BMW K1600GT |
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| Manufacturer | BMW Motorrad |
|---|---|
| Production | March 2011 |
| Class | K1600GT: sport touring K1600GTL: tourer |
| Engine | 1,649 cc (100.6 cu in) straight-six transverse-mounted |
| Bore / Stroke | 72 × 67.5 mm (2.8 × 2.66 in) |
| Compression ratio | 12.2:1 |
| Power | 118 kW (158 hp) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 175 N·m (129 ft·lbf) @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | six-speed shaft drive |
The BMW K1600GTL and K1600GT are motorcycles announced by BMW Motorrad in July 2010,[1] and unveiled at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne in October 2010.[2][3] The bikes went on sale in March 2011. The K1600GTL is a full dress luxury tourer, which replaces the K1200LT, and is intended to compete with the Honda Gold Wing.[4] The K1600GT is more of a sport tourer similar to the existing K1300GT and previous K1200GT models.
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The bikes feature a new 1,649 cc (100.6 cu in) straight-six engine which is mounted transversely across the chassis.[5] The engine is angled forward by 50°.[6] The engine was originally used on the Concept 6, a concept bike that was shown at the 2009 EICMA Milan Motor Show.[7][8] BMW claims that the engine, which at 560 mm (22 in) wide is just 67 mm (2.6 in) wider than the K1300 engine,[6] is the narrowest six-cylinder engine ever produced. Cylinder bore is 72.0 mm (2.83 in) and the distance between cylinder centres 77 mm (3.0 in).[6] The camshaft is hollow, with cam lobes pressed on, which saves around 2 lb (0.91 kg).[9] The engine has electronic throttle control and multiple drive modes which can be set according to road conditions.
New technology for BMW on these models include adaptive headlights. As standard the headlights shine onto a mirror which keeps the beam level according to how the bike is pitched. The optional adaptive headlights include a servo motor that directs the headlight beam according to how the bike is leaning in a turn, effectively pointing the beam around the bend.[4]
In July 2011, US magazine Cycle World named the K1600GT as its best sport touring motorcycle,[10] and the K1600GTL as the best touring motorcycle for 2011.[11] Motorcyclist named the K1600GT as Best Touring Bike in its 2011 Motorcycle of the Year awards.[12] UK weekly newspaper Motor Cycle News named the K1600GT as Best Tourer at its MCN Awards 2011.[13]
Motorcyclist road tested the K1600GTL against the Honda Gold Wing and preferred the Honda. They did note that the additions on the K1600GTL over the K1600GT worked against it, and concluded that the latter was the better bike.[4]
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