3 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
These touring motorcycles have a small electric reverse gear that helps you back the bike out of a spot. A seal on the control box for that reverse gear can break down over time and let moisture get inside. Water in the box can make the electronics overheat, and an overheating unit can start a fire. BMW has already mailed a warning letter, but the repair parts are not ready yet. A second letter will come when dealers can do the work.
On some 2019-2020 BMW K1600 GT, K1600 GTL and K1600 B motorcycles, a small connecting rod called the link strut, which joins the rear suspension to the frame, may not be strong enough. Over time it can be damaged. If that happens, the back of the motorcycle can drop far enough to touch the rear tire. That makes the bike hard to keep steady and control while riding, and a crash becomes more likely.
Some transmission parts inside these motorcycles may not have been hardened properly when they were made. Soft parts can wear or break, and the bike can drop into two gears at once. If that happens, the rear wheel can lock up while you are riding, which can throw the bike off balance and cause a crash. Dealers will replace the shift forks, the fifth/sixth gear selector sleeve, and the sixth gear wheel free of charge once parts are available.
Complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about the BMW K 1600 GTL. These are unverified reports; better-selling years collect more.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: