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K1600B

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Anibal

Anibal

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May 4, 2023
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Location
Langdon Hills, Essex, UK
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Bike
R18B
Last year, when I wanted to retire my trusted M109R, I had my eyes on the K1600B but to be honest I felt intimidated by its size so I went for the R18B which I absolutely love.
Nevertheless, I had that itch that needed to be scratched , so today I went to my local dealership and road tested the previous generation K1600B, the one without the TFT. To my eyes, everything else seems to be the same apart from the aerial. I am aware some owners here had or have a K1600B and I am not going to say nothing new but to the rest of the forum I like to give my opinion. What a machine, period!!!! Buttery smooth, vibration free, an amazing acceleration without hesitation. A suspension so great, you hardly feel any road imperfections.The electronic wind screen is superb and the bike although heavy, felt much lighter than my B, it is much more manoeuvrable than my B as well or at least it felt that way. The only thing is missing is the ACC. I would have expected for a premium bike and the intended use most people would buy the bike for, serious touring, it should have an ACC fitted. It is as comfortable as my car but with the motorcycle fun aspect.
I was blown away and I am in trouble now.
 

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I want/wanted a K1600B, but you cannot get a test ride on one here in Australia. BMW will only bring them in on order. I told them that I would buy one if I can't test ride it first..... BMW Australia are a strange group... So I bought a R18B and a R18 Highline/Bobber as well as my other bikes and cars. They will settle my itch for a while.
 
Anibal said:
Last year, when I wanted to retire my trusted M109R, I had my eyes on the K1600B but to be honest I felt intimidated by its size so I went for the R18B which I absolutely love.
Nevertheless, I had that itch that needed to be scratched , so today I went to my local dealership and road tested the previous generation K1600B, the one without the TFT. To my eyes, everything else seems to be the same apart from the aerial. I am aware some owners here had or have a K1600B and I am not going to say nothing new but to the rest of the forum I like to give my opinion. What a machine, period!!!! Buttery smooth, vibration free, an amazing acceleration without hesitation. A suspension so great, you hardly feel any road imperfections.The electronic wind screen is superb and the bike although heavy, felt much lighter than my B, it is much more manoeuvrable than my B as well or at least it felt that way. The only thing is missing is the ACC. I would have expected for a premium bike and the intended use most people would buy the bike for, serious touring, it should have an ACC fitted. It is as comfortable as my car but with the motorcycle fun aspect.
I was blown away and I am in trouble now.
Click to expand...
That is the main reason I could not get rid of my K1600GTL when I picked up my R18B. Although mine is a 2016 without the reverse or TFT, still a thrill every time I twist that throttle
 
It's an old chassis, that is why it won't be crammed with the latest tech, it's likely due an upgrade. TBH I find the active cruise on the TC a nuisance if I am in a hurry. I prefer dumb cruise. Each to their own. Coming from an RT most recently, the weight issue makes me giggle a bit...most RT riders say that the K is great but heavy...we're like wow, so light!
 
widu13 said:
It's an old chassis, that is why it won't be crammed with the latest tech, it's likely due an upgrade. TBH I find the active cruise on the TC a nuisance if I am in a hurry. I prefer dumb cruise. Each to their own. Coming from an RT most recently, the weight issue makes me giggle a bit...most RT riders say that the K is great but heavy...we're like wow, so light!
Click to expand...
LOL, indeed. Yesterday I took her to the local high street, a bit of country lanes and then motorway and I was impressed how nimble she is, splitting lanes is possible, she is only 10cm wider than my B, at low speeds she is light like a ballerina and in the motorway she is holly s*hit fast. I was doing 80mph and she was only reving at just under 3K rpms, so much effortless torque and acceleration. She is definitely built for devouring miles with the highest level of comfort. France, Belgium, Holland is only a few hours away, not to mention many other beautiful places around the UK.
I would love to have one but no room in my garage for 2 bikes unfortunately.
 
If BMW could move some of the top weight lower some how? When your riding the thing you have about 5 gallons fuel on top of your lap along with all the electronics, navigation and radio. The thing handles very well { road-racer good} you can actually wear the footboards off if you know how to ride. I wore out three sets of tires in about 18000 miles. The centers were not flattened either :) But I am an old flat-track racer.
 
I was considering the K1600B when looking at getting a new bike; the HD Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST were at the top of my list, surprisedly I wasn't even aware of the R18 B until a buddy showed me a picture at a BBQ.

Agreed... Looks like trouble..
 
Last edited:
Star-Lord said:
I was considering the K1600B when looking at getting a new bike; the HD Street Glide ST and Road Glide ST were at the top of my list, surprisedly I wasn't even aware of the R18 B until a buddy showed me a picture at a BBQ.

Agreed... Looks like trouble..
Click to expand...
You could easily loose your license by riding this gem. What an engine, what a bike. Maybe one day, never say never 😉
 
IN2R18s said:
I want/wanted a K1600B, but you cannot get a test ride on one here in Australia. BMW will only bring them in on order. I told them that I would buy one if I can't test ride it first..... BMW Australia are a strange group... So I bought a R18B and a R18 Highline/Bobber as well as my other bikes and cars. They will settle my itch for a while.
Click to expand...
I'm in Australia,
North East Victoria, near Albury/Wodonga.
I just got a Transcontental, Ex Demo 23'
I dropped it back in to get a latch looked at and they offered me a K1600 as a loaner bike.
I went for the GS900 for the day though.
Blacklocks in Lavington might be worth it if you still want to try a K1600
 
You should ride one if you have the opportunity. They are the smoothest most responsive motorcycle you will ever ride. In the twenty thousand miles I rode mine, never once turned the radio on. The navigation was only used to find my way home. I never programed a destination into the thing, just headed out nowhere in particular.
 
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