In the past, touring on a motorcycle was quite different. Motorcycle manufacturers gave us generic options that could be outfitted with a variety of aftermarket options, from fairings to saddlebags. These days there is a wide selection of dedicated touring bikes that already come fully kitted out for touring straight from the factory.
The unfortunate reality is that for all this added equipment, not to mention comfort, we need to pay rather large sums of money. In some cases, these bikes will cost in excess of $30k, which is a lot of money for a motorcycle. The bike in question isn’t exactly a bargain buy either, but at least it is selling for under $25k.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW Motorrad. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
We Have An Impressive Selection Of Highway Tourers To Choose From
At this lofty end of the market, the motorcycle world really is your oyster, but it is also fair to say that the Honda Gold Wing has become the default choice in this space. It isn’t just a motorcycle, though; it is an institution. Its buttery-smooth flat-six has won over thousands of fans all over the world and has been elevated to legendary status within the industry. Honda is unafraid to make you pay for this legend. With a base price of just over $25k, it is one of the few Japanese bikes that is more expensive than the European and American alternatives. Speaking of which, the Harley-Davidson Street Glide is a pretty good alternative. Its impressive Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin won’t leave anyone in want of more power, but it offers a completely different riding experience that won’t appeal to everyone.
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The BMW K 1600 B Is Built For Riders Who Prefer Highways To Airports
MSRP: $24,975
Out of all the BMW K-Series bikes on offer, the K 1600 B is the most affordable. As far as base models go, this is about as feature-rich as you will get. As one might expect at this price point, just about every modern motorcycle feature is present, but the key point of difference really is its smooth-running inline-six engine. It is what will make highway rides that much easier.
The K 1600 B Has The Only Inline-Six Motorcycle Engine
Power: 160 Horsepower
This is currently the only inline-six motorcycle engine in production, and after taking one look at the bike, it is pretty easy to see why. It makes the bike really, really wide. Other manufacturers have had a go at building inline-six engines, but only the Bavarians have persevered. BMW’s love affair with the inline-six dates back decades, mostly using it in cars. It offers a pretty decent balance between top-end performance and torque, but the most desirable feature of this configuration is how smooth these engines are.
Silky-Smooth Performance
Naturally, smooth power delivery is a desirable characteristic in a luxury tourer. This particular example isn’t just smooth; it is also immensely powerful. 160 horsepower is only part of the equation, as you also get 133 pound-feet of torque. That means it has more torque and more power than any of its direct competition. You will just need to get used to riding a motorcycle that is almost the same width as some microcars.
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The K 1600 B Is A Genuine Luxury Tourer
Just like any tourer in this price range, it is well-appointed, but there are certainly a few things you simply don’t get on other bikes. Regular tech features include lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, cruise control, ride modes, and a TFT dash which is almost as wide as the bike itself. Its physical features are what make the difference. They include heated grips, heated seats, a reverse assist feature, and what might be the real cherry on top, Dynamic Electronic Suspension.
While other manufacturers have generally stuck with conventional suspension setups, both BMW and Honda deviate from conventional wisdom for their tourers. Both use a derivative of the Hossack suspension up front. For BMW, it is called the Duolever and combines with a Paralever suspension at the rear. Both are electronically assisted, which makes the bike easy to adjust on the fly and also that much more comfortable.
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Potential Hidden Costs
BMW gets so much right with the K 1600 B, but like almost every model in the lineup, a few things are intentionally left off the bike. For this particular model, it is the quickshifter that gets left off. This is a relatively small “nit” to pick, but it is a little surprising that it isn’t included. If you want it, you will either need to check the “Gear Shift Assist Pro” box or “Bagger Package”, which erroneously costs the same even though the Bagger Package has other inclusions. The center stand is also missing in action, but that is forgivable in the sense that it has a shaft drive, and you won’t need to do any chain maintenance. It is still something most touring bike buyers would want, and BMW knows this.
Although expensive, this is actually a bike that offers a lot of value for money. You simply do not get the same level of specification on significantly more expensive bikes. You also get that sumptuous inline-six engine, which is worth the price of admission all on its own. BMW just has a way of leaving some stuff off bikes that bait people into spending money that they don’t really need to. But that is only a minor grievance, and just one of those things you need to be aware of if you are looking at any BMW Motorrad product.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
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Chassis |
Aluminum bridge-type frame |
|
Front Suspension |
BMW Duolever (4.5-in travel) |
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Rear Suspension |
BMW Paralever monoshock (5.3-in travel) |
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Weight |
758 lbs |