Quickspin
Bluetooth, central locking (for storage) and an
anti-theft alarm.
AsidefromEuro4exhaustmodifications,
the1649ccin-linesix-cylinderDOHCengine
is unchanged, punching out 118kW (158hp) at
7750rpmand175Nmat5250rpm.Cosmetically, a
fewaerotweakshavebeenmadetomakethings
evenmorecomfortableinthepilotseat.
BMW’s well-sorted Dynamic ESA semi-active
suspension has a choice of Road or Dynamic
settings, and electronically adjustable preload.
It’s a weird sensation to feel the bike altering
its ride height when you change the mode. The
linked braking is also connected to the electronic
suspension, stiffening the front and rear
suspensions under braking and acceleration.
The two 33-litre panniers easily held
a couple of days’ worth of clothes and
all my camera gear, but care needed to
be taken when retrieving heavier items
from the side-opening pannier on the
side-stand side to make sure they didn’t
roll out. Two little lockable cubbies in the
sides of the fairing are great places to store
things like your wallet and keys, and to
recharge a smartphone and connect it to
theinfotainmentsystem.As soon as I pulled out of my driveway and
accelerateddownthestreet,Irememberedjust
how much of a joy this big bike is to ride. Once
moving, the physical size of the 2.3-metre two-
wheeledequivalentofaWinnebagodisappears.
Theridedownthefreewayprovidedan
opportunity to set the cruise control, turn up
theradioandplaywithallthebuttonsanddials.
A three-day ride is not nearly enough time to
exploreallthefeaturesofaK1600,anditwould
taketwicethenumberofpagestoexplainthem
all. Just take my word when I say there is a button
for just about everything, and a scroll-through
dash menu that tells you anything you want to
know, aside from your horoscope.
Despite being stuck behind a caravan most
of the way up the legendary Macquarie Pass
(see AMCN Rides on page 80), the first couple
of hours cruised by in total comfort. But,
as enjoyable as it was, it was getting a little
ull, so I headed for the road less travelled,
aving it to the Sat Nav to make sure I didn’t
et completely lost.
By the time I cruised into the town of
Cooma, I’d logged almost six hours on
the bike with only one stop for fuel and,
other than a little tightening betweenBMW K1600GT SpezialDid you know?
Ken Warby is presently
the only living person to
have held a world water
speed record, but he
hopes to soon be joined
by his son, David, who
will pilot a boat named
Spirit of Australia II.Intelligent Emergency Call
is available as an option.
When the system registers
an accident, an emergency
call is activated, sending
the position data of the
motorcycle to the BMW
Call Centre, setting a
rescue chain in motion.
The IEC system can also be
activated manually.BMW’s parallel six-
cylinder engine was
first revealed as the
powerplant for the new
K1600 range at the 2010
Intermot motorcycle
show. The 1649cc engine
is mounted transversely
across the chassis and
its cylinders are angled
forward by 55 degrees.Three riding modes
(Rain, Road and
Dynamic) are available
on the fly via a button
on the right-hand
switchblock. Power
delivery across the
three modes is the
same, the increased
safety coming via the
DTC traction control.The entire K1600 range
now has Reverse Assist,
bringing it into line
with Honda’s Goldwing.
Once engaged, pressing
the starter button uses
the starter motor to
move the bike gently
backwards. A handy
helper when attempting
to shift 320kg.30 amcn.com.au