2008 BMW K1200GT Comparo Photo Gallery

Come along for the ride as we take five Super Sport-Touring motorcycles for over a 1000-mile trek up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Check out how the 2008 BMW K1200GT did in our 2008 Super Sport-Touring Comparo.

We sample five of the best sport-touring machines on the market and rode them 1000 miles up the California coast - the result is our 2008 Super Sport-Touring Shootout.

2008 Super Sport-Touring Comparo

On the road with the BMW K1200GT, the most touring-capable of our testing batch.

The Beemer badge carries a little bit of extra prestige for some.

The BMW K1200GT instrument console provides ample information to the rider.

The left handlebar switchgear on our test BMW K1200GT included optional cruise control

The right-side switchgear included BMW's awkward turn signal toggles, as well as the much appreciated heated grips and seat.

The BMW K1200GT has an adjustable handlebar.

The BMW K1200GT luggage rack allows for aftermarket bags and plenty of bungee hooks.

The BMW K1200GT shaft drive exhibits little lash, but there's no mistaking the clunky Beemer transmission.

The BMW K1200GT includes a small plug for heated riding suits.

The four-pot clampers provide plenty of stopping power, but the electronic-assisted brakes deliver no feel.

The BMW K1200GT integrated bags are easy to operate one you figure them out.

The BMW K1200GT windscreen all the way down.

The BMW windscreen fully extended.

The BMW windscreen provided some of the best protection in our test group. The trick was finding just the right position on the adjustable screen.

The BMW is more than capable of pushing the limits. Some of our testers, however, didn't need the bike to get in over their head, like this dope staring off the edge of a very steep cliff.

The curvy PCH allowed us to evaluate the Beemer's handling.

The BMW K1200GT sports an incredible amount of ground clearance, providing plenty of room for aggressive maneuvering.

Equipped with the duolever and paralever suspension components, as well as the optional ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), our BMW test unit provided a stable base, with on-the-fly suspension adjustment.

Entering our 2008 comparison test the reigning champion, we already recognized the BMW K1200GT to be a formidable sport-touring platform.

The K1200GT utilizes BMW's proprietary Duolever and Paralever units for suspension duties, delivering a respective 4.5 and 5.3 inches of front and rear travel.

The Beemer was the lightest bike in our comparo.

The BMW also sports the laziest rake ankle in the group at 29 degrees.

Torque production on the BMW is the lowest of the group.

The BMW is second only to the Kawasaki in horsepower.

The Beemer's touring credentials are, without doubt, the strongest in our group.

The BMW also sports the laziest rake ankle in the group at 29 degrees, perhaps accounting for its inability to turn in with the speed and precision of the Yamaha.

The K1200GT utilizes BMW's familiar six-speed transmission. There's nothing wrong with the actual gearbox performance, with no complaints of missed shifts or awkward clutch engagement, but it is clunky and loud compared to the ultra-smooth Japanese units.