What do ya'll think of the BMW 1600

[Pokey]

The BMW demo truck is going to be at Grassroots BMW about an hour from me next weekend. I think I'll go see if they will give me a nine year, unlimited mileage warranty on a new Beemer.

Now I would consider that!

[jjsC6]

Go buy one, I am sure you will regret it much sooner than later.

Please explain your reasoning.  I can guess, but I'd rather not. 

[VirginiaJim]

 

[Son of Pappy]

I can answer for me, I sold my R1150RT and bought the C14 due solely to service costs.  I do some 2000 miles a month+ and time is a factor when it comes to performing services.  Anyone ever research servicing the servo assisted ABS brake system?  Would I trade back?  Aint no way, the ONLY advantage the RT had was plushness, which in large part I have overcome.  If I want a land yacht I will get a Wing, proven time and again.

[Pokey]

Please explain your reasoning.  I can guess, but I'd rather not.

Because it is a BMW......because it is a BMW.

[jjsC6]

Because it is a BMW......because it is a BMW.

Silly me.  I thought you actually had a reason 

[sixshooter]

I've been watching your web site for a couple of months now and just signed up last week. I have found quite a bit of useful information regarding my 09 C14. Just thought I would throw my two cents in regarding the BMW. I have never owned a BMW, but I rode them for a northwest area law enforcement agency for fourteen years. I rode the RTP's from 98 to 2010 and can tell you that I would never be able to afford the costs for service and maintenance on them had the department not picked up the tab.  I never had an issue with the bikes other than a lack of horse power for our application. The RT's were great with low speed maneuvering and handled well on the track when we took them to P.I.R. Much better than the KZ 1000's or Harley Davidsons. The cost of maintenance is one of the factors that have had some agencies switching from the RTP's to the C-14 police bikes. That and the cost of admission. A BMW RTP ready for the street is about 31K.

[jjsC6]

I've been watching your web site for a couple of months now and just signed up last week. I have found quite a bit of useful information regarding my 09 C14. Just thought I would throw my two cents in regarding the BMW. I have never owned a BMW, but I rode them for a northwest area law enforcement agency for fourteen years. I rode the RTP's from 98 to 2010 and can tell you that I would never be able to afford the costs for service and maintenance on them had the department not picked up the tab.  I never had an issue with the bikes other than a lack of horse power for our application. The RT's were great with low speed maneuvering and handled well on the track when we took them to P.I.R. Much better than the KZ 1000's or Harley Davidsons. The cost of maintenance is one of the factors that have had some agencies switching from the RTP's to the C-14 police bikes. That and the cost of admission. A BMW RTP ready for the street is about 31K.

I have studied the maintenance costs of the 1600 and it does not seem out of line with the Concours or any other bike.  Yet I constantly read on forums about maintenance costs being high on BMW's.  It has me wondering, is there something about the RT's that make maintenance costs high on the boxers?  I'm also wondering if for some reason maybe many folks pay a dealer to work on BMW's whereas on Japanese bikes people either do it themselves, or maybe just aren't as conscientious about it.

[rcannon409]

I wonder what replacement parts costs are like? The only experience I have with BMW parts is buying valve adjustment shims.  They were 22.00 each instead of the normal 5-6. However, the service manager traded us for the ones we needed.

[jjsC6]

I wonder what replacement parts costs are like? The only experience I have with BMW parts is buying valve adjustment shims.  They were 22.00 each instead of the normal 5-6. However, the service manager traded us for the ones we needed.

Considering what I have paid for some stuff at the Kawasaki dealer, I'm not sure I'd feel any less violated with BMW parts costs. 

[Rhino]

The BMW demo truck is going to be at Grassroots BMW about an hour from me next weekend. I think I'll go see if they will give me a nine year, unlimited mileage warranty on a new Beemer.

I'm still waiting for the BMW demo truck to put CO back on the schedule so I can ride one and have an opinion on the 1600's. I rode a K1300GT from the demo truck before buying my C14. This was just before they announced the 6 cylinders and I also rode a K1200LT.  My comment on the K1200LT was "wow! what a touring bike! Uber comfey, nice handling for a bike that size but where's the torque??" If the K1600GLT is as nice as the K1200LT but with much more zoom then it would be real competition for the wing. Not sure the GT will ever be real competition for the C14 due to price alone. But I still want to ride one.

[pistole]

- hello. Even the most cursory glance at the k1600 forums will net you a laundry list of the issues that they are experiencing with the k16 and also bmw's handling of these issues.

- at least they have a warranty to "rely" on now. imagine when the warranty runs out.

- never ever be a beta tester for any manufacturer , worse of all , bmw.

.

[Rhino]

- never ever be a beta tester for any manufacturer , worse of all , bmw.

Got that right! 3rd year minimum. That's why I'm on a 2010 C14 not an 08.

[Pokey]

Got that right! 3rd year minimum. That's why I'm on a 2010 C14 not an 08.

Hmmmmm.....and we 2008 owners have had so many problems.

[Son of Pappy]

Hmmmmm.....and we 2008 owners have had so many problems.

Maybe 54000 miles is still under the breakin period?  There is a reason why the black version wasn't offered until 2009

[Rhino]

Hmmmmm.....and we 2008 owners have had so many problems.

Sorry, didn't mean to malign gen one owners. Just stating MHO. There were some significant improvements with gen 2. Engine heat routing and mirror placement come to mind. If I were inclined to go with a K1600 I would wait for at least 2014 model. I bet there are some fixes.

[jjsC6]

- hello. Even the most cursory glance at the k1600 forums will net you a laundry list of the issues that they are experiencing with the k16 and also bmw's handling of these issues.

- at least they have a warranty to "rely" on now. imagine when the warranty runs out.

- never ever be a beta tester for any manufacturer , worse of all , bmw.

.

There seem to be two problems that can be considered somewhat common.  One is leaky water pumps - they don't fail but they leak.  Second is the handlebar controls (electrical).  They can strand the bike, but most folks say that if you let them sit an hour or so they start working again.  In both cases, it has been reported that they have upgraded the units and hopefully have cured the problems.

I would say that these problems are no worse than many of the Japanese bikes.  Early GL1800 Goldwings had frames that broke (not good at all) and cooling issues along with some minor other issues.  The FJR's had problems with the ignition switch, the infamous "ticking" problems in the valve train, and some other minor problems.  The Concours had the infamous KIPASS problems that could strand you, along with the other more minor issues like cooking your lower legs.

I'm the first to say that I consider Japanese vehicles to have the best reliability - and I've owned more than most.  But I'm not convinced the BMW's are significantly worse. 

[martin_14]

Sorry, didn't mean to malign gen one owners. Just stating MHO. There were some significant improvements with gen 2. Engine heat routing and mirror placement come to mind. If I were inclined to go with a K1600 I would wait for at least 2014 model. I bet there are some fixes.

I live in Germany and a so-called gen2 Concours costs 17000, while I paid 12000 for my '08 back in March '09. That's 5k difference that perfectly cover the aftermarket heated grips (50 bucks), heated seat (another 50), bigger screen (125), Zteve's heat shield (74) and... oh, yes, about 1000 gallons of fuel good for about all the mileage I've done so far... 

[update] I'm getting a K16GTL for this weekend (Friday 14th to Monday 17th Sept.). If somebody has a specific question about some feature of the bike, please let me know and I'll pay particular attention to it.

[eng943]

There seem to be two problems that can be considered somewhat common.  One is leaky water pumps - they don't fail but they leak.  Second is the handlebar controls (electrical).  They can strand the bike, but most folks say that if you let them sit an hour or so they start working again.  In both cases, it has been reported that they have upgraded the units and hopefully have cured the problems.

I would say that these problems are no worse than many of the Japanese bikes.  Early GL1800 Goldwings had frames that broke (not good at all) and cooling issues along with some minor other issues.  The FJR's had problems with the ignition switch, the infamous "ticking" problems in the valve train, and some other minor problems.  The Concours had the infamous KIPASS problems that could strand you, along with the other more minor issues like cooking your lower legs.

I'm the first to say that I consider Japanese vehicles to have the best reliability - and I've owned more than most.  But I'm not convinced the BMW's are significantly worse.

This:

I owned a K16Gt and frequented the forums. Yes, a few had some leaky water pumps, and switch issues. Nothing epidemic out out of scope with a search of this forum.