Xian Forbes
New member
After reading that I totally want my buddies R100GS airhead Paris Dakar. Old school, simple and bulletproof.
complaints filed - disgusted with BMW
- Thread starter MRJB
- Start date
JaimeC
New member
There's a LOT to be said about those old airheads. 
When the 2005 BMW K1200LT came out, I was initially VERY interested. 25% more horsepower, better low speed handling, and an electro-hydraulic centerstand you activated with a button. It was strong enough to lift the bike even loaded with luggage and having you and a passenger aboard!
However, the INSTANT I heard they were "cursing" that bike with that IDIOTIC servo-assisted braking system of theirs, the deal was OFF. That had to be the single most bone-headed idea I'd EVER heard for a motorcycle. No one EVER complained about how hard it was to stop ANY BMW. The 1999-2004 K1200LT already boasted the shortest stopping distances of all of the luxury tourers on the market at the time. What the heck did it need those brakes for?
The foot brake especially was more like an "on/off" switch than a brake. It was so sensitive there was NO way you could modulate it. You were best off just removing the rear brake pedal so you weren't tempted to use it. The hand lever activated all three brakes anyway.
Let me change that... the hand lever activated all three brakes IF YOU HAD ELECTRICITY RUNNING!!!! If you cut the ignition, you essentially had NO BRAKES at all! I can remember squeezing the front brake lever to the grip and easily pushing the bike around the showroom floor.
There were plenty of customers who dropped their bikes off trailers because they tried to use the brakes to slow the bike while moving it down a ramp. It was ridiculous! It was a feature nobody asked for, and nobody wanted.
Although they later changed the system so the rear brake worked like a real brake, they NEVER fixed the K1200LT. It had that stupid system up till the day they ended the line. Having ridden the K1600GTL, it is an impressive piece of engineering for sure, but it really ISN'T a replacement for the K1200LT. The biggest issue is that the passenger accommodations SUCK. Also, the sound system isn't nearly as good, and dropping one of those things off the sidestand will cost about $4,000 in plastic repair. I've dropped the LT off the sidestand and I know exactly how much that repair cost: "$36.00." That's how much the plastic cover on the tip-over bar cost, and it is simple enough to replace that even I can do it.
At least BMW learned their lesson. None of the new bikes have that stupid servo-assisted braking system any more.
When the 2005 BMW K1200LT came out, I was initially VERY interested. 25% more horsepower, better low speed handling, and an electro-hydraulic centerstand you activated with a button. It was strong enough to lift the bike even loaded with luggage and having you and a passenger aboard!
However, the INSTANT I heard they were "cursing" that bike with that IDIOTIC servo-assisted braking system of theirs, the deal was OFF. That had to be the single most bone-headed idea I'd EVER heard for a motorcycle. No one EVER complained about how hard it was to stop ANY BMW. The 1999-2004 K1200LT already boasted the shortest stopping distances of all of the luxury tourers on the market at the time. What the heck did it need those brakes for?
The foot brake especially was more like an "on/off" switch than a brake. It was so sensitive there was NO way you could modulate it. You were best off just removing the rear brake pedal so you weren't tempted to use it. The hand lever activated all three brakes anyway.
Let me change that... the hand lever activated all three brakes IF YOU HAD ELECTRICITY RUNNING!!!! If you cut the ignition, you essentially had NO BRAKES at all! I can remember squeezing the front brake lever to the grip and easily pushing the bike around the showroom floor.
There were plenty of customers who dropped their bikes off trailers because they tried to use the brakes to slow the bike while moving it down a ramp. It was ridiculous! It was a feature nobody asked for, and nobody wanted.
Although they later changed the system so the rear brake worked like a real brake, they NEVER fixed the K1200LT. It had that stupid system up till the day they ended the line. Having ridden the K1600GTL, it is an impressive piece of engineering for sure, but it really ISN'T a replacement for the K1200LT. The biggest issue is that the passenger accommodations SUCK. Also, the sound system isn't nearly as good, and dropping one of those things off the sidestand will cost about $4,000 in plastic repair. I've dropped the LT off the sidestand and I know exactly how much that repair cost: "$36.00." That's how much the plastic cover on the tip-over bar cost, and it is simple enough to replace that even I can do it.
At least BMW learned their lesson. None of the new bikes have that stupid servo-assisted braking system any more.
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Jamie,
Thanks for posting that article source from Affordable BMW Services. It is the most concise summary of all the "issues" afflicting newer BMW m/c models scattered throughout the internet.
I did so want one of the newer oil head twins a few years back but with mounting dissatisfaction among some new owners, the "voices" told me to "cool it". Glad I listened. I still have two R100 bikes that meet most of my needs. They are not without flaws, but are simple to maintain and have proven to be so reliable. I had lusted for the C650GT but the "jury is still out" until some of the nagging issues reported here and elsewhere are resolved. I sense that BMW is losing interest in that bike.
Thanks for posting that article source from Affordable BMW Services. It is the most concise summary of all the "issues" afflicting newer BMW m/c models scattered throughout the internet.
I did so want one of the newer oil head twins a few years back but with mounting dissatisfaction among some new owners, the "voices" told me to "cool it". Glad I listened. I still have two R100 bikes that meet most of my needs. They are not without flaws, but are simple to maintain and have proven to be so reliable. I had lusted for the C650GT but the "jury is still out" until some of the nagging issues reported here and elsewhere are resolved. I sense that BMW is losing interest in that bike.
All new bikes have problems if the 650's are freaking you out just wait a few years
Oldscoot
New member
Stay Calm and Keep Riding.
Thanks, JaimeC, for the article and thinking of me.
It's been a month since I sent an email to the BMW Group in Germany asking for help. Nothing happened so sent another one today.