Comments on: BMW K1600GTL: First Official Photos (Bike Reports) (News)

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:12:34 +0000

Typical BMW. A really nice bike that I can’t afford.

By: clasqm

clasqm — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:27:57 +0000

Yes, when I had a BMW its services were pricey. But they only had to be done every 10 000 kms. Now I own a Honda and a Suzuki and they expect to be serviced every 6 000 kms. So, BMW’s services can be 100/60 = 1.66 times more expensive and still you break even.

On top of that, BMW’s parts availability is unsurpassed. True, having a limited range of models helps. But you can walk into a BMW dealership and walk out with a part for a 20-year old bike. Try that at your average Japanese dealership!

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By: jim

jim — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:13:49 +0000

I think the Japanese brands are placing their bets on the Chinese and developing Asian markets. Millions of scooters… that pays the bills. Credibility in a hobbled US ecconmy is mute.
I own three BMW’s and I plan to buy this one.

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By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:42:33 +0000

Bob have you not been in a BMW dealer in the last 7 years a new boxer is lighter faster and better than ever before and to me represent the opitome of sport touring. A R/T weighs 570 lbs wet weight. Thats very light for what you get. And a new GS is even lighter.

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By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:35:35 +0000

If That bike comes in at 735 wet it would be super light for a luxo-tourer. H.D touring bikes have gotten heavier 880 wet for an ultra, wings are 920 wet. for those of you complaing they make light bikes. The Jap touring cruisers are heavier than what they predict the k1600. This is what represents where technology takes us.

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By: SPasse

SPasse — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 12:33:00 +0000

“I have always found BMW dealers being very supportive; especially of opening my wallet and turning it upside down to empty it.”

BMW = Bring Massive Wallet

That pretty much sums it up. I previously had owned 2 K1200 LTs and the routine dealer services were obscenely expensive. As point of comparison, I am currently keeping 2 Goldwings on the road for what is cost me to keep a single K1200 on the road. And the Goldwing is not exactly a “cheap” vehicle to service.

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By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 11:35:32 +0000

BMW is telling dealers that the K16 GT will weigh about 700#, so expect the actual wet weight to be 735-ish. Heavy, but compared to the Wing, the outgoing K12LT and the cruiser based touring rigs, pretty light.

How can MC Daily say that obvious phone-cam pics are “official”

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By: mark b

mark b — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:22:18 +0000

Looks like nice technology but I tend to agree with the person who commented about the rear of the bike. Doesn’t look like a very integrated touring package to me. Say what u want about the Wing, but as a 50+ year old commuter rider (66miles/day 10+k/year in New England) my ’08 airbag does everything I want it to from a practical side and techno side. From this photo this model looks a little too sport for me; looks like a passenger would end up right against my back. On the wing an average size passenger doesn’t cramp my style and the heft of the machine absorbs most typical effects of having a passenger at anything above parking lot speeds. I suspect like a lot of experienced wing riders, I’ll wait til the new wing comes out….For me Honda needs to address:
Add power windshield
Redesign airbox soas to make air filter changes easy.
Reduce engine/gearbox noise and improve shifting in lower gears
Rework front fork to improve suppleness/ride quality
Consider adding a sixth gear for the highway without changing existing ratios.

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By: sharkwl

sharkwl — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 21:55:20 +0000

Pretty boring really! Still, no match for the Gl1800 Goldwing! The king of touring bikes! Ride on!

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By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:36:39 +0000

Nice Nemo allusion. However…I gotta disagree. To pull a line from This is Spinal Tap: “But ours go to eleven.” If I had the money, I would swap my FJR for the K1600GT in a nanosecond.

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