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K1200GT: The latest BMW
for the long and winding road

Story by Grant Parsons, photos by Kevin Wing

The road is steep, curvy and nearly deserted. My destination is lunch at the top, but that’s the farthest thing from my mind as I chuck BMW’s all-new K1200GT into corner after corner with a rapidly widening grin on my face.

The asphalt is smooth, the curves predictable, the riding conditions glorious. And with every corner, I’m increasingly impressed that a bike comfortable enough for a morning of traffic, freeways and towns is so capable out here where the roads get twisty.

But then, that’s the idea behind Grand Touring motorcycles, a class of machines designed to cover lots of ground quickly in a civilized, yet sporting, manner. And BMW hit the mark dead-on with its newest gentlemen’s express, which has been totally revamped for 2006.

When I reach the top of the mountain, I blow off lunch, turn the GT around and help myself to a second course of those curves. Food I can get anytime.

The heart of the new K1200GT is a specially tuned version of the 1,157cc inline four-cylinder motor introduced in the K1200S and the K1200R. Four valves per cylinder, a stratospheric compression ratio of 13:1 and fuel injection add up to a claimed 152 horsepower (17 percent higher than the previous “brick’’ engine K-GT), and 96 foot-pounds of torque (up 11 percent).

BMW offers mix and match colors to personalize your ride You could get lost in the list of options BMW offers for the K1200GT: not just the Electronic Suspension Adjustment and the cruise control, but also the onboard computer display that monitors your fuel mileage on the fly, keeps track of your tire pressure for you and adjusts its own light level to match the ambient conditions. And that's not to mention the heated grips and seat, optional windshield, the anti-theft system, etc. The personalization options extend to form, as well as function. Start with three standard fairing colors: Dark Graphite Metallic, Crystal Gray Metallic or Deep Blue Metallic. Then choose either a black or gray seat. Finally, you can select either Granite Gray Metallic or Dark Slate Metallic side covers, which fit on the tank and the area just below the seat. Each combo gives the K1200GT a different look.

According to BMW, the GT returns 40 miles per gallon at 70 mph. Coupled with a 6.3-gallon gas tank, that gives you a theoretical range of more than 250 miles between fillups.

The tech really ramps up in the suspension department. Up front, the Duo-Lever system separates suspension and steering functions, which provides a very light and precise feel at the bars. Out back, BMW’s carefully refined EVO Paralever single-sided swingarm also houses the shaft drive, with a proven design that eliminates torque-jacking.

Both ends can be adjusted on the fly by the optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment system, which can switch among nine preset front and rear compression and rebound damping settings.

The dual-disc front and single-disc rear brakes are linked, with integral ABS. This bike carries what BMW calls the "partial integral" version of its anti-lock braking system. The brake hand lever operates both front and rear brakes, while the foot pedal activates the rear brake only. A new brake-pad wear indicator visible on the dashboard reminds you when it’s time for service.

BMW went all-out in the ergonomics department, with an adjustable seat, an electronically adjustable windscreen that can be operated while riding, and handlebars that are widely adjustable, though tools are required.

More optional goodies that long-haul riders will appreciate include heated handgrips and seats (including the passenger perch), plus cruise control.

If you’re a data junkie, the optional onboard computer (see photo bottom) is a must. With a press of a handlebar-mounted button, you can access speed, rpm, average speed, average fuel consumption, air temperature, dual tripmeters and a clock. It even includes an ice warning when the temperature drops below 37.5 degrees.

Of course, touring comfort extends to your luggage, too. The saddlebags are color-matched to the bike, and unlike other touring Beemers, they allow you to remove the key while leaving the bags unlocked. It’s a small thing, but being able to latch and unlatch the lid without playing the luggage-key shuffle is a convenience that everyone can appreciate.

The feeling you get when you thumb the starter and hit the road can be described as supreme competence. Fuel injection is glitch-free, and with 75 percent of its torque available at 3,000 rpm, the K-GT flat gets with the program when you twist the throttle. At freeway speeds there’s tons in reserve.

Spend a day in the saddle, and it’s clear that the suspension and poise of this bike are nothing short of amazing. BMW claims a wet weight of 622 pounds, but the bike feels much lighter. The Duolever front creates incredibly sensitive steering, and the bike changes directions extremely easily and quickly for a sport-tourer.

The large fairing offers nice wind protection, while the electric windshield results in minimal buffeting with almost no negative pressure inside the bubble of relatively still air. Accenting the comfort factor is the ESA. Pushing the button to go from “sport” to “comfort” settings made freeway expansion joints magically recede into the asphalt.

The price on the GT is $18,880, with two optional equipment packages available. Heated grips, cruise control and the onboard computer cost $660, while those options coupled with electronic suspension and a heated seat cost $1,490.

The final analysis? This is one Grand Tourer that truly lives up to the name.

2006 BMW K1200GT
Engine	Transverse, liquid-cooled, inline four-cylinder
Displacement	1,157cc
Bore x stroke	79mm x 59mm
Compression ratio	13.0:1
Valves	Four/cylinder, 32mm intake, 27.5mm exhaust
Final drive	Shaft
Front brake	Dual 12.6-inch rotors, partially linked ABS
Rear brake	Single 11.6-inch rotor
Charging output	945 watts
Seat height	32.3 inches
Wheelbase	61.8 inches
Weight (dry/wet)	549 pounds/622 pounds
Fuel capacity	6.3 gallons
MSRP	$18,880