2012 BMW K1600GTL Review

"No, it's not like a Gold Wing," they said. In fact last GL1800 BMW had for comparison were several years and they could not remember the last time someone the was mounted.

But how could BMW do benchmark leader segment of the class?

Both GTL and GL offers luxury rooms, the six-cylinder engine power through a rotating shaft, extra large luggage space and excellent protection from the wind big screens.External similarities aside, the President of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim categorically deny the Gold Wing was the target. However, the construction of a luxury grand tourer like the Wing, brusque but exceptionally friendly main task of its engineers to create "more" Sports Tourer larger purpose. After all, he adds, touring markets, "the domain name for the BMW."

 

The K1600GTL (sports and his twin brother GT, which has its own review in a couple of weeks) is a clean design that features leaves a lot of desirable standard and optional equipment.And What do they have in common? None Available long in the tooth of the Gold Wing GL1800, which began back in 2001. Although the GL receives minor changes for model year 2012, we are still waiting on the ability to adjust the height of your windshield with a button, a device almost ubiquitous among road bikes with intention. both serious, who bought this logic Honda electric motor to raise the screen GL (manual height adjustment, that is) is added unnecessary weight, but the K1600 show that the two are not mutually exclusive of each other. Honda scales at over £ 900 lots of fuel, while GTL is a flyweight 767 pounds on. (Incredible, BMW says the K16-GTL is lighter than the old K1200LT more than 110 kg!)

 

Lovers of old Goldie may denounce this comparison is unfair because the flat-six 1832cc Honda belongs to a different kind of displacement 1649cc inline-six for BMW. But if the criterion, the GTL easily hit above its weight. Your undersquare (and therefore relatively narrow) is stirred an alleged factory of 129 lb-ft of torque at 5250 rpm, reaching a crescendo of 160 horsepower at its peak of 7750 rpm. This should lead to 135 hp at the rear tire 190/55-17, nearly 40 more horsepower than the Honda.

Sing, Sing Song

In summary, this is one of the sound streetbike engines ever made. Lights with a crust that portends bad things to come, and despite its long journey architecture, it runs much faster than expected for the engine to a bicycle tourist. But the really unexpected reward occurs when the handle is twisted very difficult, as the exhaust note is the ramp as the best sport I-6 - a jaguar in miniature, of course, a BMW automobile engine after inhaling a breath of helium. He loved shouting after 6500 rpm, especially at full honk contribution is added, so when the note bounce delightfully delicate but wrath of the canyon walls back into the ears of the drivers of your smile.

 

And it works perfectly. Throttle response is zero abruptly, even in the more aggressive driving style "dynamic" (also adjustable from rain and road modes through appropriate equipment and multi-controller). And no problems with excessive heat from the engine as other supercars hikers.

Also impressive is the smoothness of the engine liquidy, such as I-6S always have balance in their primary and secondary forces. And 'only the slightest sense of filtering for the rider at all speeds, and the engine is so smooth driving 100 mph top (sixth) gear, you can easily cruise at that speed without worrying about a fifth of its rider.

In the comparison is inevitable with Honda GL seems to have somewhat of an advantage when the engine speed is below about 2500 rpm, but K16 probable realization of the wing drive elsewhere. Speed ​​demons will be happy to know that there is enough power on the other to exceed 140 km / h and aluminum bridge frame has the stability to manage skillfully it.When not Honda Racing, the functions of the K16 'wind in his admirable role of the civilized streets. Although the clutch is engaged by the end of its journey, it is still modulate the light when weighed against his deep well of power. And the gearbox is exemplary - we never missed a turn in the course of two days of horse, and he accepted the move higher ratios, even without mating. Neutral is easy to find.

Control of surprises.

We have always admired the Gold Wing for its ability to be controlled by curves with alacrity to the shame of its large size, but the K1600 series brings big dance partner backbone to a new level of agility. It's amazing handy. Yes, I said handy. It appears in a neutral position and continues through an angle that would make a wing ice envious - the Beemer is the circuit easier to win if you were ambitious enough to bring these mega-bagging to a track.

 

GTL is guided by a Duolever K1300GT taken from the front no longer exists, and works very well in this application. The steering effort is much lighter than expected, and partial credit is due to an excellent new Metzeler Z8s that have been developed in collaboration with the K16. The design duo of limited fork dive under hard braking natural, while you are not completely disconnected from the front axle.

Not your father's Braces

Bump absorption is provided by only a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers, one in Duolever at the front and a rear liver Para. GTL Premium Pack (a $ 2,645 upcharge based on $ 23,200 MSRP) includes soft BMW ESA II suspension, which allows the suspension settings at the touch of a button. Beyond Comfort, Normal and Sport, the ESA also provides additional options as expenses, baggage and passenger weight is.

 

ESA is a boon for any kind of bike, and it is even more valuable on a machine of tourism that is likely to travel on almost all types of road. It is a wonderful thing to be mounted on a winding mountain road in the mode button-down sport, then turn it over to comfort when Twisties becomes a highway. We have not had the chance to try the base suspension, but we were really impressed with the alternative arrangements of GTL, ESA, providing a strong response when needed, so soft where comfort is a priority .

Delay Chip

GTL is proving to be slow until more than 900 kilos of bike and rider, as it uses a powerful combination of triple disc brakes with BMW is a part-ABS as standard equipment. Forget the old concerns about anti-lock brake related, as this group performs modern perfection, even when the damage from the twin-piston calipers up front and 4 two behind the piston.

 

Foals both ends are solid and accurate, and acidification ABS feedback is almost nonexistent, even with tires squealing. As for the related component, it works so well that I completely forgot they were even together. This system is excellent with the security benefits of ABS. Trail braking does nothing to disrupt the frame or the bike to get up and change his line.

Air Management

BMW has three wind tunnels, it is not surprising that GTL has developed aerodynamics. His windshield is a big one, with the added benefit of height adjustment over a wide area. At 5 feet 8 inches, my eyes are just below the top edge to its lowest level. Taller riders can see, but knows a little turbulence, unless it is raised slightly. The riders of all sizes are protected when the screen is at its highest position - its coverage is comprehensive.

 

In hot conditions, the pilot can drastically change the air flow using innovative flip-out openings on both sides of the fairing. BMW calls to level the nose section and a surface shape of the air duct dampers, and chrome pieces together can be directed to the outside hand to grab the incoming air and send it to the pilot. Directing the flow of air along the central channel, which will completely change the air flow around the rider and the agitation will bring cooling relief. Very simple but very effective.

Ergo, Ergo

Built to cover long distances in comfort, GTL is configured with a completely neutral riding position. The handle is placed in your hands fall naturally, and the feet are placed slightly ahead of the end of a bridge. Our test bike was equipped with the optional lower seat position only 29.5 inches. This makes it easier to manage the GTL in low-speed maneuvers, but the best drivers will probably prefer the standard 30.7-inch seat for long hours in the chair of solidarity. The fuel tank is narrow between the knees, despite its considerable capacity of 7.0 liters.

Handlebar controls are carefully prepared by finely adjustable pedals. The indicators are currently triggered by a tradition of the left handlebar, with the addition of self-help to remove the program. Configuration standard cruise control buttons on the left side, and the system is very well controlled

 

A number of other functions - such as heating and the seat, ESA, and audio functions - can be set on an intelligent multi-BMW driver. MC is a grooved wheel, which rotates around the left handlebar, and can be connected in two directions to choose different settings for the display easy to read 5.7-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) color screen. MC Wheel is intuitive and is well damped and feel expensive, even if it does not make the turn signal REACH spend some '.

Comfort and Convenience

As a platform for high-end tourism, the GTL is equipped with an abundance of convenient features. Standard equipment includes heated seats and handles of five levels, cruise control and ABS. Lots of space for luggage is delivered by a top box and panniers, each removable unlike Wing - GTL nearly 470 pounds of payload. Xenon headlights have an auto-leveling.

"World's most advanced audio and communications system for a motorcycle" includes a navigation system and MP3 player, which can be manipulated for Multi-controller. Sound can also be controlled by connecting Bluetoooth, so the sound can be sent wirelessly to the system as a communicator unit of BMW Schuberth helmets have been provided, otherwise the audio is sent to four of the cabin speakers.

Above the Premium Package features a new trim level for motorcycles. The component includes luxury ESA II, an alarm and central locking system is not easy to do with removable bags - which uses the same components as cars and BMW made a similar satisfactory "Schlup" sound.

The safety features of the package consists of high-end motor rotation with traction control, tire pressure monitoring and adaptation of the first lighthouse equipped with a motorcycle. Faro innovative servo uses a mirror fitted to direct the beam of the headlights in the direction of travel, even in the corners. Although we were not riding a night table, mounted on a simulator has convinced us of its effectiveness, and will surely be a real benefit to drivers at night.

 

GTL is already connected to the BMW Navigator IV, built on the Garmin, but it is only available to individual dealers for about $ 850. IV Nav, simply fallen into a built-in cradle and you are immediately integrated GTL system, although its Bluetooth function. NAV screen is upright and visible, and is cleverly held in place by the windshield in the lowest position.

Almost perfect

GTL need a major weakness: accommodation of passengers falling way short of Gold Wing. Comfort exists when a passenger sits in his / her hands on the size of a rider, with legroom to seat wide and comfortable. A backsplash built on the top box offers security welcome.

However, the number in front of / behind the camera is a bit 'limited. Sitting in the back seat much more room, is located in the back seat of the switch installed nylon, so it seems to sit a vacuum.

Things fall apart still running at a steady pace, when you want to go to grab the handrail. There is not enough space between the edges of the seat rails and accommodate gloved fingers. And when his wings awkwardly jam again strong biceps area forward. For the drivers, who often travel in pairs, this could be a failure, depending on the size of the passenger.

Search more nits to choose, the difference between the shell and the saddle is a bit 'awkward in light of the excellent fit and finish of this super-tourer built in Berlin. Finally, the left GTL irritating than the gear whine 1700-2200 revolutions per minute, but seemed to be atypical of other K1600s begin to happen - mechanically identical to the GT I drove was about 50% quieter. K16s at the press conference were ready to start series production motorcycles, and BMW engineers note that the motion of some production tolerances of control that should be kept whining to a minimum.

 

The Verdict

To say we were impressed by the K1600 (including GT) is a colossal understatement. Soufflé is more like it.

Its six-cylinder engine is sex on wheels with power to spare. His agility and athletic ability is positively surprising a great girl, and the suspension and brakes are best in class. In addition, its range of standard and optional equipment in its own category. And at $ 25 845 for all GTL premium, which compares very favorably with a loaded Gold Wing ($ 27,099) slightly revised for 2012.

The venerable Gold Wing still has a clear superiority in terms of passenger accommodation and a slight advantage in the handling of ultra-low speed, but unlike GTL K1600 significant progress in the Super Touring class in all the other possible.In short, GTL has become the ultimate luxury sport-bike ever built.