[paulwillis]

I’ve been considering a used 2018 -19 Grand America. I’ve read on this site that the 1600B has a dangerous wobble at highway speeds especially when encountering cross winds and truck turbulence.
Has BMW resolved this issue?
Does the GTL also have aforementioned proble?

 

[amorley]

The GT and GTL does not have this problem.

The K1600GA is speed limited to 100 mph.

IMHO the only reason BMW would do this would be because instability was detected in wind tunnel testing.

The GA design added floor boards which IMHO contribute to front wheel lift at speed. With the GA this is made worse because the Top Box is mounted so far back which again will cause the front wheel to rise at speed. This becomes very noticeable on any motorcycle in turbulent air around large vehicles, or in cross winds.

 

[XtBimmer]

With turbulence I found fir myself, stiffening up the suspension helped.
I also think because some ppl are so worried about winds and turbulence, there getting a death grip on the bars.
Maybe I got lucky but my Beasty girl handles quite well even if to make adjustments and go hands-free. Its scary in a good way how balanced it is for me. Ive got this one strip of 12km of quiet highway and I challenge myself handsfree. Slight wind, legs are used like sails, and she rights herself. 😆 lol

 

[86Magna]

No issues with my GA even at the speed limiter. The only time that I may have a problem is in dirty air behind a semi tractor trailer. But not much more that with my GTL. I did notice a difference when I removed the factory floorboards on the tip over bars. I added Wunderlich foot pegs which have been more comfortable anyways.

 

[Dstrobelt]

I got a K1600B in May and it wobbles above 70 to 80 mph on the highway every time … regardless of wind conditions, or how I hold the grips…it feels like the front is waffling.

Another issue, if I try to go “no hands” it immediately turns to the left. I’ve never been on a motorcycle that’s not properly balanced where I can’t drive without hands for a short distance down the road. The shop I take it to can’t figure out why it does that

 

[Busapilot]

It seems like it's a very hit or miss issue amoungst the K1600 B/GA. I have the issue. My buddy was following me the other day and mentioned it to me when we stopped. He noticed how much the bike moved around in even a slight crosswind. The bike moving under me never scared me but it is rather annoying knowing that with the speed limiter that BMW is very aware of the problem and has chosen not to address it. I have a Calsci windshield, Aerowings, and floorboards. I've had the Aerowings off since May and noticed no difference in the amount of wobble. For reference I'm 250lbs and I typically ride in rider plus luggage mode and occasionally in two up mode and notice very little difference. If I would have to take a stab at it I would say very limited aero testing or rushing the bike to market(profit over function) is the biggest culprit. It's a great bike as long as I keep it under 70mph which is pretty much never. I probably would have been better served on a 1600GT but love the looks of the B....

 

[JohnS1955]

It seems like it's a very hit or miss issue amoungst the K1600 B/GA. I have the issue. My buddy was following me the other day and mentioned it to me when we stopped. He noticed how much the bike moved around in even a slight crosswind. The bike moving under me never scared me but it is rather annoying knowing that with the speed limiter that BMW is very aware of the problem and has chosen not to address it. I have a Calsci windshield, Aerowings, and floorboards. I've had the Aerowings off since May and noticed no difference in the amount of wobble. For reference I'm 250lbs and I typically ride in rider plus luggage mode and occasionally in two up mode and notice very little difference. If I would have to take a stab at it I would say very limited aero testing or rushing the bike to market(profit over function) is the biggest culprit. It's a great bike as long as I keep it under 70mph which is pretty much never. I probably would have been better served on a 1600GT but love the looks of the B....

I think you pretty much nailed it. The B/GA is a form over function release to appeal to the HD (and like minded) set. They are good looking (I know, that's subjective) but few things come for free. The GT/GTL were probably put through the aero testing ringer for a long time before final production. Undoubtedly, function was the #1 goal.

 

[Unicorn]

Absolutely no wobble with my B. I did replace the windscreen with a 7Jurock version and I run Angel GT 2 tyres. Mine runs so straight and true that I can (and have) ridden many kilometres with hands off, steering with only weight and a little 'airbrake' assist with outstretched hands for the tighter turns.
The left pull can be balanced by careful loading of the panniers...
I feel unaffected by the 'dirty air' of even the largest trucks...

 

[Dstrobelt]

It seems like it's a very hit or miss issue amoungst the K1600 B/GA. I have the issue. My buddy was following me the other day and mentioned it to me when we stopped. He noticed how much the bike moved around in even a slight crosswind. The bike moving under me never scared me but it is rather annoying knowing that with the speed limiter that BMW is very aware of the problem and has chosen not to address it. I have a Calsci windshield, Aerowings, and floorboards. I've had the Aerowings off since May and noticed no difference in the amount of wobble. For reference I'm 250lbs and I typically ride in rider plus luggage mode and occasionally in two up mode and notice very little difference. If I would have to take a stab at it I would say very limited aero testing or rushing the bike to market(profit over function) is the biggest culprit. It's a great bike as long as I keep it under 70mph which is pretty much never. I probably would have been better served on a 1600GT but love the looks of the B....

Your experience is exactly like mine…over 70 mph it’s wobbling…regardless of my suspension settings/ride modes and passenger/baggage orientation. It’s bothersome to me because below 70 mph it’s so true and smooth…the feeling you could ride it forevs. I’m so disappointed that I’d have this wobble on a big cruiser

 

[Dstrobelt]

Absolutely no wobble with my B. I did replace the windscreen with a 7Jurock version and I run Angel GT 2 tyres. Mine runs so straight and true that I can (and have) ridden many kilometres with hands off, steering with only weight and a little 'airbrake' assist with outstretched hands for the tighter turns.
The left pull can be balanced by careful loading of the panniers...
I feel unaffected by the 'dirty air' of even the largest trucks...

 

[Dstrobelt]

Oh my goodness. I want this feeling on mine. I have the wobble and leaning when both panniers are completely empty. I’ve done so much to eliminate bike settings, carry-one and rider position as the possible culprit. At this point there’s something wrong with the bike IMO

 

[Onebadrad]

The GT and GTL does not have this problem.

The K1600GA is speed limited to 100 mph.

IMHO the only reason BMW would do this would be because instability was detected in wind tunnel testing.

The GA design added floor boards which IMHO contribute to front wheel lift at speed. With the GA this is made worse because the Top Box is mounted so far back which again will cause the front wheel to rise at speed. This becomes very noticeable on any motorcycle in turbulent air around large vehicles, or in cross winds.

I have a 2021 GTL, and on the freeway above 80, it does wobble, more so around a big truck or a very windy day. I did change my stock windshield to California scientific Extra large windshield which I think made the condition worse, also I have aerostarstar wings. Once the winter is over I’m going to put back my original windshield which I think wobbles less. It never feels dangerous but it does take a little bit to get used to.

 

[dfinkelsteinmd]

My 2019B has the stated tendency to "hunt" at higher speeds on the freeway but feels rock solid less than 80mph. I did not notice this on my 2014GT, however and never on my R1250RS, so I guess the folks who have suspected an aerodynamic eccentricity are correct. If you want to ride a bike that feels very light up front at speed, I'll lend you my V4S for a few miles. That red head loves to dance and just thinking about letting her go will make you wet your Aerostitch where the zippers meet. Of course she hates the slower speeds so not a town bike. For just everyday riding to the cafe or the coast, the Bagger gets my vote despite the German Shorthair personality on highways and I wouldn't dream of changing the tires or suspension for a little wondering around in my lane, nor does the hunting movement impair my lane filtering which of course is always at slower speeds.

 

[PLAGUE]

This is a debatable subject. Some people (I'm one of them) claim they do not experience said turbulence. It seems I'm in the minority but it's my story and I'm sticking with it. I have over 25k miles on my 18 B and have never felt an out of the ordinary wobble or feeling of instability and I ride a lot here in flat boring Michigan.

Addendum: I can also ride with no hands for as long as the road will allow without any pull to the left, as many report.

I am very thankful that the Mothership did not ship me one with these gremlins.

 

[bhobbs1981]

Had my B over a year and ride in Houston, TX. On the heaviest truck trafficed highway in the US. Moreover, Houston highway speeds are fast...I ride at 80mph and still get passed.

I have no wobble during that type of riding.

I have a slight pull to the left with hands off but who cares? Slightest touch on the bars and it's gone.

Also, I've had the bike to 122 by GPS many times with no issues.

And, yes, there are more GT GTL complaints of wobble in the NHTSA system than the B.

Good luck.

 

[JohnS1955]

Had my B over a year and ride in Houston, TX. On the heaviest truck trafficed highway in the US. Moreover, Houston highway speeds are fast...I ride at 80mph and still get passed.

I have no wobble during that type of riding.

I have a slight pull to the left with hands off but who cares? Slightest touch on the bars and it's gone.

Also, I've had the bike to 122 by GPS many times with no issues.

And, yes, there are more GT GTL complaints of wobble in the NHTSA system than the B.

Good luck.

But not here in K1600.com, which is 1000x more representative than whatever is reported in NHTSA.

I just completed an IBA SS1000 ride on my GTL. At least 100 miles of that ride was plowing through a Santa Ana wind event that had several Big Rigs on the side of the road waiting it out. When things calmed down I cruised in the 90-100mph range in long stretches, sometimes having to navigate large numbers of the big trucks (and all their dirty air) while keeping the pace.

The GT/GTL were designed for this kind of riding. I don't understand why you make this deflection whenever a "B" wobble is brought up for discussion. Of course, what we experience personally trumps whatever other riders report. But the numbers reported on the forum says something might be going on with the "B". Some things are hard to ignore.

 

[bhobbs1981]

You just love to be a contrarian and attack me.

Me: "I've never had a wobble and I cannot support that EVERY B has a wobble."
This Website: "Go look at all the complaints on the NTHSA site for proof"
Me: "There are more GT/GTL complaints than B"
You: "I've never had a wobble on my bike so it's not possible that there is one. But it's totally possible that every B has a wobble even though I don't own one - this website says so"
Me: "Here is a professional reviewer saying the same thing"
You: "Nope. That guy was wrong and everyone who read it thought so"

So which is it - this website is a bastion of irrefutable proof and evidence or they are biased? I go for bias as lots of people come here looking for help with their experience/issues. I've never once told another user they are wrong for what they experience but you sure love to tell me I'm wrong.

 

[JohnS1955]

If you'd deal with what I'm presenting to you instead of exaggerating and playing the victim card, maybe we'd get somewhere.

I never said that since my bike doesn't wobble, no GT/GTLs wobble. Some probably do, real or imagined. The GT/GTL models clearly have warts. The left pull is real for many, and even verified in specific cases by BMW. I have the same experience as you when I take my hands off the bars, but for me it's a non-issue in real world riding.

And I would never tell you, @PLAGUE and other "B" owners who report no wobble problems that they're wrong. Your respective bikes are probably just fine. And many of the "B" owners here who report problems are maybe misinterpreting whatever "wobble" they think they're feeling. It could be inexperience, expecting Harley like cruising, or whatever.

In evaluating reported issues, you throw out the outliers and evaluate the hard numbers. The fact is, there are a lot of "B" owners here who report ride stability issues. Too many to blow off. Many, many more that GT/GTL owners. When you consider the GT/GTL has been in production far longer than the "B", and in much greater numbers, that adds to the significance when evaluating things. Trying to dismiss what's reported on the forum away as bias suggests you're looking for a reason to diminish what other people report. You have no way of quantifying how real that is. Again, there are too many posts here to attach too much significance to possible agendas. The bottom line is that the numbers are much more statistically relevant than whatever has been reported to the NTHSA.

I enjoy how you like bringing up that professional reviewer, who when you sift through the review, isn't really that professional at all. I find it suspect when a magazine reviewer makes a broad high level conclusion like "the BMW twitches and bobs in a straight line", yet provides no clarifying detail. Not even later in the comments section. Yet you'll take that input over dozens of GT/GTL owners here who have logged 75,000-100,000 miles (and more) in every possible riding condition that exists across North America. If you're going to talk about bias, maybe consider looking inward.

 

[bhobbs1981]

I cite 3 sources you one. It's totally my issue.

As I have asked you before - when you suggested I was silly for using a GPS to "get home" - please stop commenting to me.

 

[jorgebri60]

Man, this topic just doesn't go away (that says something about topic BTW ). I for one choose to just accept it as a characteristic of the B. Yes I was a bit freaked out at first, but I really wanted to like this bike because of how it looks and the power and handling it offers so I kept at it. There have been some comments about some of the GT and GTL models, but by far the most have been about the B derivatives. I understand BMW (or any brand really) owners and the tendency to defend the brand and even the specific models we own, but just the mere fact that there's discussion after discussion after discussion of the anomaly says something going on with these bikes. I've posted on several of these threads about the bike just being "different" than the GW and HD tourers (I have many years and hundreds of thousands of miles of experience on both models). This being my first real BMW, I noticed the behavior from the very first time I rode a brand spanking new off the showroom floor B model. I've ridden 3 B models now, including my own, and they ALL have the exact same behavior. @bhobbs1981, if you have never experienced it, then good for you. Many of the B owners on this and other resources have, I refer back to my comment about how many threads one finds about the topic. As for the NTHSA and the complaints they have, somewhere buried in those complaints is mine and I'm actually one of the people that they have contacted and asked me to run some tests for them that involve having someone drive behind me video-taping the bike. During my last group ride, several riders mentioned to me how bad the bike weaved at times. They asked if something was wrong with the bike. Again, I've just gotten used to it and accepted it as part of the bike's behavior. It doesn't have to be behind a trailer or even a car in some instances. Any dirty air will cause even a little bit of wobble. Speed is not the culprit either. My bike will behave the same at 50 or 150, the same weave may or may not occur. I will say that the weather and tires have a lot to do with it because it won't always do it. I, for instance, will experience it (even just last night) when a cold front is moving in and we have a bunch of unstable air (both in the air as well as on the surface. Yes I am a pilot so I notice these things). That has been one consistent fact that I have found. The other has been the tires. I recently replaced the tires with a new set of RS4s and while the bike handles curves way better than what came off the bike, the weave got worse and more prominent. The federales seem to think it's the floorboards on our B models causing the bike to want to lift, I don't necessarily agree with that, but it's one of the items I need to test out. I'll be removing them to see if, in fact, they do cause a difference. Anyway, probably too late for this, but long story short, these bikes do NOT act like your average GW or HD tourer when it comes to traveling down the highways. But!, it's a trade-off I, and I'm sure many others, are willing to put up with because of the superior handling when it comes to the type of riding I choose to do and is the reason I own one of these bikes to begin with. The saga continues....