Got a 1600GTL as a loaner

[odel]

Test rode the 1600GTL for a day as my R1200 was being serviced. Felt like I was driving a luxury car and the power from the 6 cylinder engine is out of this world. Accelerating in 6th gear gave me the same feeling as my R's 3rd gear. The bike is light and curiously nimble for a 800lbs machine. But it lacks on the fun factor. It felt good to get back on top of the flat twin. I would not trade up, especially looking at the $26K sticker price.

[websterize]

After a move to the countryside that has quadrupled my commute — now essentially on a highway — to downtown D.C., I've been lusting after the GT's adjustable wind screen, its marvel of an engine and the technology. I'm a sucker for gadgetry. Very leery of taking a test ride. It's comforting to hear you're keeping your R12R.

[mogu83]

Bill
Stay away, stay far away.
After a short time you would no longer have a drivers license and you would be making your commute on public transportation.

[angellr]

Bill
Stay away, stay far away.
After a short time you would no longer have a drivers license and you would be making your commute on public transportation.

Must agree with Harry here. As a Test Ride Dummy, I stay off of bikes I am not prepared to purchase THAT day. Also, have trouble keeping the current one under triple digits and somehow feel constrained at 80mph in 65mph zones. With a 1600 I would be taking mass transportation EVERYWHERE.

[2wheelfish]

Took a test drive as well. Agree that it feels like a luxury cruiser in comparison and also agree that I won't be trading up anytime soon. Until I rode this bike I didn't realize how much I actually liked a bit of vibration. The 1600 engine is soooo smooth that it actually kind of unnerving. It gives no feedback at all on engine speed and feels like its powered by a turbine (sounds like it too). Probably really great for eating up a ton of highway miles, but not my kind of bike.

That electric windscreen is pretty cool though......

[ka5ysy]

I grabbed a ride on our shops GTL as soon as it was put together. I also found it to be a powerful easy to maneuver machine that belies its weight. Oh, the POWER !!. BUT.... as noted, it whines like a turbine, and after riding it, I am firmly in the Boxer column. Besides, being cheap, I find it hard to justify what is essentially 2/3 to 3/4 the cost of my wives X3. This would be a bike to let someone else take the depreciation hit on and then get it 30 % less a couple of years later, if you want something like that.

For simple comparison, Judy and I rode the GLT back to back with a new loaded RT. She preferred the RT !. I did too !. The RT is, obviously, a close relative to the RR and thus feels better to me. Lighter, more nimble, does anything I might want to do, and a whole lot cheaper to work on.

[gaweston]

I tried the 1600 recently too.Agree with the apparent lightness, power, and lack of fun.Also love the adjustable screen ,
which I could raise until my head was out of the buffet zone, and all you could hear was the turbine like six.Unbelievable.
Also tried the R1200R, and as a 1150R owner was surprised by how much more lively, light and nimble the newer boxer is. The only downside was the seating position, which seemed more upright with the bars closer to my lap.Sure I could adjust that if I weaken and fall for the 1200....

[ka5ysy]

Also tried the R1200R, and as a 1150R owner was surprised by how much more lively, light and nimble the newer boxer is. The only downside was the seating position, which seemed more upright with the bars closer to my lap.Sure I could adjust that if I weaken and fall for the 1200....

Uhhh..... did you not read my signature line ???

[dderrig]

I had a R1200R, then a RT and now have a K1600GT...First off I loved both my previous bikes and the boxer motor etc. but the K1600GT is the absolute bomb, the handling at both low and high speed is fantastic. It's extremely smooth even at low speeds (Unlike the boxer can be) and the acceleration is mind blowing for a 700+ pound machine. It is a bit heavy to manhandle when pushing it around in your garage but once your on the bike it hides it's weight incredibly. On a flat surface (Haven't tried it on the hill) you can't stall the motor...let the clutch out and it just starts rolling!!!

The fly by wire throttle is also fantastic as there is no slack whatsoever, I seem to be much quicker on and off the throttle in and out of turns etc......the vibration free engine is such a difference coming from a boxer that I don't think I'd ever want 2 cylinders again....but alas it's not for everyone as I said the R1200R (I had a 2007 for 2 years) is a great all around do everything great looking bike.

Dave

[Roder]

I agree with Dave on the K6 bikes and actually what everyone else said so far. I test rode the K1600 GTL and immediately after the K test I tried the new (old) 2011 R1200R boxer. Fan factor definitely goes to the R no question about it as far as I like it and for every day use again the R is the better bike. The K - smooth as butter, also very good handling, excellent bike, but different and in my opinion the two bikes should not be compared as they have a different purpose in life. A couple of years ago I did 17 days more then 6K miles ride on a 1200 boxer bike, camping and enjoying the outdoors tour, I want to do the same on a K1600 bike, GT is my preference and it would provide a new dimension to the world of sports touring I believe, so if money is not an issue both bikes are excellent choices just bikes with different purpose. If you are looking for an easy going partner the R is your friend, just my 50 cents.

[jkhomes]

BMW Motorrad came to my dealer today with a trailer full of K1600s. I rode the GT instead of the GTL. Everything posted on this board and the magazine reviews about how light it feels and how powerful it is are right on. I really liked this bike but certainly would not take the depreciation hit of buying a new one. It is really comfortable, and surprisingly fun. The scroll wheel for the controls was much easier to figure out and use than I had feared. If I did more touring than day trips, this might be the next bike on my list.

I have test ridden other makes and always' preferred my R1200R. Luckily, when I got back on my bike, it is still more fun than the 6 banger. Still curious to see what the water cooled box is going to be like. My dealer is saying maybe 2013...