1300 vs 1200

[Ross]

I will probably be excommunicated for this but ....

Why, people, do you go for the K1200 range when the K1300 range is, from the posts on this forum, so much reliable and with a better implementation of a close-to-the-edge high performance engine? Not perfect by any means but just better.

My view? You enjoy the care you need to apply to the unfinished product that is the K1200 range.  My opinion, you 1200 owners are mad! The 1300 just works, general BMW switches and final drive issues aside.

[Costas]

You've said it all.

[Dusty]

Or, perhaps, in some cases, we don't want to commit the extra cash required for the 1300. I'd love a K1300S or even a GT but I'd have to at least double the equity that is currently in my R Sport. I have lots of other demands on my cash and my current bike ticks lots of boxes for me, so, yes, a 1300 would be nice to have but I can live with my "unfinished" 1200. In terms of smiles per £, it's pretty good!

[Elite Evil]

Stupid poor people! Round them all up in cages!

Seriously what a ridiculous question. Why do some people drive ford escorts? The M5 is a much better saloon.

[Costas]

Or, perhaps, in some cases, we don't want to commit the extra cash required for the 1300. I'd love a K1300S or even a GT but I'd have to at least double the equity that is currently in my R Sport. I have lots of other demands on my cash and my current bike ticks lots of boxes for me, so, yes, a 1300 would be nice to have but I can live with my "unfinished" 1200. In terms of smiles per £, it's pretty good!

And in due time with all those recalls arriving every two months or so now, all K12 will soon be exact replicas of a K13, engine apart, and the switches don't forget them.

[raesewell]

Stupid poor people! Round them all up in cages!

Seriously what a ridiculous question. Why do some people drive ford escorts? The M5 is a much better saloon.

Take no notice Ross. A question is just a question, it's the answers that make a difference. Some answers are better than others 

[CC Mac]

I have the K1200R Sport. It wasn't made in 1300 form. It was cheaper than the 1300 models.

[stevel]

There's so little difference between them, what's the point in upgrading?

For the differences that are there...:

I wouldn't want the 'normal' indicator switch you get on the K1300's - I like BMW's 'quirky' system (what the hell is so hard to understand? Press left to go left, right to go right, and the cancel button to cancel!).

Plus - at least in my case, what do I need the extra 6 hp for? I'm not a good enough rider to use it, or notice the difference. Plus, I can restore what I lose in the power-to-weight ratio by remembering to take a dump in the morning before I set off.


Lastly, how do you know the K1300's are more reliable than the 1200's? They haven't been around as long....

On the nicer side, having K1300's around does provide us 1200 owners with a potential source of updated parts - I've got a K1300 camchain tensioner, and clutch on my K1200S.


Steve

[Phmode]

Well, my mate, who got me into the K bike in the first place, is on his fourth, a new one every year, the old one traded with 40K miles on the clock. Ridden every single day, summer, winter, day and night!

With the exception of the latest, which has zero miles on it, every single one has had a multiple and different selection of the following:

High idle/faulty ICV
Ball joint failure at c18,000 miles
Clutch judder/replacement
Paint flaking off wheels
Brake failure/frothing in reservoir
Multiple instances of switch failure
Oops! Forgot (new-style) cam-chain tensioner failure x 2

So far, he hasn't had failure of coils packs or flaking of paint off final drive/engine/transmission and won't get the surging spluttering, stumbling of the early 12's like mine.

A 13 is no faster, no better in corners and no quicker A-B than a 12, circuit use excepted.

Brian (who says 'So, yes, I agree, why wouldn't I want one of those? I must be mad!'  )

[black-k1]

I've had a K1200S that I put 45000 miles on and now have a K1300S which, so far, I've put 36000 miles on.

I'm going to disagree with Brian and say that the 1300 is better than the 1200 at everything. (Except, so far, attracting expensive repair bills) However, the 1300 is only just a tiny little bit better at most things and, in my opinion, not better enough to warrant changing a good 1200 for, as you'll need to spend a fair bit of extra money.

While the 1300 only has a little more top end power, it has significantly more mid range torque which, combined with a quick shifter, makes it a  fair bit faster in real road situations. The slightly revised steering geometry makes turn in a little quicker without any loss of stability and the non-assisted brakes have as much bite but much greater feel.

The only things that were better on the K1200S were the 3 button indicators and the slightly taller top gear.

[Costas]

Brian it is bit faster, question is who can drive at 280+ for how long? not to mention where?
So, yes he who has a K12 is equally happy with the K13 owner, they both attract the same amount of eyes when parked, and when driving them no one can take even a slight glimpse of them.
But oi prefer my K13 

[Niall]

I will probably be excommunicated for this but ....

Why, people, do you go for the K1200 range when the K1300 range is, from the posts on this forum, so much reliable and with a better implementation of a close-to-the-edge high performance engine? Not perfect by any means but just better.

My view? You enjoy the care you need to apply to the unfinished product that is the K1200 range.  My opinion, you 1200 owners are mad! The 1300 just works, general BMW switches and final drive issues aside.

Did you consider we might have done before the range was dropped?

In my case, a 2008 GT. Tried the 13GT when it came out and could not justify the significant extra cost in changing for such little gain.

In addition, I prefer "traditional" BMW switchgear

Now, I'd have t find a huge amount to go to  a 16GTLE and for what I want/need, my GT will do it

[Duc750]

For me it's simple. When they make a k1300r sport i'll look at it. The K1200r sport I thought would be my perfect bike when it came out and so far I haven't been wrong. Only had it two weeks and put a thousand miles on it. I'm used to riding Ducatis for yours so actually find having a slightly "unfinished article" quite good fun.

[chriscanning]

Bought my 1200 sport with 1600 miles on the clock it didn't turn fuelled crap and had suspension that was top quality boat anchor spec so I fixed it is the 1300 A better bike? marginally more subtle is it quicker? not a hope.

As for Ducati looks like a DVT either the end of this year or the beginning of next but it won't be replacing anything.

[Belco100]

I'm going to disagree with Brian and say that the 1300 is better than the 1200 at everything. (Except, so far, attracting expensive repair bills) However, the 1300 is only just a tiny little bit better at most things and, in my opinion, not better enough to warrant changing a good 1200 for, as you'll need to spend a fair bit of extra money.

Have to agree. Lots of little improvements. For me it is ESAII - hit a button and the spring gets stronger as well adding pre-load that's makes two up riding better (for me). And the quick shifter is fun.