Picked this bike up in October, 2008 before I knew about the K1300GT. Though the new K1300GT is an awesome bike I don't see it as a "must have" compared to the K1200GT - at least not yet.
Well, that statement was in February or so before I took a K1300GT for a ride of about 2700 miles this past April. I have to say the K1300GT is so much more superior in handling, power, suspension, and fuel management that I am working towards one as soon as a certain issue is resolved. Let me explain:
The K1200GT is powerful, handles well, has great fuel economy, and I like the ergonomics for the way I ride. What I and other owners dislike with the K1200GT has mainly to do with the fuel management. Primarily the rider feels as if fuel is either on or off, so trying to modulate fuel, as in a trailing throttle is damned difficult which results in a jerky sort of ride from time to time. You get it right and then the fuel switches off abruptly so there really cannot be consistently smooth transitions, regardless of the gearing selected.
Shifting is other than smooth and it seems you get 10 good shifts and one miserable newbie style shift when you least want one. Make those things go away and the bike is perfect. I have learned to short shift into 2nd and 3rd - high rev shifting after that works best. I also switched to BMW 5W40 Synthetic oil. Helps shifting a lot and the cam chain oils up faster.
I bought an FRK module to put into the bike but gave it to a customer to try as he was having what seemed more nasty issues that I was having. He installed it, and reports it makes a huge difference in how the 1200 engine performs. I'll install one in my bike. Here's a link to the FRK web site: Power FRK -So, the K1200GT is a great machine, and some of it's peculiarities can be diminished with the FRK module, different oil, and some adjustment in riding style.
Though I view the K1300GT as the replacement, I'm not ready to part with my 1200. BMW has some issues with the K1300 engine that need sorting before I buy a GT. A K1300S I owned for a short while is perhaps the best motorcycle I have ever owned but it had a serious issue with stalling that frightened the stuff out of me more than once. The condition was unresolvable in my timeline and as this phenomenon applies to the GT as well I'm on hold when it comes to K bikes. My current GT runs well; I'll hang on to it till BMW gets the stalling thing sorted out - then bye bye.
I do want to add that I have every confidence in the BMW product. I've owned many BMW bikes and will continue to be a BMW owner and rider. Most motorcycle manufacturers have to contend with variences in emissions requirements around the world and the extraordinary variety in fuels, each blend dictated in large measure by community environmental standards. It's tough to get it right all the time, every time, and snatchy throttles etc seem to express themselves in most brands with fuel injected engines.