More than one bike

[BER18 100]

I have owned 2 bikes most of the time over the years and occasionally 3. A couple of weeks ago I test drove a K1600B at a dealer and really liked it.

But is seems unusual to me that BMW would build a full size touring bike with a single swing arm geometry. I know German engineering is out front as always but just think for a moment about the multi-directional forces acting on that bearing.

If that K bike had a double sided swing arm, I'd be hot to trot for a 3rd bike, as I currently have 2.

 

[Anibal]

I am not an expert on the K1600B since I only have 3 weeks experience on it but, when I was doing my research on the model, I came across some statements from a few owners mentioning that their bikes had a tendency to pull to the left ever so slightly and they attributed this tendency to the single swing arm, given the torque transmitted to the differential. If I recall correctly, this was mainly on earlier generations and not all of them exhibited this behaviour. I have not pushed mine past 70mph given that she needs to be broken in but I have not noticed this on mine. In my opinion, the single swing arm is mainly for aesthetics and ease to remove the rear wheel. BMW is not the only one employing this configuration on powerful machines. Take the Rocket III and Ducati Diavel for example. My conclusion is that the clever engineering behind the design has been tried and tested extensively and if they spend the time and money on this, the pros may outweigh the cons. After all, the single swing arm configuration is heavier and cost more than the conventional double. I had reservations/concerns when making my decision to purchase one but this was not one of them. If you liked it and enjoyed the machine, I’ll say go for it if you have the means to do it.

 

[Rufus]

Honda have been using single sided swingarms for years on very many bikes, tried and tested, including the Goldwing. I’ve owned a number myself. Never any issue whatsoever. I read a long time ago the very first K1300 versions had a 10mm rear wheel offset from the factory, and that may be what you’ve picked up on. That engine was a different configuration to the inline 6 in the new K1600 bikes.

 

[BER18 100]

Did not know GoodWing had single sided swing arm. That must be a very robust bearing.

 

[bdalameda]

Automobiles front wheels have a single axle supported only on one end and carry a lot more weight as well as a huge amount of side loading being on a four wheeled vehicle as compared to a motorcycle that leans. Tapered roller bearings will handle far more side and axial loads than standard ball bearings as they have much more load bearing surface area. I would not hesitate to buy a single sided swing arm motorcycle.

 

[BER18 100]

I am not an expert on the K1600B since I only have 3 weeks experience on it but, when I was doing my research on the model, I came across some statements from a few owners mentioning that their bikes had a tendency to pull to the left ever so slightly and they attributed this tendency to the single swing arm, given the torque transmitted to the differential. If I recall correctly, this was mainly on earlier generations and not all of them exhibited this behaviour. I have not pushed mine past 70mph given that she needs to be broken in but I have not noticed this on mine. In my opinion, the single swing arm is mainly for aesthetics and ease to remove the rear wheel. BMW is not the only one employing this configuration on powerful machines. Take the Rocket III and Ducati Diavel for example. My conclusion is that the clever engineering behind the design has been tried and tested extensively and if they spend the time and money on this, the pros may outweigh the cons. After all, the single swing arm configuration is heavier and cost more than the conventional double. I had reservations/concerns when making my decision to purchase one but this was not one of them. If you liked it and enjoyed the machine, I’ll say go for it if you have the means to do it.

Anibal,
I’m curious what your tachometer reads when indicated speed is 70 mph?
In my test drive the K1600B had less than 35 miles of gas in the tank. A large yellow warning icon blocked my view of RPMs

 

[Anibal]

I believe at those speeds the RPM is between 2.5K and just below 3K depending on road conditions. I am due to take her out today to collect my new Alpinestar helmet and jacket
Since it will be mainly motorway, I will have a look to confirm the exact RPM.
The yellow warning that blocked your TFT is the advisory warning for critical messages, like low fuel, key out or range, sudden loss of tyre pressure etc. It will disappear if you toggle the wonder wheel to the left in the direction to the X mark on the TFT.

 

[Petrus]

Automobiles front wheels have a single axle supported only on one end and carry a lot more weight as well as a huge amount of side loading being on a four wheeled vehicle as compared to a motorcycle that leans.

Well put and explained. It is a non-issue only facilitating tyre changes. Which is exactly why it became an endurance thing in the eighties already. The incredible ELF racing project had it at both ends. And what was that amazingly well engineered Yamaha tourer with 'Omega' frame and king pin steering up front? GTS100 was it?!

 

[Anibal]

Anibal,
I’m curious what your tachometer reads when indicated speed is 70 mph?
In my test drive the K1600B had less than 35 miles of gas in the tank. A large yellow warning icon blocked my view of RPMs

Confirmed, at 70mph on a flat straight path on the motorway she was doing 3K rpm consistently and 47.8mpg.

 

[BER18 100]

Confirmed, at 70mph on a flat straight path on the motorway she was doing 3K rpm consistently and 47.8mpg.

If I push the R18 hard into strong wind, I get 39 mpg at 3,000 rpm.
If no head wind, 43 mpg at 3,000 rpm.

Of course at 2400 rpm, closer to 50 mpg

 

[Anibal]

Are you riding in Rock mode?
I rarely did on the R18 as Road was plenty for me and I use to get 58 to 62 on my B at motorway speeds and around 2.6K RPMs. Never paid attention to the consumption on head winds I must admit.
I also rode solo as my wife is not into motorcycles

 

[Petrus]

I also rode solo as my wife is not into motorcycles

Was at a party yesterday. Think about a dozen unattached women. None would literally be ín the sidecar because too tall, too unfit etc.. So never mind unfun/uninteresting/unwhatevvah.
Must say that although hetero don´t like say 50, 55+ women much if at all. On young(er) ones it is unfair really. Dusted off the lead ingots and continuing the dog training.

As to the topic title currently have two sidecar rigs and two Vespas. Would líke an easy going solo bike. Say an R26/27 or perhaps more sensibly an R45. No wife to veto it



On a side note it is mind boggling to look at the last of the R27s (1967) and the first of the R45s (1978). Just over a decade only between but

 

[Petrus]

I think I wrote earlier here somewhere that I had owned a R 250cc. Meanwhile have remembered it was must have been an R27 because it had the engine mounted in rubbers. Remembered how it went and being the by far least gutless variant not going there. Véry friendly and easy riding but it could not pull the skin off of warm milk in a mug. Over here in the mountains my 1982 P200E Vespa would outperform it.

Also remembered some about the R45. In the Netherlands it was snubbed as being an under powered R65 for very little less money. It has the exact same engine with less cc. and hp. In Germany it was not taken seriously either as an Einstiegermodell with 27 ps. Still because of being a beginner's BMW with cheap insurance, it was for 2 years a best seller.
Here in Spain though it was perceived as the Vespa from BMW: You can start it for 2 or 200 km and reliably get there economically.
I am surprised that in 7 years of production only 28k were made. More so because over here in Spain they are almost common and it sold real well in Germany. I suppose they are not rare over here because they are so reliable and large distance tourers would buy the R65.

 

[BER18 100]

In spite of the enjoyment I've had riding motorcycles, my wife of 40 years won't even look at a motorcycle. This explains (at least partially) why I have had so many bikes.
Petrus mentioned attending a party with many unattached women. A study should be done to determine the % of ladies who will ride on a motorcycle.

 

[Petrus]

I can see you at a party with a sign.... walk through this before talking to me..... there's a site to order life size cut outs from...... maybe also need a short questionaire....

´Questionair' is just let them talk.
It is simply realistic. At my age there are about half as many women as men and attending anything 'smelling' of culture it becomes ten to one. So as the saying goes plénty of fish.
I appreciate their priorities and several make very good company even, just not for what I would like. I have been blessed with really special long term relationships and even the last a bit shorter was a experience.
Point is that with mý age progressing, my priorities and insight progress too. It has to be an added value. It is me, not them I completely admit.

 

[Petrus]

A study should be done to determine the % of ladies who will ride on a motorcycle.

Horse riding is a field with more information about it. Totally applicable. It is basically about risk perception and risk behavior. And yes osteoporosis does make it all more ... more for mature women even if not consciously. Very interesting actually.

My first wife (for 22 years) was a motorcycle competition racer. She died in a racing accident.
My second (for 23 years) is not adventurous but as tough as titanium and game enough to be charming company as passenger. Still very good friends and she is helping out with the dog training. She totally agrees with my 'analysis' btw. despite having a véry ample group of female friends.
The third pretended to be wildly game but the hidden agendas were not hidden enough and not worth it.

Anyway, about the R45.....
There is a Modellpflege in '81 which once you are aware of it, is a must. Has no effect on prices weirdly enough.

About the women, the tough ex invited me over for a coffee. Because the dog likes it so much. I did not touch on the subject, she indirectly did. She is with a select group of 6 whom do a lot of social things together. There are two more very keen to join but she is vehemently opposed. One is 50 and the other 45. The latter is simply too young clueless she says and the other borderline. Under pressure from the others, júst ok for lunch date but NOWAY vacations because too on the brakes. Her words. I kept a straight face and chuckled inside.

 

[Petrus]

Back to the single sided rear fork.
This is actually very BMW.
To illustrate it and the concept:
The 'air heads' are roughly divided in three segments starting with the /5 models per 1969:
The twin shocks, the mono shocks and the paralevers (which is also one sided).
The first mono shock was the R80G/S in 1980 and the rear fork was STÍFFER than the twin shock set up. The mono shock models handle better than the twin shocks.
There.

Our R18 is btw a one in the family.
Pre /5 the only color the bikes were available in (bar police specials) was black with white pin stripes. Hence these vintage models are dubbed black&whites.
Per 1969 /5 the frame tubes are more load specific designed, resulting in a lighter frame with increased rigidity at the price of no longer being suited to bolt the sidecar mounting to.
Come 2020 and the released R18 is air cooled, round frame tubes fit for sidecar mountings in black&white!
I vote for dubbing it a black&white oil head