BMW K1600GT (2017 - on) Review

Overall rating

The BMW K1600GT is pure luxury. There’s no smoother, more refined way to tour on two wheels. Honda’s Gold Wing had previously ruled this category but it doesn’t have the versatility or handling of the K1600.

When the six-cylinder BMW was launched in 2010 it set a new performance benchmark and left every other big tourer in its considerable wake. Now, for 2017, BMW have upped the stakes even further, adding more luxury and innovative ideas while making the sublime 1649cc Euro4-compliant without losing any power, torque or character.

• This model replaced the 2011-2016 BMW K1600GT

This is the engine, remember, that makes 70% of its torque at just 1500rpm. And which, when you open the throttle hard, makes a silky 160bhp.

However, there’s no getting away from the fact the 1600 is big. At 334kg (90% fuelled up) that equates to 52.5 stone in old money, which is a lot of weight to shuffle backwards.  But BMW have made life easier with an optional reverse gear for the first time on the 1600, using the starter motor to move the bike backwards.

Once you’ve selected reverse, you press the starter button to slowly move backwards. Speed is limited to 1.2kph, but the 1600 will reverse up gradients of up to 7%.

There is no smoother or arguably safer way to travel than the K1600GT. It consumes miles and is now more comfortable than ever. If you tick all the accessory boxes it becomes the limousine of the bike world - but at a price.

BMW K1600GT updated for 2022

For 2022 the K1600GT gets a host of upgrades. They’re not ground-breaking, but the engine’s extra mid-range grunt is welcome and the big new colour new display adds a further touch of class.

Self-levelling suspension ensures you enjoy the perfect ride, regardless of the load on-board and clever lights will add a dash of safety to night riding.

It’s still cool, comfortable, beautifully made and covers huge swathes of ground as gracefully as it constantly surprises with its unwavering appetite for corners. Its price will be out of reach for many, but for the ultimate in touring decadence with a sporty twist the K1600GT is hard to beat.

Ride quality & brakes

Like BMW’s GS range, the 1600 comes with the ‘next generation ESA’, which means damping is automatically adjusted on the move. Current K1600GT owners have to adjust the damping manually to either soft, medium or hard – but now it’s all automated. This is done via numerous sensors, including one for lean angle for the first time.

Pro shift assistant is an optional extra now, too, although the K1600 doesn’t really need too many gear changes - just stick it in top and let that immense torque do the work.

BMW have also increased the size of the bodywork, screen and the two fairing compartments, which can be locked and linked to the central locking. New for 2017 are fairing winglets, which can be opened to increase the wind over the rider for a cooling gentle breeze on summer days. 

What are the best tyres for the BMW K1600GT? 

When BMW developed the bike they will have worked with Bridgestone and Metzeler to put the rubber through as general type approval for the whole bike.

So you have a choice of Bridgestone 021 and 022s and also Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact C (the C refers to the construction, which is stiffer than normal to take account of the bike’s weight andperformance).

BMW K1600GT facelift in 2022

For 2022 electronic suspension still has semi-active damping that self-adjusts on the move – in a soft or hard range, depending on the riding mode you’re in. 

Now front and rear preload self-adjusts automatically (it was manual before) to compensate for the weight of the rider, pillion and luggage, taking data from the front and rear shock sensors and IMU. 

The system ensures the K1600GT is always stable and balanced, no matter how you load it. There’s still no getting away from its bulk at low speed, but once it gets going the BMW glides beautifully through corners, has lots of ground clearance and powerful, cornering ABS-assisted brakes.

Despite the engine tweaks and shiny new equipment, the 2022 K1600GT isn’t too different to ride than the previous version, so no need for those owners to rush to trade up. 

But there wasn’t much wrong with it in the first place and it’s still endlessly impressive, not just because it’s that rarest of beasts: a six-cylinder. 

Flawless build quality and equipment level is everything you’d expect from a 20-grand-plus BMW and it’s endlessly comfortable for rider and pillion-alike. 

It’s as capable in corners as it can elegantly crush continents and still every inch the dream tourer to take on that epic once-in-a-lifetime trip. 

Engine

The BMW K1600GT engine is a water-cooled 1649cc, in-line six-cylinder motor that remains unchanged from the previous generation's, but now meets tight Euro4 emissions regulations.

This means peak power of 160bhp and peak torque of 129lb-ft are the same as the previous model. The engine is as smooth as it is powerful.

The K1600 engine is one of the smoothest around with a throttle feel that has to be experienced to be believed. What's more, with all that power available it can really dhift if you want it to - even fully loaded with a passenger and luggage.

Engine updated to Euro5 in 2022

Tweaked to meet Euro 5 regs for 2022 with two knock sensors and four lambda probes instead of two, the BMW’s 1649cc inline six-cylinder still produces 158bhp, but it’s delivered 1000rpm sooner.

Maximum torque is up from 129lb-ft to 133lb-ft, too. Compared to a grunty big-cube twin or triple the K1600’s power delivery has always been more of a crescendo with the hard-hitting metallic roar of a race engine up top, but now it’s more flexible in the midrange. 

It’s also as smooth off the throttle as it is on, thanks to a tweaked engine braking control that works with a new IMU. BMW claims 48mpg/280-mile tank range.

Reliability & build quality

Re-sale values are high because BMW’s reliability and service are top level. The new K1600GT continues this high level of quality, feels robust and secure. There are very few bikes on the market which have the level of sophistication and quality of the K1600GT. 

Our online BMW K1600GT owners’ reviews reveal no major problems, despite its majestic six-cylinder engine and plethora of electronics, but for buying a used example, getting a well looked after and dealer serviced machine is a must.

Value vs rivals

There are still far cheaper ways to go touring and even BMW’s own R1250RT has evolved into such a capable machine it would seem hard to justify the extra for the K1600GT. 

But, from its belter of a six-cylinder engine to its standard equipment level and all-round ability, it starts looking more attractive, especially when you can pay around the same for a fully-loaded Ducati Multistrada V4 S or comparable spec Honda Gold Wing.

Equipment

The K1600GT comes fully loaded with adapative headlights, Dynamic ESA, daytime running lights, ABS Pro, Audio system with GPS preparation, reverse gear (for the first time), Dynamic traction control, hill start control and tyre pressure control. The optional gear shift pro is an extra £375.

For 2017, BMW made an optional Intelligent Emergency e-Call available. In the event of an emergency situation or an accident, the system will call a BMW call centre giving the positon of the bike and alerting the emergency services after being triggered either manually or automatically.

After a ‘low speed’ crash the system will wait 25 seconds before alerting the emergency services, allowing time to override the system manually. The GT has to be moving and running for the system to activate, therefore it won’t react if the bike is knocked over, nor will the system record your speed in the event of the crash. It’s an interesting system and was a two-wheeled first at the time of its launch. 

From August 2020, all the K1600 models (that’s GT, GTL and Bagger) come with reverse, cornering lights, tyre pressure monitors and DRLs as standard, which is a very healthy saving for your wallet. There’s new colours all over the shop but the GT is now only available with a black frame and engine, while the ‘Safety’ pack has been ditched for the entire range. 

BMW K1600GT spec following 2022 update

First seen on the R1250RT and later the R1800B and Transcontinental, the big K now gets BMW’s excellent 10.25in colour TFT dash with a split-screen, integrated sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity, as pictured below:

It’s a joy to use and makes every other motorcycle display seem like a '70s Casio watch at a stroke. You also get a smartphone compartment with a USB-C charger, four ‘favourite’ buttons that shortcut to the dash functions and cruise control, although strangely it isn’t ‘active’, like the latest R1250RT’s. 

Goodies like rider aids, heated grips/seat and an electric screen are standard. Comfort and Tour packs (with an uprated stereo) are also available.

An optional extra on the firm’s cheaper models, BMW’s retina-burning adaptive LED headlights are standard on the K1600. 

They swivel from side to side when cornering and up and down, to stay level under acceleration and braking – particularly useful on dark country roads and unlit motorways. 

‘Welcome’, ‘Good-bye’ and ‘Follow me home’ lights are also standard and now floor lighting is available as an option. A staple on posh new cars (beneath their doors when open), lights shine down from under the bike to illuminate the ground, making it easier to find a solid footing for the side and centre stand at night.