BMW K1200LT Rant Re-hash

[@Navin.R.Johnson]

I recently replaced the transmission in a buddy's K1200LT when it went out from some hard shifts and a few loose teeth finished it off. I've restored cars, a few of them, been working in electronics for many years, and generally have been neck-deep in working on things since I was a kid. In my 50s now I have a fair bit of experience under my belt. Replacing the transmission on the LT was one of the most technically difficult jobs on any piece of machinery I've ever done. There is SO much to the bike, and so little room to work within the bowels of the bike, that you MUST follow a procedure for this kind of job to the letter. If you forget to do something like reconnect one of the alternator wires and put the bike back together, then it's nearly a tear down to fix the issue. I had time as we were in no rush, but even if I just add all my hours together, I'm sure that job took me every bit of 30 hrs to do. It was the first time I'd ever done it, but the sheer level of disassembly it required was really and truly frightening. Now, having said all of that, I really admire the engineering excellence of this machine. I have my own LT, so I looked at the transmission swap a lesson for me at his expense. BMW built a remarkable machine, and when they work right they are amazing to ride. Mine has about 135K miles on it and still runs like a top. I also think the K12LT is one of the prettiest bikes BMW has ever made. If you are a wrenched, and you join the BMWLT forums, there are people on there who can recite chapter and verse the service manual. If you have a problem you will find the answer. But if you are not a wrenched, avoid this bike at all costs. It's not one that you can just ride. It's not a Honda.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Navin, when the K1200LT was new (1999 / 2000) some techs were swapping clutches in less than 8 hours. It's an incredible amount of labor to hustle through!

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Interesting, you're remark 'It is not a Honda'. I recently bought a few old bikes (all over 25 years). One of them is a 1993 R1100RS. A one previous owner bike, very pretty. But already I have had to do more work on it than I did so far on both Honda's (a ST1100 and a VFR 750F). In fact I just wheeled into the garage and will do all the remaining jobs before I ride it again. Luckily the R1100 is easy to work on (far easier than both Honda's). Yet so far I'm not too impressed with BMW...

[@anthonybremner3135]

Chris, you just gave me the best belly laugh listening and watching you do your basic walk around of the K1200LT. Sounds a bit like me going off about some shitbox designed earthmoving machine. I worked on mainly Cat gear for near 50 years now but seen the insides of many brands. My favourite saying is, “Geez, I never knew they could pile shit that high!” Also owned a K100RS for 11 years, gave me a lot of pleasure. Currently restoring a ‘95 R1100RS oil head that badly needs some love. Love your videos and excellent knowledge. Will be rebuilding the final drive and resealing the drive out of the gearbox so will be picking your brain. Take it easy bud. All the best, Tony in Oz.

[@daigriffiths399]

I recently helped change the clutch in a K1200LT. ALthough the procedure was basically the same as changing the clutch on one of my K100s, all that bodywork and all the additional wiring required by the letters LT made it a complete PITA and a two-day job as opposed to less than a day for the K100..

[@gizzync1525]

I have no idea why anyone would own a BMW. just too much silliness & why did they do that? involved. Nothing like a good technician rant. LOVE IT!

[@nicholasmumola]

2001 R1100RT was the best Tour/Sport bike for me. Even though the fairings we're a pain to remove, once done, I could access everything without jumping through hoops to get at them. The performance was superb. Enjoyed the twisties and cruising on the interstate (even though it only had a 5 speed transmission). I doubt that the K bike can match the fun and ease of servicing of the 2001 R1100RT

[@mattklein5498]

Got a K75, Like you said, I like a kbike, K75. Gas/oil/check the splines when you change the tire and lube with honda moly, dont let the battery run low or gotta replace the starter regulator, extend the handle bar mounts with the thing ya get on ebay and run it forever

[@tagatubos]

It was and is always pleasure to whats these Your informative video´s. Thank You Sir! When I had some BMW bike`s before, I got some good advice's from Your channel and headache free DIY time.

[@petercannock4805]

I had 1 of these which after a couple of years I thought I was getting to old for big bikes as if I’ve nearly dropped it once I’ve done it 10 times,slow speeds were very unstable but comfortable and at normal speeds 50mpg plus,do not forget to change the fuel pipe connections for metal ones as the plastic ones fail resulting in your bike going up in flames great vids pete c uk

[@my.motorrad]

I think this one was one of your best videos. I'd love for you do some rant videos about later bikes and send BMW the link. Speaking of which, I wonder if they got to see this one. I hope they did.

[@unknownriderinbound]

Definitely got a chuckle out of that, thanks for the flashback!

[@timhotchkiss610]

Chris........this was the first vid of yours that got me watching your videos.....good stuff and in also glad your here

[@pmadjidi]

Spot on!

[@dieseltech139]

I had a k1200 Lt. It was nice but slow coming from my Triumph 1200 Trophy with amazing acceleration. My other bmw was a R 1200clc and although I felt it was underpowered, it was the easiest to maintain and looked nice and had awesome and flawless abs system. All on in past. I traded up after bad experience with new 2008 "Hardly" Davidson to Victory Vision ( 2 - 08 and 13 model) and it's been my favorite ride for close to 10 years and probably my last bike although I do like the BMW K1600GTL a lot but vision provides lots of comfort and handles nice for a big touring bike. Would love the power of the BMW... Thanks for sharing. Love the content!👍🇺🇸

[@johnjolley3184]

Comedy Gold! Bro, you have a future in Stand Up!!

[@robsonenduro3316]

nice to watch this again vid LOL I love the other one about the ABS servo :)

[@japup1237]

Always fascinated about the information you're about to give us. When they came down under they were definitely out of our price range. Sometimes I wonder who is aging faster me or the two units that I have both daily rides throwing a leg over in the dark after a 12 hour shift is getting hard an emergency care nurse but there's always tomorrow and I just can't give it up. Pilates 3 days a week with the girls so it is. Always find what you give us fascinating.

[@ExtremeDeathman]

Dude, please use proper sentence building. It's tough to read.

[@lex1945]

Great re-upload!

[@shingerz]

Sound 👍

[@tommynikon2283]

Been riding 42 years- have owned a '87 K75C the past three years. There's alot I hate about it....like spline jobs, the turn signals, the height/CofG, and....the difficulty of getting service. BMW Dealer/Tacoma won't service ANY older K bikes. Insane.

[@ababbit7461]

I remember watching that rant video and I left a comment. I believe you fell ill not too long after that video and lost a lot of weight. I have watched a couple of your videos since then and like the new you. What stopped me from buying a K1200LT? You and Sierra BMW, in Nevada. Kirk loves the bikes, but then again, he works on them all the time. The K1200LT is like Ulysses and the Siren Cliffs. The bike is beautiful, sounds great, is a pleasure to ride, but like the Sirens, it lulls you into the trap of never ending fixing death! I did sell my K1200RS and now I wish I still had it.

[@NYCZ31]

They made the excuse about the lack of cup holders by saying “sports cars don’t have cupholders.” Something about the car being capable of such G forces on turns that it would fling anything in a cup holder. Yeah, right… Nissan/Datsun did this too on their Z cars.

[@raybrensike42]

I thought the idea of the new K100RT was that it would be a light touring bike, but it seems some motorcycle magazine writers wanted it to be a sport touring bike.

[@blt981]

Chris I bought a 2007 , 1200 Lt before mY deployment, My dad let my brother PUT a few miles on IT TO KEEP IT GOING BUT put in BAD CALI GAS IT DIED IT GOT PUT IN THE GARAGE IN CALIF GOLD COUNTRY FOOTHILLS. SAT TILL NOW DEC 2021. IM NOW BACK AFTER MY LONG TOURS IN THE SAND. WTF DO I DO TO IT TO KEEP IT GOING. !!!! POPS NOW GONE I USED TO RIDE WIYH HIM. Truck driver working man MISS HIM BAD……I DONT WANT TO GET RID OF IT . WHAT STEPS SHOULD take to take it out of storage…….Can you do a video for guys like us returning to the States who just dreamed of just riding……Signed Grateful for your Service Working man with tools…..Peace Thru Superior Firepower…..Don…..

[@Comrade134]

Dang those parts.

[@jimmylang8039]

Now I understand why on craigslist this model with 26k is so cheap. It's a pain in the ass. I have a 04 r1150r rockster and the wire harness wraps are degrading into dust. I have seen cb 750's from the 70's that still don't have this problem. Might have to be my winter project

[@GIGABACHI]

You should see the wire loom under the hood in 2000-2010 GM vehicles. It turns to dust the minute you touch it. $1.99 electrical tape would have lasted 10 compared to the plastic used for the loom.

[@jimmylang8039]

@@GIGABACHI I can assure you 2010 on up GM continues to have a lot of Gremlins

[@GIGABACHI]

@@jimmylang8039 probably the same, as long as it last the same as the warranty period.

[@philearle435]

WTH is with the new KZbin ads? Used to be able to skip but now had to watch a 2 minute prostate ad. It's not just your channel Chris. Time to publish on Rumble.

[@redmer01]

Nice video👍. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@demiratmotovlog]

Lovely...

[@RobertLBarnard]

LoveD (to ride) mine (K1600 GTL). Got it to ride Atl to CA, to CO, to MI.... Wonderful ride. Until you get a safety recall......and they leave you to twist in the wind. Its been sitting for 7 months (so far and no relief insight), waiting for BMW to replace the fuel pump.... Damn FUEL PUMP! Safety recall. Thing hoses you down with fuel and in danger of becoming a 🔥! Letter from BMW says, "we can't help you at this time". BMW SUCKS Won't buy another BMW. Honda perhaps.

[@stephenbaron5681]

LOL! X 10

[@Comrade134]

This bike is a good example of bad engineering.

[@Mike-jv4rz]

R 1150 RT way better

[@interceptor124]

You are right. I love my R 1150 RT-P. Never had any issues.