You track test K1200S

Sports bike riders from across the country came together at Rockingham on Thursday to ride and rate BMW’s K1200S on the track.

See video riders’ verdicts and clips of action from the day below.

Trevor Lindsay, a firefighter and part-time riding instructor from Peterborough, said: “The power was fantastic, the braking awesome but I found the pegs touch down too easily in stock trim.” Firming up the suspension would probably solve the problem, he suggested.

FireBlade owner Neil Hesman, from Llandegley, Powys, was blown away. He said he’d definitely consider buying the K1200S to replace his 99 Blade. As did Chris Luff, from Reading. The GSX-R1000 owner is already tempted by BMW’s R1200GS, but says it’s a toss-up between a K5 GSX-R1000 and the K12 for his next sports bike.

Long Way Round star Charley Boorman joined in – despite having his bike stolen from outside his hotel the night before (see link, right).

Watch some of the testing below. Riders were allowed a number of sessions on the track on their own bikes and then time on the K12 to compare. The day was free of charge.

Look out for another in June – check the site later for details.