New BMW K1600GT and K160GTL Announcement

[tallman]

yes, liked the looks but the deal killer is those darn power brakes!

 

I know, 60 to zero in 114' sux.

Who wants to stop that quickly on a loaded touring bike?

[dhanson]

Some interesting comparison numbers -

 

Steering Head Angle

 

13GT = 60.6 degrees

16GT = 62.2 degrees

 

Better gas mileage, slower steering, less electrical reserve for Gerbing type additions.

 

Umm, that is quicker steering with a rake of 27.8 degrees16GT to 29.4 degrees on the 13GT. But, still longer wheelbase, interesting.

[johnlt]

You know, I had the power brakes on my 03RT and it was really bad the first few days but I got adapted to it and had no problem after that. That would NOT be a deal killer for me. The overall size/weight might be because I'm getting old!!

[lawnchairboy]

Tim, I agree, best looking GT.

[markgoodrich]

You know, I had the power brakes on my 03RT and it was really bad the first few days but I got adapted to it and had no problem after that. That would NOT be a deal killer for me. The overall size/weight might be because I'm getting old!!

 

No, you're not, John. You're THERE.

[ScottT]

Weight, size, $$$. Good point that with LED and HID you need less power.

 

Still does not make sense to me. I can't imagine the weight difference between a 1000w and 540w alternator is very significant. Probably not much in cost either. For comparison sake, the GL1800 Goldwing has an 1100w alternator. For me the more the the better. You really do need a lot of juice if you're going to run a lot of heated gear in the cold. Heated jacket liner, heated pants liner, heated socks, and heated gloves. And the stuff that comes with the bike... heated grips and seats. Yes I have used all of these at the same time and needed all of them.

[Paul Mihalka]

Weight, size, $$$. Good point that with LED and HID you need less power.

 

Still does not make sense to me. I can't imagine the weight difference between a 1000w and 540w alternator is very significant. Probably not much in cost either. For comparison sake, the GL1800 Goldwing has an 1100w alternator. For me the more the the better. You really do need a lot of juice if you're going to run a lot of heated gear in the cold. Heated jacket liner, heated pants liner, heated socks, and heated gloves. And the stuff that comes with the bike... heated grips and seats. Yes I have used all of these at the same time and needed all of them.

 

I don't disagree.

[baggerchris]

I saw a video of it on the road and I didn't care for the whirring/whisling sound it made. I think that would drive me crazy over the long haul. Maybe just a pre-production thing, but it really irritated me.

[Smoky]

I like that the bags and top-box can be removed. This moves it closer to the sport-touring side of the equation.

 

Lots of nice things on this bike, I sure hope it's as nice in the flesh as in the pics.

[Bronx Cheer]

Good looking bike. Maybe a retirement gift to myself in a few years.

[Firefight911]

I saw a video of it on the road and I didn't care for the whirring/whisling sound it made. I think that would drive me crazy over the long haul. Maybe just a pre-production thing, but it really irritated me.

 

That's pure six cylinder music!! Turbine like whine!!

 

Pure heaven of a sound! Definitely NOT pre-production. That's just weak in the knees honey to the ears, IMO.

[dhanson]

So many bikes, so little time, errr, and money.

[markgoodrich]

I saw a video of it on the road and I didn't care for the whirring/whisling sound it made. I think that would drive me crazy over the long haul. Maybe just a pre-production thing, but it really irritated me.

 

They offer a louder exhaust in the list of options.

 

I watched the two-up video. I'd never buy the stupid thing...look how slow it is.

[markgoodrich]

So many bikes, so little time, errr, and money.

 

Sell some kayaks, Dave.

[TEWKS]

So many bikes, so little time, errr, and money.

 

Sell some kayaks, Dave.

 

Hell, sell the Llamas!

 

 

 

Pat

[dhanson]

I'll deliver the kayaks and llama within 500 miles. The llama would prefer to go north and around 4000 ft elev. :-)

[Paul Mihalka]

Any 4.000ft elevation within 500 miles from you?

[Lmar]

Spoke to my dealer yesterday. He said that BMW Motorrad, the new GL1600's will be on sale in Canada about 3 months prior to the US getting them. That's good news for us.

[bmwsit]

My dealer expects to have one maybe in April.

[SageRider]

Spoke to my dealer yesterday. He said that BMW Motorrad, the new GL1600's will be on sale in Canada about 3 months prior to the US getting them. That's good news for us.

Yep. Always useful to get some of that Beta testing done!!!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[CoarsegoldKid]

Beta testers are lining up already.

[Firefight911]

Beta testers are lining up already.

 

Good for them. I wish them much luck. Please, do a good job so that the rest of us might benefit from your long hours of fixing what is broken, re-engineering that which wasn't done right the first time they did it, etc.

 

We should start a pool as to what the first recall will encompass. Hmmmm, no doubt stalling will be up there again. They have the faulty switches fixed so that won't do. For sure the side cases and the locks, gas struts, and box illumination will create fits. I will also wager mass battery failure after six months time. I can even foresee a sudden software patch to help break in the motors, ala S1000RR.

 

So, who's in?

[AZKomet]

First thing I will bet on is a stalled release date, then all the stuff you mentioned.

[ka5ysy]

Conversions of metric figures:

 

Fuel consumption

 

100km @ 90km/h (62.137 miles @ 56mph) =

 

13GT = 5.0 l = 1.32 gal = 47.07 mpg

16GT = 4.5 l = 1.18 gal = 52.56 mpg

12RT = 3.6 l = .95 gal = 65.40 mpg

 

100km @ 120km/h (62.137 miles @ 74.5mph) =

 

13GT = 5.9 l = 1.55 gal = 40.08 mpg

16GT = 5.7 l = 1.50 gal = 41.42 mpg

12RT = 4.8 l = 1.26 gal = 49.31 mpg

 

Fuel Tank size

 

13GT = 24 l = 6.34 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 254 mile range)

16GT = 24 l = 6.34 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 262 mile range)

16GTL = 26.5 l = 7.00 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 289 mile range)

12RT = 27/25-usable = 7.13/6.6 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 351 mile range)

 

Wheelbase

 

13GT = 1572 mm = 61.88 in

16GT = 1618 mm = 63.70 in

12RT = 1484 mm = 58.42 in

 

Steering Head Angle

 

13GT = 60.6 degrees

16GT = 62.2 degrees

12RT = 63.4 degrees

 

Alternator Output

 

13GT = 945w

16GT = 580w

12RT = 720w

 

Length

 

16GT = 2324 mm = 91.49 in

16GTL = 2489 mm = 97.99 in

12RT = 2230 mm = 87.79 in

 

Width

 

16GT = 1000/980 (with, w/o mirrors)

12RT = 906/800 (with, w/o mirrors)

 

Weight

 

16GT = 319 kg (90% fuel, w/o pannier) = 703.27 lbs

16GTL = 348 kg (90% fuel, w/pannier, topcase)= 767.2 lbs.

12RT = 259 kg (DIN unladen in road trim) = 571 lbs.

 

Max Weight

 

16GT = 540 kg = 1190.49 lbs

16GTL = 560 kg = 1234.58 lbs

12RT = 495 kg = 1,091.2 lbs

 

Wheels

Front

16GT = 3.50 x 17 in

12RT = 3.50 x 17 in

Rear

16GT = 6.00 x 17 in

12RT = 5.00 x 17 in

 

Tires

Front

16GT = 120/70

12RT = 120/70

Rear

16GT = 190/55

12RT = 180/55

 

[markgoodrich]

I say lots of stalled credit applications.

[johnlt]

Unless I missed something, no reverse and no hydralic center stand. Seems they have done away with the LT market (conceded to the Goldwing) and will have a GT/sport and a GT/touring. Different market. I personally like the touring version with the more relaxed ergs, lower seat and larger gas tank but would go for a smaller top case (I don't ride 2up)

[BERNIE GARVEY]

I have one question and one question only about the new K16OO GT and K1600 GTL.

 

Are they going to be top heavy pigs like the K1200 LT or did they design them to be more managable?

[Firefight911]

I don't think there is any doubt that they have answered that question. They will be very manageable and in no way comparable to the LT way of doing things. No comparison whatsoever.

[markgoodrich]

Unless I missed something, no reverse and no hydralic center stand. Seems they have done away with the LT market (conceded to the Goldwing) and will have a GT/sport and a GT/touring. Different market. I personally like the touring version with the more relaxed ergs, lower seat and larger gas tank but would go for a smaller top case (I don't ride 2up)

 

John, looks to me like the top case rack is the same as on the current crop...if so, you could put the small case BMW sells on it. I think the top case looks like it's an afterthought. Suzanne would love it, though, with the arm rests.

[TEWKS]

 

if so, you could put the small case BMW sells on it.

 

Saw this one & I knew the Kool-Aid pusher had me!

 

 

Pat

[ka5ysy]

I have one question and one question only about the new K16OO GT and K1600 GTL.

 

Are they going to be top heavy pigs like the K1200 LT or did they design them to be more managable?

 

Somewhere in all the discussions of the slant 6 when it was released, it was mentioned that the forward rake angle was set to make clearance for the airbox, and to lower the CG of the engine, and thus the whole motorcycle. It should be, by default, a lower CG.

[SuperG]

if so, you could put the small case BMW sells on it.

 

Saw this one & I knew the Kool-Aid pusher had me!

 

 

Pat

 

Where does the engine heat go?

I saw (on the 200+ picture website- linked earlier) it also has an automotive (BMW) type alternator. It was buried in mid engine section between cylinders and frame. Can you get to the belt?

And last but not least... same final drive?

[bmwsit]

Looks like final is on the opposite side, so with luck it has been totally redesigned and FD failures will be a thing of the past.

[beemerman2k]

Unless I missed something, no reverse and no hydralic center stand. Seems they have done away with the LT market (conceded to the Goldwing) and will have a GT/sport and a GT/touring. Different market. I personally like the touring version with the more relaxed ergs, lower seat and larger gas tank but would go for a smaller top case (I don't ride 2up)

 

I am very pleased BMW took the direction they did. Let Honda do what they do best while BMW does what they do best. With that said and done, we have a real choice don't we?

[ka5ysy]

OK... for all the LT owners, and one's request, I added in the LT data to the comparison table:

 

 

Fuel consumption

 

100km @ 90km/h (62.137 miles @ 56mph) =

 

12LT = 4.3 l = 1.14 gal = 54.50 mpg

13GT = 5.0 l = 1.32 gal = 47.07 mpg

16GT = 4.5 l = 1.18 gal = 52.56 mpg

12RT = 3.6 l = .95 gal = 65.40 mpg

 

100km @ 120km/h (62.137 miles @ 74.5mph) =

 

12LT = 5.7 l = 1.50 gal = 41.42 mpg

13GT = 5.9 l = 1.55 gal = 40.08 mpg

16GT = 5.7 l = 1.50 gal = 41.42 mpg

12RT = 4.8 l = 1.26 gal = 49.31 mpg

 

Fuel Tank size

 

12LT = 24 l = 6.34 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 262 mile range)

13GT = 24 l = 6.34 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 254 mile range)

16GT = 24 l = 6.34 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 262 mile range)

16GTL = 26.5 l = 7.00 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 289 mile range)

12RT = 27/25-usable = 7.13/6.6 gal = (range @ 74.5mph = 351 mile range)

 

Wheelbase

12LT = 1632 mm = 62.25 in

13GT = 1572 mm = 61.88 in

16GT = 1618 mm = 63.70 in

12RT = 1484 mm = 58.42 in

 

Steering Head Angle

 

12LT = 63.18 degrees

13GT = 60.6 degrees

16GT = 62.2 degrees

12RT = 63.4 degrees

 

Alternator Output

 

12LT = 840w

13GT = 945w

16GT = 580w

12RT = 720w

 

Length

 

12LT = 2508 mm = 98.74 in

16GT = 2324 mm = 91.49 in

16GTL = 2489 mm = 97.99 in

12RT = 2230 mm = 87.79 in

 

Width

12LT = 1080

16GT = 1000/980 (with, w/o mirrors)

12RT = 906/800 (with, w/o mirrors)

 

Weight

 

12LT = 378 kg (fully fueled) = 833 lbs

16GT = 319 kg (90% fuel, w/o pannier) = 703.27 lbs

16GTL = 348 kg (90% fuel, w/pannier, topcase)= 767.2 lbs.

12RT = 259 kg (DIN unladen in road trim) = 571 lbs.

 

Max Weight

 

12LT = 600 kg = 1321 lbs

16GT = 540 kg = 1190.49 lbs

16GTL = 560 kg = 1234.58 lbs

12RT = 495 kg = 1,091.2 lbs

 

Wheels

Front

12LT = 3.50 x 17 in

16GT = 3.50 x 17 in

12RT = 3.50 x 17 in

Rear

12LT = 5.00 x 17 in

16GT = 6.00 x 17 in

12RT = 5.00 x 17 in

 

Tires

Front

12LT = 120/70

16GT = 120/70

12RT = 120/70

Rear

12LT = 160/70

16GT = 190/55

12RT = 180/55

 

[Dave_zoom_zoom]

I just woke up! Saw all this 1600 info. today.

 

After I got over being overwhelmed with all the new inovations, the thing I thought about was------

 

So that's what all those engineers were doing when they should have been working on our final drive problems!

[SuperG]

Why work on something (past models)they already sold to you and me, they got their money.

Now they got something new and shiny to sell to the masses.

[SageRider]

So that's what all those engineers were doing when they should have been working on our final drive problems!

Testing...Testing..............

[Firefight911]

So that's what all those engineers were doing when they should have been working on our final drive problems!

Testing...Testing..............

 

(said in good Germanic accent)

 

There shall be no testing, only engineering. We....are engineers! We have vays of making you think we test but, no, we do not test. We....are engineers.

 

Testing is for all first edition owners.........peons. All problems shall be hidden from public view. We shall then engineer some more.

 

Now, say after me;

 

They all do that.

 

We have never heard of that before.

 

[swmckinley]

[Whip]

 

Pat

 

Are my knees gonna be touching my elbows on that thing?

 

[beemerman2k]

Are my knees gonna be touching my elbows on that thing?

 

Whip, I suppose you could look at it that way, but we at BMW prefer to call it "mass centralization"

[Heck]

Are my knees gonna be touching my elbows on that thing?

 

 

Could be Whip...unless I'm off in the ozone somewhere, I seem to remember them mentioning a 29" seat height in the pre release hype... (Aftermarket forward controls???)

That in itself saves a few of us the cost of lowering the bike...

Folks, hurry up and get the bugs worked out of it- looks like a winner in a few model years

[Firefight911]

 

Pat

 

Are my knees gonna be touching my elbows on that thing?

 

I don't think so.

 

LINKY

[John in VA]

Gorgeous bike, especially in red. The torque and power must be fantastic, and the gadgetry seems state of the art.

 

I realize it's designed for long comfy touring, but 750+ lbs may be too porky to heave around town when not touring. And if the GTL has those LT swept-back earth-tiller bars, that's a deal-killer for me -- although at least the LT bars didn't have the new ugly BMW pee-cups on them.

[tallman]

May be too beeg for me in my old age.

Perhaps I'll buy this

and change the S to a G

 

voila, a 400 pound GT.

[fourteenfour]

Wonder what service intervals and costs are on this beast.

[ka5ysy]

Are my knees gonna be touching my elbows on that thing?

 

Whip, I suppose you could look at it that way, but we at BMW prefer to call it "mass centralization"

 

 

Hey Great !!... glad to hear Erik Buell is on the payroll now

[markgoodrich]

Wonder what service intervals and costs are on this beast.

 

Oh, I know, I know! Too Short. Too much.

[CGameProgrammer]

I plan to buy one of these as soon as possible, unless I dislike it after sitting on one for some reason, but I do expect problems initially. My money's on ECU issues such as stalling, irregular fueling, etc., because such problems are common with many manufacturers now, and this is a totally new engine. At least that wouldn't be as bad as faulty switches which instantly and permanently (until replaced) killed the K1300s.