2005 BMW K-Series

WB10559A65ZL70296

BMW K1200LT 2005 less than 30K Miles This 2005 BMW K1200LT for sale by private owner is loaded with all the extras and options that will please the most discerning biker's taste for quality and excellence in motorsports equipment. BMW motorcycles are known for their pleasing performance that has to be experienced to be appreciated. First let me say that this motorcycle is in mint condition with only 29590 actual miles. It is painted a beautiful blue color and is loaded with stuff to make your as pleasurable and relaxing as possible. Here is a complete listing all of the options. GPS system (Garmin Street Pilot) 6-player CD Cruise control ABS brakes Heated hand grips Heated motorcycle seat Electronic/adjustable windshield JPEGS or highway bars Hook up for FIRSTGEAR heated clothing Adjustable rear floor boards Driver's backrest Security system Anti-theft Warning System Saddle Bags and cargo liners All service performed at the local BMW dealer I feel that I should mention once again that this BMW motorcycle is in superior condition and has never been dropped. You can tour on almost any motorcycle. Stories abound of couples riding two-up to California on a Honda 305 Dream or BMW R60/2. When the need or desire to travel far and wide arises you can press any bike in to service, but none do as fine a job carrying you in the utmost of safety and comfort as the BMW K1200LT. I am terribly biased as I have owned a LT for a few years now, but despite having ridden almost every touring and sport-touring motorcycle out there, I keep going back to the K1200LT. It does exactly what I need it to; get me there with ease. First introduced in 1999, the K1200LT was a serious shot across the bow of reigning touring king, the Honda Goldwing. Incorporating several innovations the K12 set some new standards for touring comfort and convenience. The chassis of the LT is a large aluminum backbone that uses the engine as a stressed member. This frame is shared with other members of the K-bike family, namely the RS and GT. The concept of a shared platform design means that the LT benefits from the sporting intentions of its siblings. In fact, the only appreciable difference between the RS / GT frame and the LT is that the longer swing-arm of the LT. Revised for ‘05, the LT’s power plant is the venerable flat-four lovingly called the “flying brick”. Displacing 1172cc, it can trace its lineage back 20 years, but is far from outdated. The newest version puts out a healthy 116 horsepower and 88 foot-pounds of torque. These numbers are a significant gain over the first generation K1200LTs. The motor has retained broad powerband and has not given up low pull in the name of high horsepower. The engine management system has been updated eliminating an annoying flat spot at low rpms in warm weather. The fuel injection felt spot on, as I could not make the bike spit or cough, despite my best efforts. Fuel economy is nothing short of a miracle. Average fuel usage will vary between 40-45 mph depending on speed and riding style. I have actually seen fuel mileage as high as 58 mpg while on a trip and that was two-up and loaded down like a pickup. With 6 gallons and change on board doing 250 miles between stops is not an issue.The longevity of the motor is legendary and there are many examples of K1200LTs with over 100K on them and a few with 200K plus. No massive overhauls needed, just routine service. My personal machine never needed anything other than a couple seals replaced over 80K. The power is fed to ground through a five-speed gearbox to a shaft. The overall gearing of the LT has been lowered to keep the motor in the power. The design of the BWM’s single-sided swing arm is called the Paralever. Using fancy geometry, the Paralever all but eliminates the effects of throttle input on the shaft. Rolling hard on the gas mid-corner doesn’t upset the LT at all. The final drive on the early LTs has been accused of having a high failure rate; this has been addressed for the most part on the newer LTs (2002 and later) with an updated bearing, etc. The brakes on the BMWs flagship tourer are a love/hate affair for me. The standard brake package is a fully integrated ABS system with a power servo assist. My love is for the strong power of the brakes. Speaking from first hand experience, when you need to stop on a dime the brakes are up to the job. The servo-assist acts like power brakes on a car. Very little lever pressure is needed to achieve full stopping power. The ABS system works wonderfully giving braking confidence on loose surfaces. Now the hate. I am not a big fan of integrated brake systems. There are times when I don’t want to use the front brakes at all. For instance when trail braking into corners or working my way up an ugly gravel road. My other gripe is the power-assist. The boost it delivers is smooth in delivery. It is very easy to go from light braking to panic stop with very little change in lever pressure. These are really personal preferences, but buyers will have to learn to adapt to a braking system that is rather foreign, pun intended. The LT is replete with enough gadgets to satisfy even Batman. The list of standard and optional equipment is tremendous. Standard equipment includes: electronic cruise control, a driving computer, heated grips, a full gauge package, a stereo with weather band and CD player, a hydraulically deployed center stand, reverse gear and the list goes on. The optional equipment list is just full with a six-disc CD changer, a GPS navigation system, heated seats and an intercom to name a few. The gauge and radio display were redesigned for 05 and integrated together in a very attractive package. I only wish the speedo was marked more precisely. BMW seems to think we only travel in multiples of 20 mph.The intercom system adds the capability to pipe in all other devices to the bike, including: cell phone, CB, FRS or Ham radio, for the uber geeks in the crowd. The riding manners of the LT are quite nice for a bike of this size. Weighing in at 850 pounds ready to ride, it is not a small bike. The center of gravity is rather high and that is felt at slow speeds. Once up to speed, any ponderous feelings disappear. Nimble is not a word usually used in the same sentence as touring but it applies here. The nickname “Light Truck” is very un-deserved. The LT is not a sport bike by any stretch of the imagination, but it will satisfy the sporting urges of all but the hard-edged road racers. The suspension is fantastic with the patented Tele-Lever front end and more fancy geometry giving a very stable ride. It has a natural anti-dive characteristic that is really appreciated under hard braking. The steering is neutral and light. Point the bike in the direction you want to go and its there. The only limiting factor is the ground clearance. Ride hard enough and you will scrape hard parts. In spite of having good handling, the LT has a comfortable, almost plush ride. The long wheelbase and top quality shocks soak up all but the sharpest bumps. The front shock is not adjustable, while the rear has a preload adjustment via a convenient knob under the seat. The weather protection is very good on the LT. The full fairing diverts all but the heaviest rain, and with the help of the electrically adjustable windshield and two air wings under the mirrors you can let as much or as little air as you like into the cockpit. BMW has now started shipping the LTs with a short windshield installed but a taller shield is available. A good buy if you’re over 6-feet. Shorter riders will really appreciate the reshaped seat. It is narrower and lower, as the LT was rather foreboding to those with a 30-inch inseam. For me, the K1200LT is my do everything bike. I commute, tour, rally and explore on it. It does what I need, filling the many roles I have for it. The highest compliment I can pay the LT is that last year when I did a bad thing to my first LT, the only replacement I considered was another LT. It combines touring performance and function into one package.