But it’s that wonderful 72 x 67.5mm six-cylinder dry-sump liquid-cooled engine that’s the real star, primarily because of how it pulls in top gear from practically off idle up to the 8500 rpm rev limiter without a single hiccup or glitch in the transmission. Whatever gear you’re in, there’s a silky delivery of serious power needed to get such a substantial show on the road, especially between 4000 and 7000 rpm. It’s an enormously satisfying and responsive powerplant, especially if you select Dynamic mode for BMW’s so-called E-gas combined ride-by-wire control system, which delivers a smarter character to the engine’s performance without making the BMW’s throttle pickup abrupt. The Rain setting has a more leisurely throttle response by comparison, with the Road mode somewhere in between that you’ll end up using on fast open stretches, with the engine effortlessly purring at 5800 rpm at 124 mph.
The Safety Package Option...
The Safety Package Option for both the GT and GTL includes Adaptive Headlight, Dynamic Traction Control and tire pressure monitor. Even more, the Audio Package Option includes Sirius radio, MP3/USB, AUX and iPod connectivity, multi-controller and Bluetooth capability
At highway speeds, the BMW is extremely stable and the large, highly adjustable screen up front provides ample amounts of wind protection for any rider height and any riding conditions. The screen can be altered electrically on the go via a knob on the left handlebar, and it brings it back to your chosen position when you restart the engine. The windscreen also acts as security for the optional Garmin GPS dash package that most K16 owners will surely buy.
Smooth, stylish, sporty-sounding, seductive, sophisticated and supremely swift, these sixes are special K on two wheels. Once again, BMW has raised the bar for its competitors, setting new standards for a significant model sector with the new K1600 duo. sr
| BMW K1600GT/GTL |
| MSRP: $20,900/ $23,200 |
| Engine |
| Type | Liquid-cooled inline six-cylinder DOHC four-stroke, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement | 1649cc |
| Bore x stroke | 72.0 x 67.5mm |
| Compression ratio | 12.2:1 |
| Induction | BMS-X EFI, single 52mm throttle body |
| Chassis |
| Front tire | 120/70ZR-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55ZR-17 |
| Rake/trail | 62.2 degrees/4.3 in. (109 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 66.1 in. (1680mm) |
| Seat height | 31.9 in. (810mm) to 32.7 in. (830mm)/29.5 in. (750mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.3 gal./7.0 gal. |
| Claimed wet weight | 703 lb (320kg)/767 lb (349kg) |