Imagine a vehicle with so much torque it will pull from 20mph in top gear and still be pulling like a train at 120mph, writes John Gilbride.

A vehicle that will protect you from the very worst the British climate can throw at you and is capable of taking you and your pillion halfway across the world in luxurious comfort without so much as a whisper of complaint.

By now you are probably thinking top of the range saloon car or possibly one of those strange but apparently useful 'many people carriers'.

Well you'd be quite wrong. You see the latest 'must have' top executive toy just has to be the BMW K1200LT motorcycle.

The primary focus of the K1200LT is luxury. The basic model comes equipped with ABS, cruise control, and an eight-speaker Aassette stereo sound system.

Moving up one level to the next class adds heated handgrips, an onboard computer system and a 6-disc CD changer. The top-of-the-range Custom model includes all of the above plus an attractive chrome package and an extra-plush heated seat.

Each of the models also come with a fully-adjustable electric windscreen, wind wings, a map light, and a lighted mirror inside the fully carpeted and top-box, cavernous enough to take two full-faced helmets or, with the 70 litres of space in the side panniers, enough for a weeks holiday.

In true BMW style the K1200LT exudes quality. Everything on the bike is adjustable the riders seat height, windshield and footrests even the pillion can passenger can change the position of the backrest.

All this adjustment obviously means the ultimate in riding position with easy to use switchgear and mirrors that give assure an excellent rear view.

My favourite gadget has to be the adjustable screen which offered my 6ft 3in frame perfect protection from the elements and allowed my plug-free ears to tune into the sounds of the Stereophonics on the hi-fi. The stereo controls are handily placed on the bars and volume level rises as you accelerate through the gears and reduces as you slow down clever stuff!

The LT accelerates smoothly through the gears with a very torquey mid-range and on to a top whack of around 120mph and would happily sit all day at three figure speeds.

Handling is taken care of by the excellent Telelever and Paralever suspension and the excellent Be-Em ABS system ensures the whole plot comes to a halt with confidence.

Oh, and if you are wondering how on earth you could ever wheel around this 378kg lump, the LT comes complete with its own reverse gear. There's a neat little switch on the left side panel which is activated by the starter motor and drives the LT backwards.

In the true luxury stakes there are only two motorcycles in the world that can live with one another, the K1200LT and the Honda Goldwing. The category has long been dominated by the exceptional and gargantuan Goldwing, which caught the fancy of the marketplace as soon as it was introduced, has pretty much defined the class for many years. Not so any more. The Beemer is, in my opinion, a far more refined bike and a lot easier to live with.

In true Teutonic style BMW has taken the best and made it better. The LT is a true autobahn basher, capable of all-year round use the new 'king of the hill'.

FACT FILE

Price: 12,699 otr (standard model)

Power: 98bhp

Seat height: 770mm 800mm adjustable

Fuel capacity: 24 litres

Top speed:125mph (est)

Fuel consumption: 42mpg (average)