BMW Grand Touring K1600GTL

Wiki

It's powered by a Euro 4 compliant incredibly compact liquid cooled 1649cc in-line 6 cylinder engine, producing 160.5bhp at 7,750rpm and maximum torque at 6,500rpm. The super smooth 103kg engine is angled forwards near the road for optimum weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. RRP is £18,450.

Features include:

• Aluminium frame/subframe/shaft drive with Magnesium fairing frame
• Low maintenance shaft final drive
• Dual 320mm discs up front with radial 2 piston calipers
• 320mm disc at the rear with 2 piston caliper
• BMW cornering ABS system
• Duolever front suspension with 115mm travel
• Adjustable rear shock with 135mm travel
• Ride by wire technology with Road/Rain/Dynamic modes
• Electronic Suspension Adjustment II (ESA) with Road/Rain/Dynamic modes
• Banking-aware traction control (DTC)
• ABS Pro and dynamic brake light
• Audio system with GPS preparation
• 6->2 Stainless Steel exhaust system
• LED tail light and indicators
• 6 speed gearbox and light clutch

Compared to the 2011-2016 model there's a new engine mapping to make the emissions Euro 4 compliant, ESA and DTC are now standard, reverse assist and hill start control are new options operated from the left bar, the new side fairings offer better wind protection, there are new silencer ends and maximum torque is 1,250rpm higher up the range. The side storage compartments have also be tweaked.

It's is essentially the same bike as the £1,250 cheaper and 16kg lighter K1600GT but with a few minor mods to make it more suitable to relaxed longer distance touring, especially two up. It comes with a 49 litre top box with luxurious padding for the pillion, lower 750mm single piece seat (780mm and 810mm options available), larger comfort screen and more relaxed rider position with the pegs further forwards and bars sweeping further back.

For storage there are helmet swallowing colour coded panniers and a waterproof lockable glove box in the right fairing for piping in music from iPods etc. When the satnav is fitted a shield pops down when parked to keep it safe.

There is also a 5.7" colour TFT dash in the centre of the clocks, coupled to the multi controller on the left bar (like the R1200RT), which gives access to the wealth of options on the bike from the extensive multimedia capabilities to the electrically adjustable screen. The screen remembers the last position and even has an anti squash mechanism. Not that you'll need them in the UK but to direct more cooling air onto the rider, you'll have to check the full screen pics for this one, are two little fold out parts of the fairing just above the side fairings.

As standard you get a Xenon main beam in the centre, flanked by Halogen high beams and circular position lights but the optional adaptive headlight is one of the many technological marvels of the K1600 series. It fires up at a mirror which then directs the beam onto the road where it's most needed, such as tracking the corner ahead of you, even when banking; the banking information is also used by the ABS and optional traction control systems. The 17" cast Aluminium wheels take a 120/70 tyre at the front and 190/55 at the rear.

You also now get the option of fitting BMW's Intelligent Emergency Call system, operated from the right handlebar. It activates automatically to send your coordinates to the emergency services, via the BMW call center, but can also be activated manually using the SOS button on the bar. The option will rollout to Germany first, with the UK to follow later.

Options include reverse assist, hill start control, adaptive headlight, heated grips, heated seat, side-mounted additional LED headlights (£340), see me home ground lights with the optional central locking (£380), computer, tyre pressure monitoring, engine bars, cruise control, quickshifter (£355), keyless start (£250) and Akrapovic silencers.

The £22,950 K1600GTL Exclusive gets you the shiny headlight, tyre pressure monitor, hill start control, reverse assist, daytime running light, keyless start, side-mounted additional LED headlights, ground lighting, second brake light on the top box, engine guard and three layers of paint. It's 14kg heavier though at 364kg wet.

2018: New design LED fog lights and a host of BMW Motorrad Spezial finish items including a luxury brown seat and special blue or brown colour schemes (check the pics above).

Colours:

• 2017: Black, white, grey, red
• 2018: Black, white, grey, blue/silver, brown/silver