BMW K1200LT Owner Tips and Tricks

In this video I demonstrate how to pick up a K1200LT by yourself, place it on the center stand. I also show the proper hold down points for trailering and when to change out your HID headlight bulb!
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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.

[@docimastic]

Just got my k1200 LT so I'm trying to learn whatever I can learn. Your video is just superb. Lots of useful information. Thanks for taking the time to make it and post it. And yes, I realized you did this 9 years ago, but the information is just as pertinent now as it was then. Thanks again! David

[@neomatrixfree8031]

Having dropped my bike twice, I did not believe anyone could get it up without help. Great stuff. Also, your wife just humbled all us guys who leave that side stand out...just in case...:-) She is lovely too! Great job, again!

[@user-ch9yp9vi9u]

Thank you so much for the video! I just bought a 2005 k1200lt. I was watching your videos after I bought it and found this one interesting. Little did I know my first day riding I would lay it down in a parking space!😢 My only saving grace was knowing how to recover it myself! It was actually much easier than I thought! Thanks Again!

[@ChihyiCChen]

Thank you very much for this instructional clip! It really boosts my confidence in the face of possible bike hazards scenarios. Bless you!

[@charlessisson3489]

Hey Curt. Thanks for all the info. I'm really enjoying working on my 2000 LT since you showed me how. A special thanks for warning me about the brake lines. Last week my rear brake suddenly felt "different". When I got back to my garage I found a pin hole leak in the rear line. I put some solid pressure on the front brake to test it, and the line popped. Good place for the brakes to fail. Thanks again for the advice. Charlie P.S. This year I switched from Metzeler Marathon's to Michelin Commander 2 on the rear and Road Pilot 4 on the front. Great handling and very quiet. Mileage remains to be seen.

[@LuBiBochum]

Cool action, Mr. :-) I was lucky when my K1200 felt. Had enough helping hands. Thanks for the tip. Greetings from LuBi

[@davemcmahon8140]

Nice bike, the designers certainly had a good cadcam day! Really like your instructional vids..

[@danh6224]

Good video. One thing to suugest as I have a 2000 as well... switch over to Amsoil... made a huge difference engine noise and smoking. Another note about the HID light, why I didn't switch over was do to its the primary lamp, and when flashing to pass etc, its hard on the module. I use my lower Pia's for lighting the highway so the standard halogen can be used.

[@carnadero]

A little note regarding HID lights - a surefire indicator that the bulb is approaching the end of its life is when the light develops a pinkish cast.

[@kofe011]

Hello, loved your video for me, the same BMVk1200lt.ya of Russia, is very pleased that this bike is loved around the world! Excellent bike

[@mclement052164]

Great video! Incidentally I have an engine for a 99 K1200LT to sell in the Memphis area about 70000 miles.

nice video. I have the same bike, love it...I've noticed that you have lights installed in front on forks :D nice.

[@The_Automobilist]

Thanks! Great to watch and very helpful!

[@IggyTheBiker]

Thanks for posting this. I just switched from a Goldwing to a 2005 LT. Many similarities, but many differences too. I wish the antennas folded over like the Wing's did. Makes it a whole lot easier pulling in and out of the garage. I am going to look for a tutorial on how to change out the dual antennas for rubber duckies. The CB has been pulled, so I really only need one antenna anyway.

[@danh6224]

You can integrate a fold over elbow attachment so your attennas fold. I researched down the part back in 05' when I got my 2000, but my parking is high enough I didn't need it. I was primarily looking because of the cover, but went with a true bmw cover that had the holes. I know have another LT (2009) so I may start looking for that part, as my small storage where. I park now is a tad low.

[@ScaramouchedaVinci]

Important tips. Thank you very much!

[@billholly4317]

Great video. Lots of great info. Thanks.

[@williamkterrell]

Great tips thanks for the video

[@JamesRoe70]

You did it right, use your legs and not your back. Its even better when your bike falls over at a stop sign, as it did to me one night on a big oily spot. Ty you again for the Tips & Tricks.

[@S40TBS]

Great tip for pickup .

[@tomasteel]

Great video, thanks !!

[@ClaudioMarcelo2013]

Felicitaciones es una máquina increíble

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

Well, I watched this video on 4/22 , the day I bought the bike and today, 4/26 I dropped the bike making a very tight 180 degree in the drive way. I would have been a lost puppy if I hadn't seen this video. It came right up. .... you're fortunate she didn't beat on you

[@Miata822]

Helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@az.lunatic_2845]

my old RT1150 had this "handle" that popped out gave me a lot more leverage wish this bike had one. But seriously that's impressive for 900+ lbs....

[@joseetisabellesoto-clamens3202]

wonderful bike dude!

[@bradysolaem2467]

On my r12rt i put one on the çutch and left bar other on the top case rack and that mskes a world of difference for me.. Keeping panniers on makes pick up a one person possibility

[@kimadams1847]

Good work very informative 👌

[@battambangscooterandmotorc460]

Lol. Man you're one smooth cool cat brother. Nice wheels and wife too. Atta boy. Looking forward to collecting Beamers as they are so cheap here in Cambodia because they are assembled in Thailand. Thanks for the tips.

[@VSMOnline]

Did you see her face when he said, "Even a girl can do it?" That was hilarious!

[@tonyking9015]

Thank you for sharing.

[@wayneOOO100]

Nice video ! Thanks

[@stephencavanaugh8377]

Mine was knocked over by a car while on the center stand. If that's the case, make sure the center stand is up before trying to lift.

[@Roberto-tb7fj]

QUE TÉCNICA !!!!! EXPLENDIDO ...

[@kevinburnes3216]

Just bout a 99 K1200. Happy so far!

[@joaquin698]

Tks a lot for the tips … 👌🏻

[@topfell8277]

Awsome thanks am getting a 1100rt

[@03flhtcui]

Wow! Lucky guy! Beautiful bike....and a beautiful wife! Congrats!

[@0n596]

Well done! Any input from you about the high windshield produces swirls and suction effect?

[@chevyjerry2507]

thanks for your videos. question my bike fell and the front side bumpers and chrome are all bashed up. where can I get replacements? I have looked for aftermarket and cant find. Thanks

[@GaryDZ]

Thanks..... I pick up my 2003 tomorrow.

[@14wntr]

Hopefully not off the ground! :-)

[@sturan286]

nice information

[@steef2731]

IMPORTANT! If you walk the bike of as shown in 02:10 make sure the steering wheel is away from you! So in this case to the right. The bike will come towards you instead of dragging or tipping you over the sadle as it wants to go to the right at landing

[@assessor1276]

If I may….you might have pointed out that the bike should be on its wheel (and NOT either the centrestand or the sidestand) when tying it down. The idea is to compress the front and rear suspension a little bit.

[@kfstreich4787]

Excellent tip, always lay a protective blanket down before knocking said bike over, it protects the paint and very few people think ahead! all the other tips, they were good too, but I have an r1200rt so I'm like an alien with two heads.

[@rickowens396]

thank you

[@dennisgreene7164]

Thanks for this - thinking of getting one in the next few weeks. Previously rode a Pan European ST1300 and don't see a huge amount of difference - apart from having a reverse gear!!!

[@ninamg7]

Just bought this same color bike at auction. Has what seem to be a drive train issue will not go into gear. Any advice is welcomed. It has 80k miles and has an oil leak possibly. I own a Harley Ultra but has always been intrigued as a Military Veteran with BMW in a whole. So this is the first and a project to get going.

[@mariogauthier1957]

nice video

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

After that glance and a head shake, we know who slept on the couch THAT night. Haha!

[@KB6YAF]

If you drop the bike over on the port side, you also run the risk of damaging the shift linkage

[@brianmller-larsen8180]

Nice video ;-) Useful tricks ;-)

[@firbyd]

And the girl makes it look easy, even left footed! Nice! :-)

[@izzimichaels2892]

thanks for all of your videos, very helpful, just one smart-ass question....did your wife get that bike up on the center-stand easier than YOU did??? lol. (you go girl!)

[@anthonyfrance6640]

merci. from france. ma moto k 1200 lt année 2007. great video.

[@chgrandklim6431]

je viens de m en prendre une .. aucun souci de ton coté à declarer sur cette moto ? merci

[@anthonyfrance6640]

@@chgrandklim6431 bonjour aucun soucis, sauf changement de systeme abs...2600 euros.. j'ai 17000km.

[@NorceCodine]

Is the center stand different on the golden bike than on the blue? Your wife seems to be pushing it down from front-to-back. My LT is coming in on Monday, and I need to put it on the stand myself. Thanks.

[@rodanderson1922]

I am 6ft 6inches tall and weigh 233 pounds, so lifting my Lt onto the center stand really isn't a problem? I am very interested in the after market Head Light bulb you have fitted to yours, and although I do very few miles at night, as my light is hard wired on, as is the law here in New Zealand, anything that will help other motorists(Car Drivers) see me Has to be a good thing? I have to say I have watched a lot of the video's you have done on the LT, and have learnt a Lot about my "99" model as a result. Thank You.

[@choppergirl]

I have a Honda 450, and there's no such way to do that on that bike as far as the center stand. I have to hold the bike handle and lean the bike against my hip, and get it running and rolling backwards, and quickly somehow find the center stand to jump on with my foot and basically shoot the bike up into the air in a jarring effect. Dangerous as hell to be sure because the bike is heavy. I have yet to drop it yet but the only way to do it and so far its been a matter of luck. Wouldn't want to try to raise the bike like you do sitting on the seat, I'd be afraid it'd keep going and flip right over and take me with it. Though that is an interesting method. That's a good idea to have the kickstand down, though it only works if its down on the right side. Can you remove the head on the 1200LT motorbike to rebuild the engine without taking the engine out of the bike? Are all the cyclinders and valves facing forward? Can the head clear the front forks or do you have to take those off too. I don't want to buy a bike where you have to remove the engine entirely from the bike just to take the cylinder body and head off to get to the pistons.

[@Nevroica]

One should ALWAYS retract the side stand before taking the bike off center stand. Too often, if that isn’t done, it can impact the ground and cause the bike to fall over to the right.

[@avidskier73]

Thanks for the video, great tips and tricks.

[@icemanharris8847]

Better now than latter? I dropped mine and couldn't figure out where to grab? The bike was left side down. Finally put tow strap over right side under and back to bottom right lots of places to attach to. Hooked strap to pickup hitch nothing to it. ( unless it comes over Center. Lol, then do opposite if you drop it over again keep doing it again! Practice makes perfect. Another lol. Ice

[@bradysolaem2467]

Can you. Use the center stand if it goes down on its left side for example

[@asymptoticsingularity9281]

I bought a 2004 K1200LT. It has about 65,000 miles. I weigh about 180lbs and am fairly muscular. I cannot put it on centerstand without my work boots on. I have not serviced the rear preload system. I am 5'8" and want bike as low as possible. I believe I need to address the rear suspension situation. Is there anyway the rear suspension could effect the low speed handling? Thanks

[@kofe011]

I run a USB / SD / AUX / Bluetooth / iPOD / iPHONE, FOENIKs power, front speakers Pioneer 13-inch rear 16-inch-perfect sound is 100 miles per hour

[@kit0415]

Well done video. Thank you!

[@SonicHawk90]

Do you get LED headlight conversions for this bike?

[@chevyracer666]

Where can i check who shares the transmission with the r1100rs 96

[@trevosride]

Nice video thanks for the hints but mine tilt and the shifter engage when the engine is off but when I start the engine don't want engage any speed this happen since the drop any suggestion?

[@kirksmotorrad]

It sounds like you bent the shift linkage. Take it apart and look see.

[@slogroove]

Very informative video. Thanks a lot! Also, you definitely chose the right girl. lol

[@timbitbrown]

U should leave the kick stand Down when your putting the bike on the Center stand

[@liosc6]

Thanks for the video. The additional backrest is an original optional or is it something custom made?

[@kirksmotorrad]

look for backup back rest

[@S40TBS]

Hi when are you making more great video's

[@Siputihonic]

Can k1200lt add rear crash bar?

[@joesch19991]

So my 1999 k1200lt is not getting power to the start relay. You can put 12 v to the 2 wires that come off the relay and it will turn over. Before this all started I would sometimes have to cycle the key on and off a few times and it would start. Also seemed like moving the handle bars back and forth would make it start as well. Please help

[@kirksmotorrad]

Sounds like there is short in the ignition switch

[@user-nq3vm3ys2i]

Try lifting it off your pelvis while you are under it ,it has fallen off the trailer ramp and landed on top of you, will this trick still work?

[@schooder]

Hey there I wanted to get your opinion I bought a 2003 LT a few years ago (it test drove great) and within a few months the ABS unit failed. Lights blinked and never went out but the brakes still worked. That was pricey. But I am thinking of getting a 2005 version (8500 miles) hoping it wold be a better experience because I like the bike and cheaper that a goldwing thanks

[@14wntr]

I sounds like a good deal!

[@Hogger280]

Very nice, thanks for the tips

[@TheAfricankiwi]

even a woman can lift, I hope you made it up to her afterwards, she looked a little pissed lol. thanks for that anyway. I have a k1200s, dropped it and didn't know how to pick it up properly, hence scrapping the fairing, lifted it the hard way, could you show how to lift one please.

[@chulito032492]

Hey man. I really need your advice on this 03 k1200lt i have. Im in indiana and no one on my town works on bmw bikes. Im soo stuck.

[@kirksmotorrad]

contact me through www.Kirksmotorad.com

[@cmbrstudio]

What s the optimal rpm to drive and change the gear at the k1200lt? Thx

[@daubendiek]

It loves to be shifted at 5k

[@apoole6169]

I have a 2006 K1200lt and I've experienced serious saddle fatigue after about 100 miles. Have an air hawk which helps some, but I have a theory that the seat just needs to be wider. The K1200's saddle is somewhat narrower than most touring bikes. I like the saddle on your bike and would love to know your thoughts about possible 3rd party saddles to help with the problem. Thanks,

[@kirksmotorrad]

+A Poole I think the best out there is either a Bill Mayer or a Russell Daylong Saddle. So a search on them.

[@danh6224]

Yes, a Bill Mayer is wider. It cam with my (new-to-me 2009). Personally, I want the stock seats as my inseam isn't as long and makes it semi-defficult to straddle. I know this post is old, but I'm putting yhe driver/passenger seats up for sale this year.

[@robertschwartzman6076]

great video! What color is this bike? is it standard color?

[@kirksmotorrad]

yes. It is Basalt Grey

[@vindedious]

Hello from Normandy, where did you buy the driver head of your bmw? thank you for your answer

[@kirksmotorrad]

I am guessing you are talking about the headlight. ddmtuning.com 55w 5000K

[@miloskujovic]

LoL wifey is like how tf you got me into this youtube mess !! xD

[@sebastiangmail8823]

I like the Motocycle

[@brianevans1776]

Is the headlight bulb easy to replace? Where do you go in?

[@14wntr]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5K5gqCqbtSHjdU

[@user-yz6oz5jf1i]

Please assist me with 2018 tnks

[@user-yz6oz5jf1i]

Please Sir I love this but I can't afford it please can you help me with one

[@mxmerce]

Your wife made me feel all bad about myself. lol. I still struggle getting my bike on the center stand, but will try your tips. Thanks for the video, very nice.

[@turdboman]

are there speakers in the passenger backrest ?

[@14wntr]

+mike falasca yes

[@richardmiddagh6539]

Can I push start a 99 k1200LT with a bad fuel pump?

[@14wntr]

They can be push started but you need the fuel pump to make it run. In the intro of this video you can hear the pump come on before the starter.

[@Letsgohuskydawgs]

I noticed that you have fog/driving lights (3:44 into video). Are those something you added? If so, how did you mount them and where and what model are they? I'm trying to add additional front lighting to my r100rt. Thanks in advance for your reply!

[@kevinwade954]

Had one of these but got too dangerously heavy for me. Such a shame.

[@bradysolaem2467]

She does it how i do

[@motoxvost]

Hi) Great videos for all owners of LT. Already covered all the trouble spots on our motorcycles, thank you for this! But the theme music was not disclosed)) Do you have plans to make a video for replacing standard music on something worthwhile, for this kind of music that you can listen at a speed of 100 miles per hour? Thank you)

[@kirksmotorrad]

I would most likely go with this great song by Within Temptation. Faster! Faster, Closer to the Edge

[@motoxvost]

illinoisBMWriders Good song) But I meant the equipment! Speakers, stereo amplifier, Alpine head unit type for example, etc ....

[@kirksmotorrad]

motoxvost Not yet. Unless someone want me to change theirs out for them, there wont be either. I do not use my radio since I have such nice speakers in my helmet.

[@motoxvost]

illinoisBMWriders Yes, yes, I saw in one of the videos that you listen music through headphones in the helmet. Now I understand))) Let's wait until someone decides to change his music on LT and decides to make it by your hands!

[@NorceCodine]

illinoisBMWriders I am interested in buying a 1200 LT, preferably 2001-2003, blue or black, but other colors are ok if the mileage is low (>40K) and serviced well. Do you know somebody in your club who might sell one? I live in TX, you can only find Harleys here :(

[@gregm2406]

thanks a bunch, K1300GT owner here.

[@softairsan]

wow, i would be way too scared to drop it to drive one

[@charlessisson3489]

Good tip. Thanks again. I never thought the passenger grab bar would be strong enough to pick it up. Where'd you get those LED accessory lights?

[@kirksmotorrad]

I got those from ADVmonster.com! They work great and are a great price! Be sure to get the protectors for them!

[@12vmotors98]

Hi. I have BMW K1200LT 2009. After downtime, the cold engine smokes heavily. what is the problem? Mileage 41 thousand

[@kirksmotorrad]

If you leave the bike on the sidestand it will smoke a lot. It is normal. Park it on the center stand.

[@timcoleman6721]

What is a good price to pay for a 2003 K1200 LT with 11085 miles on it? The owner wants $4000

[@kirksmotorrad]

As long as everything works and it is not leaking, that is a good price

[@motophoenix5951]

Lol, if I had been yer missus, Id have just dropped it there and then. Nice video though. Thanks.