2018 Bmw K 1600 GTL problems and owner complaints

THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A PRONOUNCED PULL TO THE LEFT. SO MUCH SO THAT THE BIKE WILL WANDER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF THERE IS ANY INATTENTION. *KB

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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

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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

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IWHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WILL PULL TO THE LEFT IF YOU DON'T INPUT EFFORT TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT

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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 ADJ…

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AFTER RETURNING FROM A RIDE, I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. I LOCATED DROPS OF FUEL BENEATH THE BIKE AND BEGAN TO TRACE THE LIQUID TO IT'S SOURCE. THE SOURCE WAS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP FLANGE WHERE A THREADED FITTING WAS INSTALLED. BMW ISSUED A RECALL ON 2012 K1600 GTLS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMED MY BIKE WAS PRODUCED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL CUT OFF DATE. MY BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LEAK AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALER, RIDENOW IN CHANDLER ARIZONA PER THE REQUEST OF BMW. AFTER "R…

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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V160000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND WHILE IT WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. MATHIAS BMW (851 COMMERCIAL AVE SE, NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH 44663) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS AWARE OF THE RECALL HOW…

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BMW has an open recall regarding a defective fuel pump. Affected bikes: BMW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL, K 1600 GTL Exclusive (2011-2014) When I contact BMW they tell me my VIN is not affected, but I have 100% confirmed that my fuel pump is leaking gas at a very unsafe rate. My bike year and model matches, and the effected part also matching, including the failure. This can cause my motorbike to turn into flames very easily as soon as it is turned on. I have seen it throw a flame but it stopped soon after. BMW is not willing to help me, even though …

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I noticed a smell of gasoline in my garage. Checking my motorcycle, I found fuel residue on the engine cases. I had a similar problem with an earlier BMW that I owned. My 2009 BMW R1200RT had a recall for a fuel pump replacement that I had done. A couple of years later I experienced a fuel leak. My mechanic replaced the quick disconnect in the line from the fuel tank to the carburetor. I suspect this is the same problem, but I have not had it fixed yet. By the way, when I looked up the VIN on this website, all I got was an error and a note to …

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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 G…

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Started the motorcycle in my garage, then shut it off within a few seconds as soon as I realized that gasoline was streaming at high volume out the bottom of the motorcycle. In seconds I had a 4 foot diameter puddle on the floor of my garage. The exhaust pipes got hot enough in just the few seconds (less than 5 seconds) that the engine was running that the gasoline drops hitting the exhaust pipes were vaporizing. I am very-very lucky the motorcycle did not light itself on fire and since it was in my garage, light my house on fire. Reading the …

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HAD A BAD OIL LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED BY BMW DEALER. BAD OIL AND COOLANT FLUID LEAK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED. THE BIKE WAS OUT OF SERVICE AT THE DEALER FOR 2.5 MONTHS TO FIX IT. *TR

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BMW K1600 GTL 2013 have the same issues that lates model, engine a lot noise and clank engine, unstable when you raided up 70 mph, really dangerous. Have to be responsable and do recalls in all those motorcycles. Thanks.

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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 …

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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.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW K1600. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V-692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

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MY MOTORCYCLE HAD A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE GEARBOX. THE DEALER DECIDED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO RIDE THE BIKE, THAT I SHOULD LEAVE IT UNTIL BMW COMES WITH A SOLUTION. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2019 K1600 GTL SITTING IN SERVICE WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. THE BIKE IS WITH EUROCYCLES OF DAYTONA. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE TIME WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICES TH SOUND COING FROM THE GEARBOX. THIS IS OART OF THE CURRENT TRANSMISSION RECALL. I'VE SPOKEN TO BMW BUT THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION.

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LEFT AND RIGHT HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER QUITS FUNCTIONING. THE LEFT CONTROLLER HOUSES THE HORN, TURN SIGNALS, CRUISE CONTROL, BRIGHT LIGHTS, FOG LAMPS, TRACTION CONTROL, HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS, AND THE DAMPING ON THE MOTORCYCLE AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT ARE NOT SO HAZARDOUS SUCH AS RADIO VOLUME AND WIND SHIELD HEIGHT. RIGHT HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER HOUSES THE ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH, RIDING MODE (RAIN, DRY, DYNAMIC) WHICH CONTROLS THE RESPONSIVE OF THE BIKE, AND LESS CRITICAL ITEMS SUCH AS THE POWER LOCKS FOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENTS. THESE HAVE B…

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At the end of April, 2026, I was using the 'Reverse Gear' function to assist with parking the motorcycle. I needed to move back about 15 feet into the parking spot. As I was moving backward, at approximately 3 to 5 feet, the reverse function suddenly stopped propelling the motorcycle backward causing me to loose balance. I tipped and had to lay the bike down to prevent injury. The lay down caused minor scratching and indentations to the motorcycle. At the time I thought I smelled a burning electronics smell - but can't be certain. Si…

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I am filing this complaint regarding NHTSA Safety Recall 26V214 for my 2021 BMW K1600GTL. The reverse gear system on my motorcycle has completely failed and is currently inoperative. Recall 26V214 concerns the reverse gear control unit. According to the recall, moisture may enter the unit, causing internal corrosion and loss of reverse function. The condition may also cause overheating and, in rare cases, increase the risk of a thermal event or fire. NHTSA currently shows my motorcycle as: “Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available.” For appr…

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THREE (3) K1600 GTL SUDDEN ENGINE CUTOFF EVENTS THAT I EXPERIENCED ON JUNE 14, AND JUNE 16, 2013. THIS DOCUMENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN ON MY 2012 BMW K1600GTL. IN THREE SEPARATE EVENTS, MY K1600GTL ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT FULL SPEED (75 MPH, 55 MPH) WHILE ON THE THROTTLE WITH NO ADVANCE NOTICE. ALL THREE EVENTS WERE 'ON THE THROTTLE' EVENTS - NOT COASTING. THE BIKE ENGINE SHUTDOWN ABRUPTLY AND THE BIKE JOLTED FORWARD. I HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION DURING ALL THREE EVENTS TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONSIDER THEM TO BE SIGNIFICANT…

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BMW K1600 GTL 2013 have the same issues that lates model, engine a lot noise and clank engine, unstable when you raided up 70 mph, really dangerous. Have to be responsable and do recalls in all those motorcycles. Thanks.

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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

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE PROBLEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF ROAD AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS INDETERMINATELY AND FELT UNSAFE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED …

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ON TURNING ON THE IGNITION KEY IN MY GARAGE, THE FUEL PUMP WAS AUDIBLE, AND THE BIKE FAILED TO START WHEN THE STARTER BUTTON WAS PRESSED. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED A VERY LARGE TORRENT OF GASOLINE POURING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE, RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST HEADERS, WHICH WERE FORTUNATELY NOT YET HOT. THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE LOST WAS AROUND 1 LITER, BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY. FORTUNATELY, NO FIRE RESULTED AS I ROLLED THE BIKE OUT OF THE POOL OF GASOLINE AND ON OUT OF THE GARAGE. AFTER THE BIKE WAS…

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The contact owns a 2013 BMW K1600 GTL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

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The contact owns a 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL Motorcycle. The contact stated fuel was leaking from intake. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).

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THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A PRONOUNCED PULL TO THE LEFT. SO MUCH SO THAT THE BIKE WILL WANDER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF THERE IS ANY INATTENTION. *KB

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WHILE RIDING THE BMW MOTORCYCLE THERE IS A PRONOUNCED PULL TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE HIGHER THE SPEED THE GREATER THE PULL IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE APRIL 2014. DIFFERENT TIRES AND CHANGING THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE MAKES NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEFT PULL.

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IWHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WILL PULL TO THE LEFT IF YOU DON'T INPUT EFFORT TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. WHILE RIDING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WOBBLING IN THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION WAS MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE RIDING BEHIND A HIGH PROFILE VEHICLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAND JUNCTION BMW (LOCATED AT 2747 CROSSROADS BLVD, GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81506, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2018 BMW GRAND AMERICA THAT EXPERIENCED …

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WHILE RIDING THE BMW MOTORCYCLE THERE IS A PRONOUNCED PULL TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE HIGHER THE SPEED THE GREATER THE PULL IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE APRIL 2014. DIFFERENT TIRES AND CHANGING THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE MAKES NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEFT PULL.

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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 …

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