Ask any touring enthusiast what their bucket list of road trips consists of, and chances are, a cross-country American road trip will be somewhere at the top. There’s just something about exploring the American landscape on two wheels that has always fascinated motorcyclists from around the world and given rise to a specific type of motorcycle (read: American big-twin cruisers).
For such a road trip, not any bike will do, though. Sure, the brave and adventurous among us would even take a moped or a sports bike for the road trip — and it would be fun — but most of us would prefer something comfortable. You don’t want to fight your bike when it’s time to enjoy the views, right? You need a proper touring bike, and there’s hardly a better example of one than this one.
Why The Balance Of Smoothness, Power, And Confidence Matters
It’s easy to think that an interstate ride on the long highway stretches of North America is not demanding. After all, you’re only cruising on the highway, so a powerful cruiser with a comfortable seat should be enough, right? That’s just the essential, though, but you’d need so much more. Such long-distance rides are a different kind of demanding, both for the rider and the motorcycle, and sometimes, even the pillion.
Long hours on the blacktop mean the motorcycle should sit comfortably at highway speeds, munching miles like it’s second nature to it. It should feel completely unbothered at such speeds. At the same time, the bike should feel plush, smooth, and easy to manage, which only inspires confidence in you to keep going farther. The bike should also be free of vibrations and have enough wind protection, two things that can feel annoying in the first hour but induce high fatigue soon after.
Then we came to the rider and pillion. Here, comfort matters, but without entertainment, it is a recipe for getting bored or, worse, highway hypnosis. The bike needs to be comfortable as well as entertaining, both in terms of performance and infotainment. And finally, it should hold all your luggage. When a bike ticks all these boxes, it offers a smooth touring experience with plenty of power at your fingertips, which should give you all the confidence you need to keep covering hundreds of miles every single day of the ride.
The Touring Bike With Yamaha Reliability And Gold Wing-Level Comfort
The BMW K 1600 B is a surprising contender for a combination of reliability and comfort like a Japanese tourer
The BMW K 1600 Grand America Does Just That
If that’s your goal, there’s hardly a better motorcycle than the BMW K 1600 Grand America. This bike is part of BMW Motorrad’s K 1600 touring lineup, and it sits at the very top of the family, along with the K 1600 GTL. But unlike the GTL, the Grand America is BMW’s take on grand American road trips, featuring a typical bagger style with a low rear section and muscular road presence, which exudes elegance and exclusive character.
BMW has made a name for itself with its six-cylinder engines that have powered some of the most iconic BMW cars out there. Since 2010, BMW Motorrad has offered that butter-smooth yet powerful layout on motorcycles with the K 1600 models. The K 1600 Grand America is powered by that very engine. The bike combines this performance with high-tech suspension, comfortable ergonomics with footboards and a high windscreen, and plenty of tech to keep you entertained and safe along the way.
The BMW K 1600 Grand America Starts At $30,025
The BMW K 1600 Grand America starts at $30,075, which makes it part of the top-tier luxury touring segment. And being a Beemer, expect the actual price to rise quickly as you start optioning it out with accessories. BMW offers this bike in three colorways: Exclusive, Black Storm Metallic, and Option 719 Casablanca. The Option 719 Casablanca is the way to go if you want a custom touch to your bike, as it features Ionic Silver Metallic paint with hand-painted lines.
The Balanced Choice For Long-Distance Touring
This BMW is fast, comfortable, fun, has good storage space, and the safety you need to cover great distances with ease.
Designed For Long Haul, Two-Up Comfort
The BMW K 1600 Grand America, as the name suggests, is designed for interstate touring, and its primary focus is comfort. It does not compromise here, either, as it comes ready to take you the distance right out of the factory. It features a neutral riding triangle, complete with footboards, generous seats, and handlebars that should be easy to reach for most riders. The ergonomics, with a seat height of just 29.5 inches, should keep you comfortable for multi-hundred-mile days on the highway.
Heated Everything And A Couch-Like Pillion Experience
Apart from the comfortable ergonomics, K 1600 Grand America also offers a range of creature comfortsto make the ride even smoother. These start with heated grips and seats, which should keep you and your pillion warm on cold mornings. The substantial fairing features a tall windscreen, which should keep the wind off your body. The top case doubles up as a backrest for the pillion, and you can opt for armrests as well for a proper couch-like experience. Finally, you get cruise control and an optional Shift Assistant Pro that makes long rides easier.
29.5 Gallons Of Storage — Enough For Two Weeks On The Road
When it comes to luggage, the Grand America has enough to carry all the luggage you need and even some you don’t. It features two side cases and a trunk, which can swallow up to 29.5 gallons of luggage. The top case is designed to be practical and hold two full-size helmets, depending on their shape and size. BMW also offers optional liners to make loading and unloading luggage easier, and you can also opt for a tank bag should you need some more luggage space.
The Bike That Turns Cross-State Trips Into Casual Rides
This potent six-cylinder bagger strikes an impressive balance between long-distance comfort and value
BMW’s Six-Cylinder Legacy On Two Wheels (Along With Fancy Underpinnings)
We can’t talk about interstate riding confidence without mentioning the Grand America’s powerplant and other underpinnings, all of which are tuned for comfort. We wouldn’t expect all-out performance here, though, as the K 1600 Grand America leans heavily toward effortless highway cruising and easy handling. As a result, it is powered by a tried-and-tested powertrain, an advanced suspension, and an agile frame that should make easy work of handling this hefty bike even when it’s loaded to the brim.
Butter-Smooth, Linear Power Delivery
The K 1600 Grand America is powered by a 1,649cc six-cylinder engine that produces 160 horsepower at 6,750 RPM, which is a whole 1000 RPM sooner than its predecessor. The torque is rated at 132.7 lb-ft at 5,250 RPM. Mated to a six-speed transmission, this engine is tuned to deliver superior pulling power and a butter-smooth power delivery with no surprises in the rev range. In essence, the six-cylinder engine is designed not to make you work hard to get anywhere, so it should feel relaxed and understressed even on the fastest highways in the US.
Dynamic ESA Electronic Suspension
The K 1600 Grand America is underpinned by a bridge-type frame, sitting on a Duolever / Paralever suspension system. But what makes this package special is the standard Dynamic ESA electronic suspension with fully automatic load compensation. This system automatically adapts suspension damping to riding conditions and maneuvers on the fly, which is said to translate into a magic carpet-like ride quality that you’d expect from such high-end tourers.
The Touring Motorcycle That Feels Like A Gold Wing Without The Price Tag
This BMW touring bike has a lot of similarities with the Gold Wing, including a six-cylinder engine and a unique suspension setup.
Dripping With Tech Features And Plenty Of Optional Extras
A decade or two ago, all you needed for a smooth and confident interstate ride was a smooth engine and a comfortable seat. Today, things are different. Modern luxury tourers must also feature a comprehensive tech package to keep things safe and interesting along the way. And the Grand America doesn’t disappoint here, either. It features all the touring essentials, including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), cruise control, ride modes, engine brake control, reverse assist, and much more.
Cutting-Edge Lighting System
The centerpiece of the bike’s tech package, however, is the highly modern and full LED lighting setup. It’s not only said to be bright and clear, but it also features a swivelling adaptive headlight function. This system turns the low beam LED into curves according to the bike’s heel angle, illuminating the corners as you turn. It also swivels by up to 2 degrees to compensate for the varying pitch under hard acceleration and braking. BMW also offers an auxiliary headlamp as standard.
Everything Else On The Bike
The bike also features a new 10.25-inch TFT display with integrated map navigation, route planning, and comprehensive connectivity features. It’s paired with Audio System 2.0, which is said to offer an immersive sound experience. On the side, you get favorite buttons that can be configured as per your preferences, along with a dedicated smartphone charging compartment that is splash-proof and ventilated.
Rounding out the luxury package are hill start control and TPMS. Optional extras include the Comfort package, with keyless ride, central locking, Shift Assistant Pro, and anti-theft alarm. BMW also offers ground-level lighting, Option 719 seat, classic forged wheels, forged handlebars, and a center stand. With the right option boxes ticked, the BMW K 1600 Grand America is everything you’ll ever need on your interstate ride. It’s powerful, smooth, confidence-inspiring, and so much more.
Source: BMW Motorrad