2008 BMW K 1200LT Specifications

Name: 2008 BMW K 1200LT
Brand: BMW

Touring • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2008 BMW K 1200LT Overview

BMW K 1200LT is a touring motorcycle, displacing 1171 cc. Power comes from an In-line four engine, a compression ratio of 10.8:1. Bore and stroke come in at 70.5 x 75 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 120 of torque. On the road, the 2008 K 1200LT tips the scales at 387 kg, carries a 24-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 770 mm and spans a 1,627 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 62.9 kg heavier than the average touring motorcycle in our database. The full 2008 BMW K 1200LT spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2008 K 1200LT - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
Large fuel range: A 24-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running Shaft drive (cardan) final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the K 1200LT - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the K 1200LT needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from Double disc. ABS - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The K 1200LT's suspension runs BMW Motorrad Telelever at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The K 1200LT uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Bridge-type frame, cast aluminium, engine with vibration-decoupled mountings, the K 1200LT's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

Handling the weight at a standstill

387 kg puts the K 1200LT toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.

K 1200LT - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2008 BMW K 1200LT, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy K 1200LT should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a K 1200LT's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the K 1200LT needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

2008 BMW K 1200LT - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2008 BMW K 1200LT have?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT uses an In-line four engine with 1171 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2008 BMW K 1200LT weigh?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT weighs 387 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2008 BMW K 1200LT make?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT produces 120 of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 BMW K 1200LT?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT has a 24-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 400-480 km between stops.

Is the 2008 BMW K 1200LT suitable for shorter riders?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT has a seat height of 770 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2008 BMW K 1200LT have?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT uses Double disc. ABS at the front and Single disc. ABS at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2008 BMW K 1200LT use?

The 2008 BMW K 1200LT runs 120/70-17 front and 160/70-17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

BMW K 1200LT Spec Evolution

The BMW K 1200LT was produced across 12 model years (1902-2011). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1902	2000	2001	2002	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Wet Weight	378 kg / 833 lbs	-	388.0 kg / 855.4 lbs	-	-	378 kg / 833 lbs	387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs	-	387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs	387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs	387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs	-
Dry Weight	345 kg / 761 lbs	354 kg / 780.4 lbs	-	378 kg / 833.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	345 kg / 760.6 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs	353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs
Engine Type	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four	In-line four	Single cylinder	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke
Top Speed	198 km/h / 123 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	198.0 km/h / 123.0 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	-	198 km/h / 123 mph	-	-	-	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph	200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph
Seat Height	770 mm / 30.3 in	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.	770 mm / 30.3 in.
Fuel Capacity	22 L / 5.8 US gal	23.40 litres / 6.18 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	23.00 litres / 6.08 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	22 L / 5.8 US gal	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons	24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons
Displacement (ci)	-	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.52 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.52 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches	71.45 cubic inches
Displacement (cc)	-	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1172.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1172.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc	1171.00 cc

Key Specifications

Engine

In-line four

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

120.00

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs

Fuel Capacity

24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons

Full 2008 BMW K 1200LT Specifications

Seat Height 770 mm / 30.3 in.

Wheelbase 1,627 mm / 64.1 in.

Height 1,915 mm / 75.4 in.

Length 2,502 mm / 98.5 in.

Width 1,080 mm / 42.5 in.

Dry Weight 353.5 kg / 779.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity 24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons

Wet Weight 387.0 kg / 853.2 lbs

Max Torque 120.00

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.3224 HP/kg

Bore x Stroke (in,) 2.8 x 3.0 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 70.5 x 75.0 mm

Displacement (cc) 1171.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 71.45 cubic inches

Engine Type In-line four

Stroke 4

Fuel System Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection/BMW engine management, Motronic MA 2.4 with overrun fuel cut-off

Compression Ratio 10.8:1

Fuel Reserve 2.00 litres / 0.53 gallons

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated

Final Drive Shaft drive (cardan)

Gearbox 5-speed

Frame Type Bridge-type frame, cast aluminium, engine with vibration-decoupled mountings

Suspension - Front BMW Motorrad Telelever

Suspension - Rear Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Rake 27.0°

Trail 117 mm / 4.6 in.

Wheel Travel - Front 102 mm / 4.0 in.

Wheel Travel - Rear 130 mm / 5.1 in.

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 12.6 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 320 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 11.2 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 285 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. ABS

Brakes - Rear Single disc. ABS

Tyres - Front 120/70-17

Tyres - Rear 160/70-17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.