BMW turned their re-designed inline four transverse for 2004, leaned it sharply forward and introduced the K1200S. A new high for BMW, the 167 stock horsepower convinced a west coast dealer to take one right to Bonneville where they set an FIM speed record for 2005. This suburban NY K1200S has low-ish miles and looks great except for one sad fairing panel.
2006 BMW K1200S for sale on eBay
BMW stacked the 1157cc deck with 13.0-to-1 compression and a 11,000 rpm redline, achieved using dual knock sensors to retard timing, a piston-squirting dry sump oil system, and two balance shafts. Tilting the cylinder head 55 degrees pushed the center of gravity lower and straightened the intake tracts. The Z-shaped alloy chassis supports innovative suspension at both ends – anti-dive duolever front and frame mounted paralever out back, both using conventional dampers with optional electronic adjustment. EVO assisted brakes are standard on the K1200S, which boosts only the front braking power.
The second owner has racked up 15K miles in just a few years, but the bike hardly shows it, except for the off-side fairing which was reportedly scratched during shipment. Probably a new or used panel could be found to replace, as the factory paint might be a chore to duplicate. An intermittent ABS fault has been addressed and hasn’t re-occured, but still might. A nice grouping of updates and maintenance are listed in the eBay auction:
- The bike has brand new set of Metzeler Roadtec tires (front and rear) less than 100 miles on the new tires. Have receipt, and the new rear brake master cylinder.
- The bike has an aftermarket rear rack installed, made by SW-MOTECH. The rack is solid and will accept your top case of choice, but you will need to add the case-specific top rack mounting plate. The original rear hand grips are not included, but the rack has built-in hand grips that are similar, and also includes the BMW standard luggage mounting lock pins for the BMW factory sport cases. The cases, however, are not included.
- There is an aftermarket professionally installed radar detector with front/rear looking radar detection. The radar model is K40-2000, and has city/highway settings with audio and led warnings, and the audio volume can be adjusted.
- The original fuel level sensor strip has been upgraded to the more reliable float type fuel level sensor from a later model K1300S, and works as it should.
- The cam chain tensioner has been upgraded to the later BMW K1200S model (with the small oil reservoir), and makes the bike much quieter on start up and at idle speed.
- The main battery was replaced with the BMW factory battery last year, when the bike had about 8K miles.
- The bike also has helibars installed. The original bars are included.
- Also, you will get two BMW keys, rider manual, and a handful of oil plug crush washers.
- The bike has developed an intermittent rear ABS circuit brake fault that has been difficult to pinpoint. When the problem occurs, the rear ABS servo-assist circuit switches to manual braking setting, and lights up a brake blinking red fault light on the dash. The dealer has stated that the ABS pump is working properly, and replaced the rear brake master cylinder about 50 miles ago, and believes the problem is fixed. However, I have not ridden the bike long enough to confirm the problem is completely resolved. When this rear brake fault occurs, the front ABS circuit continues to operate properly, and the bike stops fine with no issues. Rear brake continues to work in non-ABS manual mode.
- There are some minor scratches on the right hand side of the bike. Unfortunately, these scratches happened during shipping. The bike has never been dropped.
The Southern California Timing Association runs an event each fall when the salt flats are generally their best, and in 2005 the stock K1200S with Andy Sills aboard made two runs averaging 173.57 mph. Even discounting the puzzle palace of classes and rules to boast a “land speed record”, 173 mph on a showroom BMW is quite a statement. Of course the K1200S is better for reeling in far off targets than a dice in the lower gears, but the suspension and brakes are noteworthy. The engine design went on to be the basis for the S1000RR, which truly committed BMW to the transverse four. Not much of an ask for a beast like this K1200S, but maybe request a few more pictures before pushing the Make Offer button.
-donn
Nice bikes, when they worked.
Lol these German bikes are a trip. Always funny to listen to the laundry list of “mods” the poor owners have to do just to get them halfway reliable. I’ll stick to my Japanese stuff with the rest of the peasants, thank you.