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You scared me

8K views 42 replies 22 participants last post by  JohnS1955 
#1 ·
Hey folks,

I just bought a K16 from 2013 last month, and after buying it I thought : Hey maybe it would have been a good idea to check on the forum what the main issues are...
You ******* scared me !
Half of the topics are overheating problem, the other half is oil consumption, the third half is transmission problem... (Wait... that's too many halfs... Man am I bad at maths...)

Just to say that waiting for the bike to be delivered, I was lurking on this forum and you really scared me.
I thought this bike was not as good as I imagined, that I made the wrong choice and should have stayed with a FJR etc...

Fast forward 14 days after I bought it and the bike is delivered. 3 days to build the trust and I go for a 10 days roadtrip with it.
2k miles later, I had 0 issue...

  • No overheating
  • No oil consumption
  • Oookkkk the transmission makes some noise but nothing preventing me from riding !

About overheating, I know it's a sensitive topic, but I did not experience it despite "tough" condition pretty similar to what DavidMck described on his topic "Not fit for purpose".
2 on the bike, lateral cases full of junk, same for the top case, some more junk ON the top case, and I got stuck behind multiple bus for 7 miles under 35C at 5-10mph...
The temp gauge went to the 7th bar, fan on, temp lowered to the 5th bar... that's all. No overheating issue.
Seeing this many posts about overheating I consider myself lucky I guess...

Oil consumption:
None...
And I was driving in Germany, so it means cruising at 120mph with 2 people on the bike, bike loaded etc.


So to sum up... It works well ! Very well I would say !
I just wanted to share also good vibes about this bike ! For future owners that don't know the model yet, it's not as "bad" as it seems when you read the forum.
Of course, we tend to post only when we face an issue, so here is a post that balances a bit.

This (my) bike works :wink:
 
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#4 ·
Yes, the adage is true, no one would buy any/type/style/brand of motorcycle if all they did was read forums. But...you did ask for potential trouble spots or issues. The vast majority of people who have had issues still have the bike or replaced it....with another K16. Glad to hear your experiences with the K16 are positive. All of mine have been as well. Here's to continued trouble free miles for us all. :cheers:
 
#5 ·
and I got stuck behind multiple bus for 7 miles under 35C at 5-10mph...
The temp gauge went to the 7th bar, fan on, temp lowered to the 5th bar... that's all. No overheating issue.
Were you going uphill at the time? Were you at a higher elevation?

Oil consumption is generally a first year issue. Not many have reported oil consumption issues with newer bikes.

Congrats on your new toy. They are a lot of fun.
 
#11 ·
LOL, so true....

I bought my very slightly used 2018 GTL back in March and immediately joined this forum to learn what I could about his incredible machine. I too was taken back by the endless discussions on left pull, overheating, oil consumption, noisy/clunky transmissions, shift assist failure, ineffective windshields, anemic 2018+ throttle response, etc. I found myself taking rides just to uncover any ticking time bombs in my own bike.

Well, after 7000 miles, including a 2-up 3700 mile round trip from SoCal to South Dakota pushing the bike in every way I can -- sustained high speeds, elevation, twisties, interstates and a few 700-800 mile days in 100+ temperatures. I can say with some confidence that all is well.

Having said this, the K16 isn't perfect. But so far I've worked around the few features that irritate me. You have to consider that this is the Internet and like all forums of all types, it attracts discussions about stuff that most owners may never experience. Sift through the noise and you'll find a lot of useful information here by people who really know their stuff. It's worth the effort.
 
#13 ·
In defense of many forum members sir: I would wager that half the posts are positive, half the posts are really positive, and another half of the posts are even more positive. It all depends where you decide to linger. I love your story and look forward to reading much more of it sir!

I should nickname my cycle Viagra for what it does to me after 8 months and 13, 000 miles.

Many of us here still look back over our shoulders at our bikes as we walk away and giggle with erection (even a few of the really grizzly guys).
 
#15 ·
You experienced a very common phenomena, people on forums complain when things go wrong, but for every complaint there are many, many more without the issue. Enjoy the bike!
 
#16 ·
It's not that you are necessarily wrong but it seems to me BMW has been listening to our complaining.

They have fixed the faulty switch gear.
They have fixed the water pumps.
They have fixed the engine ring lands issue.
They have improved greatly the wind protection.
They have improved greatly the transmission shifting.
They have fixed the coil problems.
They have improved greatly the feet heat problems.
They have added reverse.
The seat on my 2018 is an improvement on my 2011.
They have improved navigation with the Nav VI.
 
#30 ·
I love this bike. It's the original model (May 2011 stamped on the fork) that I purchased used w/10000 miles on the clock in June 2012. Yes, it had
the bad water pump, and failed switches but that was the extent of the issues. I had to adjust to the height issue but **** does this bike perform
like a big sport machine. I live in Northern California and highway 1 is 15 minutes from my door so tight turns are always thankfully present.
Currently 46000 miles and running like new. After trying all types of tires the Dunlop RSIII's seem to work the best for my style with emphasis on
minimal front tire cupping. To be fair, I have not tried the Pirelli Angel's which sound awesome so there may be a need for another trial.
Oh yes, one final note: The Wilber shocks are a must and I replaced mine at 21000 (should have done this earlier). I must thank Ted Porter's Beemer shop for this compulsory addition. Sent him my old shocks via UPS and installed myself. And yes I perform all my own work even the valves.
I believe bikes are in constant evolution and I'm sure the new K1600GT is a better machine than mine. When my first edition gives up the ghost I'll
buy another one.
 
#32 ·
15L for 100KM? That's 17 mpg, or there abouts. And cruising the autobahn at 192KPH, is, well, ah, cruising? Wo ist das? I have not come across a stretch of unlimited speed on the autobahn long enough to cruise. Usually some lame four wheeler is passing in the left lane by a truck doing 100KPH in the right lane. And then they post a speed limit of 130KPH or 120KPH. Most of the autobahn I ride has a speed limit of 130KPH, in Berlin they even go as low as 100KPH in some places.
 
#33 ·
Maybe depends on the definition of cruising ! I was not driving for hours without having to slow down a bit, no, but as soon as I can set on the speed cruiser for 10+ minutes, for me, I'm cruising.

I went from Zurich to Stuttgart and back following French border.

And yes they definitely have speed limit, tunnels are limited (100 or 110 I don't remember), some road works also limit the speed at 80kmh or even 60kmh. But there are still some parts where I was able to settle a 200kmh with the cruise control.

(And yes probably 17mpg if your calculations are correct, but that's a price I'm willing to pay to drive at this speed)
 
#40 ·
You Fellas Can Be So Silly At Times during these "debateussions" / "discussbates"
 
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