I test rode the BMW K1600 Bagger

[ledany]

And I loved it ! Sorry the pic is upside down, I forgot how to fix that 



The bike is powerful (160 HP, no speed limitation whatsoever), very comfortable, easy to handle at any speed (sorry for you, GW 2018 !), giving this extraordinary feeling  of safety (brakes, grip, power, ergo, ESA).

Luckily, the bike is truly much too expensive for me (twice the price of the Valk), not to mention the small and unreliable BMW dealer's net, the maintenance costs, the bugs etc. But it was really a great fun to ride !! Yes, the handlebar is ugly, the bags not that big and the radio can't match my Bose QC earphones, the sound not as cool as before but who cares ?  So much fun ! 

[sleepngbear]

Definitely a nice looking machine with all the right numbers -- except the price tag. That alone makes it a nonstarter for me. But that doesn't mean I'd pass up a chance at a test ride. 

[Kidd]

I want one .

Does the windshield   adjust up and  down ??

Anyway to get 200hp , 40 more ?

[Robert]

Good looking bike and like you before I bought my Valk I was interested in the BMW K 1600 GTL, thats when I started to do some research. The price was high, there were maintenance and mechanical problems, the small dealers network, no ability to self repair or diagnose all contributed to me buying the Valk. The scan tool to diagnose the BMW is 15k and no self diagnose feature is available. Now if you get out on the road somewhere and something happens you are screwed.

[bscrive]

Yep Robert, that is the real beauty of the Valkyrie.  You don't have to worry about breakdowns and if it does, the Honda dealerships are plentiful.

I too looked at the K1600 GT when I was looking, but I like to modify my bikes and the warranty did not allow it on the BMW.  You have to sign, as part of the purchase agreement, that modification with anything other than BMW approved accessories will void your warranty.  No go for me.

[dans2014]

I as well rode one. Finest bagger in the world. Made my Valk feel dangerous on handling and brakes. I will probably get the new Goldwing because of the Japanese quality. Cost is almost the same for either brand when you match accessories. BMW also has the finest warranty for claims. I have a friend that's been a service writer for many brands for 24 years and BMW has the best response, no haggle rock solid claim service. Unfortunately they should cause your going to need it. None of the brands are cheap to fix. I just bought a 1987 Yamaha Venture Royal that is like new. Comfy and plenty of gadgets and settings but way top heavy compared to a Goldwing or the layed over BMW six. I'll sell it this fall. Plates are $100 a year and insurance is $77 a year and with 34,000 miles, lots left in it.

[Robert]

I too looked at the K1600 GT when I was looking, but I like to modify my bikes and the warranty did not allow it on the BMW.  You have to sign, as part of the purchase agreement, that modification with anything other than BMW approved accessories will void your warranty.  No go for me.

I didnt know that, glad you said something that right there would be the deal breaker regardless of anything else. It means no aftermarket parts mfgs. I can kind of understand it for engine or electrical parts but not any other parts. They are so integrated and its part of the manufactures controlling their products that I even wonder if they would sell you certain parts if you could repair your own bike.

If  you broke down on the road with your Valk it will tell you whats wrong with the check engine light flashing. Just turn on the key watch the check engine light and count the flashes. Those flashes are the codes that the computer on the bike says are whats wrong. Go to the store pick up the part replace and your on your way.

 The BMW to get these codes requires a 15k scanner that is the difference in being user friendly. So if you break down with a BMW tow it to a dealer, wait for them to get around to it while you stay in some motel or cancel your trip. Pay a 150.00 an hour labor charge plus the part.

This is the difference in the companies, One company puts the control in the hands of the owner and tells the owner whats wrong so they can fix it by either bringing it to the dealer or repairing it themselves.
 
The other makes you take it to the dealer so you have no option or control over your own bike when it has a problem. That is not for me.

I dont know the repair record of the BMW but I have heard different stories from ok to terrible and since I ride all the time I dont think I would be a happy camper.

[ledany]

@kidd : yes, the windshield is electrically ajustable. It could be bigger but in that case it would be out of style ?  It's higher than the one on the F6B anyway.



200 HP ? I don't think it's possible officially, remember the 100 mph limitation on the Gran America. No dealer would accept to modify the ECU for traceability reasons. Some have a power commander on their K1300 S though.

@Robert : I don't know why you say 15K. On the K44 series (K1200 -1300 R/GT) and R series (R1200 GS/A) the scanner is the GS 211 which costs around 400 € I think.
But the truth is that yes, you must not upgrade your bike, change your pads, oil yourself because they say it may ruin your warranty. In fact, it really depends on the relationship you have with your dealer and it's true that the dealers in France are less and less reliable, they are more salesmen than true bikers.

But boy, what a bike ! 

[Robert]

I agree its nice almost like that woman that looks so good you have to have her till you come to the upkeep and maintenance  






As for the scan tools they did not have them aftermarket when I was looking at the bike and although it just the interface and you still need a computer the 5 to 8 hundred mark is much better than the 15k. But still not as good as Honda's no cost.

Not to mention diagnosing and coding are 2 different things. You may be able to scan the modules that are bad on your bike but once you buy and replace the offending module it still has to be coded to the bike. That is a factory level tool and it does not allow to update or alter any factory set parameters on the bike which will void the warranty again.

[ledany]

I agree Robert (except for your exemple of course  ). The thing  is that you don't and you can't use tools on modern BMWs because you don't have the tools. I used to have my K1200 R and K1200 GT maintenance at a small suburbian dealer ; he lost the tag I think because he was not ready to invest the huge amount of money BMW wanted him to. I wanted to carry on the maintenance there but he had given away the tools. There are only 5 BMW dealers in Paris intra-muros and I don't like them.

If you want to change the plugs, you have to take down the water cooler (and you must do this every 12,000 km) !

My Valk has 56,000 mls on the clock, halfway of the bike's life I guess. A K16 this mileage is an old bike.

[Former BMW Guy]

Funny.
You guys can talk yourselves out of almost anything.
I don't even know where to start to pick your misinformed comments apart so I'll leave it at that.

JP

[Robert]

Always interested in learning so chime in.

In reality the bike is nice and when I was considering a replacement for my 1500 Valk it was in the running. But, at twice the price of my 1800 Valk I dont see the 12k worth of value. This along with the Goldwings reliability were the 2 factors that really did it for me. I see alot of old Wings still running but not many BMWs.

To its plus, is it smoother, yes, quicker, yes, adjustable windshield, yes, good looking, yes, electronic key and alarm, yes, suspension adjustable electronically, yes, engine power adjustable yes, do I need all that NO, nor all that comes with all those bells and whistles.

So I have not talked myself out of anything and acknowledge it is a good bike, but to me, I like the BMW but, I love my Valk. I am tired of complex especially when I keep my toys for a long time and use them everyday and do my own maintenance and repair.   

[dans2014]

All I can say is ride one before judging. It's awesome. Buy as much warranty as offered and enjoy. BMW pays for the tow, motel and parts while under warranty

[Robert]

BMW pays for the tow, motel and parts while under warranty

You sure about that?