Rode the 1600GT - and the experience completely took me by surprise

[jsanford]

Grant and I needed an excuse so we rode down to South South BMW on the Guzzi and Ducati (the F800 is in the shop--reason enough to ride another BMW, methinks) after hearing the demo truck was there today at Ride West yesterday.

As it turns out, the slightly-cloudy weather and chilling 63 degress kept attendance light   and to our surprise, there were all of two models to choose from:  K1600GTL and K1600GT.  Chipper from our jaunt down State Route 509 and 516, we decided "what the heck" and signed up anyway.  The GTLs were all equipped with low seats and pillion barcaloungers, the GTs with standard seats and sidecases only.

Needless to say, we signed up to take GTs.  When we mentioned that neither of us had ridden such "big bikes" before, the escort riders suggested we keep them in "Rain Mode" and one escort (at least two inches shorter than I) said to me that I might be more comfortable in the lower seat on the GTL.

The demo route by South Sound is a good one--they take you through a business park, then out to the country, through some straight road and a few twisties, and finish up on Highway 7 then the interstate.

The bike was smooooth, but not without road feedback.  The motor had a character as well.  I found myself shifting up at around 2500, which seemed low, but there was plenty of torque available at all RPMs. It rolled off so nicely that I forgot how big it was until we had to make a right hand turn from a stop.  It was so easy to lean into curves and roll off that it was almost deceiving--I could tell how much longer the wheelbase was from what I'm normally used to (particularly after 60 miles on the Monster).  It glided like a big motorized rollerblade, yet still didn't seem heavy.  It was super-easy to adjust my lines around curves and roll on/off, even make a tight, slow turn in the parking lot when we returned.

The controls were a bit much.  They did show us the settings, then asked us to try to avoid playing with them as we'd be looking at the LCD screen more than the road.  About halfway through the ride I tried to put the bike in Road mode instead of Rain mode (the pavement wasn't even wet any more). I selected the setting, but didn't figure out how to apply the change.  Unlike the S1000RR, Rain Mode didn't really keep the ride from being a LOT of fun.

It was amazing to raise the windsheild and actually be completely protected behind it.  The mirrors were well-placed and the leg position was, quite simply, heaven.  Someone left the heated seat turned on and between all three of these factors, I was completely picturing myself riding the bike eight hours a day, five days a week, all over the country.  If nothing else I "get" these bike sport-TOURERs a little more now.

The turn signal (conventional, not two-sided) seemed like it would be a reach for my thumb but wasn't a problem at all.  I remembered the high-beam flasher, but much the rest of the buttons weren't quite so intuitive.

STILL--I bet if I had one of these big ol' bikes for a week it would seem neither big nor overburdened with control switches.  The heated seat would be absolutely awesome after a noontime run.  I told Grant that if we were ever in a position where neither one of us had to work anymore, I could totally see us picking up a pair of these and taking off on a trip with no fixed enddate.

[miles]

So- would you say you liked it, then?  Just so I'm clear on what you're getting at.

[Rincewind]

For Sale: Guzzi Breva 750, Monster 695 and BMW F800ST.  

BTW - you could get two used FJR's for a lot less.  

[atadaskew]

BTW - you could get two used FJR's for a lot less.  

There's a reason for that.

[cbsnbiker]

Thanks for the info.

I could have taken one for a test ride when I met up with Blue at the local dealer on Saturday. He took an R1200R for a test spin, and enjoyed it a lot.

Maybe I should go back and try a K1600.

Then again, maybe I shouldn't.  

[dzervit]

Maybe I should go back and try a K1600.

Then again, maybe I shouldn't.  

I hit the demo truck last month in SoCal.  Dealer had two GT's that folks didn't take delivery one.  Those fools.  Their blunder was my gain... test rode Saturday, talked numbers Sunday and traded in my RT for a new GT.  Never been happier.  

[jsanford]

I hit the demo truck last month in SoCal.  Dealer had two GT's that folks didn't take delivery one.  Those fools.  Their blunder was my gain... test rode Saturday, talked numbers Sunday and traded in my RT for a new GT.  Never been happier.  

Pictures or it doesn't exist....

[dzervit]

Pictures or it doesn't exist....

Exploring the canyon roads in Malibu.  

[R Doug]

Congrats!

[atadaskew]

Exploring the canyon roads in Malibu.  

Very nice

Please tell me you weren't the dood I saw riding down Lincoln in Venice on the new K16 wearing a Hawaian shirt, shorts, and sandals with socks...
This was maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.

[falconati]

...the silence is deafening  

[atadaskew]

...the silence is deafening  

I swear it's the same helmet.

[dzervit]

Very nice

Please tell me you weren't the dood I saw riding down Lincoln in Venice on the new K16 wearing a Hawaian shirt, shorts, and sandals with socks...
This was maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago.

LMAO... negative.  While I don't always wear my pants & jacket, I'm never without at least jeans, boots & gloves.  And I'd never be caught dead in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals with socks!  

Finally got a picture of the ride that weekend from Paul at rockstorephotography.com...

[Bain Dramage]

Awesome bike, dzervit!

Congrats!

After you get a few thousand miles on it, I would love to hear your RT/GT comparison.

[dzervit]

Awesome bike, dzervit!

Congrats!

After you get a few thousand miles on it, I would love to hear your RT/GT comparison.

Thanks!  I've got about 1300 miles on it now.  Comparing it to the RT.. hmm..

- RT offered a tad more wind protection
- Gadget factor on the GT is insane.  Dash is gorgeous.  GPS placement is great.
- RT turn signals WAY better.  Placement is goofy on the GT; still can't warm up to it.
- The two engines.. power wise they feel very similar.  While the GT cranks out higher numbers it's offset by the extra 130lbs the bike has to carry.  I feel both bikes are extremely similar performance wise; but the way the GT delivers the power and the whir of the engine bring a smile to my face in a way the RT never did.  As smooth as a broken-in RT can be; the GT I6 is just a whole new level of smoothness.  The engine on the GT is simply to die for.  
- Braking is also similar, though the rear brake on the GT is a lot touchier.  THe ABS kicks in pretty quick.  

That's the quick run down.  I plan to take the GT on a nice trip this week. (LA to Vegas).  Will be my first road trip on the GT so we'll see how it compares over the long haul.  

[sfarson]

dzerv... Appreciate the quick K16GT vs R12RT comparison.  FWIW, the dry weight diff between the two bikes is 170lbs... (505 lbs vs 675), with perhaps the wet weight diff in a similar range.  Quite notable.  But from what I have read, that K16 powerplant makes mincemeat out of any weight it needs to haul.  But then there is that appeal of the RT's lighter weight when throwing it around on twisting roads and it parking lots.

[Z50a]

Congrats !  

Amazing lean angle, huh ?  Caught me by surprise, how far it goes and with minimal effort.... reminds me of that Clint Eastwood movie (Firefox) where jet fighter can be partially controlled by a neuralink  

[Justin]

LMAO... negative.  While I don't always wear my pants & jacket, I'm never without at least jeans, boots & gloves.  And I'd never be caught dead in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals with socks!  

Finally got a picture of the ride that weekend from Paul at rockstorephotography.com...

Great pic  

Wonder if you can drag engine case on that?

[cbsnbiker]

Does that bike have tipover bumpers like on the ST1300?

[dzervit]

Great pic  

Wonder if you can drag engine case on that?

Thanks Guys.  When I saw the pic I was like "damn"!.  It really is effortless to lean the bike over; it sure didn't feel like I was pushing it... I was just having a blast.  

In other news - took her to Vegas to meet some friends.  Also got past that first service so I've been able to start to let the engine really open up.  Pulls like a freight train over 5K.  Flys up to the redline and the gears just go by way to fast.  The engine is still pretty smooth in the upper rev range, but it really is happiest between 3-4K.  In that space, the I6 is basically transparent... unless you twist the throttle or look at the tach you don't even know the thing is on.  It's that smooth.  The bike ate up the miles, and performed pretty well in ridiculously high cross winds (I had a high wind advisory on my way out).  Maybe due to it's weight; thank god it had it because some of those winds pushed even this fat boy around his lane.  Had to back off the speed big time, and after a few white knuckled moments all was well.   The stock seat also faired well over the trip, though I think if it were a bit high and back like the Mayer saddle I had on the RT it would be perfect (I'm 6'10").   Less  wind protection on the hands than the RT.  This was a bit of an issue at the lower temps in the mountains at night, but it's countered by the awesome 5-level heated grips so you can dial in just the right amount of heat.  

To sum up:  After a couple thousand miles and a decent road trip under my belt I can confirm what I thought when I first purchased the bike - This is the best bike ever.  Looking forward to many years with it.