2023 BMW K1600GT, will I prefer it to my R1250GS? The guys at BMW Lind hope so!
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Whilst my R1250GS was in for it's annual service and driveshaft mod Lind Motorrad in Norwich kindly loaned my this gorgeous and super smooth K1600GT. David follows me on his new R1250GS and we go hunting for a cafe in deepest East Anglia. The Lind guys recon (hope) that I am going to swap in the GS?
The 1600 is one of the great engines in motorcycling. A real gem.
The sound and smoothness…. Lovely.
Last week took my 2022 GS 1250 in for service, noted the 2023 K1600GT in showroom and traded GS for K1600 the next week. Bought KTM 500 to satisfy adventure craving. 11th BMW I have purchased, second K model, love them.
Sounds like a good duo you have there, excellent.
I would never swapped the GS or GSA, they are like magic bikes to me, that were converted into real bikes, doing everything you need, all well. And the K1600 is like a Queen of open roads, Smooth gear shifter, solid, strong body frame, a powerful engine, a fast and safe ride. The real deal is to own and ride both👌🏻
Thank you for the video. Was nice to watch and listen to your dialogue with impressions about the ride.
I have the K1600 GTL - replaced my Versys 1000 with this one. Would not trade it in for anything else. I am hooked for life.
I think once experienced and lived with such a smooth engine is hard to beat.
The horsepower figure is great but it’s the torque that matters. It’s 180nm which is more than my mates 131 cu inch crate engine (2.1liter ) in his Harley. It’s also more than the goldwing which is around 150 cc bigger. Only bike really I know that has more torque is the rocket 3 which is a 2.5 liter triple (220 nm). Riding a 6 cylinder bike is not like anything else. I’d recommend everyone to try it if they have a good dealer willing to do so ! You should hear the k1600 with a set of akrapovic cans on it !
Yup I love Torque, my Harley 131 has 176 nm, then again my Energica has 215 nm and is insane, probably why I enjoyed riding the big 6. 👍🚀🚀
I’m a K16GT rider. Recently rode a GS1250. Very different bikes obviously. I’m staying K Series. Easy decision. Not to slag the GS, great bike, but the K is smoother, faster, better @ braking, more creature comforts. It’s a subjective decision but an obvious one for me. Canadian Motorrad boss happened to be at the dealership in Saskatchewan that day. He asked me what I thought. I told him I’d be staying K. His response was….’K Series riders seldom switch after riding a GS & GS riders seldom go K Series after riding a 1600. Lol
To me I would need to keep the GS if getting the K
Great video. I bought a GLS 6 months ago and I'm loving it. The startup sound is intoxicating 😊
Sounds good, are you getting the miles in? Must be perfect for those long distance rides.
@@FenTour me and a friend are off to The Lakes in a couple of weeks then me and the Mrs are on the continent in August for a grand tour. So I'm really looking forward to both.
@@drbedpan excellent indeed, ride safe there Nick.
My k1600 went into lind in March for valve guides and full service, returned the bike back to me finger prints all over the bike, didn't top my coolant up, checked the oil no reading on the stick, lind collected the bike drained new oil only to find out there was only 2.5.litres in the engine, bloody fuming they forgot to check the oil before leaving there workshop. So much for main dealer service😭. Anyway apologies were in order, they've agreed to service bike free of charge next year. Nice ride Bungay I've been down that area a few times. Born and bread Lincolnshire so I often get out into the fens. Member of the pan club fens and wold, use to have a 1300 pan. Love my k1600 gt. Ride safe.👍😁
@@petersmith2325 shocking service, I would hope that heads rolled at the dealer! Good job you noticed the lack of oil. Safe riding.
I know this feeling fellas!!! Enjoy it
Easy choice. Get rid of the Harley and buy the BMW. Simples…😜
Two BMWs haha hmmmmm.
A valve control/adjustment on this bike cost,in Sweden 16.000 Swedish kronor. That's about 1200 British pounds. And this valve adjustment you have to do quite often if i understand it right. Mental. And not for people with a bank account like mine.
Valve adjustment, is that on the suspension?
If you buy any BMW make sure you get an extended warranty because when it goes wrong (and it will) it's a very expensive repair. I speak from experience with a defective ESA unit. It's Honda from now on for me.
And small dealership numbers in the states at least..
Yes, Kawasaki GTR 1400 is much more reliable, no problems at all.
I looked at an Africa Twin, and the ergos are crap- sat on my mates, and had no leg room. Couldn’t get a test ride anywhere. Rode GSA and bought one. Honda - 2year warranty. BMW, 5 years, plus 3 years roadside assist… standard, which is far better then Honda. Tank range isn’t anywhere near the GSA, and very little to add in terms of accessories. Far longer service intervals, 10,000km just oil and filter, proper service every second 10,000km. The only thing is that the AT does have Apple CarPlay- which I wish BMW would adopt. On longer trips I’m not stuffing around adjusting a chain and lubing it.. because it’s shaft drive.
Sounds like I am best avoiding the K1600!
Is very likely and a big chance that you could be falling in love with the engine of the bike. The “general package” is leveled to the best standard values that characterize Premium bikes…So, if you were falling for the K1600, to me it’s a natural and predictable consequence of riding such an excellent bike. In my opinion on top of all I’ve been saying, the bike is a beauty. If money weren’t a thing, probably, this bike would gladly line up with your other bikes. We have different moods and different states of mind, and it’s a privilege to ride different bikes when you want. If you own them, they’re at your disposal to enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with that thought, by the opposite. I applaud it and it’s achievement. After all it is just a manifestation of our pursuit for happiness. “Two BMW’s?”. Why not?
I have a 2021 africa twin 1100 dct. Fully kitted with denali, touratech and altrider products! Amazing machine! I find myself wondering if i should get a touring bike as i dont do off road, i just like the look and comfort of the bike! Yet i cant decided between the k16, gs1250 or the 1250 rt! 1st world problems are very much understated! ❤
I prefer the GS to the K1600 and the RT for touring. However only you can decide by test riding each bike… for sure they will be preferable to the Africa Twin for comfort and low down pull. Though you may miss the DCT which is lovely.
@FenTour ah that dct! It's lovely! The thought of stalling a manual heavy bike mid turn, sends chills down my spine! I've had fast bikes in the past, 2006 hayabusa! Still have a 1987 gsxr1100h! I really really like my crf1100L, I don't really wana trade her in! It's just the seat is....abit hard! I'm looking into a sargent comfort heated seat! That could really change the bike for the best! Could be a good £800 spent!?
@@terrystratford1235 indeed, if it’s just the seat that’s the problem then changing it is much preferable to changing bikes. I also wear padded undies when riding a long way which helps!! (Shhhhh)
I had a loaded up 22 Africa Twin, miss that bike a lot. I have a dirt bike for riding off road, so I wanted a true road bike for longer trips, but mainly something where the wife would be more comfortable when she decided to ride. Been all over the map since then. 17 Road Glide Ultra, then a new 23 Goldwing tour, now a new 24 Road Glide. I do have a problem wanting all motorcycles, lol. Missing parts of the Goldwing over this new Harley, but over all, I'm missing the Africa twin a lot quite often. Only real complaint was the seat was very uncomfortable for me. Surly I could of found a fix for that. Quite likely I'll get another Africa Twin at some point.
@curtisbull1583 the AT is a great machine! I've ordered a sargent seat and altrider lowering kit! See if that makes it the perfect bike!
A true touring weapon, fantastic. On a sad note Lind (Norwich) BMW & H.D has now as of the end of January 2024 closed down.
I headed in to Lind Norwich to order a new BMW in November last year, sales bloke was uninterested so I headed over to Sycamore to place my order.... so no surprises there.
Perhaps he was aware of the future but couldn't say
@@davidreed6817 possibly so… but I don’t think so.
Then that is terrible 😞 congratulations on your new bike
@@davidreed6817 I had arrived in my car and he probably thought I was just wasting his time with questions. Anyway he is now redundant, glad I never orders from them!! Bike arrives in April sometime…
Nice video. What kind of camera did you use, and how did you mount it? Shoulder strap?
You should easily be able to fit a vhf/uhf dual band radio on that thing! Motor sounds great, but I think the RT for a good tourer without the bulk. Maybe trade my Road Glide Limited for the RT and keep the GSA?
Don't see much difference between an GS/GSA and an RT in terms of being able to tour, both rather clunky compared to the K1600. Yes a lot more weight compared but honestly not a big deal as long as one chooses parking spots with care! But how could you be without a Harley?
@@FenTour The GSA is clunky for sure - ‘The Tractor’… Did a 200 mile run on the super slab yesterday and while capable, high speed highway is not where this bike shines. To your question, I could for the right bike but I tried to part with HD once and 3 weeks later I was back on the current RGL! Annual service and software update coming up on the GSA, so maybe a loaner K16 for the day. We all look forward to the day you collect your new one! 73
@@FenTour Having owned both GS's and RT's down the years, the RT has, by far the better weather protection of the two by a country mile and for me, the boxer is a far easier engine to live with day to day than the K1600. My 1600 was one of the early ones which wasn't happy at low speeds in town. Judging by your video BMW seem to have improved the fuelling to do a much better job in that regard so perhaps that's not an issue any more. Anyway, whatever you decide, Keep safe and enjoy two wheels for a long time to come
@@leegreen67 indeed the engine fueled perfectly from tick over, must have been improved as you say. Despite the amazing engine, smoothness etc I think the GS suits me better, the GS is more fun to ride too on a twisty road. Cheers.
Have both & love em both. Different arrows in the fun quiver.
The k is awesome, however, the wind management for some reason is worse tjat on the gs. I can never get rid of the buf, unless raising the windshield all the way, and I hate looking tru the windshield!
A few owners I know on the continent have gone from K16 to RT.
The RT is all one needs in reality to tour...
I have a 2022 GT and the downshifts are not smooth and unloaded the gearbox sounds like a box of nuts. My local BMW dealer has road tested it and says they all sound like that, did the one you tested? Cheers. Ian PS bike has now done 5000 miles. Great for touring. 😀👍
I own a 2019 GT, and my gearbox, loaded or unloaded, is smooth as silk. It is fair to say that my quick shifter is sometimes confused that I like to downshift to go faster, especially in the twisties, and when stuck doing the speed limit or less, I’ll put it in 6th as I’m stuck there, just to save gas. It’s like BMW’s engineers are telling me I’ve got it backwards. But upshift when accelerating, and downshift when decelerating, and sheer perfection.
gearbox was perfect and no horrid sounds...
I’m gonna be trading my 1250rs for a k1600b, really can’t wait
Only roads? K series. All roads? GS. Then the other factor - ergos. I’ve sat on both, the GSA is far more comfortable and because I do all roads, I bought a GSA.
I have been riding my k bike on gravel and sand roads for years it is like butter. Not as much clearance but go easy over those it’s surprisingly great
No ... don't trade it ... the new R1250RT very nice
But that engine! 😅😅
What's your mates name? You didn't mention it.🙂
Obviously a false comparison. Not apples to apples. I know most GSes are used for touring, that's what I do with mine. But... it was never designed as a touring bike. The K1600GT obviously has to be compared with the Gold Wing. I have driven/owned the Godfather of all touring bikes the RT, sold it and bought a GS. There is no doubt in my mind the RT is the much better touring bike. Even my Aprilia maxi scooter is a better touring bike than the GS. Why? Well for starters weather protection is much better. If you have to go somewhere fast and do not want to use a car, a proper touring bike will always be the best choice. If you want to just ride for pleasure, enjoy the environment - which is what I do 90% of the time - an adventure bike is probably a better choice. I'm not sure, I may trade my GS for an FJR... The comfort of being out of the wind is such an advantage... But a car is even better then... But... I never drive for fun, yet do ride for fun...
My view is it’s simply too fast/powerful to enjoy on uk roads at license friendly speeds 😮
Indeed if one used all the power illegal speeds are easily exceeded, almost instantly. But the same can be said for my current bikes, even my old GSX1400. Only my Honda is licence safe in that department! Cheers.
I can do 30 in fith gear on my three cylinder Yamaha that costs 10k 😂
Ok👍
I can do 25mph in 5th(top gear)on my 1987 gsxr1100h! ❤
😆@@terrystratford1235
Two different bikes!!!
i don’t think it’s the right bike for you. a full video at 30 mph average, with a monster asking some breathing speed!
The roads I like are usually country roads and 60 mph is tops. This bike is a motorway blaster, will be sticking with the GS as it’s ideal for the slower roads and way fast enough too when on an A road.
Gs is better gsa better still k1600 and rt are too far removed from the lovely world i have owned 2 rt and i think they are just too cossiting and not involving enough great for very long rides but gs and gsa jus keep you so connected
The GS is indeed a more involved ride, so won’t be swapping… but the smoothness was rather lovely.
@@FenTour i havent ridden one but i can imagine it is but imo a bike should have some vibes its kind off part of the fun dont you think. I am off to germany and austria next friday on my gsa rallye via hull going hull rotterdam then hannover then charlottenburgh 2 nights then outskirts of nuremburgh then inzell bavaria then frankfurt then back to europort and home some a mini tout shall miss the eagles nest as it opens friday after i am on way to europort. Reason for berlin was motorrad factory tour on 8th may but the bastards have cancelled it sighting production reasons so with the long wait for my led headlight and that tour cancellation this will be my last beema
@@austinmatthews347 how annoying, anyway I do hope the trip is a good one. Maybe the next bike should be something like a Multistrada then for you? (I have not ridden one yet myself) cheers.
@@FenTour i may keep vikki along time yet not sure not saying i dont like the bike its amazing just do mot like bmw they are ignorant and quite frankly do deserve my money
@@austinmatthews347 Vikki! I have never named my bikes, maybe I should?
You might get there faster by walking.
Yes we are rather slow. 😂😂