BMW K 1600 GTL 2018 — Specifications

When Harley-Davidson lines up its CVO models and Indian releases its Elite models, Munich couldn't stand idly by. With the arrival of the "Spezial" program in 2018, the BMW K 1600 GTL enters a new dimension: that of factory customization, with manufacturer's warranty included. Exclusive paintwork, selected parts, custom equipment. The bill quickly adds up, certainly, but no one chooses a GTL looking to cut corners on budget. What’s surprising is that BMW Motorrad waited so long to offer this service, when the automotive division had been doing so for years via its Individual branch.

Where the K 1600 GT plays the card of a sporty touring machine, the GTL fully embraces its role as a grand luxury traveler. The handlebar angled rearward straightens the rider's position, the single-piece seat sits 750 mm from the ground, well below the 810 to 830 mm of its GT cousin, and the advanced footrests complete this picture tailored for long distances. The top case with integrated backrest transforms the rear space into a comfortable area, while the large electrically adjustable windscreen filters the wind with an efficiency that touring riders will appreciate from the first hour on the highway. At this level of comfort, direct competitors like the Honda Gold Wing or the Kawasaki 1400 GTR have cause for concern, even if each machine defends its territory with its own arguments.

The inline six-cylinder engine of 1649 cc is the heart of this machine. 160 horsepower at 7750 rpm, 175 Nm of torque at 5250 rpm, all housed in a particularly compact block for this architecture. BMW managed the transition to Euro 4 without sacrificing these figures, by reworking the injection mapping and the catalytic system. This engine has a personality all its own: a smooth rise in revs, a progressiveness that contrasts with the abrupt temperament of some American V-twins, and a sound that remains civilized even when seriously utilizing the 350 kg of the fully fueled machine. Because the weight is there, unavoidable. Reverse gear, available as an option via the starter button, is therefore not a gadget: on a used BMW K 1600 GTL as well as a new one, maneuvering in parking situations is considerably simplified. However, we will regret that it is not included as standard at this price level.

The semi-active ESA Dynamic suspension, now standard since 2017, represents perhaps the most tangible improvement of this version. The system adjusts the damping in real time according to acceleration and deceleration, with two modes to choose from: Road for daily comfort on varied road surfaces, Dynamic for a firmer behavior. Switching from one mode to the other is done while riding, and the spring preload is adjusted with a simple press. Combined with the proven chassis, aluminum perimeter frame, Duolever at the front and Paralever swingarm with cardan drive at the rear, the result is a machine that never betrays its imposing size once launched. The standard equipment is generous: ABS Pro, DTC, TFT screen, xenon headlight, heated grips and seat, cruise control, Bluetooth audio system. The new BMW K 1600 GTL price around 26,300 euros places this machine out of reach of the average rider, which explains the interest in the used BMW K 1600 GTL market.

This 2018 model year is aimed at the grand touring rider who refuses to choose between absolute comfort and high-performance engine power. Not for beginners, not for urban commuters, not for track riders. For the traveler who counts their kilometers in thousands, who loads their side cases and top case BMW K 1600 GTL for trips lasting several weeks, and who wants to return as fresh as when they left. In this specific niche, the GTL keeps its promises better than anyone. A few options should have been integrated into the base price, such as reverse gear or adaptive lighting, but this criticism applies to many premium manufacturers who know how to monetize every line of equipment. The rest lives up to the ambition displayed.