BMW K 1600 GTL (K48) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
1,649cc Liquid-Cooled Inline-6 DOHC 24-Valve Dry-Sump (Duolever) · Source: BMW K 1600 GTL (K48) (2011–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications
According to the BMW K 1600 GTL (K48) (2011–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications, the 2011–Present BMW K 1600 GTL (K48) (chassis K48/0602/0F02/0F32) requires 4.1 L (4.33 US qt) of SAE 5W-40 (JASO MA2, API SL / BMW Advantec Ultimate 5W-40) engine oil for a drain-only change and 4.5 L (4.76 US qt) with filter service (11427719357 / HF160). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI front (120/70 ZR17) and 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI rear (190/55 ZR17), paired with 6× NGK LMAR8AI-8 spark plug(s) and a BMW 19Ah AGM / YTX20CH-BS battery.
Drain only: 4.1 L (4.33 US qt)
R 290 kPa (2.90 bar)
Est. Range: ~451 km (280 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 5W-40 · JASO MA2 · API SL / BMW Advantec Ultimate 5W-40 |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 4.1 L (4.33 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 4.5 L (4.76 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 5.3 L (5.60 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | 11427719357 / HF160 |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | Dry-sump oil tank — warm engine to operating temperature and check oil tank/frame dipstick immediately after shutdown per OEM procedure (never top up cold) |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 28 N·m (20.7 lb-ft / 2.86 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
| Final Drive / Bevel Gear Oil | 180 ml (0.18 L) — Hypoid Axle Oil SAE 75W-90 (180 ml rear shaft drive) |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 120/70 ZR17 · Rear: 190/55 ZR17 (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | NGK LMAR8AI-8 × 6 (Gap: 0.8 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | BMW 19Ah AGM / YTX20CH-BS (12V 19.0Ah Heavy-Duty AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | Cardan Shaft Final Drive — Replace rear bevel-gear hypoid oil at exact measured volume |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · OAT ethylene-glycol coolant for aluminum radiators (50:50 premix) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 1649 cc · 160 hp @ 6,750 rpm · 180 N·m (132.8 lb-ft) @ 5,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 750 mm (29.5 in) · 358 kg (789 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 26.5 L (7.0 US gal) · ~17 km/L → ~451 km (280 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,000 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 10,000 km / 10,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 20,000 km / 30,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 30,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
Flagship K48 six-cylinder luxury tourer with Duolever front suspension; gained optional Reverse Assist in 2017 and a 2022 Euro 5 overhaul boosting torque to 180 N·m with a 10.25-inch TFT.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Dry-sump 6-cylinder sump uses a concentric two-stage drain plug—remove the outer plug, then unscrew the inner hex standpipe to drain the integrated oil tank before adding 4.5 L of 5W-40.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- Forgetting to unscrew the internal hex standpipe inside the sump hole leaves nearly 3 L of old oil trapped in the dry-sump reservoir—never overfill blindly!
- Every 30,000 km 6-plug and valve service requires swinging the wide radiator forward—flush road bugs out of the dense radiator fins at the same time to prevent overheating.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What oil volume, JASO grade, and oil filter code does the BMW K 1600 GTL (K48) (2011–Present) require?
Because its wet multi-plate clutch shares engine oil with the gearbox, run SAE 5W-40 (JASO MA2) at 4.1 L (4.33 US qt) drain-only and 4.5 L (4.76 US qt) with filter (11427719357 / HF160). Also service final drive 180 ml.
How do you accurately check the oil level on the K 1600 GTL (K48), and what are its service intervals?
Because this dry-sump engine scavenges oil into a separate tank while running, always measure immediately after a full warm-up; checking stone-cold after sitting misleads riders into massive overfilling. Torque the drain plug to 28 N·m with a new crush washer. Factory oil change intervals are every 10,000 km, with valve clearance inspection every 30,000 km.
What are the cold tire pressures, puncture repair type, seat height, and range of the K 1600 GTL (K48)?
Fitted with 120/70 ZR17 front and 190/55 ZR17 rear tubeless rims (compatible with roadside plug kits), set cold tire pressures to 42 / 42 PSI (290/290 kPa) solo or 42 / 42 PSI loaded. Seat height is 750 mm (29.5 in) at 358 kg wet weight, delivering ~451 km per 26.5 L tank.