REVIEW: K1300S Ongoing Long-Termer - Visual Aid

[SHIVA]

ABS & ASC
WHAT A BRAKING SYSTEM!!!

I had to get on the brakes hard for the first time today and my, what a gorgeous reaction. We have red light cameras and I didn't have enough time to cross on yellow, so grabbed a handful, hard and also used the rear pedal and this baby came to a halt with plenty of room to spare (a foot).

Real nice brake feel, and quite awesome stopping power, without any drama. It left me pretty impressed.

ABS
This was the first time that I had to engage the ABS on this bike. I have been using ABS since "ABS I" on a 1993 K1100RS and the ABS systems on new BMWs are simply mind blowingly good. They have become quite transparent. Motorrad Magazine a couple of years ago compared all ABS systems on the market and rated BMW as number 1. Yamaha FJR's ABS was rated worse. So, don't assume that all ABS systems on the market are the same. The BMW systems is simply amazing.

The new ABS system on K bikes is selectable. If you want it off, simply press and hold the ABS toggle switch, with the engine running and bike stationary and you'll see the ABS icon popping up on the LCD and a little brake warning in red LED. Then you know you have successfully deactivated the ABS. To reactivate, simply press and hold on the ABS toggle once more, also with the engine running, but bike stationary.

ASC
The ASC, or traction control is selectable on the fly. Meaning you can turn it off and on while the bike is in motion at any speed. So, if you want ASC off, just hit the ABS/ASC toggle switch and it will go off and a small ASC related icon pops on your LCD, so you know it's deactivated. To activate just redo the procedure. Keep in mind, you can do this with the bike in motion. A very cool feature and easily deactivated. I haven't used the ASC. I try to be smooth on the throttle. When I do activate it, I'll let you know.

S

[Videoguy]

I have stalling problems, and QS, but not all stalling bikes have the QS. Look at stalling threads and you'll see a number of people, also GT riders with the same intermittent problem. Also humidity doesn't seem to be a factor for me either. There are absolutely NO common factors in any of the stalling reports other than they are intermittent, un-reproducable, and leave no faults logged on the computer.

[cybtech]

We can do a quick survey,

1) Do all the guys with Stalling issue have the Quick Shifter option? ( I have a reason for this question)

Hi Shiva,

Yes i have the Quick shifter... But the stalling doesn't feel like a "cut" as if the shifter was defective...

2) Does the stalling only happen in damp conditions?

Nope, it happens in every condition on my side... It actually began in a really really dry environment and it was a hot day.

I first thought that it had to do with the temperature but it happened in cold weather too since...

Hope that helps.

Perhaps you could create a survey for that problem ?

[Jamie]

I have a QS and an Akra pipe. and for most of the time different air filters and not the stock exhaust without a cat (might be of help)

Ridden in hot, very hot, cold, very cold, dry, damp and very wet conditions as well as some combinations of the said and my bike doesn’t stall …….touch wood.

Still say it’s a Northern hemisphere thing………all because the bath water turns the wrong way when running out “up there” or maybe because the bikes down here are all righthand drive models.

more serious……in the almost 100 000km (94 000 to be exact) spent thus far on current generation K-bikes, I only had the 05 model died on me once before the aftermarket filters were installed (with the stock exhaust as well). Don't have different filters on the K1300S though (yet)

[GeeBee]

Shiva, what tyres are on the bike right now? From the images posted I wasn't really sure.
The colour is truly something special, I admit. Agree with the 'Gallardo' type of colour comparaison.

[SHIVA]

all because the bath water turns the wrong way when running out “up there”

that's funny. I think you nailed it Jaime... it's the water spinning the wrong way that causes the stalls...

what tyres are on the bike right now?

The bike is on, so far very impressive (no real wet riding yet) BATTLAX BT-015.

[JHB1984]

Hi Jo, On every pro shot the bikes are propped up, specially if shot from the bike's left side (sidestand side). In most cases we remove the prop from the image in Photoshop, but I tend to leave them in. By propping the bike up, the bike looks better and the shot overall stands out. If you look at any armature shot the bike is always leaning to one side which is not attractive.

You have had 2 stalls in 5000KM, I wouldn't call that an issue... I have had at least 5 in 2000 miles (3600km)...

thx for the enlightment

[nemesis.ie]

Hi Shiva,

maybe this is a dumb question, but why do you always put something under your sidestand @your pics !?

btw:
i´m very glad that you have the same "motor turn itself off" issue as i have

only difference: i´ve had this problem only 2 times in 5000km
both times under high air humidity condition.
may i ask, do you see the ABS light "flash" when the motor cut off ?
i can´t replicate the error, but consider how fast it happens i suspect a electronic origin.
maybe the "kill-switch-circuit" has an "loose contact" !?

Indeed or perhaps the actual kill button .... but when the kill is activated the whole dash changes, but maybe if it is only killed for a moment and then back this is not seen. We must test that.

[nemesis.ie]

We can do a quick survey,

1) Do all the guys with Stalling issue have the Quick Shifter option? ( I have a reason for this question)

2) Does the stalling only happen in damp conditions?

I have QS but I don't think it was damp the day I got lots of stalling and I've not had it since (changes since are new oil, sponge in the fluid reservoir and I also oiled the QS shaft).

[GeeBee]

The bike is on, so far very impressive (no real wet riding yet) BATTLAX BT-015.

Let us know later how it performs in real wet conditions too.

[SHIVA]

I have lots more to cover, I just need time to go through item by item. Also look for walk-around videos, instructional videos, parts review videos. The game just starting...

[SHIVA]

Twins Separated at Birth:

[Bernardo]

Black colour fits perfectly to all of them (four!!!)...

Edit: two pics desapperared

[SHIVA]

Finally: Here's the K1300S User Manual in English - PDF

http://www.BMWSuperBikes.com/BMW-K.COM_K1300S_UM.pdf

[SHIVA]

ESA II

Having put nearly 2000 miles on this bike, I can now comment on the ESA II and the difference between the original ESA.

ESA II has the same rider interface as the ESA. Meaning you get the ESA button on the left side. You can adjust damping mode for COMFORT, SPORT, NORMAL on the fly, while the bike is in motion. To adjust preload of RIDER, RIDER + LUGGAGE and RIDER + PASSENGER (also includes LUGGAGE) the bike must be stationary, with the engine running, meaning you can adjust that at a stop sign or a red light, or any time you have 5 seconds when stopped.

Overall I find the ESA II as advertised, a bit more sporty, more aggressive than the original ESA. Although shocks get softer with mileage, so far I have find the suspension on the K1300S to be stiffer and more sporty than the '08 K1200S. Reading up on BMW's press documents, they actually mention that this is intentional. They have given a more sporty feel to the K1300S.

On the highway I put the bike on Normal, on bad roads on Comfort and on twisties on Sport. This is a great feature, works as advertised and I recommend it highly.

Now if you put ton of mileage a year and find yourself needing to upgrade your suspension after say 30,000 miles on bad road, or 50,000 on good roads, you may find the cost of replacement for the ESA a bit stiff at about 2.5 grand US. However, If you divide the dollar amount per miles ridden, you'll notice that having the privilege of switching the settings on the fly or changing preload for passenger or luggage in seconds is well worth that investment.

[Semper_Fi]

*This is a long-term review of BMW's 2009 K1300S, starting on July 7, '09.

[size=110]ACCESSORIES (so far):
BMW Carbon Fiber Tank Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Battery (air box) Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Front Fender

----------------------------

Hi Shiva - great site - checking it out you got a lot a stuff!

I recently purchased a KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic and one thing I am i am looking for is CF parts.

And I noticed in your thread for the long term test of the K1300S you note the following items

BMW Carbon Fiber Tank Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Battery (air box) Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Front Fender

Where did you get them?

Do they have GT specifc

Thanks

[SHIVA]

Got caught in a massive storm, just driving around town, wearing full ventilated gear.


Check out these two short YouTube videos of the K1300S in the storm, on our Video gallery.
Tell me which one you like better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t9scmKA ... rofilepage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgSc6p4Q ... rofilepage

[SHIVA]

Some more shots from today. Before the storm passed through New York City:

Consider this a work in progress. I am looking to eventually shoot the ultimate BMW K or S bike at our famed Times Sqaure.

This is just a start...

[SHIVA]

Here's a shot from a hip neighborhood called Meat Packing District. This neighborhood has truly terrible cobblestones with lots of potholes, begging to be corrected by the city, but that actually gives it character.

[SHIVA]

Reply to Semper Fi. The carbon fiber parts on this lava orange beauty are all from BMW. I am not sure what's available for the K-GT, but the dealers normally get parts bulletins by bike model. The K1300S parts bulletin has lots of goodies, including the Akra canister, all the Carbon that you see, plus a rear sear cover, and HP pegs and 2D dash. Pls contact your dealer. Or perhaps someone from our site who rides a GT can help as well. S

[SHIVA]

And here's the last shot of the day, also from the Meat Packing District. This one is my favorite so far, although the shot above (Meat Packing 1) is also pretty good!

[Bernardo]

And here's the last shot of the day, also from the Meat Packing District. This one is my favorite so far, although the shot above (Meat Packing 1) is also pretty good!

THIS IS for our gallery!, brilliant colours, beautiful background...

And the first video, more impressive..

[SHIVA]

Thanks Bernardo. The larger version of these shots are in our K13 Gallery at: http://www.bmwsuperbikes.com... just click on Galleries

What did you think of the storm videos?

[Bernardo]

Amateur opinion:

Video 1:
Good ilumination and shot position....,
Middle of the storm, people running, vivid sequence...,
Taxi cabs, evidences that's NY!.

Video 2 is good but 1 is better, for me of course..

But both videos shows that your goal is achieved: K13 is a waterproof beast

As you saw, anything about the color !, ( due our sentimental Jamie , you see..)

[SHIVA]

also video 1 is in HD...

I love this Lava Orange. I am a convert. Man it's a hot color. Who knew Mr. Black would go Orange...