BMW K1600 GT thoughts...

[vfrpilot28]

Thought I would share my thoughts on this fantastic motorcycle.  I had a 2015 and sold it with 17k miles.  It was between the FJR 1300 and K1600 for me.  

 

The GREAT:

- Power as much as you wanted and on demand.  Very responsive throttle response.  The best engine I have had the pleasure to operate a scooter with.  It pulled like a freight train all the way to         redline.  It pulled and ran like a greyhound chasing that rabbit.  

- Braking felt strong with zero fade. 

- GPS / Sat Radio / wonder wheel controls were all awesome.  I loved how user friendly and easy it was to control.  

- Wind / fairing coverage was excellent.  Provided you used the "GTL" windscreen (larger than the GT).  The wind scoops on the sides and top of side fairings were very simple, yet very functional         and really moved a lot of air once opened.

- Suspension all electronic was very simple to adjust.  By far the best OEM setup I have ridden.  Felt firm and planted in all ride modes and settings.  

-  Heated grips and seat.  Worked far more superior than my 2008 Goldwing.  Literally, I could not take the maximum settings on the BMW.  

- Seat adjustment two positions.  Helps on the long trips.  

- Never felt uncomfortable on this bike.  I found it better than my 2008 Goldwing.  I always felt stuck in the wing with very little movement.  The K bike was very planted and felt like a rocket.  

- Farkle highway pegs were amazing. Helped a lot on distance. 

- Lighting was superb, LED marker lights, fog lights, and tail/ brake lights.  Even the top case had a nice LED light inside and a softer material.  

- Integrated keyless locking with all side and top cases worked flawlessly. 

- Excellent MPG if anyone actually cares.

 

The GOOD:

- Shifting was smooth and precise.  Not as good as the VFR but still no issues.  

- Storage was good but not great.  Side bags smaller than the VFR used on 6th gens.  Top case is a must.

- Passenger comfort was rated as bad on the VFR; good on the BMW; great on the Goldwing.  No surprises there.  

- The GT windscreen was perfect for summer and hot weather.  However, it was horrible for anything cool or chilly.  Think GT = sport.  Thus, I found the GTL screen to be perfect as it still flowed a lot of air in the down position. 

 

The BAD:

- Maintenance was not fun.  I had a coil pack failure.  A simple fix requires draining the coolant, removal of radiator, and lots of tupperware.  They get a big "F" on this section.  Would have cost me     over $1000 for one coil pack due to labor.  Warranty covered it.  Crazy to have a failure on such a newer machine when my 1999 VFR is still strong. 

- The oil changes required two drain plugs.  Kinda of a pain.  The shaft drive was simple and easy.    

- Eats tires. Directly correlated with the smiles per gallon the engine and right wrist produced on this machine.  Otherwise, the same as any other ST bike IMHO. 

- 93 is required just know that. 

- Headlight if it goes out is a major $$$$$ expense.  

- BMW forces you to buy a special tool to be able to read codes etc.  

 

 

Overall impressions are the K1600 is a great bike.  I would buy another one.  However, I do say that with some concern.  The coil pack failure on a trip was a drag.  Simple repairs on not so simple on this machine.  I would like to compare and contrast to the FJR 1300, Goldwing (newer models), BMW GS, and maybe even a ST 1300.  I would consider all of those for a nice compliment to the VFR.  I sold my 2008 Goldwing to move to the K bike and it was a much better "fit" for me.  The wing just did not have the ground clearance for me in the twisties and was too bulky for my style.  Long term ownership of the BMW could prove to be a lot more in maintenance costs in that comparison.    

 

BMW in general:  I have seen a shaft drive failure on the RT police bike and numerous other stator issues on older RT police bikes.  Recall for transmission issues on newer K bikes.  My friend had his entire shaft drive replaced on his GS with 20k miles - warranty issue with a minor weep that could eventually lead to a major issue.  To me this is a concern and ultimately, if I decide to go BMW again, I will probably get a GS or GSA.  With all that said, there are many K 1600, RT, and GS on the road with 100k miles or more.  The GS is the flagship in the off road / on road machine.  Time tested. 

 

The Honda reigns supreme in dependability, reliability, and ownership costs.  

 

Ride safe and ride on!

[DrErgal]

18 hours ago, vfrpilot28 said:

BMW in general.  I have seen a shaft drive failure on the RT police bike and numerous other stator issues on older RT police bikes.  Recall for transmission issues on newer K bikes.  My friend had his entire shaft drive replaced on his GS with 20k miles - warranty issue with a minor weep that could eventually lead to a major issue.  To me this is a concern and ultimately, if I decide to go BMW again, I will probably get a GS or GSA.  With all that said, there are many K 1600, RT, and GS on the road with 100k miles or more.  The GS is the flagship in the off road / on road machine.  Time tested. 

 

The Honda reigns supreme in dependability, reliability, and ownership costs.  

 

Although I never rode a 1600GT, I may say something about BMW.
I owned 4 krauts: 2 flat K series (K100RS '84 and K1100RS '92) and 2 boxer (R1100S '98 and R1100S '01)

Well, the K's entered my heart, at all. SUBLIME engine, solid, reliable, loyal and pleasant (on its own way, of course). They're not japanese, they're not geishas ready to do whatever the pilot wants; they strongly and "germanly" demand to be ridden at their own way only, but reward you with an exquisite riding experience.
Moreover, they are literally indestructible! Only standard service; besides, very easy to do. The only main issue is clutch disks replacing because of engine architecture. But Guzzi's or any similar engine (e.g. Pan European, to quote an Honda) have the same issue.

Boxers entered my heart as well, but with ups and downs.
As well as the K's, you can't figure out to ride those bikes as you like; you must understand the Telelever behavior and comply with it. But once done that, the riding you can get is amazing! HANDY BEYOND WORDS, you can make miracles, dragging your knees down wherever you want: hairpins, roundabouts.... every place become a Luna Park to play with.
Just as an example, this was me in a small karting circuit close to Rome; it's the same circuit where Max Biaggi (yes, THAT Max Biaggi) is used to train

 

Contrary to K's, they're not indestrutible. Indeed, I may say that they are extremely fragile: clucth, gearbox, bearings... everything in transmission department is very delicate and need to be used with kindness and care to avoid big and severe damages.

Should I buy a S again for circuit use? NO. A CBR is cheaper and, in the end, most effective.
Should I buy again an old flat K for road use? Defintively YES!!! ❤️

[TimC]

Nice write-up.  Thanks for posting it here!

 

I've considered buying an older RT or K bike for touring use, but definitely not a 1600.  I only ride alone, and the extra power (and size, weight, and expense) of the 1600 would just be wasted on me.  Not to say it would be a bad choice; it's just overkill for my needs.

 

FWIW, I'm on my first BMW - an R nineT Pure - after long-term ownership of a 6th gen. VFR.  It's different.  It's been mostly great.  Being a naked boxer twin, some of the maintenance is easier.  But some is harder, too.  Replacing the battery, for example, which I'll be doing soon is a pain.  Also, any BMW dealer service is very expensive.  Still, I don't miss pulling the left fairing off my VFR for a simple oil and filter change.

[DrErgal]

If I may suggest... try out this:

 

In my personal opinion, the best road bike ever ridden.
To me,it's simply a masterpiece

[vfrpilot28]

43 minutes ago, DrErgal said:

 

Although I never rode a 1600GT, I may say something about BMW.
I owned 4 krauts: 2 flat K series (K100RS '84 and K1100RS '92) and 2 boxer (R1100S '98 and R1100S '01)

Well, the K's entered my heart, at all. SUBLIME engine, solid, reliable, loyal and pleasant (on its own way, of course). They're not japanese, they're not geishas ready to make whatever the pilot wants; they strongly and "germanly" demand to be ridden at their own way only, but reward you with an exquisite riding experience.
Moreover, they are literally indestructible! Only standard service; besides, very easy to do. The only main issue is clutch disks replacing because of engine architecture. But Guzzi's or any similar engine (e.g. Pan European, to quote an Honda) have the same issue.

Boxers entered my heart as well, but with ups and downs.
As well as the K's, you can't figure out to ride those bikes as you like; you must understand the Telelever behavior and comply with it. But once done that, the riding you can get is amazing! HANDY BEYOND WORDS, you can make miracles, dragging your knees down wherever you want: hairpins, roundabouts.... every place become a Luna Park to play with.
Just as an example, this was me in a small karting circuit close to Rome; it's the same circuit where Max Biaggi (yes, THAT Max Biaggi) is used to train

 

Contrary to K's, they're not indestrutible. Indeed, I may say that they are extremely fragile: clucth, gearbox, bearings... everything in transmission department is very delicate and need to be used with kindness and care to avoid big and severe damages.

Should I buy a S again for circuit use? NO. A CBR is cheaper and, in the end, most effective.
Should I buy again an old flat K for road use? Defintively YES!!! ❤️

Very nice shot!  I echo your thoughts on the K.  It was the most fun bike to ride.  On road and off!  I road it around a dirt gravel mountain in NC (thanks GPS) but it was not bad at all.  It was just a fun bike to ride.  While heavy, you did not notice it at all......I do miss it! 

[vfrpilot28]

45 minutes ago, TimC said:

Nice write-up.  Thanks for posting it here!

 

I've considered buying an older RT or K bike for touring use, but definitely not a 1600.  I only ride alone, and the extra power (and size, weight, and expense) of the 1600 would just be wasted on me.  Not to say it would be a bad choice; it's just overkill for my needs.

 

FWIW, I'm on my first BMW - an R nineT Pure - after long-term ownership of a 6th gen. VFR.  It's different.  It's been mostly great.  Being a naked boxer twin, some of the maintenance is easier.  But some is harder, too.  Replacing the battery, for example, which I'll be doing soon is a pain.  Also, any BMW dealer service is very expensive.  Still, I don't miss pulling the left fairing off my VFR for a simple oil and filter change.

That a cool bike.  And you are 100% on point, the dealer service is crazy $$.  The RT is a great choice for a ST machine.  I have spent some time in the saddle on those and love them.  The brand new ones with all the electronic gizmos are not my scene but still a beautiful bike.  My friend just sold his RT and went to a GS, he said he much prefers the GS minus the lack of wind protection. 

[V4 Rosso]

7 hours ago, vfrpilot28 said:

The BAD:

- Maintenance was not fun.  I had a coil pack failure.  A simple fix requires draining the coolant, removal of radiator, and lots of tupperware.  They get a big "F" on this section.  Would have cost me     over $1000 for one coil pack due to labor.  Warranty covered it.  Crazy to have a failure on such a newer machine when my 1999 VFR is still strong.

For replacing a coil you don' t need to remove the radiator, just lower it a bit.

[vfrpilot28]

4 hours ago, V4 Rosso said:

For replacing a coil you don' t need to remove the radiator, just lower it a bit.

Per BMW and everything I saw on the k1600 forums the radiator has to be removed to access that coil. Didn't matter because warranty covered it. However, no one had the part and that took almost three weeks to arrive.  

[V4 Rosso]

I only remove the radiator when performing a valve clearance check. It' s most #1 coil that fails because for some reason that one gets flooded sometimes.

[vfrpilot28]

On 9/19/2024 at 6:01 PM, V4 Rosso said:

I only remove the radiator when performing a valve clearance check. It' s most #1 coil that fails because for some reason that one gets flooded sometimes.

Interesting.  BMW states the radiator must come out to access coil #2.  Thankfully, I did not have to mess with it 🙂 

 

It certainty would be easier to just drop the radiator...and I can imagine trying to mess with this on the side of the road / on a trip.  

[Captain 80s]

27 minutes ago, vfrpilot28 said:

Interesting.  BMW states the radiator must come out to access coil #2. 

 Honda also said the engine must come out to replace a mechanical water pump seal on the CX500.  Just give the job to a flat rate mechanic...  they will find a work around.