The BMW demo truck is going to be at Grassroots BMW about an hour from me next weekend. I think I'll go see if they will give me a nine year, unlimited mileage warranty on a new Beemer.
Go buy one, I am sure you will regret it much sooner than later.
Please explain your reasoning. I can guess, but I'd rather not.
Because it is a BMW......because it is a BMW.
I've been watching your web site for a couple of months now and just signed up last week. I have found quite a bit of useful information regarding my 09 C14. Just thought I would throw my two cents in regarding the BMW. I have never owned a BMW, but I rode them for a northwest area law enforcement agency for fourteen years. I rode the RTP's from 98 to 2010 and can tell you that I would never be able to afford the costs for service and maintenance on them had the department not picked up the tab. I never had an issue with the bikes other than a lack of horse power for our application. The RT's were great with low speed maneuvering and handled well on the track when we took them to P.I.R. Much better than the KZ 1000's or Harley Davidsons. The cost of maintenance is one of the factors that have had some agencies switching from the RTP's to the C-14 police bikes. That and the cost of admission. A BMW RTP ready for the street is about 31K.
I wonder what replacement parts costs are like? The only experience I have with BMW parts is buying valve adjustment shims. They were 22.00 each instead of the normal 5-6. However, the service manager traded us for the ones we needed.
The BMW demo truck is going to be at Grassroots BMW about an hour from me next weekend. I think I'll go see if they will give me a nine year, unlimited mileage warranty on a new Beemer.
- never ever be a beta tester for any manufacturer , worse of all , bmw.
Got that right! 3rd year minimum. That's why I'm on a 2010 C14 not an 08.
Maybe 54000 miles is still under the breakin period? There is a reason why the black version wasn't offered until 2009
Hmmmmm.....and we 2008 owners have had so many problems.
Hmmmmm.....and we 2008 owners have had so many problems.
- hello. Even the most cursory glance at the k1600 forums will net you a laundry list of the issues that they are experiencing with the k16 and also bmw's handling of these issues.
- at least they have a warranty to "rely" on now. imagine when the warranty runs out.
- never ever be a beta tester for any manufacturer , worse of all , bmw.
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Sorry, didn't mean to malign gen one owners. Just stating MHO. There were some significant improvements with gen 2. Engine heat routing and mirror placement come to mind. If I were inclined to go with a K1600 I would wait for at least 2014 model. I bet there are some fixes.
There seem to be two problems that can be considered somewhat common. One is leaky water pumps - they don't fail but they leak. Second is the handlebar controls (electrical). They can strand the bike, but most folks say that if you let them sit an hour or so they start working again. In both cases, it has been reported that they have upgraded the units and hopefully have cured the problems.
I would say that these problems are no worse than many of the Japanese bikes. Early GL1800 Goldwings had frames that broke (not good at all) and cooling issues along with some minor other issues. The FJR's had problems with the ignition switch, the infamous "ticking" problems in the valve train, and some other minor problems. The Concours had the infamous KIPASS problems that could strand you, along with the other more minor issues like cooking your lower legs.
I'm the first to say that I consider Japanese vehicles to have the best reliability - and I've owned more than most. But I'm not convinced the BMW's are significantly worse.