BMW K 1600 GT 2017 — Specifications

Imagine 334 kilograms of German engineering that seems to disappear beneath you as soon as you shift into second gear. That’s the magic trick performed by the BMW K 1600 GT since its launch in 2011, and which this 2017 model year continues to exploit with disconcerting mastery. Not a redesign, not a revolution: a surgical evolution, as Munich knows how to practice on its bestsellers.

The heart of the matter is this inline six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1649 cm³, the last representative of the species in the GT category. BMW had to comply with Euro 4 standards, reworking the injection mapping and catalytic system, without affecting the final result: 160 horsepower at 7750 rpm and 175 Nm of torque available from mid-range. The raw figure doesn’t tell the whole story. This engine doesn’t just push hard, it does so with a smoothness that its four-cylinder competitors simply cannot imitate. Faced with a Honda Gold Wing or a Kawasaki 1400 GTR, the BMW K 1600 GT plays a different sonic and vibrational score, that of a six-cylinder engine whose deep, silky voice constitutes an argument for purchase in itself. The fuel tank, increased to 26.5 liters, extends the range on long stages, which, with a consumption announced at 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers, allows for distances exceeding 400 kilometers between refueling stops.

The major novelty of this version lies in the ESA Dynamic suspension, now standard equipment. The aluminum bridge-type frame, the Duolever at the front and the Paralever at the rear constitute a proven chassis, which this semi-active damping system refines in real time. Two modes, Road and Dynamic, adjust the firmness of the dampers in milliseconds according to the detected driving parameters. On a winding, loaded road, the difference is measurable, not just felt. This complements an already extensive electronic arsenal: three riding modes, traction control DTC, partially coupled ABS with a 320 mm double disc at the front. The 2017 BMW K 1600 GT technical specifications set the bar high in terms of active safety.

On the options side, BMW has finally yielded to a recurring demand from owners of the BMW K 1600 GT: a reverse gear. Maneuvering 334 kilograms in an underground parking lot has, until now, been a constant negotiation with gravity. The system, operated from the left handlebar switchgear, uses the starter motor to propel the machine backward. It's a paid option, which understandably annoys, but its usefulness is real. The Pro shifter, inherited from the S 1000 RR, is also featured in the BMW K 1600 GT accessories catalog, allowing gear changes at full load without engaging the clutch. For a machine designed for the highway and long distances, this is a considerable comfort, especially for the BMW K 1600 GT footrests on the highway where the left hand accumulates the kilometers.

At a new price of 22,550 euros, the BMW K 1600 GT is not for motorcyclists who hesitate about a BMW K 1600 GT luggage budget. It's a machine for seasoned tourers, grand travelers who know what they're buying: a level of standard finish and equipment that few competitors approach, with electric memory bubble, xenon headlight, TFT screen, heated grips and seat, cruise control. The BMW K 1600 GT used market reflects this solidity of value, well-maintained examples selling at prices that testify to a perceived solid reliability. Those who want even more comfort will find in the K 1600 GTL, 2,250 euros more expensive, a version even more focused on grand touring. But for those seeking the balance between dynamism and comfort over long distances, this GT 2017 remains the most coherent proposition in the six-cylinder segment, a segment it now occupies almost alone.