BMW K1600GT review [ashonbikes.com]

[atadaskew]

Bottom line - too big for the Alps

Would you consider the R1200RT too big for the Alps in comparison?

[Bain Dramage]

With all the complaints about the deficiencies of BMW's new touring flagship, I'm surprised that nobody has complained about it not being a good dual-sport.

Or did I miss a post???  

[BBB]

Would you consider the R1200RT too big for the Alps in comparison?

Having done a tour last year that took in the Alps, Dolomites and the Grossglockner in Austria on a 2010 1200RT I would say the answer is no. Even two up and fully loaded the bike was a blast and so agile.

[atadaskew]

Having done a tour last year that took in the Alps, Dolomites and the Grossglockner in Austria on a 2010 1200RT I would say the answer is no. Even two up and fully loaded the bike was a blast and so agile.

Thanks.  I've always like the idea of BMWs as boxer twins.
Guess it makes sense the R12RT is much more agile as it is several hundred pounds lighter.

[BBB]

I think the weight difference is in the region of 66kg,  or 145 pounds.

[RBEmerson]

[...]"several hundred pounds[...]    Er, how heavy do you think these bikes are?  

[tigertom1965]

Headscratch [...]"several hundred pounds[...]    Er, how heavy do you think these bikes are?  

The new K1600GT bikes are over 700 lbs. The R1200RT is 571 lbs wet and the K1200GT bike was what 630 ish.
The 145 lb weight diff is about right but not several hundred lbs difference.

[atadaskew]

The new K1600GT bikes are over 700 lbs. The R1200RT is 571 lbs wet and the K1200GT bike was what 630 ish.
The 145 lb weight diff is about right but not several hundred lbs difference.

Ok, 145lbs.

Not small potatoes...

[technut]

Well folks I happen to own one and can tell you, I do not have to downshift to overtake anyone. In fact you can run this bike down to about 30 mph in sixth gear, crack open the throttle and she is off no hesitation at all. Someone said you still have to lean the bike to turn. Really what bike does not lean when you turn. I also have several sportbikes ie gsxr1000, zx6r, sv650, zx12 and can say while this bike is no much for my gsxr in the twisties it handles very well. Suprisingly well. As far as leaning the bike to turn, physics tells us if you counter-steer into turns it will lean itself. It also will turn quicker that way than moving your weight around. Some of you need to read a book called "A Twist Of The Wrist"

[BBB]

Well folks I happen to own one and can tell you, I do not have to downshift to overtake anyone. In fact you can run this bike down to about 30 mph in sixth gear, crack open the throttle and she is off no hesitation at all. Someone said you still have to lean the bike to turn. Really what bike does not lean when you turn. I also have several sportbikes ie gsxr1000, zx6r, sv650, zx12 and can say while this bike is no much for my gsxr in the twisties it handles very well. Suprisingly well. As far as leaning the bike to turn, physics tells us if you counter-steer into turns it will lean itself. It also will turn quicker that way than moving your weight around. Some of you need to read a book called "A Twist Of The Wrist"

Are you referring to the K1600 or the R1200RT?

[technut]

K1600

[BBB]

Technut,

I found the same as you after two test rides on the K1600. It would really haul ass in 6th gear from 30 mph and downshifts were not necessary.

[OU812]

I test rode a GTL last month. Very impressive bike overall! Handles like a 600lb bike. All the engine heat is sent to your lower legs. That was not impressive but the rest, WOW!

[Z50a]

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.

Ya can't believe everything you read (on here as well....     'duh) !  
Most of it, is people's opinions..., just like what I am posting is my opinion.

I did a demo ride on the K1600GTL, this past Saturday.  
I went there for the sole purpose of wanting to ride a K1600GT, but they didn't have a GT, so without hesitation - jumped on the GTL.

The bike impressed the $&*# out of me !  
I generally prefer naked R1200R / Ducati Monster 1100S - type bikes, but have ridden everything from S1000RRs to Ducati 848s to Yamaha R1s to R1200GS to Harleys and a boat-load of bikes in-between and The K1600GTL impressed the $&*# out of me !   I wasn't expecting an S1000RR engine or an R1200R (or an R1200GS) type ride.  Earlier that day got to ride an R1200RT, before getting on the K.

It was a 45 minute group / dealer lead & dealer riding sweep ride.  I was the last customer before the sweep rider, he was giving me plenty of space, so I had some room to play.  At one point I got stuck at an intersection and had a mile or so, to catch up.... I twisted it up, nailed every shift and the flippin' bike can move !    I don't care what anyone says or I read in any magazine, if you know how to ride... the bike moves.  The ESA II, the Electronic Throttle Control and Multiple Drive modes works flawlessly.  If your in "Road" or "Rain" mode the throttle response is different than "Dynamic".  I played around with the settings, but with the drive mode set to "Dynamic" and the ESA set to "Sport", the bike rocks.  I had some room and came up to and rode a nice long sweeper @ about 70-75 mph and was surprised that my toe was scrapping the ground !  The bike impressed the $&*# out of me !  

If you don't like this "type" of bike, don't like (or want to like) BMWs, that's one thing....  I don't know how you can say the engineers in Munich; did not nail it !

[Bain Dramage]

I agree with Z50a.

I have ridden both of the new 1600 models extensively now, and BMW has a winner. It goes from 40 MPH - 90 MPH (no shifting) like a rocket.

It is heavier - and seems to carry its weight up higher than my RT, but it is one fantastic machine.

If I didn't already own my RT, I would buy the GT version without hesitation.

If I were going to do flat-slab interstate travel - and nothing more - choosing between a GTL and the new Gold Wing would be tough, but for touring a combination of two-lanes, twisties, and interstate, I think the nod would go to the BMW.

[Silverbird]

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.  



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

Yea right, F1 has more rules than the NFL

[chesthing]

The new K1600GT bikes are over 700 lbs. The R1200RT is 571 lbs wet and the K1200GT bike was what 630 ish.
The 145 lb weight diff is about right but not several hundred lbs difference.

Bullshit. MCN lists wet weight of 625 for the R12RT. This is an independent mag that actually weighs and dynos every bike they test. I understand why BMW consistenly lies about the weight and hp of it's bikes, what I don't understand is why so many believe their claimed numbers?

[cruisin]

Well folks I happen to own one . . .

Any chance you could run it across a scale somewhere with nothing in the luggage and a full tank of gas so we can get an accurate weight?  Maybe a nearby elevator or scrap yard or something similar.  Inquiring minds want to know.

[BBB]

Bullshit. MCN lists wet weight of 625 for the R12RT. This is an independent mag that actually weighs and dynos every bike they test. I understand why BMW consistenly lies about the weight and hp of it's bikes, what I don't understand is why so many believe their claimed numbers?

Do you have the link to the MCN test that shows a wet weight of 625 for the RT?

[chesthing]

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/JuneBmwR1200RT3.pdf
1/11 issue included a performance index, giving weight, hp, 1/4 mile etc for pretty much every bike since 1998. I kept it for reference, the hp and weights are typically 10-15% off what BMW claims in their literature even factoring in dyno at the engine/rear wheel differences. I guess this optimism sells bikes to those who like to believe in fairy tales?