I've got 20K+ miles on the K1200S and about 5K+ on an 08 Hayabusa. Both bikes are fantastic. The Busa excels in the power department and the K1200S has got comfort and great suspension. I operate a motorcycle rental company that features both bikes. It is common for a customer to rent both machines for a day or two to make comparisons. Invariably, they say the Busa has got better power and the K1200S is more comfortable and has better handling. Often, the customer says that given the choice, they would take the power of the Busa over the comfort and handling of the K1200S. BMW must have been aware of this.

The K1300S has considerably more grunt in the low and mid-range than its predecessor. It's not quite Hayabusa power. But it is very close. Given the shift-assist and the fact that the BMW chassis does a better job of keeping the front-end on the ground during hard acceleration, the K1300S can hang with the Busa in the straights. The brakes are borrowed from the K1200S and as most of you know, they are the best brakes in motorcycling. The K1200S handles better than the Busa and the K1300S handles better than both. I'm not sure if it's the tires or the new front suspension, but I couldn't make the front-end push even in steep narrowing radius corners that would leave the Busa acting like a drunk trying to cross an icy road.

The first thing you notice before you even start the bike is the lighter clutch. Once running, you are instantly aware that the engine is much smoother than the old S. Blip the throttle and you can tell you've got less flywheel effect. Cool. Drop into first and you can feel the shorter throw. This is going to be fun. Feather out the clutch, feed in some gas and it's a whole new world. This is a marvelous motorcycle. In my line of work, I get to ride lots of different bikes. The K1300S is my new favorite. Did anyone know that the bike has a laminar flow windshield that reduces buffeting around your helmet?

The transmission on this bike redefines how you ride a motorcycle. You never have to use the clutch in any situation to grab an up-shift. Period. It works flawlessly at any RPM, under any engine load. Human beings are incapable of shifting as well as the "shift-assist". It's that good. Under low power settings, it shifts slowly. At high power settings, it shifts quickly. It shuts the engine down for the shift and then gradually feeds the power back in. It feels like some kind of fly-by-wire setup, but by reading the documentation I guess it's some kind of combination of fuel injection and ignition timing adjustment. Whatever it is, it's so good, I'm not afraid to use it powering out of a corner.

Now for the bad news. Fully loaded with everything including BMW panniers, this thing takes $21,000.00 to get out-the-door. I can almost get two brand new Hayabusas for that kind of money. Or, I can buy one Hayabusa and add Ohlins front and rear, Brembo all around, carbon wheels etc. etc. etc.

On the other hand, it takes about $21K to get a V-MAX out-the-door. An 1198R is upwards of $40K to take home. The F4CC "Claudio Castiglioni" is over $120K before dealer prep and freight...

I was surprised to find out that only about 1,000 K1200Ses came into the USA each year and that the same thing will be true of the K1300Ses. That's a fairly exclusive ride. Plus, BMW always has excellent parts availability (Suzuki does not) and warranties the bike (even rental bikes) for three years or 36,000 miles.

In hard economic times, it's hard to justify spending this kind of money on a motorcycle when there are so many great bikes that cost much less. However, I'm 49 years old. How many more years do I have to enjoy one of the best bikes in motorcycling? I've thought about it long and hard and I say screw it. Life is too short.

jack