5 Pros And 5 Cons That You Need To Know About The BMW K 1600 GT
BMW built its reputation on beautifully built and capable touring motorcycles, for many years powered by the venerable boxer-twin engine. Never ones to do things by the book, BMW first introduced the longitudinal, lay-down three and four-cylinder engines, and more recently, the incredible inline six-cylinder engine that powers the K 1600 range of motorcycles, BMW’s engineering and technical tour de force touring motorcycle. The range comprises four models and here, we concentrate on the most basic but possibly most sporting model, the K 1600 GT.
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Pro: The BMW K 1600 GT’s Engine Is Simply Superb
BMW
BMW K1600GT in red riding from left to right
If you’ve ever driven a car with a six-cylinder engine, you will know how smooth and turbine-like they are, and the 1,600cc, inline six-cylinder engine in the BMW K1600GT is no different. It is uncanny to feel an engine this smooth in a motorcycle – it even makes four-cylinder bike engines feel rough! 160 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque are developed but it is the way the engine gives the bike utterly effortless performance from walking speed right up to the howling red line that marks this as one of the great motorcycle engines. The quick shifter-equipped gearbox has a light-switch action and the gear ratios are perfect for both acceleration and relaxed cruising.
9
Con: The BMW K 1600 GT Doesn’t Feature Adaptive Cruise Control
BMW
BMW K1600GT engine detail shot
This might not be a deal-breaker for you, but while the K1600GT has cruise control, it is not radar-assisted. More and more bikes are coming out with forward-facing radar sensors that work with the cruise control to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front and accelerate and brake as it does. There are mixed feelings about this. Some claim it is an important safety system, but others feel that anything that encourages the rider to not pay full attention to what is in front of the motorcycle can only lead to trouble. The K1600GT does without adaptive cruise control, which will be a deal-breaker for some.
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8
Pro: The Suspension Of The BMW K 1600 GT Is Semi-Active
BMW
BMW K1600GT in red, white and blue facing left
BMW has always been at the forefront of suspension technology and development, and the K1600GT gets the Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension as seen on other BMW models, such as the R1250GS and R1250RT. Dynamic ESA gives automatic load leveling for the rear suspension depending on load and constant damping adjustment at both ends when on the move. There are two modes, Road and Dynamic: Road is the softer of the two, but still gives great control on any type of road. Dynamic firms things up for more spirited riding but can make the ride overly hard and tiring on anything but mirror-smooth surfaces.
7
Con: The BMW K 1600 GT Is Big And Heavy
BMW
BMW K1600GT dashboard detail shot
Yes, it’s dynamic and handles excellently, and the performance is sparkling but does it really need to be this big and heavy? With the K1600GTL handling the full-on touring role, couldn’t the GT model have been stripped back even further to make it lighter, more dynamic, and more sporty? Yes, the engine is a large unit but its certainly no wider than the boxer-twin engine in the R1250RS, so it wouldn’t look out of place in a naked bike. That fairing might be efficient, but it is a very large piece of real estate and looks bulky, especially if the panniers are removed.
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6
Pro: The BMW K1600GT Is Large, But Handles Like A Sports Bike
BMW
BMW K1600GT riding from right to left
At 756 pounds, the BMW K1600GT isn’t a light motorcycle, but you’d never know it. That six-cylinder engine is a big lump but, with the cylinders canted forwards steeply, the center of gravity remains beautifully low. This has two benefits: superbly easy and confident low-speed maneuvering – even U-turns can be approached with confidence – and impeccable and super-stable handling at speed, being particularly good to hustle through a series of turns. There’s more lean angle than you’ll ever need, and the bike always feels planted and reassuring, tracking faithfully around any corner, despite any mid-corner bumps. The weight isn’t even a problem when parking as there is a reverse gear to ease you out of any tight spot.
5
Con: The Sound System On The BMW K1600 GT Isn’t Impressive
BMW
BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL standing wheel to wheel
This is a criticism that can be leveled at many manufacturers’ products and not just BMW, but the sound system is simply not loud enough, especially at the three-figure speeds the K1600GT is capable of cruising at. Even the upgraded system that comes with the Premium Package doesn’t fully address the problem and, in any case, the volume has to be so loud to hear it that the sound quality suffers. Rather turn the system off and listen to the music of the engine instead.
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4
Pro: The BMW K1600GT Is Supremely Comfortable
BMW
BMW K1600GT in red, facing left
The cockpit of the K1600GT is an imposing place to sit, with the enormous 10.5-inch TFT dashboard that would look more at home in a car. There are many, many switches on the handlebars, along with the wheel that navigates you through the complex menus. But the comfort cannot be denied: the rider triangle is near perfect for any size of the rider and the excellent seat is low enough for any rider to get their feet on the ground. The K1600GT might have the least wind protection of all the K1600 family, but it is still a model of efficiency and beautiful styling. Flip-out ‘wings’ direct more air on to the rider if required and riders will fins a position for the electrically-adjusted screen that will suit them.
3
Con: The K 1600 GT Lacks The Luggage Capacity Of The K 1600 GTL
BMW
BMW K1600GT in red,white and blue facing left
It’s almost as if the K1600GT can’t really decide what it wants to be: is it really trying to be a touring bike? The panniers are excellent and relatively large but certainly no enough for two people on a week-long tour. The larger-capacity luggage of the K1600GTL takes a lot more luggage as well as being infinitely more comfortable for the pillion, who has a backrest to lean against. With the mile-eating capability of the GT, it would make sense for it to have better luggage capacity. In that case, why not buy the GTL?
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2
Pro: The Brakes On The K1600 GT Are Immensely Powerful
BMW
BMW K1600GT in black, showing under-bike lighting
A big bike with big performance needs big brakes and the BMW K1600GT has them. Unusually, the front and rear of the discs are the same size – 320mm – with the front wheel having a pair of them. All are clamped by BMW-branded calipers which offer enormous stopping power and excellent control, without ever being too sharp or sudden. The ABS is cornering-sensitive and completely unobtrusive. The clever BMW Duolever front suspension prevents heavy dive under braking, meaning the K1600GT always feels composed and confidence-inspiring.
1
Con: The Price BMW K 1600 GT Shoots Up Drastically With The Addition Of Optional Goodies
BMW
BMW K1600GT bodywork detail
$23,900 is already a lot for a slightly compromised motorcycle, as good as the performance, dynamics, and comfort are. But, BMW being BMW, they have given you the opportunity to add many more thousands of dollars to the starting price to get your bike up to spec, a spec that many would think the bike should include in the first place. For example, the Premium Package costs $3,000 and adds a bi-directional quick-shifter, better audio, keyless ignition, central locking, auxiliary LED lighting, alarm and engine crash protection bars. To our minds, all that should be included in the not-cheap base price. Even white metallic paint adds $1,900 to the asking price! At this rate, you are approaching the cost of the K160GTL and even surpassing it.
FAQ
Q: Does the BMW K1600GT have reverse gear?
Yes, the BMW K1600GT has a reverse gear, which is actualy the starter motor running backwards against the flywheel
Q: Is the BMW K1600GT a good motorcycle?
If you are looking for a sports touring motorcycle, then yes, the K1600GT is an excellent motorcycle. However, if you are going to be doing long-distance touring, then the K1600GTL might be a better choice
