BMW K1600GT review [ashonbikes.com]

[Major 662]

Exactly,   tell me again what the advantages are of this motor  or the VFR to my old XX?   NONE,  . They're heavier, slower, more complicated and more money.  Not what I'd expect with 13 years to improve the breed.  The real improvements seem to be with the adjustable suspension we're seeing.

I'm all for the Ducati approach ... handling starts with weight.

While I'm all in favor of the Ducati approach, if you're comparing the K16 motor to the Blackbird's, the BMW has +25 HP, +51 ft lb of torque, better fuel economy, & I'm guessing more torque @ low RPMs.

If you're comparing bikes, the 175 HP K1300S would be a better match.

[birdrunner]

While I'm all in favor of the Ducati approach, if you're comparing the K16 motor to the Blackbird's, the BMW has +25 HP, +51 ft lb of torque, better fuel economy, & I'm guessing more torque @ low RPMs.

If you're comparing bikes, the 175 HP K1300S would be a better match.

I'm saying that they've adding weight, power and complexity, and are charging a surplus for it, yet my 11 yr old XX out performs it.  I'm saying that adding couple comfort mods to an ZX14, Busa or K1300 would give a superior ride.  I'm not sure what they were trying for with this bike.  

[Major 662]

I'm saying that they've adding weight, power and complexity, and are charging a surplus for it, yet my 11 yr old XX out performs it.  I'm saying that adding couple comfort mods to an ZX14, Busa or K1300 would give a superior ride.  I'm not sure what they were trying for with this bike.  

Here's where I think BMW is going with the K-bikes:

K1300S - Nürburgring racer, gentleman's hyperbike, more comfy than a track bike for longer rides (esp. with integrated hard bags, ESA suspension, ABS, heated grips, longer wheel base, etc.)

K1600GT - for the rider that does more touring than day rides in the canyon.  More places to store things, plug in, mount extras.  More adjustments.  More weather protection.  Better for 2-up  Mega-torquey motor to move it all.

K1600GTL - Max comfort and capacity, but more nimble than a Goldwing.

With that lineup plus the RT and GS options, they've got touring in nearly every flavor.

Personally, I love the XX.  If they had it in a color besides black in 2004, I might have bought one instead of the Duc ST3.  Honda was ahead of their time with that bike.  That's why I have a K13S now -- same general philosophy and I'm OK with a 14-hr day on it.

[birdrunner]

I wonder if you can notice the torque with the extra 150 lbs?  Just seems counter productive to me, and this just isn't a BMW thing ...  VFR anyone????

I can't wait till a friend buys one and lets me try it out.

[staedtler]

fo ok,... just listen to that soundtrack   (just skip to the 3:30 mrk)

[cruisin]

interesting that so many are expecting a 767lb touring bike (and it's slightly sportier cousin; GT) to perform like a hyped up sport bike.   I'm betting the GTL and GT will perform exactly the way they were designed by the BMW engineers. If you want sport bike performance, then buy a sport bike not a touring bike.

[McHack]

interesting that so many are expecting a 767lb touring bike (and it's slightly sportier cousin; GT) to perform like a hyped up sport bike.   I'm betting the GTL and GT will perform exactly the way they were designed by the BMW engineers. If you want sport bike performance, then buy a sport bike not a touring bike.

Whats this?   Common sense?  It cant be, or can it?

[tdeboeser]

Whats this?   Common sense?  It cant be, or can it?

I disagree with the "common sense", I would say you have lots of cylinders, lots of torque and lots of power.  One would expect something akin to a 330ci or M3/M5 (auto GT) type performance.  Down shifting twice doesn't seem to fit the promise of the motor.  Common sense would dictate a motor like that should pull mountains.  

I'm betting the GTL and GT will perform exactly the way they were designed by the BMW engineers.

No engineer gets what they want, except the F1 guys...

[MacGyver]

I'll just rip that soundtrack to my ipod so I can listen to it while puttering along in my Vstrom.   Want the bike. Not the invoice.

[tigertom1965]

What they seem to want is a BMW that is geared for American roads and not geared for the Autobahn. My R1200RT has a top gear that is supposed to be used at speeds above 55 or it will not be in the powerband. I don't mind shifting. I ride a motorcycle for the ability to shift and fly by someone and for the fun factor. They built a strong motor that is smooth, sporty, and gets decent gas mileage at autobahn speeds.  I know many of you have bikes that can go 186 or better but what kind of gas mileage do you get when you are fully loaded with luggage at those speeds? I think they just made sure the bike wasn't buzzy at Autobahn speeds and didn't worry so much about whether you can pass someone in top gear at 65 taking 2 seconds to get to 100. If they don't like shifting drive a car and stop whining like a 2 year old. Jeesh!!!

[atadaskew]

fo ok,... just listen to that soundtrack   (just skip to the 3:30 mrk)

Dang.  Forget complaining about shifting.  Anything to keep the revs up to hear that!

Anyone have a similar sound capture from the VFR12?  Seriously.  I'd love to hear that in comparison.

[cruisin]

 If they don't like shifting drive a car and stop whining like a 2 year old. Jeesh!!!

 

[McHack]

If they don't like shifting drive a car and stop whining like a 2 year old. Jeesh!!!

I'm thinking those that whine about shifting,  should just go ahead & buy a DN-01.

[BBB]

I had a brief 20 minute ride on the 1600GT a few weeks ago and I have no idea where kevin Ash gets the idea that the bike needs to be downshifted to get decent acceleration for overtakes. I found that the bike pulled strongly from 30mph in 6th gear. The acceleration was something else and was far better than my old K1200S which had a race can and a power commander with a custom map in that department. The difference between my 2010 1200RT and the 1600GT in this area was considerable.

For those who are believing the Ash report I would suggest you go and take a ride on one and see for yourself.

[McHack]

I came THIIIS >< close to buying a used K1200GT,  until I read the review on motorcyclistonline.com...  

I am NOW,  paying down on my last bit of debt aggressively... so I can consider one of these next spring.!!!!

[MacGyver]

I did the BMW Demo ride last saturday and I was on a stripper model K1600GT right behind the ride leader.   Several times on the ride, he gave me the signal to punch and punch it we did.  
Boys and girls... It has blackbird levels of acceleration.  Wound it out through 3rd gear and it was absolutely laser smooth.  If you have the money for the bike, it is worth the price of admission.  Lots of happy campers at the end of the demo ride.

Test ride one... trust me!  Most BMW shops have a K1600GT ready for you to demo.

[atdrs]

I'm thinking those that whine about shifting,  should just go ahead & buy a DN-01.

I test rode the GTL but found out that you still have to lean the bike while cornering. What were they thinking?

[three west]

I did the BMW Demo ride last saturday and I was on a stripper model K1600GT right behind the ride leader.   Several times on the ride, he gave me the signal to punch and punch it we did.  
Boys and girls... It has blackbird levels of acceleration.  Wound it out through 3rd gear and it was absolutely laser smooth.  If you have the money for the bike, it is worth the price of admission.  Lots of happy campers at the end of the demo ride.

Test ride one... trust me!  Most BMW shops have a K1600GT ready for you to demo.

my GT was in for service a couple weeks back, dealer didn't have a single GT in the building, but had 5? GTLs!

[bmwone]

I rented one in Germany for two weeks - lots of time in the Alps, autobahn, autostrada, trip to Mugello for the Italian GP, etc.

Bottom line - too big for the Alps, perfect for American roads, regardless of what they are. Would I buy it? Maaaaaaaaybe .........

[RBEmerson]

Was that a GT or GTL?