BMW K1200LT (2002-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2002, the German motorcycle maker launched the BMW K1200LT, a touring motorcycle that debuted in 1998 as a replacement for the K1100LT. The bike was part of the super tourer category and was intended as a competitor to the Honda Gold Wing, among others.

The bike was in its fifth year of production and was fitted with standard features, such as a full fairing with a large windscreen, a dual seat with rider lumbar support, a passenger seat with a backrest integrated into the top case, side-mounted panniers for extra storage, and lightweight aluminum wheels.

The bike was built on a lightweight aluminum frame and packed a Telelever suspension system on the front and two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers for stopping power. The rear end packed a Paralever suspension system and a 285 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper for brakes.

Underneath its full fairing, the 2002 BMW K1200LT had hidden from plain sight a 1,172cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a fuel injection system in charge, delivering an output power of 98 hp at 6,750 rpm and 115 Nm (85 lb-ft) torque at 4,750 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a five-speed manual transmission with a hydraulically-controlled dry single-disc clutch and a final shaft drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 198 kph (123 mph).