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BMW K 1200 LT.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2000 to 2009 models.

166owner complaints

2recalls

7%involved a crash, fire or injury

35,400typical miles at complaint

BMW K 1200 LT years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

200051 complaints

39 of 51 describe the final drive (rear drive) failing.

3 mention the shift linkage breaking.

200237 complaints

16 of 37 describe the final drive (rear drive) failing.

3 mention the shift linkage breaking.

1 reported a crash and 1 a fire.

After 2002, no model year drew more than 21.

Fewest complaints on file: 2004 (4), 2006 (1), 2008 (4). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year9 model yearsMost complaints: 2000See every year →ProblemsTransmission & drivetrain58% of complaintstransmission & drivetrain58%brakes16%fuel system15%See problems →Recalls & safety2 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

200051

200125

200237

200321

20044

200519

20061

20084

20094

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

transmission & drivetrain58%

brakes16%

fuel system15%

suspension7%

tires2%

Recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline 2004
On certain motorcycles, at lower temperatures, wiring within the anti-theft control unit may press against the fuel pump relay.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2004
On certain motorcycles, an incorrect sealing ring was mounted to the piston of the rear brake master cylinder.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

BMW K 1200 LT

2000–2009

~116 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,171 cc liquid-cooled inline-four, laid flatBMW K inline-four family
Torque: ~85 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: ~853 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 30.7 in
Price new: ~$19,000 (2005)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: K1200LT, K1200 LT. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

More adventure & touring: Harley-Davidson Touring · Can-Am Spyder · BMW GS (R1200/R1250GS) · BMW RT (R1200/R1250RT) · BMW K 1200 / K 1300 S, R, GT · Harley-Davidson Street Glide · Honda Gold Wing · Harley-Davidson Road Glide · Every motorcycle

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Updated Nov 14, 2026

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