BMW K1600GT & GTL

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Don, unfortunately after the mass exodus a couple of years ago, all my experienced contacts are gone. I did see some OEM service manual listings on ebay, not cheap, but that's all I can suggest at the moment. I will keep my ears to the ground and will let you know if I have any news. Very interesting that Volvo was involved with the design, I learned something today!!

 
Don, unfortunately after the mass exodus a couple of years ago, all my experienced contacts are gone. I did see some OEM service manual listings on ebay, not cheap, but that's all I can suggest at the moment. I will keep my ears to the ground and will let you know if I have any news. Very interesting that Volvo was involved with the design, I learned something today!!
Mi Amigo Raymundo, If you see an ebay OEM service manual specific to the 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel for under $125, please give me a shout out to Cell: 480-440-4666 or [email protected] I've NEVER seen in print, from Chrysler or Car&Driver or R&T etc., that Volvo indeed was the designing firm for my 2.8L CRD; just told that by the Airpark Salesman and a Darner Service Tech. This will be my last automobile purchase, bikes only until they plant me: So I want my SUV to last! Though I won't! Ha!

 
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Mi ******* step-pappy - KING of off topic.

Volvo diesels in a Jeep in the BMW thread. Aye Carumba!

And I gots to say, as much as I appreciate you letting be borrow your Jeep to go get FJR#3, I was extremely UNDERWHELMED by it's fuel mileage. Especially with the premium one pays for diesel these days.

Of course I am still loving the 45-50+ mpg my VW Golf diesel gets. Better even than my FJR!

 
Back to the K1600GT.......

Kevin Ash has a comprehensive analysis why the K1600GT engine appears to be a bit soft in top gear power (compared to a K1300GT) and it is a combination of gearing and weight, mostly gearing.

https://ashonbikes.com/content/bmw-k1600gt-torque-comparison

For those of you interested in numbers, the overall 6th gear ratio for the G1600GT is 3.5:1, which is very tall and the 6th gear ratio for the K1300GT is a very low 4.46:1.

In comparison, a GENI FJR ratios are 4.67 for 4th and 4.03 for 5th, the GENII FJR ratios are 4.54 for 4th and 3.92 for 5th, and the Concours14 ratios are 4.89 for 4th, 4.09 for 5th, and 3.4 for 6th.

I think the K1600GT's tall gearing is a postive, if someone thinks 6th gear is too tall they can keep the transmission in 5th (which is what I often do with my C14). I test rode the K1300GT a year ago and was pretty impressed with everything except the ESA suspension and the transmission gearing...which to me was a deal breaker, I couldn't see spending that much money for a 1300cc touring bike that was geared like a 750.

 
Canadian MSRP is now up on Motorrad Ca @ $29,225 + $750 freight add a option package and your up over 35 big after taxes,...Have been very interested in the pricing annoucement,...Until now. I know the money market/international trade thing is complicated but with the Can $ hovering @ or above the US,... Why the F am i paying close to $4000 more that my bro in Maine???? The bloody things are prolly arriving in Halifax? Hmmmmmm...Me thinks i might have some people, on the dock's checking shipping doc's in the next couple of mths.

Pissed....

-Don

 
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Canadian MSRP is now up on Motorrad Ca @ $29,225 + $750 freight add a option package and your up over 35 big after taxes,...Have been very interested in the pricing annoucement,...Until now. I know the money market/international trade thing is complicated but with the Can $ hovering @ or above the US,... Why the F am i paying close to $4000 more that my bro in Maine???? The bloody things are prolly arriving in Halifax? Hmmmmmm...Me thinks i might have some people, on the dock's checking shipping doc's in the next couple of mths.

Pissed....

-Don
Brother Don, Having attended BMW Motorcycle Owners Association International Rallies alongside you Canadians for so many years now, I do know that you Frostbacks get the short end of the stick when it comes to BMW pricing. https://www.victorybmw.com/ Here is the listed pricing from Victory BMW located in Chandler, Arizona. If you sweet talk Victory Sales Manager Tom Mueller, he will waive the $750 freight.

So, a USA resident can pick up even the top of the line fully loaded K1600GTL out the door for under $30KUSD. My bare bones K1600GT will be less than $25KUSD. I have no idea who, or whom, along the line in the BMW distribution channel for you Canucks is the one hosing you guys: But someone, or somebody, along the way definitely screws you Canadians on BMW pricing!!!

 
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Guess this will be putting me into a creative thinking and waiting program while reading the ride reports and if any issues arise. If everything is positive with the new model then would consider setting up a possible trusted US counterpart that would be interested in owning a GTL for a short term and gentle break-in with the occasional weekend ride. Light personal contracts would have to be signed with funds in escrow. What are the chances of finding a left over or gently used unit in Mar of 2012, ya never know?

-Don

 
Guess this will be putting me into a creative thinking and waiting program while reading the ride reports and if any issues arise. If everything is positive with the new model then would consider setting up a possible trusted US counterpart that would be interested in owning a GTL for a short term and gentle break-in with the occasional weekend ride. Light personal contracts would have to be signed with funds in escrow. What are the chances of finding a left over or gently used unit in Mar of 2012, ya never know?

-Don
Don, be aware BMW is making it extremely difficult and expensive to get that all important recall letter when you import a bike. Very difficult on newer bikes. Bottom line, they don't want Canucks buying Beemers in the US. Harley is doing something similar.

 
Did anyone else check out Motorrad Ca last night, because after rechecking this afternoon at work, the option pkgs that I'M bloody shure had ESA and the other with Adaptive Headlight that were there last night are gone and the bike is a full load only @ $29,225. My first thought was that I may have been looking at the GT but am positive that there were 3 options for the GTL. A little bit better....Maybe someone heard my screaming?

Don

 
Don I think you are right, although it's been a while since I checked. It appears they will offer the GTL as fully loaded only, and oddly enough, the GT loaded is $1200 less and has a smaller fuel tank. Marketers, love to hate 'em.

 
You can read comments, questions, and answers about the K1600 at: https://www.ashonbikes.com/forum/bmw-k1600-gtgtl?page=8

These are some interesting comments from Kevin Ash in response to a question about the K1600 models and BMW's reliability track record.

Paulvt1 wrote:

Did anyone take the BMW folks to task over some of the more annoying faults that have cropped up over recent years? This is one pricey bike - i would expect build quality to be top notch. Also, will they be offering a Honda VFR style 3 years warranty?

Kevin Ash response:

I've spoken to them about this a few times, including the Motorrad division boss von Kuenheim, and BMW accepts its quality and reliability have been poor recently, citing the worst year as 2008 models, but not good leading up to that. In the last year they've installed an entirely new quality control regime, with extra staff, new system, better controls over suppliers and so on, and they say they're already seeing improvements in warranty claims and expect things to keep getting a lot better. The K1600 is the first bike built under this new regime so it ought to be a lot better. But at this stage we can only 'ought' as nothing but time will say if it's working.

No three year warranty though, which would have been a good statement of confidence in the quality changes.

 
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These are some interesting comments from Kevin Ash in response to a question about the K1600 models and BMW's reliability track record.

Paulvt1 wrote:

Did anyone take the BMW folks to task over some of the more annoying faults that have cropped up over recent years? This is one pricey bike - i would expect build quality to be top notch. Also, will they be offering a Honda VFR style 3 years warranty?

Kevin Ash response:

I've spoken to them about this a few times, including the Motorrad division boss von Kuenheim, and BMW accepts its quality and reliability have been poor recently, citing the worst year as 2008 models, but not good leading up to that. In the last year they've installed an entirely new quality control regime, with extra staff, new system, better controls over suppliers and so on, and they say they're already seeing improvements in warranty claims and expect things to keep getting a lot better. The K1600 is the first bike built under this new regime so it ought to be a lot better. But at this stage we can only 'ought' as nothing but time will say if it's working.

No three year warranty though, which would have been a good statement of confidence in the quality changes.
Many Thanks MCRIDER007, appreciate this BMW inside information! But, the United States DOES get the 3 years warranty unless something has changed just very recently!

My 2009 BMW F650GS Twin just had warranty work done last week, expires 11/21/11! Europe and some other locations have NEVER had the 3 year warranty, as far as I know!

 
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BMWKoolAidMan.jpg


OH, YEAH!!!

 
Here's the Brit mag MCN video review of the k1600GT, bit of wind noise at start but once they get on the bike turn up your speakers and listen to that motor ..... enjoy
I dunno Chris. With you hanging out on this thread so often, we're getting worried... ;)

BTW, more of those scraping sounds around corners. :eek:

--G

 
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