BMW K1200RS

I passed my direct access in March 2010 and had done a lot of research to find out what would be the best commuter for my 65 mile round trip to work and back. If you are in the same position, you might want to consider the following points: Fuel consumption, service intervals (superbikes need to be serviced more regularly), shaft or chain driven (chain and sprockets can be costly), faired or unfaired for weather protection, riding position, can the bike handle winter commuting, does the bike come with standard panniers, initial cost of bike, insurance cost and has the bike a proven track ... more

Let me qualify this report. I've had a lot of bikes and have used them for fun, commuting and touring. I've had most makes (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, Triumphs and BMW's), and some pretty fast ones too (stage 2 tuned 150 bhp CBR1100XX Blackbird). I have some experience with motorcycles, so what I say next will not sit easily with the magazine roadtesters (who mostly trarvel to work in cars and don't have to spend their own hard earned money on their rides). The BMW K1200RS and the K1200GT are simply brilliant all round motorcycles. It's like most things really, it all depends what you ... more