BMW K 1600 GT 2021 — Specifications

Fifteen years reigning over the grand touring segment, and the BMW K 1600 GT has yet to find a rival capable of stealing its crown on the most important ground: pure endurance, effortless miles, travel as an art of living. Born in 2011 with a bold technical approach, it is now the only mass-produced motorcycle to feature an inline six-cylinder engine under its bodywork. This choice, which could have remained a simple marketing argument, has proven to be the very soul of the machine.

This 1649 cm³ engine develops 160 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and, above all, 175 Nm of torque at 5,250 rpm. But the raw figures don't tell the whole story. What distinguishes this engine from everything offered by the competition, including the Honda Gold Wing, is its texture. Power builds linearly, without abruptness, with a velvety progression that more closely resembles a turbine than a piston engine. From the mid-range, the machine pulls with a constancy that allows you to overtake a truck on the highway without even downshifting, without raising the tone. And when the six-cylinder sings at high rpm, the sound that escapes from the silencers naturally commands the respect of fellow riders on the road. The 2021 BMW K 1600 GT also inherits adaptive headlight beam, daytime running lights and RDC tire pressure monitoring as standard equipment, features that previously belonged to the optional package.

The real problem with this machine is its weight. With 334 kg fully fueled, it makes no illusions about its urban vocation. On the other hand, once in motion, the very low center of gravity and the balance of masses worked on by the Bavarian engineers allow for surprisingly agile handling for this size. The motorized reverse gear, integrated as standard since 2020, responds to an obvious practical necessity and avoids many cold sweats in sloped parking lots. The 750 mm seat height remains accessible for a rider of average height, which is good news for such an imposing machine. On the BMW K 1600 GT technical specifications, these details make a difference in everyday use.

The chassis relies on a proven architecture: aluminum perimeter frame, Duolever suspension at the front and Paralever swingarm with cardan drive at the rear. The ESA Dynamic electronic pilot suspension adjusts in real time according to road constraints, with two modes to choose from. Spring preload is also adjusted from the handlebar before departure, without getting off the bike. Braking, entrusted to two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers at the front and a rear disc with a two-piston caliper, benefits from partial coupling ABS. Nothing to criticize about the effectiveness of the whole. The Pro shifter, optional, allows you to change gears without touching the clutch in both directions, a welcome comfort on long distances, like what is found on sport bikes such as the S 1000 RR.

At €26,800 for a new BMW K 1600 GT, the GT is aimed at a specific audience: the experienced grand tourer, the one who travels 20,000 kilometers per year, who travels as a duo with luggage, who wants to arrive fresh after 600 kilometers of asphalt. It is not meant for beginners, nor for the hurried urban rider. Its BMW K 1600 GT accessories and BMW K 1600 GT luggage catalog is one of the most comprehensive on the market, allowing it to be precisely adapted to your needs. The announced BMW K 1600 GT top speed of 201 km/h is honest enough for a machine of this weight and vocation. Those who want more pure comfort and less sporty character will find in the K 1600 GTL a legitimate alternative, but will pay a few thousand euros extra. The GT, for its part, retains a balance between dynamism and grand touring that makes it unique in its category.