XPLOR Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

	Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS
Sleppnir Joined: Nov 09, 2007 Location: Cookeville, TN	This is my first post. I bought my first motorcycle in 1967. I bought my first BMW last November after having ridden Honda, Suzuki, old time Royal Enfield, Yamaha, and Moto Guzzi. Suffice it to say that I am very impressed with the BWM (a K1200Rsport with bags and the HP footpeg set). This spring I've sold my UJMs (all red) and I'm down to two bikes...the BMW and the 1970 Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk II (an unmolested survivor). I want to add a new BMW for longer distance touring (an ST1100 replacement having sold the ST recently). I am considering the R1200GS set up for the road (not for adventure or dual purpose). I am attracted to the riding position and the relatively low weight. It seems similar to the Suzuki DL1000 that I used to own. I once did a Saddle Sore 1000 on that bike with a Corbin seat, and at the end of the ride, the only thing that hurt was my hands from gripping so long. The R1200GS has much better on board storage options than the Suzuki had, and I'm really impressed with BMW's commitment to the customer. I am also attracted to the K1200GT due to its powerplant (I really really like my K1200Rsport, and the powerplant is similar). It also appears that the K1200GT would offer better wind and rain protection. It is a bit heavy compared to the R1200GS, but not so heavy as the ST1100 that it would be replacing. I can't decide which would be more comfortable for a string of 500 mile days, so I would like to rent each one for a day or two. I am willing to travel to do this. I would be interested in hearing from folks with two types of responses. First, if anyone knows of a source in the US, and preferably in the southeastern US, that would rent these bikes, I would love to have the conttact info. Second, I would value opinions that others who have experience with these bikes might share. I recognize that these bikes are quite different, so the choice shouldn't be as hard as I am making it. Thanks in advance for any responses. --------------------------------- Die Entropie des Motorraddes wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546 Posted on 05/07/2008 at 14:17
Wildrider Joined: May 01, 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, VA	Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS It is all relative. I have a K1200GT and it does not seem heavy (unless you are lifting while it is laying on its side which I don't recommend but unfortuately I have done). I was even able to lift it up from its side by myself. When riding it it is emitinantly flickable! Even with both side bags full and the large top box full, it feels light. I like windy roads and even full loaded, I never even think about the weight. Unless you want to do rough (gravel or dirt) roads, I would go with the GT over the GS. Also the GT has an adjustable windshield which is great. I don't think the GS has this feature. Posted on 05/07/2008 at 17:30
Kmkkoz Joined: Jan 08, 2007 Location: Livonia, NY	Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS I have a 1200GS and I love it. I am not someone who can be comfortable on a sportbike type riding position over a long period of time. So I love the GS seating position, especially with my Corbin seat. I also have a 1200CLC which I love but doesn't answer your question. It sounds like you do like the sportier seating position so perhaps the GT is right for you. The GS is also taller, so if that is factor it should be considered. I have ridden the GT and like everything about it but would not be comfortable on it for long rides. The 1200RT is more similar to the GS riding postion with all the touring attachments on it. Very nice bike. The best bet for you would be to do as you suggest. I do not know of any rental places. Most dealers will offer a demo ride or two. Also, I have ridden quite a few types of bikes at places like Americade and Bikeweek in Daytona. Just sign up and you get a nice 20 to 30 minute demo. Good luck. Kevin ps. The windshield on the GS is "adjustable", but not while riding and doesn't really seem to do that much anyways. I put the Laminar lip on it and it now works great. --------------------------------- SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS. Posted on 05/07/2008 at 17:32
Flowupstream Joined: Dec 25, 2006 Location: fresno, CA	Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS Find a dealer with a used or demo bike and arrange an all day demo ride. I have an R12GS (non ADV) and love the riding position. I've done several 500 mile days on it the only problems I've had with it were buffeting with the stock wind screen, and, because it's so light it gets pushed around in strong wind more than heavy bikes. With aftermarket screen and luggage I think it would be a better touring bike if you could live with less horseposer. Again, arrange a long testride and ride both bikes. --------------------------------- If you meet the Buddha, kill him Posted on 05/07/2008 at 21:17
Sleppnir Joined: Nov 09, 2007 Location: Cookeville, TN	Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS I appreciate the tips. Thanks. Through another venue, I have also learned of a company that will rent BMW motorcycles at several locations in the US, including two in Virginia. The url is www.eaglerider.com. Most of their rental opportunities appear to be for HD and Asian bikes, but there are a handful of locations that will rent the R1200GS. Still no good source to rent a K1200GT. --------------------------------- Die Entropie des Motorraddes wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546 Posted on 05/08/2008 at 12:38
Blaze58 Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Location: Omaha, NE	Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS I have rented from http://www.azride.com/MotorcycleRental.html they were great. Posted on 06/27/2008 at 17:24

Joined: Nov 09, 2007

Location: Cookeville, TN

This is my first post. I bought my first motorcycle in 1967. I bought my first BMW last November after having ridden Honda, Suzuki, old time Royal Enfield, Yamaha, and Moto Guzzi. Suffice it to say that I am very impressed with the BWM (a K1200Rsport with bags and the HP footpeg set). This spring I've sold my UJMs (all red) and I'm down to two bikes...the BMW and the 1970 Royal Enfield Interceptor Mk II (an unmolested survivor).

I want to add a new BMW for longer distance touring (an ST1100 replacement having sold the ST recently). I am considering the R1200GS set up for the road (not for adventure or dual purpose). I am attracted to the riding position and the relatively low weight. It seems similar to the Suzuki DL1000 that I used to own. I once did a Saddle Sore 1000 on that bike with a Corbin seat, and at the end of the ride, the only thing that hurt was my hands from gripping so long. The R1200GS has much better on board storage options than the Suzuki had, and I'm really impressed with BMW's commitment to the customer.

I am also attracted to the K1200GT due to its powerplant (I really really like my K1200Rsport, and the powerplant is similar). It also appears that the K1200GT would offer better wind and rain protection. It is a bit heavy compared to the R1200GS, but not so heavy as the ST1100 that it would be replacing.

I can't decide which would be more comfortable for a string of 500 mile days, so I would like to rent each one for a day or two. I am willing to travel to do this.

I would be interested in hearing from folks with two types of responses. First, if anyone knows of a source in the US, and preferably in the southeastern US, that would rent these bikes, I would love to have the conttact info. Second, I would value opinions that others who have experience with these bikes might share. I recognize that these bikes are quite different, so the choice shouldn't be as hard as I am making it.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

---------------------------------

Die Entropie des Motorraddes wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 14:17

Wildrider

Joined: May 01, 2007

Location: Fredericksburg, VA

Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

It is all relative. I have a K1200GT and it does not seem heavy (unless you are lifting while it is laying on its side which I don't recommend but unfortuately I have done). I was even able to lift it up from its side by myself. When riding it it is emitinantly flickable! Even with both side bags full and the large top box full, it feels light. I like windy roads and even full loaded, I never even think about the weight. Unless you want to do rough (gravel or dirt) roads, I would go with the GT over the GS. Also the GT has an adjustable windshield which is great. I don't think the GS has this feature.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 17:30

Kmkkoz

Joined: Jan 08, 2007

Location: Livonia, NY

Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

I have a 1200GS and I love it. I am not someone who can be comfortable on a sportbike type riding position over a long period of time. So I love the GS seating position, especially with my Corbin seat. I also have a 1200CLC which I love but doesn't answer your question.

It sounds like you do like the sportier seating position so perhaps the GT is right for you. The GS is also taller, so if that is factor it should be considered. I have ridden the GT and like everything about it but would not be comfortable on it for long rides. The 1200RT is more similar to the GS riding postion with all the touring attachments on it. Very nice bike.

The best bet for you would be to do as you suggest. I do not know of any rental places. Most dealers will offer a demo ride or two. Also, I have ridden quite a few types of bikes at places like Americade and Bikeweek in Daytona. Just sign up and you get a nice 20 to 30 minute demo. Good luck. Kevin

ps. The windshield on the GS is "adjustable", but not while riding and doesn't really seem to do that much anyways. I put the Laminar lip on it and it now works great.

---------------------------------

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 17:32

Flowupstream

Joined: Dec 25, 2006

Location: fresno, CA

Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

Find a dealer with a used or demo bike and arrange an all day demo ride. I have an R12GS (non ADV) and love the riding position. I've done several 500 mile days on it the only problems I've had with it were buffeting with the stock wind screen, and, because it's so light it gets pushed around in strong wind more than heavy bikes. With aftermarket screen and luggage I think it would be a better touring bike if you could live with less horseposer.

Again, arrange a long testride and ride both bikes.

---------------------------------

If you meet the Buddha, kill him

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 21:17

Sleppnir

Joined: Nov 09, 2007

Location: Cookeville, TN

Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

I appreciate the tips. Thanks. Through another venue, I have also learned of a company that will rent BMW motorcycles at several locations in the US, including two in Virginia. The url is www.eaglerider.com. Most of their rental opportunities appear to be for HD and Asian bikes, but there are a handful of locations that will rent the R1200GS. Still no good source to rent a K1200GT.

---------------------------------

Die Entropie des Motorraddes wird immer groesser. Most roaches are created unintentionally. IBA #27546

Posted on 05/08/2008 at 12:38

Blaze58

Joined: Apr 01, 2007

Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS

I have rented from http://www.azride.com/MotorcycleRental.html they were great.

Posted on 06/27/2008 at 17:24

Forums > US Touring > Looking for opportunity to rent K1200GT and/or R1200GS