BMWSuperBikes.com

*This is a long-term review of BMW's 2009 K1300S, starting on July 7, '09. This comprehensive review of a Press bike includes comments on almost every aspect of the bike, testing of some aftermarket parts including Akrapovic canister, BMW HP carbon pieces, HP rearset, 2D MotoGP LCD dash, dark tint front shield, Sargent seat, TPX waterproof radar detection system, ride reports, images and videos.

BMW K1300S in Lava Orange on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


I started my annual long-term & comprehensive test of the latest K bikes on July 7th, 2009. This year, the bike is a truly beautiful 2009 K1300S is Lava Orange.

BIKE DETAILS:
2009 K1300S
Lava Orange
ABS/ASC
ESA 2
TPM
Quick Shifter
Heated Grips
Computer
Picked up at 550Miles on the odometer
600 Miles Service was Performed, while bike under my care.

ACCESSORIES (so far):
BMW Carbon Fiber Tank Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Battery (air box) Cover
BMW Carbon Fiber Front Fender
BMW Tinted Front Shield
Akrapovic/BMW Canister
Sargent World Sport Seat Custom with Storage Pod in Lava Orange
Adaptive TPX Radar Detector with Visual Alert, mounted on a Techmount.
Grip Puppies

MORE ACCESSORIES ADDED:
2D MotoGP LCD Dash
HP Rearsets
HP Passenger Pegs

MORE ACCESSORIES ADDED:
Ilmberger Carbon Belly Pan
Ilmberger Carbon Hugger
Ilmberger Carbon Tail Light Cover
Ilmberger Carbon Headlight Trims
Ilmberger Carbon Dash Area Trim

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VIDEOS:

K1300S FULL HD VIDEO
As promised here's my first Full HD video on the Lava Orange K1300S. This is shot with Panasonic Lumix GH1 which uses a large imaging sensor which is about 3 times as big as those in the current professional HD cameras. Hence the image quality is extremely detailed.

Pls select HD and watch in full screen. Crank up the volume.


Check this out and let me know what you think. I hope you're as blow away by the image quality as I am. S

Hi, Here's a brand new VIDEO of the Lava Orange K1300S. This one is different from the other videos in this series. It has plenty of never been shown before riding shots. Hear the Akrapovic exhaust, the quick shifter in action, lots of cool pics and a couple of surprises. Don't miss it and please let me know what you think.
Crank up the volume and select HQ in full screen.


2009 K1300S LAVA ORANGE COMPREHENSIVE WALK-AROUND VIDEO

Select HQ for better quality video.


This is my first walk-around video on the K1300S. I try to cover all the accessories that are on the bike such as 2D Dash, HP Rearsets, Akrapovic Canister, Sargent Seat, TPX Radar, Carbon Fiber Parts. You also get to hear the Akra, however, the bike was cold when I tried to rev it, so it felt a little sluggish. Hope you enjoy it.


2D MOTOGP LCD DASH ON BMW K1300S - OVERVIEW of ALL 4 MODES + FEATURES

Select HQ for better quality video.




2D MotoGP LCD Dash on BMW K1300S - Overview of 4 Modes plus Features, including ESA, Tire Pressure, Start-up sequence and more.


QUICK SHIFTER
With the quick shifter, you can do clutchless upshifts while accelerating. It's a fantastic feeling and I was basically using this option any chance I would get, even during normal in-town riding. I have done a little video of this option in action and it's available on our YouTube channel:



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Links to my other reviews on this site:

2008 K1200S, very extensive:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8474

The F800S story "The Heretic:"
viewtopic.php?t=6586

The first K1200S that hit our coasts at retail level,
http://bmwsuperbikes.com/ride_report.htm

Then the K12S 06 version
viewtopic.php?t=4052

The K1200R
viewtopic.php?t=3821

The 07 K1200R Sport
viewtopic.php?t=6651

And the 06 K1200GT
viewtopic.php?t=3464

THE NEW FASTEST COLOR:

When I initially saw a pic of the Lava Orange I thought BMW has made another bad color choice, but living with this bike for now 2 weeks and about 2000 miles (3200 km) I have to announce that the Lava Orange is now the official Fastest K1300S Color on our site. I know Jamie will huff and puff about this, but that's the privilege of being the Admin.

I normally like dark colors on bikes, specially black. But having seen this bike in all kinds of lighting conditions, the Lava Orange is breathtaking. It's a very high quality paint, the type they use on custom bikes. It reminds me and everyone else of a Lamborghini, which is not a bad thing. This color seems to have a gorgeous gold metallic undertone, that pops in all the right angles during direct sun light. It's simply breathtaking.

I rode the bike to the BMW MOA Rally in Johnson City, TN last week and got back last night. It was a 1500 miles round trip with some detours on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, in VA. The bike got nothing but praise, and every time I would park it crowds would gather. And one thing I heard over and over again, specially when parked under direct sunlight where the Gold Metallic popped, was how gorgeous is this color. And indeed it is the best BMW motorcycle paint job I have seen yet.

The K1300S in Lava Orange, parked near the BMW tent at the MOA rally, with Sargent Seat.

QUICK SHIFTER - MY NEW FAVORITE OPTION:

We have a thread that reads, if you don't get the Quick Shifter, don't order the bike and that's so right!!!!

I love this new option, it's the funnest option I have used on a bike. I don't think any bike can out accelerate the K13 with this feature, except maybe the S1000RR, with also a quick shifter.

I have done a little video of this option in action and it's available on our YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EpeYOV1jlU&feature=player_profilepage

With the quick shifter, you can do clutchless upshifts while accelerating. It's a fantastic feeling and I was basically using this option any chance I would get, even during normal in-town riding... S

Good job Shiva!

Agree with lava orange.... Is magic...

no he won’t “huff and puff”

Agree, the Lava Orange is a great colour especially - as you rightfully pointed out - under direct sunlight.........but fact is, there can be only ONE fastest colour and I’m so sorry to be the one to inform you kind Sir.......that spot is already occupied by the SSMC
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Super Sexy Multi-Colour



this is not huffing and puffing, this is a "fait accompli"

Great stuff reporting on the K1300S We are looking forward to your ride impressions

Very acute Jamie

stop your huffing and puffing, as the admin when I declare fastest color... it shall remain so...

The tri-multi-color is stately and beautiful indeed, specially with the gloss black rims and the stripes are cool too. However Lava wins in the fastest dept.

Now onto the rest of the review, item by item and including some issues and fixes...

For those of you who aren't familiar with my long-term reviews, I tend to do basically daily blogs on the new bike and review about every little aspect of the bike, including day to day performance, glitches and fixes, testing of aftermarket parts and so on. S

THE MULTIMEDIA HISTORY OF THE K BIKE SEMINAR:

The 2009 K1300S test bike at my seminar.


My main reason for going down to the MOA rally this year was to conduct a Multimedia History of the K bikes seminar. I presented a version of this seminar at last year's rally in Wyoming as well.

This is an extensive 102 page presentation, plus 9 pretty amazing videos showcasing every model in the K bike history. This year, I wheeled the K1300S Lava right in the seminar room, which was at a gym in a nearby school. The shot above is before the seminar started. There were over a 120 people at this event.

This is a copy of my Multimedia History of the K Bikes seminar at the 09 MOA. Without narration and commentary, it looks like a slide show, but I describe every slide at the event, set the historical points and play cool videos of K bikes in movies and TV and some neat owner videos too. Enjoy!
http://bmw-k.com/k25/Shiva-BMWON-Kbikes7-09.pdf

THE AGONY & ECSTASY? NOT EXACTLY
SARGENT SEAT STANDARD vs. LOW vs. OEM STANDARD
PART 1

Two K bikes, a 2006 K1200R and my K1300S doing the round trip travel from NY to TN - 1500 miles (2400 km). We love the 51L BMW Sport Softbag.


As some of you know, I dislike the OEM seats like tigers hate poachers. I dislike the fabric, the seat design, the padding and everything else except the seat pan. The normal K1300S seat bulges right in the middle, and actually presses up against the crotch. That's a very uncomfortable seat. And before you tell me it was made for hanging, let me tell you, no sport seat, no race seat, no supersport seat and no superbike seat, bulges or presses up against your crutch. So, save me that argument. Pretty much all sport and race bikes have a flat seat, which is the most sensible platform for the sport rider.

Last year as part of my K1200S longtermer I reviewed the Sargent seat in the normal height model. Of course that was a pretty popular review, as it not only helped Sargent, but the seat I was testing pre-sold before I was done with it.

So, I contacted Sargent again and they were into having me have another go at a long term test. I wanted to test the "LOW" version this time. The plan was for me to pick up the seat at the MOA Rally. And that explains why the shots of the bike at the Blue Ridge don't show the Sargent seat.

So, this provided the perfect method in testing the sub par OEM seat, vs the offering from Sargent. Meaning I rode down with the OEM for about 850 miles and rode back up with Sargent. Also, I'll use this to comment on Sargent's standard seat, vs the Low seat as well.

Tomorrow, I'll comment on the issues, such as left switchgear problem and stalling, and also some fixes we have tried to eliminate the stalling. S

Looks like there is also Akrapovic can. Looks good, but is there better pictures from that.

Hi Shiva,

Did they put in the fully-synthetic thinner oil at 1st service? If not, I would suggest you try it and let us know if you have the same benefits I am seeing.

I've not noticed any problem with the seat and my crotch either BTW. I have more issues with numb hands than numb bum - grip puppies on order.

although I mention the Akra, I didn't have it on my list on top, now it's been added, so has Grip Puppies. Nemesis are you on Low OEM seat or standard? S

ISSUES AND FIXES

The Witch in the Switch!
One of the reasons I haven't had a chance to review a K1300S earlier was because the press fleet in the US was suffering from bad switches, as they are among the first bikes shipped to the US, and they were waiting for new switches to arrive. I managed to get my hands on a latest left side switchgear just before my long MOA trip.

BMW has issued a new part number for the latest generation of the left hand switches and it is: 61 317 725 715. This is for bikes with ESA/ABS/ASC/Info.

So, after installing the new left side switch, I haven't had an issue with the switchgear. However, the right side is still first generation and could go any day or not. I am waiting to receive and review latest generation of right side switch as well, which should have part number: 61 317 725 692 for heated grips.

The Stalling Mystery
I picked up the bike on the 7th of July with the left switch not working and the bike having only 550 miles on the odo. Before I had the first service done 300 hundred miles later, my bike had stalled 4 times. Normally under similar conditions: Engine hot, coming off a highway onto a city street, about to stop and then it stalls. Now, the stalling issue is done in the most non-dramatic way. Basically as you pull in the clutch, everything becomes quiet and you look done and rev and notice that the engine has stalled. There is no shudder, no nothing!

As part of the fix, during the 600 miles work, Service shutoff the valve to the carbon canister. Also at that time they installed the Akrapovic canister. Until I made it to the MOA in TN the bike didn't stall once and I thought that the problem was resolved. Then after the bike had sat in the rain, in both cases, it stalled when cold. There are no other fixes being suggested at this time.

Shudder the Thought!
And yes, this clutch shudders a little at semi-hard launches from first. At slow launches, there is no problem. Aren't you glad I have a tester loaded with all the issues? I'll try to find solutions to any if I can and report. But the shudder doesn't bother me at all.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

That's the end of the report on issues. As I have more info about the switches and stalling issue will post in this thread.

There is lots to cover and report so check back soon, as I still need to comment on the Akra, the Sargent seat, the bike itself, ESA II plus differences with the K1200s and whether and how it performs and corners differently. Cheers, S

....right side switch as well, which should have part number: 61 317 725 692 for heated grips and no TPM...

Question Shiva: Why "no TPM" on the right switch, if TPM is controled via menu?...

Well my young Jedi friend. You just corrected me. I have TPM, but it's called RDC under info. Cool!

Ok. Shiva, sorry I insist, but TPM or RDC (same) ... the right switch don't have any control of this function, or I'm wrong. Is for that my question,

BTW: Thanks for the "young friend" compliment

as I just said. You corrected me. So, that means you're right. I have RDC under Info. So, no dedicated right switch button needed as originally thought... S

Here's one more shot of the bike on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

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" !?

THE 600 MILES SERVICE

Here's the check list as promised on the 600 Miles or the first service. The service was done in 1 day.

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)...

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

I'm really interested in what you could find to cure the stalling issue...

It began last may but it went back to normal the week after. Since one month it got really worse! sometimes i have no problem and the next time i start the bike it stalls each time i pull the clutch lever... My dealer is in contact with the bmw techs here in france but it's long... (and i also have another vibration issue...)
The difficult part in resolving the stalling issue is that there are absolutly no defined cause... And it's not reproductible on demand... So any updates on this issue is really welcome...

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?