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gage rack behind the passenger seat that will provide some extra space if needed. One of the really nice touring features is the cruise control, which will make those long straight (read boring) stretches a little more relaxing. You can even set the thing on 80 mph and take a little nap. Don't go and try it; I'm just saying you could. The gauges and instrument cluster are basic and functional without any bells and whistles, but everything that you need is there, including an analog tach, speedo, fuel gauge, and even an ana log trip meter and odometer. There is also an LCD clock and gear position indicator. The electronically adjustable windscreen is always welcome; just crank the thing up to its most vertical position on those cold or windy days for added protection. The wind protection in the lowest position is good, but if you need that extra protection, just hit the button under your left thumb. The GT comes standard with BMW's partially integrated Integral ABS. This is the "good" version of the system, because it allows the rider to operate the rear brake independently of the front brakes, while the front lever operates both the fronts and rear in tandem. The motor and drivetrain on the GT are exactly the same as those found on the RS. The 1171 cc flat-four powerplant is a well-proven design. It provides the GT with excellent torque and power in a reliable package. It sends its power to the rear wheel via the low-maintenance shaft drive. The bore and stroke dimensions are 70.5 x 75mm, with an 11.5:1 compression ratio. The GT's emissions system has been updated for 2003 with a modified cata Iyzer, new oxygen sensor and an updated engine management system, all to meet current and future standards. The K1200GT fits nicely in between 1he K1200RS and 1he K1200LT in BMW's range. It Is essentially a K motored R11!50RT • am I making any sense here? sidered a part of the Travel category but leans towards the Velocity segment, whereas the K1200RS is considered a part of Velocity exclusively. The GT is a hybrid between the sporty RS and the luxury touring model the K 1200LT; it is for the rider who wants a K-motored touring bike that is capable of covering the miles while still exhibiting sporty handling. You follow me? BMW's R 1150RT - the Boxermotored touring bike - is the company's best-selling motorcycle, but there wasn't anything similar offered for fans of the K motor. So BMW introduced the GT, which offers a huge array of creature comforts and features that make it perfect far moderate-distance touring, exactly what the RT is designed for. The first thing that you notice when you climb onto the bike is its mellow seating position and perfectly placed forged-aluminum handlebars. The bars are higher than on the RS and are angled to prOVide more comfort over the long haul. The new seats are not only comfortable, but they are heated for both the pilot and the passenger. Additionally, the seat is adjustable between 31.1 and 32.3 inches in height for maximum comfort for a variety of riders. A key to comfort on those chilly mornings is the electronically adjustable windscreen, which pro- RIDING IMPRESSION vides the rider with excellent weather and wind protection. In addition, the fairings themselves were designed to divert the airflow around the rider's legs, both improving weather protection and protecting the rider from the wind. The upper fairing helps protect the rider's hands from the wind by flaring out in front of them. As for the bike's touring amenities, there are quite a few items that con- After spending a serious amount of time on BMW's R 1150RT over the past couple of years, I was curious to see if the K-motored bike matched that bike's touring versatility. One thing that I will admit is that before riding our GT I had only spent limited time on any of the K bikes. However, that was mostly on the K 1200RS, so I had a decent amount of information stored in my head to compare the GT to. The first thing that I was impressed by was the GT's smooth, grunty power and torque delivery. In my opinion and for my personal preferences, the RT's motor has nothing on the GT. One of the advantages that the R1150RT and its Boxer motor have over the K bikes is that it is quite a bit lighter, but I'll trade the extra weight for the extra power the GT offers any day. The only time that I was really bothered by the GT's extra weight is at very slow speeds maneuvering around parking lots and such - everywhere else it's totally fine and handles very well for its size and weight. One thing that drives me crazy tribute to making the bike more capable. First of all, there are the nicely finished color-matched side cases that make the bike look far more polished than the flat-black colored cases on other BMW models. However, you have to be more careful getting on and off of the bike so that you don't scuff the bags with your boots. There is also an optional soft top case that attaches to the lug- e u e I • n e _ 50 • MARCH 12,2003 31