BMW K 1600 B 2017 — Specifications

When Harley-Davidson sells baggers by the hundreds of thousands and Honda tries its hand with the F6B, BMW couldn't just stand by and watch the feast from the window. The Munich response is called the BMW K 1600 B, and it arrives with an argument that no one in this segment was really expecting: a six-cylinder inline engine where all competitors proudly line up their V-twins. It's the brand's first bagger, and the gamble is bold in more ways than one.

First, the engine. This 1649 cc, cut from the same block as the K 1600 GT, delivers 160 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 175 Nm of torque at 5520 rpm. Faced with a Street Glide that peaks around 100 hp with its Milwaukee-Eight, the BMW K 1600 B is not in the same category of raw power. The Honda F6B, the only rival capable of opposing a comparable six-cylinder engine, remains the only one able to discuss smoothness on this specific terrain. But at €23,214 new, BMW is clearly playing a premium card, that of the sophisticated European bagger rather than the classic American cruiser.

The lines were designed to appeal to an American audience without betraying German DNA. The low, tapered rear section, the integrated saddlebags whose lids conceal the taillights, the chrome mufflers that run parallel to the asphalt, all of this builds a coherent and recognizable silhouette. The 780 mm seat height remains reasonable for this size, and the new lowered rear frame also makes life easier for the passenger. On the scale, 336 kg all full, which places the BMW K 1600 B in the same category as its direct rivals, none of which play the lightweight card in this register.

Technically, the BMW Motorrad touring K 1600 B incorporates what Munich does best in terms of electronics. The dynamic ESA suspension automatically adapts the damping according to the road surface in Road mode, and switches to a softer law for cruising speeds in Cruise mode. The reverse assist, activatable from the left handlebar control, responds to a real problem: moving 336 kg in a tight parking lot is nothing like a pleasure. The Pro shifter, available as an option like on many BMW K 1600 B accessories, allows gear changes up and down without touching the clutch. The shaft drive, essential on this type of machine, completes a package designed for long-distance use without mechanical constraints.

This bagger is aimed at a specific profile: the globetrotter who devours the kilometers with a requirement for comfort, who appreciates the integrated saddlebags and the American style without wanting to sacrifice European road holding. The consumption announced at 5.7 liters per hundred, combined with a 26.5-liter tank, gives a theoretical range of more than 460 kilometers, which counts for someone who dreams of crossing the continent without stopping every hour. Those looking for a used BMW K 1600 B will find examples from the 2017, 2018 and 2020 model years at more accessible prices, the motorcycle having evolved little in its main lines since its launch. The maximum speed limited to 200 km/h remains within European standards, and in practice no one will reproach it for lacking punch on the highway.

The only real point of friction is the weight. Maneuvering this machine in the city requires experience, and beginners would do better to start their training elsewhere. For a confirmed rider looking for a bagger capable of performing on winding roads as well as on national highways, the BMW K 1600 B keeps a promise that Harley simply cannot formulate with its stiffer chassis. It is there, precisely, that Munich found its niche.