
BMW K1200R SPORT (2007 - 2009) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £590 |
Power: | 138 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (474 lbs / 215 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe BMW K1200R Sport is a dazzling mix of super-naked-meets-sports-tourer. Although it’s basically a K1200R with a half fairing it manages to combine all the fun of a mad, agile naked but is comfortable and practical enough to go touring on. The K1200R Sport is the ultimate Nurburgring tool; as at home whizzing around the track as it actually getting there and back.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe BMW K1200R Sport is one of the most stable motorcycles you can buy. Few bikes can attack fast A-road curves with such poise, thanks to the Duolever front suspension isolating all but the worst of the bumps from the rider. The trade-off for such stability is that the K1200R Sport isn’t that agile in tight corners. Motorway comfort is excellent thanks to a roomy riding position, although the screen is too low for taller riders.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe BMW K1200R Sport's in-line-four-cylinder 1157cc motor is identical to the naked K1200R, which is a good start because it has the distinction of being the fastest most powerful ‘super naked’ around, beating off the Tuonos of this world. At full throttle the BMW K1200R Sport's acceleration is savage like a proper superbike and the hard-edged growl it makes is more akin to a ZX-10R than a cuddly BMW.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueBMW’s are synonymous with quality and reliability and the K1200R Sport looks as if it will be no different. This motorcycle's overall finish is excellent and the build quality puts a Tonka toy to shame. The only blip to the K1200R Sport is to do with the new half-faring, which looks fine on the outside but lacks any infil panels to finish it off on the inside.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe BMW K1200R Sport is one of the genuine surprise motorcycles of 2007; it’s a brilliant bike. But it’s not cheap; it’s just three hundred quid short of ten grand. Maybe if you got all the optional extras for that it would be a bargain, but as it is this is a bike for the well-heeled only. Find a BMW K1200R Sport for sale.
Equipment
Like all BMWs there’s a vast array of gadgets you can have on the K1200R Sport, but you’ll have to pay for them. Tick all the options boxes and you’ll push the Sport to over £12,000. The heated grips and ABS are the ‘must have’ options, although if you’ve got the funds the Electronic Suspension Adjustment and BMW alarm are recommended.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1157cc |
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Engine type | 16v, fuel-injection, 6- gears |
Frame type | Aluminium perimeter frame |
Fuel capacity | 19 litres |
Seat height | 820mm |
Bike weight | 215kg |
Front suspension | None |
Rear suspension | Preload and rebound |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs, 4-piston calipers. ABS optional |
Rear brake | 265mm disc with twin piston caliper. ABS optional |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/50 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 39 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £93 |
Annual service cost | £590 |
New price | - |
Used price | £3,800 - £4,000 |
Insurance group |
16 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 138 bhp |
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Max torque | 80 ft-lb |
Top speed | 167 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 10.85 secs |
Tank range | 163 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2007: BMW K1200R Sport introduced.
Other versions
BMW K1200S: The fully faired sports tourer: the rival to the Hayabusa, Blackbird and ZZ-R1400.
BMW K1200R: The super naked: made to take on the Super Dukes and Speed Triples of the world.
Owners' reviews for the BMW K1200R SPORT (2007 - 2009)
6 owners have reviewed their BMW K1200R SPORT (2007 - 2009) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your BMW K1200R SPORT (2007 - 2009)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £590 |
Year: 2008
Annual servicing cost: £500
Nice bike let down by chronically bad build quality.
Fantastic ride quality, heavy if predictable handling. ESA suspension does it's job well.
Stupidly powerful if a little peaky, doesn't like low rev work and the worst clutch since a knackered CB900F doesn't help. Once above 6000rpm turns into a missile.
ABS pump needed rebuilt, engine paint is flaking, cheap fasteners rust literally overnight. Immobilizer drains battery. Clocks developed faults. Awful clutch.
Anything to do with this over complicated beast costs serious money. Local independent workshops won't touch it.
ESA is great, heated grips don't work, no centre stand, ditch standard exhaust to lose about 10kg. Pilot Road tyres suit it well.
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £350
A subtle, gentle, old man's plodder this machine is not. Its speed and acceleration should have this motorcycle sectioned under the mental health act and placed in a secure hospital for treatment.
In my experience (30 years+) it cannot be beaten. A taller screen made my 6ft5in frame more comfortable.
The power delivery is beautiful although I do have an ongoing fuelling issue.
German build-quality through and through apart from the ongoing fuelling issue that plagues all K1200 models.
Tyre consumption is predicious
The fuel gauge lies like Boris Johnson's Brexit Bus Slogan and I've had to push it to a garage twice.
Version: ABS, ESA, Alarm and Heated Grips
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £500
I had been tempted by a K1200S a few years ago but decided on a Sprint ST1050 and then a Tuono gen 1. I decided I wanted better mpg and more stability/comfort at high speed than the Tuono after experiencing a tank slapper. Did a fair amount of research and decided on a 2007 or later model (without the troublesome - almost dangerously so - servo assisted brakes). Part exed my Tuono and soon fell in love with this bike. I did have to get the clutch replaced (under warranty) due to a horrible squeal on acceleration. The well known judder is still there occasionally when you're in neutral and the clutch engaged but you get used to it. It has 35,000 miles on the clock and to be honest feels like it has less than half that. It just feels very tight - unlike my Triumph Sprint. It looks fantastic and is relatively comfortable on longer trips. I'm quite long legged and do experience a bit of knee ache on bikes - although this may be ill fitting protective jeans.
Yes, it is a little reluctant to turn at very slow tight corners (car parks etc) but add a bit more counter steer and it's fine - I may get a handle bar conversion to make it a bit easier. It actually seems to turn quicker than my old 1050 Sprint. It is without a doubt the most stable bike I've ever ridden at high speed. It feels almost glued to the road. Fast overtakes and change of direction are no issue whatsoever. The ESA is also a very good option and you really do feel the difference.
Phenomenal power and very good mpg. Almost turbine like up until around 8k and then 10k when all hell breaks loose! It's quite sedate at lower rpm but there is a real superbike snarl when it gets going.
Not had it for long but as soon as it was delivered it developed a clutch squeal and judder under hard acceleration. A new clutch under warranty seems to have sorted this out - however it's still annoying. Only other mechanical issue is the judder/vibration you tend to get when in neutral and clutch engaged. This is extremely common and not an issue (other than being annoying) as confirmed by numerous online posts and an independent BMW specialist friend. The other issue is the utterly, utterly, utterly appalling paint finish quality on the metal. It's a BMW - not an old GS500. The majority of the paint on the lower end of the engine was flaking as well as the front suspension. I ended up stripping this back with a wire brush tool on a dremel, de-greaser, multiple washes and a steam clean. Applied high temp acid etch primer, hammerite smooth silver and high temp lacquer. It's not showroom finish but it's a good match and miles better than corroded alloy. Seriously BMW should hang their heads in shame for such appalling workmanship. I've read that it was due to them not cleaning the alloy originally and is not just a problem with this model!
Apart from the potentially expensive electric issues (if/when they do crop up) as long as you shop around it's not too bad. MPG is fantastic. Little country lanes and sat in traffic will see about 39mpg, little bit more spirited around B roads and you're at about 45mpg and the motorway almost 60mpg. All this on something that will annihilate almost anything else in a straight line. Tank range is circa 200miles +.
ABS combined brakes are fantastic. Heated grips are a welcome addition, fuel gauge, trip computer, ESA and an option for easy satnav/dashcam connection. Reason for 4 stars is because there seems to be absolutely nowhere for storage. The seat lock takes up an enormous amount of room which could quite easily fit something else you need to carry.
Buying experience: From a dealer, again it had a clutch issue I was not made aware of at point of sale so not happy with that - although they fixed it without hassle.
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £1,000
After 21 years on different bikes, I can say that K1200r sport is one of the most impressive.
Too good.
That's the wow part. The engine gives the feeling of an electrical engine.
I will give 5 in spite of the clutch died a little too quickly and a couple of times already the sensor which shows the gas level.
Way more expensive than any Japanese.
...but it costs and it worth every penny.
Love this bike, lovely to ride and really practical for my 50-60 mile commute as well as being able to blast across Europe.The best bike I have ever ridden in the wet,amazing. Good points: Engine, stability,comfort,handling,ESA is brilliant. Bad points: not cheap,screen is too low (sorted with double bubble)
This bike is perfectly geared for UK roads offering superb handling / braking / comfort / power, without the high speed temptations of the K1200S. You get just enough wind pressure at 100mph to remind you that you are now the entering licence-losing zone !