BMW K 1200 LT test

BMW K 1200 LT test

The steam waltz

BMW has renovated its monster tourer. More efficient. More safety. Even more luxury. And the eight-hundredweight chunk should be guided almost playfully. MOTORRAD asked for a dance.

A central question arises when you consider the K 1200 LT sees in kind. When you stand in front of her humbly, stunned or amused and let this two-wheeled monumental epic sink in. Is the "dynamic juggling "of this giant still called
Motorcycling denote?
At least not while standing. Because
we’re talking about specially equipped 392 kilograms. With a relatively high center of gravity, which is achieved by loading the top box, the integrated suitcase or the
Luggage attachment on the topcase rail is even more unfavorable. We’re talking about the huge 1.31 meter gap between the contact patch of the front wheel and the ends of the handlebars. A sculpture with which every African antelope buck could decide the courtship ritual for itself. Thank goodness the technicians boarded it in plasticine. In short: we’re talking about them
Mother of unwieldiness. At least when maneuvering.
In order to take away the justified fear of the dinosaur from the customers, the BMW tamers taught him a few dressage tricks. A reversing aid operated by the starter supports maneuvering into and out of parking spaces as well as turning maneuvers. The elektrohy is new-
hydraulic main stand. Lifts effortlessly
the jack-up Heinzelmann pushes a button onto the well-hidden steel frame (see graphic on page 53). And the
up to a gross vehicle weight of no less than 600 kilograms. Just stop, stay seated, press a button. A short lift ride. Self-test-
nation par excellence. It’s only stupid if the ground is uneven. The chunk tips over and the machine and passengers go down. But don’t panic. The fat Bavarian is well prepared for unwanted ground contact. Catch two well-hidden crash bars
the monster off. Not even the mirrors, in which you can enjoy an extraordinarily good view, scratch when you fall over.
In order to guarantee a safe stand, floor lighting on both sides can also be activated to illuminate the ground. Ideal for checking boot dirt and tracking down puddles or rubble. Blocking off still requires lean muscle or vigorous rocking. And the 2004 vintage has a special treat for the little ones. The bench is shaped according to the latest feel-good knowledge, the seat height can be adjusted twice in less than ten seconds and the front area is narrower.
This should also help people with short legs
find a secure footing on the floor. The friendly BMW press kit recommends the LT for people taller than 1.69 meters. MOTORRAD is cautiously euphoric. 1.75 are better. Guaranteed.
All right then. We have snatched the "representative appearance "(Bavarian press reports) from the lowlands of the parking bay and dedicate ourselves entirely to theirs
Sense of existence. The 0.6 ton truck rolls calmly towards the horizon. Often times
criticized wobbling motion when driving slowly has disappeared. The manufacturer renames one as the reason for this
15 millimeters longer caster. At the latest when the boat picks up speed, it happens. Maneuvering bland adventures. Fears disappear. Respect trolls. A wave of total satisfaction floods the body. The seat heating warms you up. Protect small wind fins in connection with a gigantic disc that can be continuously adjusted at the push of a button from nasty wind attacks and rain. A wonderful sound from the four stereo speakers caresses the ear. And an easy-to-read, GPS-assisted navigation system guides you to your dream destination. No joke: the LT’s sofa is what matters
a Graf Protz for every Gunther Prenz.
Some people will legitimately wonder what this has to do with biking. Chamber. The LT is more dynamic,
as she signals. Keyword sumo wrestler. All right? 40 degrees incline freedom
guarantee curve adventures. And the 1200s don’t disappoint. Despite the assumed time delay when steering (antelope handlebars), it precisely follows the targeted line, pans harmoniously from one incline to the next and gives itself on the Metzeler Marathon
confidently on more sporty tours. Dazzlingly delayed by the reliable, ABS-reinforced, electrically reinforced composite braking system. Comfortably sprung thanks to the front wheel suspension, which is insensitive to braking, and a shock absorber
travel-dependent damping (WAD). Although the colossus still commutes slightly at speeds of more than 180 km / h, it does so through very tight turns with the right
doughy clutch has to be balanced with the fingertip and the feeling when driving over hard edges
if the gimbal would somehow wedge, the driver is always on cloud nine.
And he can do it with discipline
accelerate. Larger throttle valves, modified valve timing and a revised engine management increase the power output from the former 98 to 116 hp and tower the maximum
Torque from 115 to 120 Nm. These
However, increases compared to the previous model are only noticeable in the last third of the engine speed, between 6000 and 8500 rpm. So in an area where pilots dedicated to tourism only turn up their noses. Nevertheless: If you want to overtake quickly, you have to downshift. How good that the new, quieter gearbox is easier to operate. 210 km / h top are possible. The reasonable cruising speed is more like 130
up to 160 km / h. Nothing then commutes, the wind is legend and consumption is kept within limits. With 5.9 liters at a constant 130 km / h and 5.3 liters on the country road, the LT consumes slightly more than its predecessor. The range is a decent 434 kilometers. And they can also come in one piece. Not just because of the parking.

BMW K 1200 LT test

The steam waltz

Technical data – BMW K 1200 LT

Engine: water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, crankshaft lying lengthways, a balance shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 36 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 840 W, battery 12 V / 19 Ah, hydraulically operated single-plate dry clutch, five-speed gearbox, cardan.
Bore x stroke 70.5 x 75.0 mm
Cubic capacity 1171 cm3
Compression ratio 10.8: 1

Nominal output 85 kW (116 hp) at 8000 rpm

Max. Torque 120 Nm at 5250 rpm

Pollutant values ​​(homologation) in g / km
CO 0.446 / HC 0.099 / NOx 0.017

Chassis: Bridge frame made of aluminum, telescopic fork guided by trailing arm, Ø 35 mm, single-sided swing arm made of aluminum
Suspension strut, adjustable spring base, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear,
Ø 285 mm, two-piston fixed caliper, fully integrated composite brake system with ABS and brake booster.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17
Tires in the test
Metzeler ME 880 marathon

Dimensions and weights: wheelbase 1627 mm, steering head angle 63 degrees, caster 117 mm, spring travel f / h 102/130 mm, seat height * 800 mm, weight with a full tank * 392 kg, payload * 208 kg, tank capacity 23 liters.

Two year guarantee
Colors gray, blue, yellow metallic
Price 19,950 euros
Price test motorcycle ** 21,765 euros
Additional costs 262 euros

MOTORCYCLE measurements – BMW K 1200 LT

Performance
Top speed1 210 km / h

acceleration
0 100 km / h 4.8 sec
0 ?? 140 km / h 8.1 sec
0 200 km / h 20.9 sec

Draft
60 ?? 100 km / h 6.3 sec
100 ?? 140 km / h 7.0 sec
140 180 km / h 9.3 sec

Speedometer deviation
effective (display 50/100) 49/99 km / h

Consumption in the test
at 100 km / h 4.6 l / 100 km
at 130 km / h 5.9 l / 100 km
Country road 5.3 l / 100 km
Fuel type Great

The first time … – BMW K 1200 LT

Driver license holder Volker Elsasser, 20, and the K 1200 LT

MOTORRAD invited me to ride a powerful bike on my first day after receiving my open driver’s license. GSX-R or something, got? I thought. I didn’t expect the K 1200 LT. Respect is an understatement. Shaky knees, planes in your stomach. Fear of parking. Then on the first few meters, the merciless surprise. She drives herself
much more casual than expected. And all the electrical helpers. Gigantic. Braking, scouting, even driving backwards. Actually incomprehensible that you still have to switch yourself. An automatic transmission, possibly with Tiptronic function, would fit perfectly into the concept. Very relaxed, emotionally far away from everyday life and wind, she glides through the country. Every meter of vacation. Preferably with a passenger. With this furniture set, the LT is considered to be a heartthrob despite the love handles. Because she is a star on the city’s show mile. While others attract attention with their bestial sound, the BMW is enough with a quiet hum. The pane moves as if by magic, and the GPS lights up, which is extremely important. Their massive appearance alone focuses. Based on this, the exhaust rumble could be more self-confident. As I said: driving great, show-off optimal, handling takes a lot of getting used to.

Ready for freedom – BMW K 1200 LT

magazine-
Editor Michael Orth on the real advantages of the EHKS

The new K 1200 LT, as the ladies and gentlemen advertising copywriters from BMW wrote, carry you "with luxury into freedom". You will meet "the highest demands on confident driving". Of course that’s true. But it’s only half true! Because at some point you arrive in freedom and maybe want to stretch your feet there or just have to go to the toilet after a long, luxurious journey. Yes and then? Then you just can’t avoid putting your LT, permissible total weight: 600 kilograms, down.
So it could happen so far that one
all sovereignty suddenly went flute. Not any longer longer. Where your own strength fails, helps
from now on EHKS, the “electro-hydraulic center stand system ”of the K 1200 LT:“ The motorcycle can be automatically jacked up at the push of a button, even when fully loaded with a passenger sitting down. ”In future, the LT pilots will be able to extend the stand electro-hydraulically.
It is foreseeable that there will be some again
will make fun of it. But: to laugh at something like that would be stupid. As stupid as it always is to laugh at people who get help because they can admit their weaknesses. Because you have to be mentally strong. Possibly stronger than those who might be able to pull this motorcycle onto the main stand without assistance. With EHKS to promote this strength in every single LT customer in series, BMW cannot be credited highly enough. An innovation of immense importance. Because even more than two-wheel technology, the system advances the deeply human knowledge of one’s own limitations. Even if only among LT drivers.

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