2019 BMW K1600B

On October 11, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) 19003 to investigate reports of steering oscillations in model year (MY) 2018-19 BMW K1600 motorcycles. Complainants alleged steering oscillations (wobble and shake) and instability while traveling at highway speeds that were exacerbated while riding in traffic. ODI opened the EA, upgrading its PE19002 investigation, to evaluate the severity and frequency associated with the alleged defect and potential testing options. ODI sent an Information Request containing several technical questions about testing and simulation that BMW conducted during development and production of the subject vehicles. BMW provided responsive details that were reviewed and analyzed by engineers both in ODI and at NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC). BMW provided documentation that confirmed that during the design phase, it had conducted extensive testing and simulations to evaluate and quantify the aerodynamic (wind) loads and overall stability. BMW continues to research aerodynamic improvements that can help reduce effects from turbulent air. In the meantime, to mitigate undesirable effects from aerodynamic loads and other vehicle dynamic forces at excessively high speed, BMW limited the K1600 Grand America variant to approximately 100mph. All produced vehicles of this variant have this speed limitation.Recently, a peer motorcycle was recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V836 for high-speed stability concerns. Like BMW's design for the K1600 Grand America, the recall remedy involved applying a speed restriction. VRTC, in coordination with ODI, mailed out questionnaires to 98 owners of K1600 motorcycles in the State of Ohio. Questions relevant to the investigation included: time of ownership, accumulated mileage, how owners handled potential issues, service received for potential issues, and any crashes of the subject vehicles. VRTC received 44 responses to the questionnaires from owners of the subject vehicles. Of the 44 questionnaire responses, 10 owners responded that they had experienced some form of motorcycle instability, which was relevant to this EA. Of those 10 owners, all were able to safely adjust to the instability without a vehicle crash or injury. At this time, no crashes or injuries have been associated with allegations of steering oscillation or instability. This includes 24 complaints that relate to this issue in MY 2018-19 BMW K1600 motorcycles, which ODI reviewed during NHTSA’s PE19002 and EA19003 investigations. ODI also reviewed complaints about the subject vehicles, which BMW provided to ODI in the form of Field Reports, Consumer Complaints, and Warranty Claims. ODI reviewed a combined 41 unique complaints (removing duplicate complaints) that alleged instability, and none of the complainants indicated an associated vehicle crash or injury. The oscillation occurs during high highway speed (well beyond any US-speed limit), and NHTSA received reports that the operators can adjust their speed to regain full control of their motorcycles without a known crash or injury.Based on the available information, NHTSA is closing this investigation without further action. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The fuel pump failed in a way that it soaked my left leg with fuel while riding the motorcycle. My safety was at risk from major burns if the fuel had ignited on the exhaust. No warning lights came on.

NHTSA ID

11753120

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

I'm a recent owner of this motorcycle and have experienced a consistent feeling of what motorcyclists refer to as a "Death wobble" or at a minimum the beginnings of one. It happens during interstate highway speeds and predominantly during heavy traffic and it's magnified even more while approaching and passing tractor-trailers. I've been riding motorcycles both competitively as well as for personal use for well over 40 years and have NEVER experienced this phenomenon with any other motorcycle I've owned, well over 30 different models at this point. The only times I have experienced this type of behavior from a motorcycle was during High-speed racing and, as with this bike, I've been able to correct it by SLOWLY reducing speeds. However, With this bike it's during normal highway speeds (usually around 70+) while approaching traffic. Semi-trailers seem to be the worst culprits, but it happens with regular vehicles as well. Any disturbance in the bike's slipstream seems to cause the wobble. The bike never really loses control but it feels like [XXX] (to put it bluntly) and it forces you to either backoff or try and get around the traffic as quickly as possible. If it is a windy day, the problem is exponentially exacerbated to the point that is truly unsafe to ride. Again, I have NEVER experienced this with any other motorcycle, not even a BMW GT650 Scooter handled traffic as bad as this bike. I feel as there is some sort of defect with the design of the bike that causes this "wobble" when it encounters unstable air. For reference, I also test drove a 2021 version of the exact bike and it experiences the same affects as my 2019 model does. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11425956

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC, THE BIKE BEGINS TO WOBBLE AND BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. I LIST AN INCIDENT DATE OF 04/29/2020 BELOW, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON 04/11/2020.

NHTSA ID

11322801

Incident

Apr 29, 2020

Mileage

1,100 mi

2 ISSUES 1. WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OF 60+ BIKE SHAKES VIOLENTLY DURING HIGH WINDS OR BEHIND TRUCKS. SWITCHING LANES IS EVEN MORE SCARY. TO ENHANCE THIS ISSUE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS RAISE YOUR WIND SCREEN FULLY AND OPEN UP THE AIR VENTS ON THE SIDES OF THE BIKE. FOR HAVE YOUR PSI ON TIRES AT 40 OR BELOW. 2. WHEN IN RAIN MODE, WHEN I ACCELERATED PASS THE CAP. THE BIKE VIOLENTED STARTED TO RETARD ITSELF SLOWING THE BIKE DOWN BUT THE ENGINE MAKING A VUT VUT VUT VUT SOUND WHILE DOING IT. I HAD NO THROTTLE RESPOND. WHEN I MAKE TO A FULL STOP AND PUT THE BIKE IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE WAS STILL MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT. I DID A FULL CYCLE AND AND OFF THE BIKE AND THE BIKE WENT TO NORMAL AGAIN. 3. REAR SPEAKERS BLOW AFTER LONG DISTANCE RIDING AT HIGH VOLUME. THIS HAPPEN TWICE ALREADY. ISSUE OF #2 UPLOAD FAULT CODE SHOWN BY MY GS-911 THERE WERE MORE FAULT CODES BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD MORE THEN ONE.

NHTSA ID

11288612

Incident

Aug 19, 2019

Mileage

1,700 mi

THIS MOTORCYCLE IS UNSTABLE IN ANY WIND CONDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS SEVERELY BUFFETED SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE FEAR EVEN IN AN EXPERIENCED RIDER. I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT, WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BIKE IS AT THE LIMITS OF THE ENVELOP OF STABILITY AND EXPECT IT TO WOBBLE OR WEAVE INTO DEADLY OSCILLATIONS. THE DEALERS SHOULD WARN PEOPLE NOT TO BUY THIS MACHINE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING FOR 50 YEARS ON ALL TYPES OF MOTORCYCLES AND THIS IS THE MOST UNSTABLE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN. BMW NEEDS TO BE COMPELLED TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION AND EITHER REMEDY IT IN SOME WAY OR REPLACE IT. THE FIRST TIME I ENTERED AN INTERSTATE IN SLIGHTLY WINDY CONDITIONS WAS THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT. I COULD ONLY PROCEED TO THE FIRST EXIT AND COULD NOT REMAIN AT THE 80 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT DUE TO THE BUFFETING AND WHAT SEEMED LIKE HUNTING FOR STABILITY. THE BIKE IS NOW PARKED IN MY GARAGE WITH 300 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT A HONDA GOLDWING AFTER OPERATING IT IN 40 MPH CROSS WIND - SOMETHING I WOULDN'T DO WITH THE BMW. THE GW WAS STEADY AS CAN BE KIN THE SAME OPERATION. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BEFORE THE NHTSA DOES SOMETHING? WE NEED ENGINEERING EXPERTS TO EVALUATE THIS DESIGN AND FIND OUT WHY A COMPANY LIKE BMW IS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS.

NHTSA ID

11208774

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

Mileage

100 mi

AT HIGH SPEEDS THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE SHAKES AND TORQUES LIKE A SNAKE. IT DOES NOT INCREASE WITH WIND. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11196695

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

Mileage

100 mi

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

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Emission Control Information.?

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