

Tell it!

[WildWilly]

I own a K1200R and having Motorcyclist pick it as bike of the year is making me rethink my purchase. I'm not sure I want to own a motorcycle any moto-jounalist likes.

[Dr. Curve]

Well perhaps you should sell it Willy, being as how even the magazines can't deny BMWs new thrust into a higher performance standard. What machine would you have thought better to recieve a "bike of the year award" if not the K12S or R series?

[motoman]

Originally posted by WildWilly
I own a K1200R and having Motorcyclist pick it as bike of the year is making me rethink my purchase. I'm not sure I want to own a motorcycle any moto-jounalist likes.

Hey, you stole my post!

Oh, boy 'Motorcyclist'. The magazine with the 'For Sale to the Biggest Advertiser' sticker on the cover.

Nobody reads that rag anymore. Except Doc C. of course. Who felt so insecure in his purchase he required 'vindication'.

[Rattus]

The good Doctor is definitely not a snake-oil merchant! If you suffer from the "big C" or motorcycling (ie "Cynicism") then a dose of K1200R is definitely worth a swig.

I think Doctor Curve isn't really mentioning this bike mag's award as a definitive proof - just that its interesting that a mag typically addicted to japanese offerings with chains and pogo-sticks gives the BMW such praise. Similarly I hear the Brit "Superbike" mag give the K1200S the nod over the former benchmark bikes like ZX12R, Huyabusa, Blackbird. This mag often made remarks about BMWs being for the "pipe and slippers" geriatric rider, so its great to see 'em change their tune. If they can reassess BMW offerings, maybe other people can too (not to mention any names )

[John Lyon]

Isn't Motorcyclist the magazine that pissed off all their helmet advertisers with the revolutionary test and article a few months ago? Sounds like a real sell-out to me..... and follow-the-leader thinking too.

[bingo]

Thanks John. Well said.

Dr. Curve, I believe in what you say. I just don't think a beemer can compete with the, well..., the competition. There is a lot of stuff that just can't be done with a BMW.

We all love the BMW bikes, no matter what the year or model. That's why we're here. We are BMW riders. We've made that choice. For an overall machine, there is probably none better, but they will never build one that will compete seriously in an open-market superbike race. If that does happen, then it's not going to be a real BMW anymore. No problem if they finally do, but it won't be what we love.

[Skippy]

If it was voted bike of the year when compared to other naked bikes I think the competition is pretty week or even non excisting.Would be more interesting to see what they thought of the K1200S compared to the competition witch hasn't had a real update for the last couple of years.Don't wanna say that the K1200R isn't a good bike though and if I had the cash I would probably buy one right now but seeing witch bikes are named as competition it's hardly an achievement.

[WildWilly]

Several years ago the Harley V Rod was picked as bike of the year. Wasn't this the same Motorcyclist Magazine? I bought the K1200R because it was the bike of the year for me. I don't need any vindication from a moto-journalist, nor do I feel any need to defend against the nay sayers.

[yetidave]

[BOR15]

yeti needs to go for a ride on an R ..

thanks Dr C


love mine so much that the girl left me because of it

Boris

[yetidave]

Originally posted by BOR15
yeti needs to go for a ride on an R ..

thanks Dr C


love mine so much that the girl left me because of it

Boris

I did ride it. I bought the Tuono instead.

[BOR15]

man that was quick!


you sitting on this topic?

Boris

[BMW Atlanta]

Dr C,....................where ever did you say the K1200R would be motorcycle of the year??????? The K1200R is significantly different then the K1200S within the first 20 feet of a test ride and if I didnt already have solid plans for an R1200GS HP2,.....I'd have a K1200R sitting in my own garage. I can totally understand why the K1200R got the vote,......but to put it in the same "standard" as a K1200S is very vague at best in my opinion.

[Dr. Curve]

Bobby, speaking as someone who works at a BMW shop, please inform us as to how a K12S is inferior to its smaller brother. What standard are you talking about? Both bikes are built to the same standards of quality. I'm thrilled that the new K got B of the Y in this magazine and eagerly await for other magazines to follow suit. I have posted many times here and in print that I felt the new K12 (S or R makes no difference to me) would be judged Bike Of The Year in several countries and that seems to be coming to pass.

I hope you graduate up to a K12R someday if that is what you desire, but for myself I remain a twin person first and formost.............waiting for the R12S that soon will be coming our way. How are sales up your way? Hot in some areas, cooler in others...........?

[yetidave]

Originally posted by Dr. Curve
please inform us as to how a K12S is inferior to its smaller brother. What standard are you talking about?

Where did he say inferior? So the R&S are the same bike? They'd have to be for your claims to hold any water at all. But then again, when have your claims ever held any water? Throw enough $hit against the wall and something's bound to stick, eh doc?

[Dr. Curve]

Dave, I'm just pleased that a BMW "low fours" got BOTY award. Some of us thought and said so all along. Sorry if you conscrew this to be throwing anything aganist the wall.

I will rephrase: Do you Dave, or you Bobby, believe a stock K12S is inferior to its big K12S brother, and if so, could you please elaborate. Nothing fancy, just curious. Motorcycle Consumer News gave the new K bike its 5 star award (seldom used) and although they don't have a BOTY award, lets see how many other bikes get a 5 star from MCN in 2005.

I contend that putting a K12R in the same "standard" as a K1200S is specific and in not vague. They are both held to the same standard. Whats the beef?

[Dr. Curve]

in previous post

"to its big K12S brother" should be "to its smaller K12R brother" sorry guys. Clitcheaded today....

[Steve Carlton]

Doc- I agree with you regarding the S and R being more alike than different (and enjoy your enthusiastic posts, BTW), and I'm not cynical enough to disregard what the media says. I have learned the hard way to try stuff out for myself, as the only opinion that really matters is your own.

Note- you can "edit" your posts themselves without making a new one to correct the original.

[John Lyon]

Bike of the year is usually given to the most outstanding new product of the year, which ususally translates into the biggest surprise factor, or "wow, look what those guys did." When the Harley V Rod came out, they deserved it too, as it was a great step forward for Harley. Though I still didn't buy one for myself, I can appreciate the improvement.