[lilspenny]

My 19 yr. old will always have permission to ride my gt. But.... the other day he took his girlfriend for a ride. I checked the gps and saw he went 120 mph. That freakin' !=*"&x/#!!#. Is there an electronic way to limit the top speed?

 

[meese]

The K1600GTL is electronically speed limited to 140 mph, due to aerodynamic concerns from the large trunk.

The K1600GT has no speed limiter, and we've seen as high as 158 mph (GPS confirmed).

Running at 120 mph can be reasonably safe for a skilled rider on an open, flat, clear section of highway. Whether that's what he did or not isn't clear, as the K16 can easily get up to triple digits in seconds on almost any road.

To answer your question, no, there's no way to set a user-defined top speed limit.

So if that's a real concern for you, then you need to be a parent and take away his right to ride your bike. Or let him ride it, but with some specific instructions as to top speed, with clear consequences for breaking that.

Until he just learns to clear the GPS top speed display before bringing the bike back...

 

[lilspenny]

Meese... thanks for your reply. Dave.

 

[Voyager]

The K1600GTL is electronically speed limited to 140 mph, due to aerodynamic concerns from the large trunk.

The K1600GT has no speed limiter, and we've seen as high as 158 mph (GPS confirmed).

Running at 120 mph can be reasonably safe for a skilled rider on an open, flat, clear section of highway. Whether that's what he did or not isn't clear, as the K16 can easily get up to triple digits in seconds on almost any road.

To answer your question, no, there's no way to set a user-defined top speed limit.

So if that's a real concern for you, then you need to be a parent and take away his right to ride your bike. Or let him ride it, but with some specific instructions as to top speed, with clear consequences for breaking that.

Until he just learns to clear the GPS top speed display before bringing the bike back...

I passed four cars in Italy and hit 126 mph with my wife on the back. She wasn't too happy. Said the wind nearly pulled her helmet off.

 

[meese]

With a stock screen? I can see that.

With a quality aftermarket screen and some additional wind management, it's much better, even at high speeds.

 

[Voyager]

With a stock screen? I can see that.

With a quality aftermarket screen and some additional wind management, it's much better, even at high speeds.

Yes, both of my GTL experiences were on rentals in Europe. I am pretty sure both were stock. Passenger wind protection is terrible above 50 mph. That is the single biggest reason BMW hasn't sold me a GTL.

I have no doubt a better aftermarket shield can be found. However, I test ride what the dealer has and they have stock shields. I am not going to spend 30 grand on a bike that comes factory deficient in a key touring attribute and then spend $1,000 or more buying windshields hoping to find one that works.

 

[meese]

Yeah, we keep having this discussion.

Every Beemer I've ever owned has needed a new seat and windscreen, including the LT.

And reports from this forum, as well as many discussions I've had with various aftermarket seat and windscreen manufacturers show that I'm far from alone on this...

 

[JNW003]

My LT had a V-stream shield on it when I bought it (which I loved), but the seat was awful so I had RDL do their magic and all was well. When I got the GTLE, I couldn't stand the wind buffeting AND the seat, so I took it up to Russell for a ride in appointment and not only did it cure the butt problem, but is also solved the wind buffeting issue. YMMV... :bmw:

 

[Voyager]

Yeah, we keep having this discussion.

Every Beemer I've ever owned has needed a new seat and windscreen, including the LT.

And reports from this forum, as well as many discussions I've had with various aftermarket seat and windscreen manufacturers show that I'm far from alone on this...

Yes, you were an ideal candidate for the 1600.

I rode my Kawasaki Voyager XII for 17 years with stock seat and shield. 10 years now on my LT with stock seat and shield. LT seat is not as good as the Voyager, but the addition of a Beadrider made it good for 600 mile days and I rarely have need to ride more than that.

You may not be alone, but judging by sales of the 1600, you are in a small group. My local dealer hates them. Has to deep discount them to move them. Having a bike that when test ridden in stock livery doesn't appeal to the experienced passenger is, in my opinion, a blunder for a two-up touring bike like the GTL. A fine strategy for the GT, but stupid for the GTL.

 

[jbrown]

Yep, planning on a National Cycle VStream Z2464 (approx $279) and eventually a RDL seat as well.
Got the AirHawk seat pad to make it "better than stock" for now...