K1200 Engine Complete Teardown and Autopsy

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A video created by Kirk's Motorrad Shop. Please work at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damage you do.

[@DirkVisser-jm6tv]

Hello Kirk, I own a K1200RS since 2007 and it s done 75000 miles now. As a dys' r I watched all your video's and learned a lot about show to maintaini this bike . Especially overhauling the steering damper was a succes. Also your tip to add some VR1 racing oil every oil change works wonderfull. Thanks. Greetings form the Netherlands, Dirk Visser Arnhem

[@ababbit7461]

Your taking this engine a part and showing the damage just makes me want a K1200RS again (1998 K1200RS Checkerboard years ago). I can see how well the engine is made and the quality of the machined parts are built. I would have figured a lot more damage would have been done to that engine, but mainly, only the #1 cylinder area was damaged. It just goes to show how well these engines are made. The cam chain tensioners really shows how terrible Harley's Twin Cam chain tensioners are made and designed. Excellent video Kirk. I have always liked the way my K1200RS performed. Great torque to hp ratio for mid-range power. Hold on, I have to go cry for selling my K1200RS....

[@davidmcmillan8408]

No need to disconnect dash warning lights - just stick gaffer tape over them all! I still have my 1997 K1200RS in yellow/chequer retired in the garage since I got a K1300S Motorsport. I still maintain that the RS has the highest factory build quality that I've ever seen on a production motorcycle. My K13 is of course much lighter and faster, but it will be in a skip/dumpster one day, and the RS will still be rolling. I'd sell the RS (at 56,000 miles) for a very reasonable price if anyone in the USA would want it, and know how to ship it. I'm in northern England, and the bike had the notorious engine/clutch oil seal replaced a while ago.

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

Glad to see that . The guides are good. My 03 k1200rs is at 138,000 klms and the lastest k1100lt 1992 is at 193,000 klms 🇨🇦

[@shamoy1000]

Very interesting. I'll probably hit the 100k mark on my LT this year.

[@sussaxonsarthois6815]

You failed to convince me that the engine is unsalvageable. Beyond economic repair, maybe, but most of it, you said yourself is not terrible. I play more with old Brit iron and that motor looks in pretty good condition to me; bores still with the honing marks!? Excellent, I wish I had found the same. Very informative and enjoyable video. I should mention that I also have a 1987 K100RT, so this is all relevant info for me. I have subscribed and look forward to viewing more content.

[@kirksmotorrad]

It could have been salvaged but with so many available there is no reason to do so nor would it be financially feasible.

[@sussaxonsarthois6815]

Yes, understood; I just thought it's a pity. I hate throwing away stuff that's repairable - you can imagine what my own garage looks like! Excellent video, I learned a lot. All the best@@kirksmotorrad

[@toddtonis]

Thanks Kirk for doing this teardown for us viewers. It helps alot when you can show how something simple as missing a rubber seal can lead to this type of damage. I thought I saw a bit of beard on your face during this video. Never seen you with nothing but a clean shaven face. Lots of grey like many of us.

[@jimsworthow531]

Awesome tutorial and lesson; i have a k1200r and will be doing an oil change soon; i always look at where the filter mates, but thanks to you, i will make an extra effort to assure it is old sealing rubber free.

[@bogusm8940]

Thank you Kirk! Really enjoyed that.

[@djvalsongs2000]

Thanks men for your videos , I love my LT 1200 and I saw all your videos about . My one is 2004 has 24 k miles . Untill now I just change the tires and brake pads . To me it’s amazing .

[@Radar100RS]

Thank you Kirk! Another awesome video!! The chain guides are good news for my 2000 LT 80,000. Yes I change oil regularly so they should be good still!! 😊

[@scottdrums2128]

Nice to see all what makes the K1200 run. It sure shows what this engine can actually take with major neglect.😮

[@simond5208]

Great video. I started watching your videos because I wanted to know more about K1200LTs. You may have convinced me that they are not for me but I have just picked up a cheap/scruffy 1200RT to work on. Thanks for the really useful and practical content.

[@kirksmotorrad]

Welcome aboard!

[@cosmozh]

Meine 2002 K1200RS hat über 80k km, Motor läuft sehr sehr gut, macht keine verdächtigen Töne. I Liebe meine K wegen dem Komfort und dem Bärenstarkem Motor. Drehmoment immer genügen da. ❤❤❤❤

[@steve3604]

Superb video always wanted to see the inside of the engine on my 04 K1200GT, well done and explained quite well.

[@kirksmotorrad]

Many thanks!

[@user-ei8cl1ff5l]

Awesome video. Very well narrated as well. Since you appear to really know these K1200 engines, I would really like your opinion on my K1200Gt engine. It runs very well, no leaks or oil burning, 30,000 miles, well maintained. I has a knock in it, only when the engine is under load and only between 2200 and 2500 RPM. Nobody I talked to can figure it out. Any thoughts welcome.

[@jeffanderson8384]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Hoping I never have to dig that deep into my RS.

[@davidmcmillan8408]

Thanks for the video, fascinating to see the internals of the RS flying brick motor. No need to disconnect dash warning lights - just stick gaffer tape over them all! I still have my 1997 K1200RS in yellow/chequer retired in the garage since I got a K1300S Motorsport. I still maintain that the RS has the highest factory build quality that I've ever seen on a production motorcycle. My K13 is of course much lighter and faster, but it will be in a skip/dumpster one day, and the RS will still be rolling. I'd sell the RS (at 56,000 miles) for a very reasonable price if anyone in the USA would want it, and know how to ship it. I'm in northern England, and the bike had the notorious engine/clutch oil seal replaced a while ago.

[@garyprince2867]

Found a similar issue - though not with these consequences - on a K100 8v motor a few years ago. Filter screwed in real tight, with the old O ring still there. Seems not to impact the motor as, with fresh oils and filters throughout, it was a sweet, smooth train of a thing!

[@ErickMotero-kc8ix]

Thank you

[@adrianvanderbecker4407]

GREAT JOB ..!!...SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA

[@edwinjames6283]

Seems that the original seller knew he had an oil pressure problem and disconnected the sending unit to disguise something he knew would lead to critical failure. I know the old saying "Buyer Beware", but dishonesty is blatant theft when it comes to something like this. It'll come back to haunt him.....that's how Karma works! Great video...I've always enjoyed taking engines apart to see what's damaged.

[@kirksmotorrad]

I fully agree with you on this!

[@Michaelsloncehammr]

This is a good video. You should get or make a engine a stand with some rotation to make your job easier though. Thank you for the great job and information.

[@irimi2893]

Super Video. Your Channel is total interesting. Greetings from Berlin 🇩🇪

[@kirksmotorrad]

Thank you very much!

[@lukehessels779]

Loved this. What are your thought on the K1600 motor.

[@jgarner1104]

That's a shame, look's like that motor was well taken care of until the old owner's oil change.

[@jlb4417]

Do you have a video on front brake master cylinder rebuild on ‘99 k1200rs?

[@GarthGoldberg]

I don't know why one would do a rebuild on one of these bikes. I think you can pick up one of these bikes for $3,500. I imagine that these kind of failures are very rare and mostly owner-induced. These engines have a reputation of being bulletproof.

[@JoseLuisGomez-zg5qf]

👍muy interesante, me gustaría ver el montaje✌️

[@zycoBR]

Gratidão pelo video a minha tem tem 65 mil km ou 40 mil milhas

[@LTVoyager]

It is clear the prior owner was a complete idiot when it comes to things mechanical. I hope the current owner knew about this issue when he bought the bike and paid an appropriately discounted price.

[@kirksmotorrad]

I think the PO was dishonest and had to know he did something very wrong. The new owner really likes the bike as it was in outstanding condition aside from the engine and didnt want to just cut his loss. I gave him a very fair deal on the work.

[@LTVoyager]

@@kirksmotorrad Your video might give him a fair chance in small claims court.

[@thomasmullaney9125]

My K1200 is burning oil constantly, its not too hi a level either, thinking about rebuilding it but parts are crazy expensive from BMW. dont want to get a used motor, never trust tehm either, what to do?...LOL, thanks Kirk, great vid.

[@kirksmotorrad]

I would just count the cost. Tally up how much a set of rings, rod bolts, head gasket and other related parts would run and see if the time and expense are worth the effort vs putting in a fresher engine.

[@paulgoodluck1237]

How do i replace the Kickstarter

[@Bazyl777]

Świetny film. Silnik wygląda bardzo dobrze w środku poza uszkodzeniami rzecz jasna 😒 Jakie przebiegi wytrzymuje w tym silniku łańcuch rozrządu? Pozdrawiam Cię serdecznie z Polski 👋 Świetny kanał 👍

[@kirksmotorrad]

It lasts the life of the engine

[@hermannhesse7587]

I have a 2004 K1200 GT, blue, w/ 23,000 mi on it. Glad to see the timing chain assembly last longer. Kirk, do you sell parts ?

[@kirksmotorrad]

I do sell some parts. Let me know what you are looking for. Contact me at kirksmotorrad.com

[@fulvioplatania3091]

When I sold my shit K1200RS I started to drink a nice Barolo wine…tons of problems, tons of expensive fixs…never more german garbage

[@dennisemanuel6141]

Hi Kirk,can you get a seal for the steering damper?I don't see it on your Amazon page .Dennis

[@kirksmotorrad]

They are a bit spendy but I do have a set I can sell you. Contact me at kirksmotorrad.com

[@illiyakuryakin3092]

Very interesting video, Kirk. What is the reason cylinder one (Rather than the other cylinders) sees the most wear? Another donation sent to your Paypal account.

[@kirksmotorrad]

Thank you very much for the donation. For some reason #1 always gets it the worst in a loss of oil pressure. It must be at the end of the line where the oil travels. If the bike tips over and is not shut down right away it can toast the bearing on that one. If that happens it can be fixed pretty easy.

[@jawarider2243]

Is it just me, or is the oil pressure switch installed at the wrong place too? I do remember that it is installed beside the water temperature sensor on my K1200RS.

[@kirksmotorrad]

It was in the right place

[@ryisthai]

Is this a dry or wet sump system?

[@phensriwood8081]

How’s the cam tunnels, maybe the head’s ok?

[@kirksmotorrad]

They were fine. I scrapped the head.

[@mariogauthier1957]

if you put 4 over size piston .0010" you have now K1300 and move power y work before on my goldwin 1980 before 1100 after 1200

[@kirksmotorrad]

I admit that would be a lot of fun! I wonder if I could even find pistons?

[@cosmozh]

3:50 That’s Titanium mate….

[@peetermauring8732]

Hey, im working on a k1200rs engine and was wondering what socket you used to get out the head bolts. Are they just standard T40?

[@kirksmotorrad]

Oh how I wish! Why would BMW ever use common tools? No. It is a non existent T-46! You can get away with a T45 and hammer them in prior to removal. Some came out with a 47. I have since purchased the correct Bosch tool to do them but it was $35! Good luck!

[@peetermauring8732]

@@kirksmotorrad Thanks a lot!

[@jubiletabustamanteserrano2446]

TOCA REACERLO ENTERO