Any Advice on the Dark Side of the Darkside

[Basil the Dog]

I think I am entering the mid life crisis zone that affects us all eventually. Whilst I love my Africa Twin I find myself more and more considering a wee journey to the dark side of the darkside.
Hence has anyone on here any experience, personal or second hand, of the BMW K1200R. From what I have seen and read it looks like a load of fun on the road but does any one know anything good or bad about this beasty.
I only have experience of riding my Africa Twin and the baby Vara that I passed my test on some 5 years ago so when looking at the numbers for the K1200R they seem a bit daunting. Now I can't be arsed buying several bikes and building up to the BMW and I suppose my other question is can I buy such a beast and pootle round on it to start with and then slowly build up my skill and eventually get somewhere near what the bike is capable of. Is it possible, has anyone else done it this way, to buy a fast bike, ride it slowly till you get used to it or will buying a rocketship without the skill to handle it inevitably lead me to A and E and the loss of my licence.
I know this isn't XRV related but any advice will be gratefully received.
Thanks

[Mutley]

Hi Basil

A mate has has a few months on one of these at the beginning of the year and unfortunately didn't get on with it. He has previously had all sorts inc a ZZR1100 and acouple of blackbirds. He has gone back to the R1200GS that he has owned previously .

He has had a couple of the GS's and also a Varadero. He says that the K was just a bit too focused but he commutes rather than tours/plays /commutes which I think had a big part in the decision making

Having said that though, they are a fine looking bike and being a BM you wouldn't loose too much if you decided to change it back again.

[magwa]

just go to the darkside, ( GS) its far enough
one step at a time

[xrv_jim]

An alternative point of view...

[Chad]

ask vader he had one as a curtesy bike and it blew is mind he loved it

[Mabels Old Man]

You can pootle on any bike. As has been said depends what you want it for. It is possible to have a hyperbike and ride it safely (I've had two ZX12's) even commuted on one when I worked in S.Wales Superbikes.

However and I can't stress this enough big powerful bikes have the ability to bite you in the a**e

Go for it life's too short

[Bluff]

An alternative point of view...

THis not only had me in stitches - I was crying - I have watched it 6 times now andf it hurts soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much


Thanks Jim - really thanks, that post was the lightest thing to hit my day!

[Bluff]

Still giggling......

[Wee Jack]

I think I am entering the mid life crisis zone that affects us all eventually. Whilst I love my Africa Twin I find myself more and more considering a wee journey to the dark side of the darkside.
Hence has anyone on here any experience, personal or second hand, of the BMW K1200R. From what I have seen and read it looks like a load of fun on the road but does any one know anything good or bad about this beasty.
I only have experience of riding my Africa Twin and the baby Vara that I passed my test on some 5 years ago so when looking at the numbers for the K1200R they seem a bit daunting. Now I can't be arsed buying several bikes and building up to the BMW and I suppose my other question is can I buy such a beast and pootle round on it to start with and then slowly build up my skill and eventually get somewhere near what the bike is capable of. Is it possible, has anyone else done it this way, to buy a fast bike, ride it slowly till you get used to it or will buying a rocketship without the skill to handle it inevitably lead me to A and E and the loss of my licence.
I know this isn't XRV related but any advice will be gratefully received.
Thanks

A workmate of mine runs a K1200R and commutes about 120 miles per day on it - everyday , all year. He describes it as massively powerfull. My opinion is it's probably one of the last bikes I would consider such a commute on specially in winter !!

I'm not sure of the mileage he has on it but it's HUGE , he has had loads of warranty work done and has a BMW extended warranty at £350 / year and he considers that a good investment , so that gives you an idea of the amount of work he has had done !!!!

The bike seems to stand up pretty well to the abuse of a Scottish winter with one very noteable exception - the engine cases are ROTTEN - the paint has flaked off badly on a number of key areas and it makes the otherwise great finish of the bike look pretty scabby

[z-weiser]

I think the dark side is a cool place - i have flirted with it with an R1100RS and the GSesss are great - i too am leaning to the darkside!

K1200 veeeery comfy mansized bikes!

Z