Nandi 2.5 - Badder and Blacker [sold]

[SHIVA]

The photographer Dominic Bolton http://dominicbolton.com has done a series of beautiful studio shots of Nandi. These shots are of the bike itself and some with a model. I am waiting to get a few images from Dominic to share with you guys. But here's a teaser! I took this with my cell phone, while Dominic was setting up the lights...

To see larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/Nandi_shoot.jpg

[SHIVA]

BACK ON THE ORANGE POWER

I got Nandi (my custom K12RS) back exactly 1 month ago from being in storage for a year and having done some fixes including a rebuilt final drive. Since I got Nandi back in the beginning of July, I loved riding it so much that I decided to give the K13S a bit of a break after 10,800 miles (17,000 km) so, she was Geza covered and was put on a BMW battery charger.

After exactly one month I am back on the K13S and what a difference compare to the K12RS. As superior as the K1300S is to the K1200RS in almost every aspect (performance, cornering, agility, looks), there are things about the K12RS that I still love. It's good to take a break from your normal ride and try something else, because when you get back on it, you have new appreciation for it.

K1300S
The K1300S feels extremely nimble and flickable. The bike is much more responsive and has seemingly endless torque available from idle. The K1300S feels like a genuine high-power sport bike. The suspension is taught and the bike is planted on the highway (A roads). The ergos are sporty yet less aggressive than the S1000RR. This is a genuine big bore sport bike. Sounds good too...

K1200RS
Although this bike is known as a great cross country runner, it makes a superb long distance commuter as well. Of course if your commute is only a few miles and involves riding in major cities K12RS is overkill, but if you do need to commute on a mix of city and highway, then the K12RS can shine. It's hyper smooth, or better yet glass smooth. There aren't enough "OOO's" in Smoooooooooth to describe the K12RS. The smoothness of the KRS isn't a byproduct of some weird engineering lab incident, its by design. The K12RS' engine is not a stress member and is totally isolated from the frame and the rider. So, no matter what gear you're in, you do not feel any buzz or vibration and this is ah so sweet if you use it for daily commute.

To see larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/Nandi_shoot.jpg


It Feels like a Muscle Bike
It has massive torque and pulls in any gear. It feels like a muscle bike. 20 MPH in 4th? no problem. Redlining in 1st in traffic, no problem. And once you get the RPM above 6K the bike gets very fast. However, it never makes you forget its weight, even though is can carve corners beautifully once you get used to handling a bike of this size (630 lbs) and wheelbase (62") [it's similar to the K1300GT].

My K12RS still gets looks and thumbs up from drivers. No one believes when I tell them that the bike is now 11 years old with 75,000 miles... I have to say, black in beautiful!

The Time Machine
Switching between the K12RS and K1300S is like being in a time machine and playing around with the date indicator (1990s.... 2010s.... 1990s.... 2010s... ) The K12RS is like a BMW 850 CSI, totally unique, a top player when new, and still get looks. The K1300S in LOM (Lava Orange) is like a Lamborghini Murcielago Superleggera and makes Ferrari drivers jealous and of course everyone wants to race you....



Ah, it's good to have choices....

[SHIVA]

In order to make the differences between the K1200RS and the K1300S more clear I have put together a visual aid: let me know what you think and what other type of images I could add to this...

[SHIVA]

In over two years, I have only ridden my K12RS for only about a month. as a combination of being in storage while being worked on slowly kept it from being ridden.

I got Nandi back on Friday and have started riding it again. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but having Nandi around makes me happy. Even though I have spent way too much resources on maintaining and fixing it. I think my obsession with this bike may not be healthy. I can estimate for the life of my K12RS (now 12 years old), I have spent probably 30 grand. It's crazy, but I can't help it...

The bike has recently received:

Rebuilt final drive
new alternator (massive amount of work)
new valve cover
fixed timing chain cover leak
fixed wiring and electrical issues
new rotors
painted the belly pan to match
and bunch of other things that I can't remmeber at this time.

The bike is now as good as it could possibly be and riding it has it's own reward. I call it the Cadillac of bikes, it's hyper smooth and with little suspension adjustment, it now floats over the road, which is how I want Nandi to be. More of a smooth Cadillac cruiser, rather than a ferocious beast, as that ask has been assigned to my Orange Power K13S.

[r1 Convert]

Sounds to me like a love affair that will last a few gets to come yet .....hope you have deep pockets.

I had / have a similar thing with a car, the Austin Healey Sprite that I had on my avatar, wish I could find it to bring it home.

[SHIVA]

I think we should call it obsession.

[SHIVA]

Nandi's got a lot of low end torque. it feels even more powerful in low end than the 13. I was in 6th gear on the highway and the traffic slowed down, the K12RS pulled in 6th from 1500 RPM. this is really amazing. Also it comfortably can move at idle in 3rd gear without budging the 13 can't do that.

[MiracleMan]

I can completely relate to the adoration for the flat four K-bike. I recently took the step back in time after my 07GT dissappointed me and emptied my wallet for the last time (locked down engine..3 months out of warranty).
My 03 RS lacks electronic wizardy and weighs a bit more and lacks a few ponies...but it gets the job done in a very planted, low slung, lead sled manner. Plus its just so visually attractive (sexy?)..which my slab-sided 07 GT (rip) couldn't pull off.
As long as I can keep getting parts, new or used, I will keep this one a longgggg time

[SHIVA]

if you are 3 months out of warranty, you may want to consider something called Good Will. BMW has been known to offer some type of retribution. Contact your dealer and have them contact their Area Community Manager.

[MiracleMan]

Nah.the long list of issues (one of them life threatening)that bike had and was going to have, I just decided to cut my losses. I am waaaaaay happier with the K1200RS, I know that is counter-logical.
BTW, I did the whole regional rep thing....I can only hope in the end the rep at least felt bad for me.
I appreciate the input tho..thanks

[SHIVA]

I do enjoy riding my RS. It's just has a lovely feel, with tons of power. also the RS is the same weight as your K12GT, not heavier.

[SHIVA]

Meet the new owner of Nandi, my former much loved K1200RS.

Our member mqwebnet who goes by Tex, showed interest in Nandi the same day that I posted the notice in our classifieds section. We wrapped the deal a short few days later.

Tex, seems like a perfect owner for Nandi. Pic below shows him with his black K1200S. I think the two black K bikes will look stunning next to each other. But I am going to take a guess and say Nandi will attract even more attention on the street.

As a side benefit of Nandi ownership, Tex will be featured on my http://www.K12RS.com website.

Congrats Tex! I know you'll love riding Nandi.

Here is a nice shot of Tex with his black K1200S.

[Bernardo]

Hi Tex, welcome to the forum

Congratulations on your most desirable and beautiful bike in the whole world!

Enjoy and ride safe.

[Eka]

Congratulations! Looks like you get well kept one

[SHIVA]

I think Tex might be away, otherwise he would have responded.

[mqwebnet]

Thanks for the well wishes (Shiva is correct; I'm doing some spring skiing with some wonderful friends)!

I'm looking forward to riding Nandi. I hope I can be as good an owner as Shiva.

Tex

[SHIVA]

Tex, the new owner of Nandi, has received the bike and sent me this pic. Does she look clean!!!



I am hoping Tex would jump on and start sharing some of his impressions of the new K bike in his garage.

[Dirty Harry]

Shahram, I miss the old girl, Don't know if I should start messing with my new 2003 K1200rs with only 1500 miles on it that I paid $4,500 for. I know it's a great deal. I think the boat will be back in the water this year after being out of the water for 3 years for a MAJOR refit. Recommision sometime in August I'll keep you posted. H

[SHIVA]

welcome to the forum. what do you mean mess with? sounds like you got another K12RS, right? are you looking to customize it? knowing you, you will not touch it... good luck with the boat, S

[tkasica]

Shiva really impressed with Nandi, I have 04 1200gt and absolutely love this bike. The bike came with a Ztechnik/titanium exhaust,with the rpm about 4.5-5.0 the bike really moves anything lower it takes a bit.should I scrap the system? I'm also not a fan of the mirrors on the bars, was thinking about using a set of 1300gt mirrors/turn signals and placing them were the front turn signals are now. I have a fab/manufacturing shop with a cnc plasma table so this is not an issue. Would love your opinion, you obviously like the clean lines too.

[SHIVA]

Welcome to the forum. The K12RS is so heavy that it actually moves best with the OE exhaust system as it provides the most amount of back pressure. second best is the Remus header. but in those days the Ztechnik was also a popular option. normally the Remus or the Ztechnick were mated with a chip. they shouldn't be used alone.

the bike doesn't move at below 3K rpm regardless, but is fast in higher RPMS. lots of examples available of people attaching mirrors to the front fairing.

Post a pic or two.

[fatsaab]

what a gorgeous bike !!!
did you repaint it ?
Love black bikes. It looks new !

[SHIVA]

Thanks! bike was custom painted before taking delivery when new. then repainted a few years ago.

The K1200RS came in black only for about 2 years in 2002 and 2003. It could have been only one year in 2002. Not too sure without research.

My bike was a 1999 and at that time there was no black available. The original color was red, I had the bike custom painted BMW Night Black before taking delivery.

Then a few years ago, I repainted it BMW Black Sapphire Metallic.

[SHIVA]

Here's a studio shot of Nandi. Isn't she gorgeous?

Click link to view larger: http://bmwsuperbikes.com/Images/SHIVA_K1200RS-1.jpg