K16

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I'm considering buying a K16 GTLE as my dear wife is going to have yet another try at understanding my love of motorcycling.
I've seen a couple of decent examples under £10,000, both around the 20k miles. One had a new gearbox fitted by a BMW dealer about 2,000 miles ago the other is on the original gearbox. I'm kind of leaning towards the one that has had the gear box replaced but don't really know why, other than previous test rides on early K16s have shown them all to have a horrible clunk when rolling off the throttle.

Aside from the 'characterful' gearboxes is there anything else I need to be aware of please?

 

[newboy]

I am so tempted myself next year in addition to Lady P.. I love the look and miss a rocket powered K bike...

Speak to Wapping - I think he had a couple...

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Cheers Pete. I'm kinda banking on Richard's input as well as a few others.

 

[Rick 1600]

I have a 2015 GT. My cruise control switches packed in at 6000 miles. They are the same switches as on all other BMW's . No other problems. Fantastic one or two up. Great engine and 50 mpg. 150 mph two up with panniers and top box full.....in Germany...
I've not had any overheating problems apart from a stone stuck in the fan. Gearbox is ok, still a little clunky.
I love it and not everyone has one...

 

[Wapping]

I am on my second GT.

The first bike had the 'egg beater' effect from the gearbox / drive that was common to the first edition of the bike. The bike would also clunk sometimes. I can't say it overly bothered me over thousands of miles.

My first bike had the usual water pump leak (early models) and the radiator cap replaced (several BMW bikes) along with new nearside switch gear (several bikes in the BMW range) but not the failure of the starter button switch. The bike always pulled to the left and overheated due to accumulation of muck in the area of the radiator's lower third. It drank a bit of oil; some of the early bikes did, some didn't.

My new bike has none of these issues, though I am sure it will overheat eventually if I don't keep the radiator clear. None of the problems put me off buying the second bike at all, nor did they ever put me off riding the first bike. What else? My latest bike has the keyless ignition, which works very well with the central locking. It also has the hill start, something I thought might be just a gimmick but I now find really useful, used like a car's handbrake.

The rest is probably well known: Great power, fantastic handling along all sorts of roads from motorways, to twisties, around hairpins, down small gnarly country lanes, in busy traffic. Good luggage. All day long comfort. Tidy ergonomics. Plenty of weight at 320 kg. Buy and above all use with confidence.

PS I have never seen 50 mpg.

 

[Toddmeister]

The rest is probably well known: Great power, fantastic handling along all sorts of roads from motorways, to twisties, around hairpins, down small country lanes, in busy traffic..

You forgot tiny French unsurfaced bridleway like lanes Richard!
Just like the ones you have to take in the Morvan when you've missed a turning on the Satnav and decide to take the next available right to loop back round

 

[Wapping]

Them too.

Oh.... And it eats tyres.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

If she's undecided

Just get a cheap R1100/1150 RT and see if she likes it

If not, flog it

Don't spunk a load of money on a fancy bike on the off chance

Women are fickle

Or just tell her - to get on the GSA & lump it

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Excellent feedback, thanx chaps, exactly what I was looking for.

If she's undecided

Just get a cheap R1100/1150 RT and see if she likes it

If not, flog it

Don't spunk a load of money on a fancy bike on the off chance

Women are fickle

Or just tell her - to get on the GSA & lump it

I hear what you're saying JB but I've had 2 x RTs and she didn't really enjoy going on those. She's not from biking stock so has never really understood why anyone would want to go anywhere on a motorbike when you have a nice warm comfortable car on your drive.
The thing is she keeps seeing what brilliant holidays I have & what great friends I've made through biking & wants to enjoy the experiences with me, & I'd love her to come along.
We've (I've) decided that as we're getting a bit older & have a bit of spare cash we'll give it one last go & chuck a few quid at it try to give her the best possible chance of enjoying it.
She's spent some time trying on various new clothing, a new jacket & gloves were bought for her last Saturday from Balderstones & we're going to Norwich next weekend to buy her some new trousers, we'll then look at getting her a new crash helmet.
The GSA is a great bike but IMO the K16 GTL with it's heated seats, big topbox with padding, radio/ipod player etc all give her the best possible chance of enjoying the whole experience. Ultimately if she still doesn't get on with it then we'll both know we've done our best to make it work.

 

[oddshapedballs]

I'm considering buying a K16 GTLE as my dear wife is going to have yet another try at understanding my love of motorcycling.
I've seen a couple of decent examples under £10,000, both around the 20k miles. One had a new gearbox fitted by a BMW dealer about 2,000 miles ago the other is on the original gearbox. I'm kind of leaning towards the one that has had the gear box replaced but don't really know why, other than previous test rides on early K16s have shown them all to have a horrible clunk when rolling off the throttle.

Aside from the 'characterful' gearboxes is there anything else I need to be aware of please?

Have you considered a Honda ST1300 Pan European?

Bulletproof and a lovely V4 coupled to a silky box.

 

[GADGET]

Sounds just like the situation I'm in Bill, so far, my Mrs has only been prepared to fly out and join me somewhere in the sun, but not too much travelling on a bike.

Don't forget to look at a heated jacket, I bought nice BMW one for my Mrs, but she hasn't been anywhere cold enough to wear it! In fact, I've bought her loads of kit that hasn't really been worn much. john

 

[brut33]

Excellent feedback, thanx chaps, exactly what I was looking for.



I hear what you're saying JB but I've had 2 x RTs and she didn't really enjoy going on those. She's not from biking stock so has never really understood why anyone would want to go anywhere on a motorbike when you have a nice warm comfortable car on your drive.
The thing is she keeps seeing what brilliant holidays I have & what great friends I've made through biking & wants to enjoy the experiences with me, & I'd love her to come along.
We've (I've) decided that as we're getting a bit older & have a bit of spare cash we'll give it one last go & chuck a few quid at it try to give her the best possible chance of enjoying it.
She's spent some time trying on various new clothing, a new jacket & gloves were bought for her last Saturday from Balderstones & we're going to Norwich next weekend to buy her some new trousers, we'll then look at getting her a new crash helmet.
The GSA is a great bike but IMO the K16 GTL with it's heated seats, big topbox with padding, radio/ipod player etc all give her the best possible chance of enjoying the whole experience. Ultimately if she still doesn't get on with it then we'll both know we've done our best to make it work.

Not for everyone, but have you considered a combination.
Your wife not being a bike enthusiast, may warm to the security of a side car as opposed to a pillion.

...but like I said, not for everyone.

 

[newboy]

Sounds just like the situation I'm in Bill, so far, my Mrs has only been prepared to fly out and join me somewhere in the sun, but not too much travelling on a bike.

Don't forget to look at a heated jacket, I bought nice BMW one for my Mrs, but she hasn't been anywhere cold enough to wear it! In fact, I've bought her loads of kit that hasn't really been worn much. john

Same here - she got very wet and has hated that aspect since...

Next try - Death Valley - surely no rain there!!

 

[Wapping]

If she didn't like motorbiking sat on an RT, I can't see why there might be a sudden conversion through riding on a 1600GTL, other than it's larger and heavier. Though I am happy to be proved wrong.

Before buying one. I'd try to find a friendly dealer who would lend / rent me one for a week to try out. Then go away for a week with her on the back. If she's sold, buy it. If she is anywhere near disliking it, don't buy it.... Or buy it because YOU want it but are prepared to accept that you won't have a pillion.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Mrs C moved from the 'comfort' of the pad stuck to the back box on a GSA to the luxurious accommodation of the GTL. She's very happy.

 

[spm0912]

Bill, Judith was originally a reluctant pillion. Ended up getting a K1200LT, heated seat and backrest, foot boards , electric centre stand so she could dismount securely and a cosseted seating position soon swayed her. Took me ages to wean her off it but as you know she'll now sit happily on the back of my GSA all day
The GTL version is probably the better pillion bike but more expensive and more niche, GT more flexible. If I didn't have to commute into London I'd consider a GT

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Some interesting feedback, thanx Comrades.
She won't go anywhere near an outfit, a friend has one & she won't even take a small spin around the village in that.
I did consider a Pan European, I'm a big fan of Honda bikes, but don't see that this would be a great deal different from the RT tbh.
If it worked for Judith & Mrs. C., it may work for Sarah.
As for buying it & it still not being right for her; well I've always fancied a K16, though I think I'd prefer a GT. If I lose a few ££££s on the experiment it's not the end of the world. Having said that................

I am struggling in making a decision as to whether or not to proceed. In essence, buying the K16 would mean working a year longer & I really, really don't like my job at all. On the other hand who knows how long we have on this mortal coil & as I consistently tell anyone else in my currect dilemna 'There are no pockets in shrouds'.
I am fluctuating wildly from 'Just buy it' to 'Don't be so ridiculous'.
Head or heart? Head or heart?

I've just spoken with one of the dealers selling one of the bikes & he's prepared to knock the price down to £9,350 so that hasn't helped.

Once again though chaps, thanx again for the feedback, it is all useful.

Sounds just like the situation I'm in Bill, so far, my Mrs has only been prepared to fly out and join me somewhere in the sun, but not too much travelling on a bike.

Don't forget to look at a heated jacket, I bought nice BMW one for my Mrs, but she hasn't been anywhere cold enough to wear it! In fact, I've bought her loads of kit that hasn't really been worn much. john

You need to get yourself a K16.

 

[oddshapedballs]

When you take/took it out for a test ride did you get off, stand back, and admire it? Did you get that "kin ell' that's a great looking bike" thing! If so, buy it, if not, move on. Otherwise every time you're out you'll look back at it and think "maybe I should've bought....."

 

[Wapping]

As for buying it & it still not being right for her; well I've always fancied a K16, though I think I'd prefer a GT.

Besides its slightly more American 'Bling tourer' styling and a bit of an alteration to the ergonomics of the bike, I can't see that your wife would be that much more comfortable on the GTLE over the GT. If, it's the bike you want - and your wife really a bit of a secondary consideration - buy the GT.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

When you take/took it out for a test ride did you get off, stand back, and admire it? Did you get that "kin ell' that's a great looking bike" thing! If so, buy it, if not, move on. Otherwise every time you're out you'll look back at it and think "maybe I should've bought....."

I've not taken it for a spin yet, but I have ridden plenty in the past. And she is soooo beautiful.

Besides its slightly more American 'Bling tourer' styling and a bit of an alteration to the ergonomics of the bike, I can't see that your wife would be that much more comfortable on the GTLE over the GT. If, it's the bike you want - and your wife really a bit of a secondary consideration - buy the GT.

That's kind of the point though Richard. Sarah is the main consideration in the potential purchase of the K16 GTLE, but again I take on board what you're saying about the GT.

Should I take into account the fact that one has had the gearbox changed & the other hasn't? Is this a good thing, a bad thing, or entirely irrelevant?