BMW K 1600 GTL Complaints

72 consumer complaints on file.

#11098192May 27, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS VEHICLE IS A MOTORCYCLE. WHEN STARTING ENGINE FROM A STATIONARY POSITION, WHILE IN NEUTRAL, THE THROTTLE GETS STUCK REVVING AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM. CAN'T SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL OR DECELERATE/ACELERATE THROTTLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11097731May 24, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN TURNING THE ENGINE ON THROTTLE DOSE NOT RESPOND, IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES NOTIFY DEALER THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11082340April 1, 2018
STEERING
BMW INTRODUCED THE K1600 MOTORCYCLE IN 2011. AT THAT TIME CLOSE TO 50% OF THE UNITS SURVEYED (210 OUT OF 424) WANT TO STEER LEFT (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC), UNLESS YOU COUNTER STEER TO THE RIGHT. HERE IS A LINK TO THE ONLINE POLL AND SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION BY THE OWNERS: HTTP://WWW.K1600FORUM.COM/FORUM/BMW-K1600-GENERAL-DISCUSSIONS/1425-BIKE-PULLS-ONE-SIDE-POLL.HTML I JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2018 K1600B BMW MOTORCYCLE AND IT TOO WANTS TO DRIFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, UNLESS THE BIKE IS STEERED TO THE RIGHT. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT, SO ANY DISTRACTION CAN CAUSE THE BIKE TO VEER TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ADDITIONALLY, IT WILL CAUSE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, INCREASING COSTS TO THE CONSUMER FOR NEW TIRES ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2011 AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT IN OVER 7 YEARS. BEFORE I PURCHASED THE BIKE, I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK TO ENSURE THE BIKE DID NOT PULL TO THE LEFT AND WAS ASSURED IT WOULD BE DONE. AS IT WAS ONLY 20 DEGREES WHEN I PICKED UP THE BIKE I HAD TO TRAILER IT HOME. BUT, UPON DOING THE FIRST RIDE, SURE ENOUGH IT DRIFTS TO THE LEFT. I WOULD LIKE BMW TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE BIKES THAT PULL TO ONE SIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11082379April 1, 2018
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWNED A 2012 MODEL OF THIS BIKE FEW YEARS BACK AND I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS ONLY APPARENT IN THIS MODEL OF BMW BRAND BIKES. THIS PROBLEM WELL KNOWN IN THE BMW RIDERS COMMUNITY AS "PULLING TOTHE LEFT" ISSUE ONLY ON K1600GTL MODEL BIKES SINCE YEARS. SOME PULLS EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND SOME MILDER. BMW IGNORES IT YET ALL SERVICE CENTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AT LEAST HALF OF THE BIKES OF THIS MODELS ON THE ROADS ARE EFFECTED. BIKE REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO TRACK A STRAIGHT LINE ON A STRAIGHT AWAY ROAD. IF PRESSURE EVEN SLIGHTLY RELEASE BIKE MOVES ON TO THE LEFT AND ON A SINGLE LANE ROADS IT MEANS TOWARDS TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HOPE BMW IS NOT WAITING TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IF ALL CURRENT AND PAST BMW K1600GTL OWNERS WERE SURVEYED I AM SURE YOU'LL FIND AT LEAST 50% OF THEM WILL SAY YES THEY HAVE THIS ISSUE. BUT NOT MANY ARE AWARE THAT THEY CAN NOTIFY AUTHORITIES LIKE YOU GUYS AND ONLY COMPLAIN IT TO THEIR SERVICE CENTERS AND WHEN BMW SAYS "TOUGH LUCK" THEY KEEP CONTINUE TO RIDE THEIR $30,000 BIKES THEY ARE STUCK WITH. NO OTHER SIMILARLY DESIGNED BMW TOURING BIKES HAVE THIS ISSUE. SO IT IS A MODEL SPECIFIC PROBLEM. SAME WAS ON A 2012 MODEL AND 6 YEARS LATER STILL SAME PROBLEM EXIST ON A 2018 MODEL. THIS SYMPTOM CAUSING FATIGUE ON LONG RIDES WHICH RESULTING LESS PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HANDLE BAR AND AS A CHAIN REACTION BIKE BEGINS TO PULL LEFT MORE AND MORE AGGRESSIVELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11065815January 30, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MOTORCYCLE HAS A DELAY IN WIRELESS THROTTLE WHICH WILL NOT ENGAGE ENGINE CAUSING DELAYS IN TAKING OFF & CAUSING VEHICLE IN-OP & LAYING MOTORCYCLE DOWN FROM LACK OF POWER OR RUNNING, 1 ST TIME IN PARKING LOT WITH PASSENGER NO THROTTLE RESPONSE ,HURT LEFT KNEE & LEG TRYING TO KEEP MOTORCYCLE UP RIGHT WITHOUT GOING DOWN SINCE NO ENGINE RESPONSE, 2 ND TIME DELAY CAUSED ME ALMOST TO GO DOWN IN INNER SECTION & TO CAUSE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO BAIL OUT & DO UNSAFE LANE CHANGE SO NOT TO HIT ME & MY WIFE,THEN TRIED TO USE REVERSE WITCH STUCK IN 3RD GEAR, & BROKE ,HAS BEEN IN DEALERS SERVICE DEPT SINCE JANUARY FOR NO PARTS AVAIL FOR REVERSE REPAIR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11056276December 24, 2017
ENGINE
THE BIKE WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND 18,000 MILES AND BROKE 3 OF THE 6 PISTONS SO INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE MOTOR THEN, THEY DECIDED TO REBUILD WITH NEW PISTONS NOW ONLY 2 YEARS LATER MORE PISTON TROUBLE ONLY 12,000 MILES THIS TIME NOW BMW SAYS ITS OUT OF WARENTY !!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11001665June 27, 2017
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW K 1600 GTL MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EUROTEK-OKC BMW, DUCATI, & TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES (417 HUDIBURG CIR C, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73108) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL AND ORIGINATED FROM EITHER THE GEAR BOX OR THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10995023June 13, 2017
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
1. THE MOTORCYCLES PULLS TO THE LEFT. CONSTANT CORRECTION IS STRESSFUL ON HIGHWAYS AND TAXES ONE'S MUSCLES. 2. ENGINE HAS A TICKING NOISE (VALVE CHATTERING) AT 3000-3500 RPM BAND (FIRST NOTICED AT 8000 MILES) AND DEALER/MANUFACTURER IS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE ARE LOTS OF K1600 ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE AND BMW HAS NO RESOLUTION FOR THIS. 3. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL - FIRST OBSERVED AT APPROX 16000 MILES (IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIRD SERVICE) - THE MOTORCYCLE DOES NOT SLOT INTO 2ND AND NEUTRAL GEARS WITH PRECISION. FIRST GEAR HAS A LOUD CLUNK SOUND ON ENGAGING AND SOMETIMES CLUTCH DO NOT DISENGAGE FULLY ENOUGH THOUGH I WOULD DEPRESS THE LEVER FULLY. AT TIMES GEAR CHANGE REQUESTS ARE ABORTED AS THE GEAR CHANGE ENTERS LIMBO STATE. THE GEARBOX AND CLUTCH DO NOT WORK IN TANDEM FOR SMOOTH UPSHIFTS. AT STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC FINDING NEUTRAL BY ROCKING GEAR LEVER IS A PAIN. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY LOT AT GEAR INDICATOR TO CONFIRM IS UPSHIFT WAS EXECUTED FROM 1ST TO 2ND (OR IS IT IN A LIMBO - NOT EVEN NEUTRAL). DURING THIS SITUATION THERE IS LOUD MECHANICAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN I WOULD WANT TO SLOT TO SECOND GEAR AND COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO UPSHIFT GO IN VAIN. BEEN RIDING FOR YEARS AND I KNOW ALL TIMING TECHNIQUES BUT A MISSED UPSHIFT PUTS ME AT RISK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10724639June 10, 2015
STEERING
THE MOTORCYCLE PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT (TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC) WHEN LIGHT PRESSURE IS USED ON THE HANDLEBARS. THE VEHICLE BASICALLY DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT ON ITS OWN WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO COUNTERACT THE EFFECT. BMW WAS CONTACTED VIA MY LOCAL BMW LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD BE ANOTHER FACTOR WITH THE BIKE (TIRES, EXCESSIVE LOAD ON ONE SIDE, ETC.). BMW'S RESPONSE WAS THAT I SHOULD ADD WEIGHT TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE TO MITIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND THAT ALL OF THESE K1600 MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE TO VARYING DEGREES. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE BIKE DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT AND SIGNIFICANTLY PULLS TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586473May 4, 2014
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE FORCED TO GO OFF THE ROAD ON LEFT SHOULDER TO AVOID BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WE COASTED ACROSS TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHEN IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE STILL WORKING, JUST NOT THE ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10577912April 7, 2014
STEERING
THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A HARD LEFT PULL, AND HAS HAD IT FROM DAY OF DELIVERY. BMW HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO FIX. THE REQUIREMENT TO CONSTANTLY COUNTERSTEER CAN BE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576066March 31, 2014
STEERING, WHEELS
SINCE NEW IN JUNE 2013, THE MOTORCYCLE HAS PULLED TO THE LEFT AT ALL SPEEDS REQUIRING CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. FATIGUE IN THE RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER IS NOTICEABLE AND A MOMENT OF INATTENTION ON A RIDE WOULD LEAD TO THE MOTORCYCLE SWERVING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE BMW DEALER CONSIDERS THIS TO BE NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557848December 30, 2013
STEERING
THE MOTORCYCLE DOES NOT NATURALLY STEER STRAIGHT. IT REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT RIGHT HANDLEBAR PRESSURE TO KEEP IT STEERING STRAIGHT WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY AND A HEALTH HAZARD. WITHOUT THIS ADDITIONAL RIGHT HANDLEBAR PRESSURE, THE MOTORCYCLE QUICKLY STEERS TO THE LEFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549579October 25, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW K 1600 GT 2012 ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543150September 11, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THE MOTORCYCLE "PULLS" SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN MOTION RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND PAIN IN ARMS AND SHOULDERS FROM CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. THE BIKE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPORT THAT BMW DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10541996September 5, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
UNABLE TO LOWER WIND SCREEN. LEFT HAND SWITCH FAILED, SCREEN STUCK IN LOWER POSITION SUBJECTING RIDER AND PASSENGER TO HEAVY RAIN AND WIND DURING CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. THE SWITCHES ON THE BMW K1600 MOTORCYCLES OFTEN FAIL, E.G. BIKE TURNS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, TURN SIGNAL INOPERABLE. DEALER, MORTON'S BMW TELLS ME THESE SWITCHES CONTINUE TO FAIL ON NUMEROUS K1600S. SWITCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 6 WEEKS OF BEING "ON ORDER" *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542125September 5, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, WHEN I WENT TO PASS A CAR. I TWISTED THE THROTTLE AND THE BIKE BEGAN TO GAIN SPEED NORMALLY, AND THEN SUDDENLY IT LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC AND COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ACTUALLY STILL RUNNING, BUT THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, MEANT THE ENGINE HAD GONE INTO "EMERGENCY OPERATION MODE." AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF AND RESTARTING A FEW TIMES, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT, THEY SAID THE HISTORY CONFIRMED THAT THE BIKE HAD LOST ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FOR THE FLY-BY-WIRE SYSTEM, BUT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY NOW. THEY WERE UNABLE TO SUGGEST ANY POSSIBLE CAUSES OR FIXES FOR THE PROBLEM, OR PREDICT WHEN, OR IF, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECH LITERALLY SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AT ME AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I KNOW MOTORCYCLES ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS, BUT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING FLAW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538182August 31, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT TURN OFF BY SWITCH ONCE ACTIVATED. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS TRAFFIC COULD ENTER FROM THE RIGHT OR LEFT ASSUMING THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR INTENDS TO TURN, CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A BROADSIDE COLLISION WHICH WOULD LIKELY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THE TURN SIGNAL FIRST PRESENTED THIS DEFECT DURING A RELATIVELY HOT DAY (90 DEGREE) AND DURING COOLER WEATHER WORKED NORMALLY. NOW THE CONDITION IS MORE RECURRING EVEN AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS PART OF THE LEFT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HOUSING. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536276August 20, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THIS HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN 400 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525985July 21, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE SWITCH FOR THE SIGNALS ( LEFT TURN ) STOP FUNCTIONING. I WAS 30 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO USE HAND SIGNALS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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