2002 BMW k1200RS help

[PaleHorse]

I'm going to go look at a 2002 K1200RS tomorrow. I've never owned a BMW and not sure what to look for. It's all stock with 16K original miles.

Looking for something that's more sporty than the harley and more comfortable thank the GSXR. This looks like it fits the bill. Anything I should be leery of with these bikes? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hophead]

The only thing I would recommend is, as with all Bmw bikes, overpriced on value....kinda like Harley’s but I should know having owned both makes, :staRang

 

[Pushrod]

Sixteen years old and sixteen thousand miles? An average of 125 miles a month?

It led a pampered life and probably was a garage queen. Sounds like a 'can't lose' proposition to me.

 

[WeekEndWarrior]

Being a former BMW motorcycle mechanic id look for a leaky rear main seal or tranny seal. Check the belly pan for oil build up. If it’s not yet, it will. They all do. And ABS servo brakes? I think it’s too old but maybe. Other than that it’s a flying brick.

 

[LakeMerrit]

find out where it was serviced and call there with the plate and vin. Better yet, take it somewhere and let the plug it into the beem-o-matic

 

[chrisweir.com]

Friends don't let friends buy K bikes....

 

[PaleHorse]

Friends don't let friends buy K bikes....

And the reason for that would be? I'm not being a smart ass. Dont know shit about BMW's and this is a screaming deal considering the low mileage and price. Cosmetically it's a 7 out of 10 but it's also a 2002.

 

[PaleHorse]

Being a former BMW motorcycle mechanic id look for a leaky rear main seal or tranny seal. Check the belly pan for oil build up. If it’s not yet, it will. They all do. And ABS servo brakes? I think it’s too old but maybe. Other than that it’s a flying brick.

This one has linked breakes. No abs.

 

[WeekEndWarrior]

Can’t have linked brakes without abs.

Edited. This is why I don’t go out of my way to help people on forums. Facepalm.

 

[motomania2007]

As compared to a comparable UJM, the BMW lives up to the bikes made weird moniker.

Not saying it is bad, just weird.

 

[boney]

Okay, here's what I know about the brakes.

The RS is supposed to have partially linked brakes. The hand lever is supposed to operate both front and rear, and the foot pedal is only supposed to operate the rear.

If it has two ABS lights, it's likely the older version of ABS. That ABS system has an issue with low battery voltage on start-up. That is, the ABS system would see that the voltage dropped below a certain level while the starter was running on a fatigued battery, and give an ABS fault. The solution is to ride the bike a bit then re-start it, as the alternator charge would have brought that battery back up. Alternately, there is a hack that will eliminate the ABS from initializing until the bike is running.

If it has one ABS light and whines when you pull a lever or hit the pedal, then it has the "whizzy" servo assisted brakes. These are like power brakes. A solution to a non-existent problem. They're mostly reliable but have a few quirky features, most notably when you're hard braking on a rippled surface (think frost heaves and such.)

Both systems were not without their failures, but for the most part, a well maintained bike would never have an issue, as the fluid was to be changed at regular intervals. The replacement ABS units are too expensive to buy, though the second-hand market might have changed that. I heard stories of people straight plumbing the brake systems from master to wheel cylinders without issue- but of course, there's no ABS any more.

Other than that, I recall riding a few and thinking they were rocket ships.

 

[PaleHorse]

Okay, here's what I know about the brakes.

The RS is supposed to have partially linked brakes. The hand lever is supposed to operate both front and rear, and the foot pedal is only supposed to operate the rear.

If it has two ABS lights, it's likely the older version of ABS. That ABS system has an issue with low battery voltage on start-up. That is, the ABS system would see that the voltage dropped below a certain level while the starter was running on a fatigued battery, and give an ABS fault. The solution is to ride the bike a bit then re-start it, as the alternator charge would have brought that battery back up. Alternately, there is a hack that will eliminate the ABS from initializing until the bike is running.

If it has one ABS light and whines when you pull a lever or hit the pedal, then it has the "whizzy" servo assisted brakes. These are like power brakes. A solution to a non-existent problem. They're mostly reliable but have a few quirky features, most notably when you're hard braking on a rippled surface (think frost heaves and such.)

Both systems were not without their failures, but for the most part, a well maintained bike would never have an issue, as the fluid was to be changed at regular intervals. The replacement ABS units are too expensive to buy, though the second-hand market might have changed that. I heard stories of people straight plumbing the brake systems from master to wheel cylinders without issue- but of course, there's no ABS any more.

Other than that, I recall riding a few and thinking they were rocket ships.

Thanks for the reply! I'll see what it has tomorrow. Going to go check it out when I get off work.

 

[auntiebling]

dunno how much he's on here but tri750 seems to know a shitton about these weird german bikes. can't hurt to send a PM

 

[bcj]

Like my '98. Got it in '05 and it's still running fine. I keep it on a battery tender in the garage though. They don't like to get low.
Parts are still available. beemerboneyard.com

The place with all the info for these was www.i-bmw.com but they seem to have lost their domain sometime in the last month or two.
Will they be back? Dunno.

It's a heavy bugger, but moving, it's very smooth. Not really a good bike for riding in town. It wants open road. I got an SV for city use.
The plastic seat covers break down. I got mine re-done in leather.
At idle they sound like a "BOX O' ROCKS(tm)", but that's normal for the beast.
Some of the later ones got cruise control. I've never got around to getting a retrofit. It would definitely be beneficial on longer trips.
The throttle has a fairly stiff return spring.
I like that the fans vent heat out the side. The fairing is otherwise closed and doesn't roast your legs waiting at a stop.
The newer transverse K12s seem to make a point of venting heat right into your crotch.

 

[PaleHorse]

Like my '98. Got it in '05 and it's still running fine. I keep it on a battery tender in the garage though. They don't like to get low.
Parts are still available. beemerboneyard.com

The place with all the info for these was www.i-bmw.com but they seem to have lost their domain sometime in the last month or two.
Will they be back? Dunno.

It's a heavy bugger, but moving, it's very smooth. Not really a good bike for riding in town. It wants open road. I got an SV for city use.
The plastic seat covers break down. I got mine re-done in leather.
At idle they sound like a "BOX O' ROCKS(tm)", but that's normal for the beast.
Some of the later ones got cruise control. I've never got around to getting a retrofit. It would definitely be beneficial on longer trips.
The throttle has a fairly stiff return spring.
I like that the fans vent heat out the side. The fairing is otherwise closed and doesn't roast your legs waiting at a stop.
The newer transverse K12s seem to make a point of venting heat right into your crotch.

Thanks for the link! They have a replacement panel on that site for the one that's cracked and their prices are great. The bike had a corbin seat put on it recently probably due to the stock one cracking.

 

[PaleHorse]

Well, went and checked this one out and it's a no go. Leaking oil and in talking with the guy he didnt maintain shit. Doesnt know the last time the breaks were serviced, etc.. it has sat for years untouched with the occasional ride once in a while. Yeah, the tires are new, 5 years ago but haven't seen any road time.

Going to keep looking for one of these. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[bcj]

How much? Was he dreaming really hard?

If all the planets and stars aligned just right I might expect $2 to $2.5k for mine as it sits.
They're not really expensive to purchase anymore. Just have to keep up with it.

 

[berth]

How much? Was he dreaming really hard?

If all the planets and stars aligned just right I might expect $2 to $2.5k for mine as it sits.
They're not really expensive to purchase anymore. Just have to keep up with it.

I just sold mine, '03 K1200-RS, been sitting for 10+ years in the garage. Ran fine with I parked it, but wife got hurt, and one thing led to another, and never got back on it.

3400 miles, I sold it for $1000. I hope the new owner put 50k+ miles on it.