BMW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B Key Replacement

Quick answerThe K 1600 GT, GTL and K 1600 B use BMW's EWS immobilizer with either a keyed ignition or Keyless Ride. One key covers the ignition, fuel cap, seat, stowage compartments, cases and top case, so losing it locks up the whole bike. On Keyless Ride bikes the emergency key starts the engine when held on the tank cover in front of the fuel filler cap.

BMW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B key quick facts

BMW's K 1600 GTL manual says the steering and ignition lock, fuel filler cap, stowage compartment, seat lock, cases and top case are all operated with the same key.
Keyless Ride became an option on the K 1600 GT and GTL for the 2015 model year and was already fitted to the K 1600 GTL Exclusive.
With Keyless Ride, the ignition, fuel cap, central locking and alarm are activated with the radio-operated key.
The Keyless Ride antenna is in front of the fuel filler cap, under the tank cover.
BMW Motorrad USA ran a 2014 technical campaign replacing K 1600 GTL Exclusive radio keys made before March 28, 2014.
If the fob goes out of range, the ignition switches off after about 90 seconds and the central locking does not lock.

BMW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B key types by year

Years	Models	Key type	Chip	Notes
From 2011	K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL (keyed)	transponder key (EWS), keyed ignition	yes	Two ignition keys. Ring antenna in the ignition lock.
From 2014	K 1600 GTL Exclusive	Keyless Ride fob plus emergency key	yes	Covered by the 2014 radio key technical campaign.
From model year 2015	K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL, later K 1600 B (Keyless Ride)	Keyless Ride fob plus emergency key	yes	Listed as optional equipment in the 2015, 2018 and 2021 US manuals. One radio-operated key and one emergency or spare key.

One key runs the whole bike

A K 1600 has more locks than almost any other motorcycle, and BMW puts them all on one key. The 2021 US K 1600 GTL manual lists the ignition switch and steering lock, pannier lock, stow compartment lock, fuel filler cap, seat lock and top case. The K 1600 B manual lists the ignition and steering lock, fuel filler cap, storage compartment, seat lock and cases. So a lost key is not only a no-start problem. Rain gear, tools and often the spare key are behind the same locks.

Need a key for your K 1600 GT?

Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked.

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Keyed, Keyless Ride and central locking

Keyed bikes come with two ignition keys and read the key through a ring antenna in the ignition lock. Keyless Ride bikes come with one radio-operated key and one emergency key, called the spare key in later manuals. The manual says the ignition, fuel cap, central locking and alarm are activated with the radio-operated key, while the seat lock, storage compartments, top case and cases can also be operated by hand.

Central locking depends on the fob being in range. BMW's manual warns that with the key out of range, for example shut inside a case or top case, the bike cannot be started and the central locking cannot be locked or unlocked. The dash also warns when the fob battery is low, with a note that central locking function is limited. The fob takes a CR 2032.

Starting with the emergency key

If the fob is lost on a trip or its battery is completely drained, the K 1600 manual says to hold the emergency key, or the drained fob, on the tank cover over the antenna. The antenna sits in front of the fuel filler cap, under the cover. Once the key is detected you have 30 seconds to start the engine before the step has to be repeated.

The 2014 radio key campaign

In August 2014 BMW Motorrad USA issued a technical campaign for the K 1600 GTL Exclusive. Keyless Ride radio keys produced before March 28, 2014 had faulty software that could make the key stop working, leaving the engine unable to start. Dealers replaced both radio keys and registered the new ones and the emergency key to the bike. BMW noted that the emergency key was not affected and could be used at any time. If you own an early Exclusive with its original fobs, a dealer can check the VIN for the campaign.

No key for a K 1600

This is a heavy bike to move with the steering locked, which is the practical argument for having the work done where it sits. Tell us the year, whether it has a key slot or a button, and whether central locking is fitted. Have photo ID and the registration or title ready, and keep any surviving key, including the emergency key, for the visit.

What to have ready

Have this ready when you call or text

Year, make and model of the bike
Where the bike is parked
Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

BMW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B key FAQ

Where do I hold the emergency key on a K 1600?

On the tank cover over the antenna, which BMW's manual places in front of the fuel filler cap. You then have 30 seconds to start the engine.

Does one key open the K 1600 cases and top case?

Yes. BMW's manual lists the cases, top case, stowage compartment, seat lock and fuel filler cap on the same key as the ignition.

My K 1600 central locking stopped working with the fob. Why?

Check the fob battery first. The manual warns that a low CR 2032 limits central locking function, and that central locking cannot be operated at all when the fob is out of range.

Was there a recall on K 1600 key fobs?

There was a 2014 technical campaign for the K 1600 GTL Exclusive covering radio keys made before March 28, 2014. Dealers replaced both radio keys.

The immobilizer system on this bike

BMW Keyless Ride: Lost Fob, Flat Battery and Emergency KeyKeyless Ride replaces the ignition lock on many BMW motorcycles with a button and a radio-operated key that only has to be within about 3 feet of the bike.
BMW Motorcycle EWS Immobilizer: Keys and the EWS WarningEWS is BMW Motorrad's electronic immobilizer.

More BMW models

Services for this bike

Motorcycle Key Fob and Keyless Ignition ProblemsMost keyless motorcycle problems come down to a weak fob battery, a fob the bike is not reading, a damaged fob or a lost one.
Lost Your Only Motorcycle Key? What to Do NextIf you lost the only key to your motorcycle, a new one can almost always be made, but the route depends on whether your bike uses a plain metal key, a chipped transponder key, or a keyless fob.
Dealer vs Locksmith for a Motorcycle Key: Which to CallFor plain metal keys, broken keys, worn ignitions and many transponder keys, a mobile motorcycle locksmith can usually do the work where the bike sits, often for less.
KTM RACE-ON Light Flashing: Blink Codes and Key Not FoundOn a keyless KTM, the RACE-ON indicator lamp reports faults by flashing a set number of times after you press the RACE-ON button.

Where we come to you

Sources

Page last updated November 14, 2026.