2002 KRS

[pdonnell]

My lazy touring side came out of me today. At the dealership I got on a 2002 K1200RS. Nice and shiny black with cruise control. So pretty, so smooth. Is it a sin to consider buying one to keep my S company in the garage?

[sfarson]

Well, I'm among the lost with a '99 blue/silver KRS sitting next to a '01 S.

There is some overlap. I prefer the S for shorter rides on roads with tighter curves. For all other journeys, the KRS is my preferred transportation vehicle <g>. I would give the nod to the S in terms of looks and exhaust note. The long-legged KRS fits my 6'5" frame better. I like the electric smooth acceleration of the KRS. The S has more character.

Good riding,

Steve

[JF]

Did you sit on it? I sat on my brother's for a few miles and hated the cramped peg position. You might tell yourself you'll go slow on the bike too, but the engine is soo smooth and strong it just loves to cruise at elevated speeds....but when the turns come you'll be decking out hard parts. Sidestand, centerstand and not lightly I might add. I can leave him behind in the twisty bits, and he can out distance me on the straights. But I like curves better...any monkey can twist the grip and go. And yes, yes, I think my bro is a monkey.

If ya want a second bike I for one say try something so completely different you'll have no trouble choosing what to ride. Say....an Aprilia RS250....a KTM Duke II. Hell you could buy them both for the cost of the K bike. =)

[roger albert]

Hi,

Couldn't agree more with everything JF said.
In fact, the particular combo of bikes he suggested would be tough to better.

Back to P.D's original question, no, hardly a sin, but the bikes seem too close to me. If I were to want two bikes that close (and I do) it would be to take two identical bikes and modify them differently, to learn and appreciate just what those mods do (which I have done) And S and KRS wouldn't be bad though. A pretty personal choice.

enjoy
roger

[JeffD]

I got the urge to add a bike to keep my S company over the winter so I bought a new KLR650. so now not only do I own the best looking bike made I own the ugliest one too. I say get something totally different because each will make you appreciate the other more. After riding the KLR the S feels that much better. jeff
p.s. it would be a sin not to get another bike to keep your S company.

[This message has been edited by JeffD (edited 10-13-2001).]

[Rattus]

The K1200RS in my opinion is an awesome bike - the only other bike out there that "rings my bell". If I did more interstate touring or if we had high speed autobahns in Australia I would have really considered giving the K the nod, but since most of my riding is twisties and I love boxer engines, the S was the one for me. My Buddy "Saintly" is currently contemplating between the 2 bikes, and there's not much in it.

Of course it would be cool to have both and S and a K12RS, but given the expense of the bikes and their similar sport-tourer orientation, I think having both is not something I'd do. Hmmm maybe having something totally different, like an utter tourer or a total sportsbike would give more novelty value and bang for buck. OR what about a GS for getting you places you cant really go with an S?

PS - OK had to add this note: A little while ago "Sainlty" and I took a day off the go bike shopping and at Tom Byrnes Motorcycles they had a black K fully decked out in touring gear and it looked AMAZING. I felt like getting down on bended knee and chanting "We're not Worthy!"


[This message has been edited by Rattus (edited 10-13-2001).]

[motoman]

A common conundrum, pdonnell, and one which I have considered myself... I agree with most of the previous comments, including price(!) I find the 6-speed S to be surprisingly long-legged, for a 'sport' bike. Another factor may be the upcoming 2003 K13?? After reading all the posts about S resale dropping, I would want take advantage of possible opportunities in the used K12 market...Every BMW has it's day.. I really took a beating when selling my K11...

I can tell you that for extended 2-up super-slab pounding I take my Valkyrie, which is extremely smooth, very comfortable for the passenger and driver, and you can roll on thousands of trouble-free miles with impunity.. Many GL HOndas have 100K+ miles on the clock. You can pick up a used low-mileage late-model version in the $8K range.. PLUS: YOU CAN ATTACH A TRAILER!!!

[moose]

My next bike will be a K1200RS. I love my S, but I demoed a KRS this summer and was ready to trade. I think it would be a better long distance bike. Having the 2 would be an even better solution, but like the others said, you may want more varied "tools in your toolbox". That's the excuse I use on my wife when it comes to multiple cycles, firearms, etc...Three street bikes is probably closer to what's necessary.

[Rattus]

Hey Moose the status of "collector" is all thats required. Then is ALL OK!

[pdonnell]

Heyyy, collector....yea..yea.....thats the ticket!!! I'm going to buy one cause I want to be a collector. Not that the bikes overlap! Thank's Lord Rattus, you've sealed my logic for buying one.
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Now, if I wanted a half faring KRS would this be the ticket: (and yes, that is a R1100S stenciled on the bike)
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[This message has been edited by pdonnell (edited 10-15-2001).]

[pdonnell]

O.K. I caved yesterday and bought a 2002 KRS. Cruise control is great, so is the link braking. Yea, it sure is a flying carpet. But there is buzziness in the 4K range.My sport bike fantasy has just been put off another 1 or 2 years though.

[This message has been edited by pdonnell (edited 10-20-2001).]

[Rapt]

What fantasy is that?

[pdonnell]

Guess its not a fantasy if I didn't get a sportbike huh. No, I wanted to get a MV Agusta. But there are only 3 dealers in California. The nearest in S.F. (100+ miles away) There not exactly rock solid bikes. So dealer support is critical. Also they cost another $2-$3 grand more. Higher insurance cost....etc......Maybe I would have bitten if a dealer was nearer to me.

[Rapt]

LOL! You're talking to a guy who lives about 300 miles from his dealer, true it is a BMW, but they ain't close... Now if there was an Aprilia dealer closer to me (like in this country) I might have gotten a Mille R.

But I'll bet it'd suck at pulling a trailer... Yes I do that with my S. Its so much better than those unsightly bags hiding the sexiest rear in motorcycling.

[Rattus]

Congratulations Patrick on your awesome Collector status! I'd be totally keen to hear you compare and contrast the K vs the S in all sorts of situations.

I love the EVO ABS on my S - have you attempted full-bore braking on the K yet? How are you finding the efficiency of the braking and no-slide front tyre?

Once again, I salute you!

[pdonnell]

thank-you varrrry much....thank...you vary much.
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Only have 140 miles on it. I'll post some updates. Wife thinks its a cadillac. (its sooo smooth) But its pig heavy with all the weight on the front. (compared to the S) With the pegs in the lower position and the grips moved all the way back it feels like a 630lbs. Vespa compared to the S. If you want a touring bike this is the ticket. IMHO

[motoman]

Well, pdonnell, I am quite envious of your ability to park nearly $30K worth of BMW motorcycles in your garage! You must be living the good life... I was also thinking about a contrast to the S, and the Hayabusa comes to mind.. Certainly not the refined surgical instrument as the K, but sometimes living on the ragged edge can bring out the adrenaline too! Plus I hear that the new ones have fairly impressive reliablity.. Did you ever consider this bike?

[pdonnell]

Never considered the Haya... It would be a great bike though. I just really like BMW's. Guess I'm kinda upity in this respect. My brother said the same thing kinda. Say's that I should've got a Kawa ZX-12R. Which in the context of value for the money the BMW would suck. The bottom line was that I like the lines of KRS, cruise, link braking, auto choke, ABS III all for $15K. MSRP is $16,990. Hell $16200 out the door with a few thou down for a couple hundred a month (3.9%) just made sense to me. Practical, not necessarily. But buying all that horsepower and smoothness without pooring a small fortune (i.e. modifying the S) was just too refreshing to pass up.
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I don't think I'm living the good life. Although when I feel down all I have to do now is walk out to the garage to see how fortunate I am. Nah...I'm just trying to do my part in deficit spending to get the economy going and americans back to work. (now my wife is getting sick!!!)

[This message has been edited by pdonnell (edited 10-18-2001).]

[Rapt]

I hear you about the just looking thing..

Last night I got in from a ride and got off my bike to open the garage. When the door opened and this "S" was gleaming in the lights I just had this "I can't believe I "own" a bike this great" feeling.

It took ages for that feeling to fade when I first got it and I still get it now and then. Really a great machine. KRS isn't really my thing except if I were planning a lot of two up sport touring, THEN its the perfect ticket.

FWIW according to T.W.O. guys the Haya is the best of the "hyper sports touring class". Both in motor and handling, but somewhat less comfy than the Honda XX

[pdonnell]

I didn't know a KRS could draw this many babes?
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[This message has been edited by pdonnell (edited 10-21-2001).]