Carpet Bagger
The words luxury and motorcycle are almost never used together in the same sentence. Motorcycles by their very nature aren't luxurious or so I thought. The K1600 from BMW has long been their top-of-the-line sports tourer and with the addition of a lot of new tech and features, is now set to be the best luxury sports tourer you can buy. One look at the K1600 in its B for bagger trim, and you just know this is something special. It's safe to say that this trumps even the top-end R1250 sports tourer which we tested not so long ago.
Related: BMW R1250 RT (2022) Review
Despite its sheer size, the K1600 still manages to be a pukka sports tourer, unlike the massive R18 Transcontinental. Both are fantastic tourers but the B manages to take things to the next level. Back in the days of yore, wealthy young folk who toured through Europe were nicknamed carpetbaggers, for the large material suitcases that contained just about anything they would need outside of a steamer trunk, and the K1600 B is no different!
Style
For those in the know, BMW offers a number of options that change the appearance and build-up of your K1600. Our test unit has been given the Option 719 exclusive treatment and comes resplendent in Manhattan metallic matt paintwork and gives it the instantaneously recognizable bagger silhouette. The K1600B has a wide front fairing and large screen that dominates its forward face with a new dynamic lighting system full LED headlight that turns night into day. The low-slung hard-mounted, colour-coded panniers not only give a handy place to store your touring gear but also add to the low-slung aerodynamic design. I can't say I am a fan of the twin "bazooka" style exhausts, but they do add to the American tourer vibe
Tech
Despite a raft of technology included in the bike, you can't see much of it, except of course for the new 10.25" infotainment screen, yes that is correct an infotainment system on a bike. As in their cars, the infotainment not only gives the rider all the necessary readouts of bike health but also contains Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and audio playback if you get the optional audio speaker system. It is beautifully clear and easy to read in all light conditions. Deep inside the engine are a host of new features such as BMS-O engine control, new lambda sensors, and knock sensors that keep the engine health in check and this results in a smoother running machine with much-improved emissions.
Engine and Drivetrain
The K1600 is powered by the new EU5 compliant 6-cylinder engine, The engine delivers 118kW and 180Nm through a 6-speed slick-shifting transmission via shaft drive to the rear wheel. The gear shift is of particular interest to me as the Shift Assist is possibly one of the best that BMW makes, shifting clutchlessly while keeping the accelerator pinned results in a lovely howl as the B heads for the horizon. The K1600 also benefits from the next-generation BMW Dynamic ESA automatically compensating suspension for a featherlight ride even on the worst roads in Gauteng.
Let's Ride
Let's not kid ourselves here, the K1600, even in the stripped-down B spec is big, bulky, and heavy and really not meant for a novice rider that has no experience with big machinery. BMW has cleverly included a reverse gear, activated from the left handlebar control, to assist with slow-speed parking maneuvers but even this is of little help if you can't hold up the bike. Once you get going though, it's a different story as the B wafts along at pace. This is near-perfect open road touring in absolute comfort! There is plenty of low-down torque for overtaking and even the steepest of hills are done away with a quick twist of the throttle, no downshift required. The rider position is very comfortable on the B with convenient forward floorboards allowing one to stretch the legs on those really long rides. Bringing the feet back brings one into a slightly more sporting riding position for when the curves come along.
Pros and Cons
- New infotainment screen
- Supple self-adjusting suspension
- Near perfect gearing
- Torquey engine
- Very comfortable riding positions
- Heavy and cumbersome at low speeds
- Expensive
Model and Price
BMW K1600 B Option 719 Exclusive - R 400 400 (excl further options)
* K1600 gets the extended 5-year warranty
Verdict
The only real problem that I have with the K1600 is the price. This machine starts just shy of half a million rand.... for a motorcycle! That is hard for many thoroughbred bikers to stomach but in retrospect, it's absolutely worth it. If one takes into consideration everything that comes with the package and the fact that you are traveling in total comfort the K1600 B or GT siblings begins to make a great deal of sense. Let's just say if I had the budget there would be one parked in my garage. If you happen to be in the market for one of these luxury tourers you definitely need to give one a test ride, if nothing else your pillion will thank you!
