By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Tourer vs Cruiser
BMW K 1200 LT (MY2004) vs Harley-Davidson CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Out on a long highway grade the BMW K 1200 LT's inline-four stays turbine-smooth and doesn't strain. The Harley-Davidson CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide's Screamin' Eagle twin shoves hard down low with a deep rumble. Hills and a passenger don't slow that shove.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide if…
Keeping running costs low
Gets the nod: CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide
The CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide suits a tight running budget much better. The savings add up year after year.
What makes each one tick
K 1200 LT
Behind its huge fairing and electrically adjustable windshield, the K 1200 LT keeps the air so calm that a full day in the plush seat doesn't wear you out. There's no step or surge in the throttle, just an even swell of torque from the engine. Brisk corners scrape the footpegs. The engine pulls like an express train on the freeway.
CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Broken pavement doesn't get far into the Electra Glide, because its well-damped suspension soaks it up. The brake lever's got 926 lb (420 kg) of chrome and bags to haul down at every stop. The garage push takes real muscle. The short wheelbase swings it around in tight U-turns.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide has the lower seat: 28.7 in (730 mm) vs 30.3 in (770 mm).
- The K 1200 LT has the lower wet weight: 853 lb (387 kg) vs 926 lb (420 kg).
- The K 1200 LT makes more peak power: 116 hp (85 kW) vs 80 hp (60 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Both fall short
For the daily grind, both of these are hard work. A smaller, simpler bike will make your weekdays easier.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Not built for this
Attacking a bending road isn't their job. That's not why you'd own either one.
Look at long days and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
K 1200 LT
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent weather protection and comfort
- Smooth and powerful engine
- Impressive luggage capacity and standard features
Trade-offs
- Final drive reliability concerns
- Complex and costly to service
- Only five gears
- Soft suspension limits cornering clearance
CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Excessive weight and top-heaviness
- Limited cornering clearance
Known problems to check before you buy
K 1200 LT
- Anti-theft control unit fuel pump relay fault recall (NHTSA 04V438000) Recall 04V438000 At low temperatures, wiring inside the anti-theft control unit could press against the fuel pump relay, opening its contacts and interrupting fuel supply, causing the engine to stall. BMW recalled 2005 K1200LT models to inspect/replace the anti-theft control unit. All affected motorcycles should have the recall performed.
- Final drive bearing failure Crown bearing can fail due to inadequate shimming from the factory, causing oil leaks, noise, and eventual seizure. Failure often occurs between 30,000–50,000 miles. Regular oil changes and inspection are critical.
- Sound system and CD player skipping The stereo system can cut out intermittently, and the CD player often skips on rough roads. Aftermarket upgrades are common.
- Clutch slave cylinder O-ring leak The O-ring on the clutch slave cylinder can fail, causing fluid leakage and clutch disengagement problems.
CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide
- Premature cam chain tensioner failure (2006 models) Spring-loaded cam chain tensioners in Twin Cam 103 engines can wear quickly, leading to plastic shoe debris in the oil pump and potential catastrophic engine damage. Many owners upgrade to hydraulic tensioners or gear-driven cams.
- ABS hydraulic control unit recall (2008–2011) Recall 18V076000 Certain touring models equipped with ABS may experience a loss of brake pressure due to a faulty hydraulic control unit. Harley-Davidson recalled affected bikes to replace the unit. (Recall 18V076000)
- Crankshaft runout on early Twin Cam 110 engines (2007–2008) Excessive crankshaft runout caused vibration and could lead to main bearing failure. Affected bikes were often repaired under warranty with welded crank assemblies.
- Six-speed transmission whine The Cruise Drive helical/straight-cut gearbox produces a noticeable whine in 5th and 6th gears, particularly on bikes with low-mileage break-in. Swapping to heavier gear oil can reduce noise.
Where the spec sheets split
| K 1200 LT | CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.3 in (770 mm) | 28.7 in (730 mm) |
| Wet weight | 853 lb (387 kg) | 926 lb (420 kg) |
| K 1200 LT | CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1171 cc | 1802 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 116 hp (85 kW) | 80 hp (60 kW) |
| Torque | 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) | 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) |
| K 1200 LT | CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.2 US gal (23.4 L) | 6.0 US gal (22.7 L) |
| K 1200 LT | CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft | Belt |
| Fork | Telelever | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 130/80B17 |
| Rear tire | 160/70-17 | 180/65B16 |
| Wheelbase | 64.3 in (1633 mm) | 63.5 in (1613 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| K 1200 LT | CVO FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Standard (from 2009) |
| Electrically Adjustable Windscreen | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
