At the end of the day's work on Saturday the sales manager was talking about the need to "get some miles" on the remaining demonstrator fleet of 2013 BMWs before the year ends. I enquired about which models he was referring to. His answer was, an F800GS (I have ridden them a fair bit), an S1000RR (have ridden them a heap too).

With cooler but sunny weather on for the remainder of the weekend, and the desire to take a fair-haired passenger along, I enquired further. "I need to get a K16GTL run in, I've got a dealer plate for it and all I have to do is press the button to register it with BMWNA," he said. "I'm your man," said I in response. He was happy, as he said, to let me break it in since you never know how a customer is going to treat a brand new bike that they've no real vested interest in. Most are good to a machine, but some unfortunately adhere to the now-common adage, 'ride it like you stole it.'

At closing time, in the dark, I sat in the lot astride a humming 2013 K1600GTL six cylinder with all of 6 miles showing on the odometre, fiddling with the myriad of settings. First I set the ESA suspension to 'sport' with one helmet showing. Next I twisted the dial to heat up the hand grips and the rider's portion of the seat. Mirrors and windscreen set to my height and preference: check. Then I turned off the stereo (country AND western ain't my rhythm). GPS on towards home, I released the clutch and felt the fluid-like six pull me away.

Traffic was the usual stop 'n' go Seattle mess. It took me a half an hour to go five miles in to the heart of the city and off and away down the HOV lane. Bikes (taxis and buses) are allowed on the exclusive strip of bitumen but cars and light trucks have to have two or more occupants. I easily peeled away the rush and settled into a steady 75 mph swirl through the darkness, the air coming over the top of the tall windscreen just at helmet top vent level, creating a bit of a rushing noise. I raised it electrically and all fell silent around me. The cat's eyes headlight punched a hole through the dark of night, as well as having the ability to turn in as you lean into a corner. The seat warmed my derriere, the grips enclosed my hands in a liquidy warmth, and the steady but muted rumble of the silky smooth six transformed me to a time warp kind of place.

If a car entered my lane ahead and slowed me down I simply looked to either side, indicated my intention to change lanes, thought about where ahead of it - and other traffic - I wanted to be, and with just an ever so slight squeeze of the right hand grip I was transported to any place ahead I wanted to be. Overtaking is elementary. 160 maximum bhp does its job and the torque curve is linear. Freight train is one way to describe it. Any gear. Take yer pick.

This arvo I waddled out in my layers of gear and threw a leg over, with passenger, and we took a 100 km ride out some fine, damp back roads through the hills of Western Washington. All senses were aware and heightened. I looked for dramas, listened for rattles, felt for vibrations, searched for things that would irritate or annoy over the road. I found none. My passenger was smiling. This particular beast would set a person back over US$28,000 (AU$39000 in OZ). I like my old K which is long ago paid for, and my 2004 R1150RT which cost me $3000 secondhand 18 months ago. I wouldn't want the monthly payment or insurance bill for this machine, fine, and refined, as it is. But, gahd, it wuz fun!

This motorbike is the evolution (and revolution) of our venerable K. It is related by design, 'blood' and by history. It is a technological tour de force, like it or not. Do I need the level of bells and whistles aboard? Not one bit. Could I ride this 350-plus kilogram behemoth every day as my daily ride? Nuh, too rangy and long, and too heavy. But with a passenger behind and a full tank between my legs, the long-legged gearing, Duolever front suspension, and comfort amenities galore, the big girl can surely dance over the long road, and make an easy meal out of the twisties, too...

I forgot to mention that its sweet six sounds like a Ferrari at full song*...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooo0mOqkvig












*But I never once revved this one over 5,000 grand. Breaking it in, remember.  

My first look at the 16 I knew it was too much motorcycle for me.
I like them light and lean! Would love a go on one tho'.
Thanks for the report and sacrifice you went to for our enlightenment,
remember someone has to do the "dirty" jobs!

Couldn't resist it when I spotted the title of this thread.
I tried out a K1600GT a couple of months ago and would agree with everything you said.
Although I would say that the GTL has more in common with the K1200LT. The GT is a more relevant descendant to the K100RT with a more 'aggressive' riding position than the GTL. 
The GT has the feel of the old RT, apart from the extra 70BHP, toys, fantastic brakes and terrific suspension. Think I read somewhere that the K16 uses the same valve gear design as the K1100. 
I had the K16 for a morning up the Antrim coast road then went back to my RT. Would have sworn someone had welded up the suspension and sprayed oil on the brakes. 30 years development is a long time.
The GT is lighter than the GTL but heavier than my RT. Not sure that matters too much any more. Couldn't lift any of them on my own any more!
Once on the move, the GT didn't feel any harder to ride than the RT. Standing still, I can plant both feet flat on the ground easier than the RT despite having a 29" inside leg. The GT is narrower where the tank meets the seat than the RT.
Driving it was awesome. Enough performance to scare you, suspension is excellent and not just for such a big bike. This thing handles. Massive braking with no fork dive and so comfortable.
Then there's the noise. Oh the noise. You play with the gears just to hear it.
Incidentally, the gearbox is no better than a K100. Clunky.
Would I buy one?
This time last year I would have said no. Nothing wrong with my K, paid for, etc.
I'm coming into some money in the near future and I will be in a position to buy whatever bike I want, with the permission (nay, encouragement) of the financial controller. Am I missing something here?
Still too miserable to buy a new one but see them appearing 2nd hand now with 10k miles for £10-11k. May just do it while I still can.
" />
The RT's a keeper though. Still need to get oil under the fingernails from time to time. Maybe it'll get a SUMMER rebuild.
As the wife reminds me though, I have been known to change my mind.

Comberjohn wrote:I would say that the GTL has more in common with the K1200LT. The GT is a more relevant descendant to the K100RT with a more 'aggressive' riding position than the GTL.

They are essentially the same, the short list of the significant differences 'tween the GTL and the GT being seat height/width options (31.9" - GT/29.5" - GTL - but all interchangeable between models), slightly lower, 40mm further forward rider's footpegs, handlebars that are 30mm rearward with a slight bend difference, a tad of extra height/width on the windscreen, all on the GTL. They weight in at 767 pounds for the GTL and 732 pounds for the GT, and the topbox is not an option on the GTL, it's standard equipment. Oh, yeah, there's gobs of plastic chrome on the GTL where the GT gets a shaded grey plastic instead - easier to keep clean.

The brakes, engine tune, wheels, suspension stroke, gear ratios, handlebar and dash controls are both the same. There is a slight feel in the low speed /in town handling due to the extra weight of the GTL, and the seat height being lower, which cramps the knees a bit more on my 32" leg inseam. Even the rake and trail numbers are identical. I reckon the GTL is aimed and marketed more at former K12LT riders as well as at conquest sales from former Goldwing owners due to its amenities. Any weight penalty disappears the moment either motorbike is rolling. And roll they do.

There's also now a GT-Sport which gets Bold New Graphics and a significantly abbreviated windscreen, as well as the newly-announced K1600GTL 'Exclusive" (gag), which has a plethora of bits 'n' bobs, doos 'n' dads, spics 'n' specs, and a kitchen sink too.


16 Sport


16 Exclusive

Yeah, Ghost, it's a bloody hard lot of yakka, but it must be done. As for me, I'm waiting (in vain) for an RS version with a waaay slimmer fairing and slightly more traditional S or RS type 'bars. I'm getting older but I'm not getting soft. Yet.


 

Yes I say that everybody should have the chance to own and ride a 6 cylinder motorcycle. I bought one 34 years ago almost to the day.
One thing I will say for BMW is that they are consistent, those mufflers are just as ugly as the old square K 100 mufflers.

There's a persistent "clonk" from the transmission on these bikes.

Like all the duolever bikes, they are seriously affected by tyre wear. That's less an issue for BMW, rather that tyre manufacturers don't make tyres to deal with the different forces that duolever imparts.

From an owner's perspective, I'd be happy to own one to ride but as maintaining my bikes is a large part of the ownership, I would never want one.

The current K-Series with their engine layout is about as close to the original K-Series as that K-Series was the old 2-valve Boxer - not at all.

im keeping what i have.. but i have to say..if i rode her,i would buy her...

so like an alky..i wont partake..not yet

.

In Australia some call it a License killer

Because you want to open her up and the Police take a dim view of people doing 140Kph+ for some reason

To answer, but not necessarily defend against, a few of the good points made...

There are tyres made specifically for the Duolever/Telelever bikes from BMW. The Bridgestone BT023, Metzeler Z8, and a few other brands, have higher load ratings and are made specifically for the weight/characteristics of the bigger Beemers. My Duolever front ended 2005 K1200S managed 11,000+ miles from both front and rear tyres of various makes, same or similar range to my Oilhead (Telelever) RT. I used four sets in the course of 38,000 miles of ownership on the 'S'. They were Michelin Pilot Power, Metzeler Z6 & M3, and Bridgestone BT014. The K16s are getting between 7,000 and 10,000 from their tyres.

They do eat rear brake pads to the tune of 5,000-8,000 miles, on average. The four K16s I've ridden 'clonk' a bit when first gear is engaged, which I reckon is due to the relatively high idle speed and the mass of whirly bits spinning round down there, and on this weekend's ride I noticed this one felt notchy a slight bit in first and second gear freeway crawls as I 'adjusted' the ride-by-wire throttle slightly in traffic. Call it driveline snatch.

I see a family resemblance throughout BMW's model range, no matter how many or which way the cylinders point. This is why I refer to it as an evolution, as well as a revolution. They are, well, BMWs, and they exhibit the same quirky weirdness like funky switches, oddly shaped lamps, strangely designed components, etc. It's a though they're saying this is how we do it. Get used to it.

"Zer Bay Em Vay iss perfect in every vay. It is zer rider who has zer problem."

Note that the indicator switches are all gradually going over to the UJM slide left-to-right style - and they break with some frequency! I agree that the newest BMWs are definitely not a breeze to work on in the backyard, unless you're simply trying to change your own oils.


As for the mufflers, the Remus or the Akra look pretty good from the back. Not like Buck Rogers did some acid on the long flight to the planet Zoom.

The sales manager asked me if I wanted to put some 'break in miles' on a 2014 K1600GT-Sport, the one with the flash paint, low-profile windscreen, blacked-out wheels and LED projector lamps. I nodded and smiled.

When I left the shop it had all of 3.8 miles on it. I went home the long way. It now reads 78 miles. I live 35 miles from the shop. I will ride it back to work today then borrow it for the long weekend.

It's Memorial Day in Americaland. Time for a nice ride over the mountains. The snowy passes are all open.



That sweet six still reminds me of a Ferrari at full song.

Looking foward to the report and feeling your pain having to do "overtime".

Hope this doesn't make me sound like a smart arse but the timing seems so right.
Flying over to Manchester in the morning to pick up a 2012 K1600GT SE with 7000 miles.
Always wanted a 6 and now I can have one while I can still hold one up.(I think)
" />

Well, except for the excess of electrickery I like the gobs of excess power in one of the finest powerplants in motorcycling.

I'm envious   .

Comberjohn wrote:Always wanted a 6 and now I can have one while I can still hold one up.(I think)

When you're pushing it backwards out of the garage or in a car park you can feel the weight, low-down as it is, but once you throw a leg over, settle in and release the clutch it's all light and smooth sailing. The weight doesn't disappear, but the engineers have done a marvy job making it feel like a ballerina on slender limbs


instead of Dumbo.

Two Wheels Better wrote:

Comberjohn wrote:Always wanted a 6 and now I can have one while I can still hold one up.(I think)

When you're pushing it backwards out of the garage or in a car park you can feel the weight, low-down as it is, but once you throw a leg over, settle in and release the clutch it's all light and smooth sailing. The weight doesn't disappear, but the engineers have done a marvy job making it feel like a ballerina on slender limbs


instead of Dumbo.

Did someone say Kawasaki Z1300