The Road Ahead

I still remember the day I caught the motorcycling bug. I was exploring the back roads of horse country and neighboring farms outside of Philadelphia. There was something about the freedom and adventure of the open road that just drew me in. I loved the smell of fresh-cut grass and even horse manure in the summer, as well as the wood fires and woods in the fall. And I admired the camaraderie among bikers – it was amazing to see how everyone would wave at each other as they passed on the road.

My friends, who were all engineers and avid BMW enthusiasts, had been raving about the brand’s motorcycles for years. They swore by their exceptional build quality, performance, and reliability. After experiencing the thrill of owning a BMW car and visiting the BMW Welt in Munich, I was hooked. I knew I had to get my hands on a BMW motorcycle.

Safety First

I signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which was a great way to learn the basics of motorcycling. My friend Jerry, who’s an experienced rider, offered to teach me the ways of the road and help me find the perfect bike once I completed the course. The course itself was a lot of fun, and I learned a ton on those little Honda Rebel 250cc bikes they used as trainers.

My First Motorcycle: a BMW K1200S

Instead of starting with something smaller and lighter, like a 250cc bike, and working my way up to an 800cc as I got more comfortable, I bought a BMW K1200S as my first bike. Looking back, I would advise against buying a 1200cc motorcycle as your first bike. It’s just too much power for a novice.

The BMW K1200S is a hyper-sports touring bike, which means it’s designed for long-distance riding with a focus on performance and comfort. It’s got an across-the-frame four-cylinder engine that puts out 164 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty of power for most riders. The duolever front wheel suspension and integral ABS brakes provide exceptional stability and control, making it a great choice for touring. And at 561 pounds, it’s not exactly lightweight, but it’s not too heavy either (though I am a tall rider). The only thing I wish it had was Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA), which would have made it even more versatile and comfortable.

After searching high and low, I found a mint condition 2008 BMW K1200S on Craigslist. The previous owner had taken great care of it, and had even added some nice aftermarket accessories like a windshield, BMW panniers, and a center stand. Jerry, being the experienced rider that he is, test drove it and rode it home for me, since I was still a bit nervous about handling such a powerful machine.12

Modifying the K1200S

To make the bike even safer and more visible, Jerry and I added some aftermarket accessories like DDM Tuning HID Lights, which gave it a nice aggressive look and improved visibility. We also added some R&G Racing Crash Protectors and other protective gear to safeguard the bike’s vital components in case of a crash. Topping it off, we installed some Skene Design Photon Blasters and P3 Lights, which made the bike even more visible to other drivers, as well as a Stebel Nautilus air horn that added a nice touch of aggressiveness to the bike’s audio presence.

Lasting Impressions

Over the five years that I owned the K1200S, I had some amazing adventures. I toured all over Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and even attended a BMW Rally in the Finger Lakes, where I got to explore the beautiful wine country of New York. Fortunately, I never had an accident or dropped the bike, which is a testament to the bike’s exceptional handling and my growing skills as a rider.

In terms of maintenance, the bike was relatively trouble-free, with the exception of the ABS pump and fuel line coupler, which needed to be replaced after a few years.3 Those repairs were a bit pricey, but they were necessary to keep the bike running smoothly. Otherwise, the K1200S was a dream to own and ride, providing me with countless hours of riding pleasure and adventure.

Looking back on my experience with the 2008 BMW K1200S, I would recommend starting with a smaller, more manageable bike and working your way up to more powerful machines as you gain experience. The K1200S was an amazing bike, but early on it was definitely a handful for a newbie like me. If you’re an experienced rider looking for a powerful and comfortable touring bike, the K1200S is definitely worth considering. Either way, I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did.

Updated on December 31st, 2024