Review: BMW K 1600 B bags plenty of charm
BMW Motorrad's K 1600 range has to be one of those models you appreciate from afar and think "nice bike, but not for me". This is how you end up missing out on the finer things in life, as I discovered after taking delivery of the recently launched K 1600 B (Bagger). Much like cars, there are tiers to the motorcycle world and not all of them are created equally. The BMW K 1600 just happens to sit on the top shelf as far as luxury is concerned.
BMW K 1600 B Design
Jumping straight into the matter of design and it’s immediately evident that the bagger is the more charming of the four K 1600 variants (B, GA, GT and GTL) with its low-slung muscular silhouette. One could even argue that it's the more youthful of the lot.
Looks are subjective, though, and it doesn't take a motorcycle enthusiast to recognise the K 1600 B for what it is. During our stint with the bike, the BMW K 1600 drew attention from all corners of life, and for good reason. People recognise a high-end product when they see it, and BMW Motorrad's halo motorcycle epitomises opulence on two wheels. From its impressive paintwork – available in custom Hydro Dipping for an individualised finish – to the attention to detail given to every aspect of the motorcycle.
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Both front and rear lights have LED technology, but it's those two taillights moulded into the bags that steal the show with their design and integrated indicator lamps.
It also makes use of a large, high-resolution 10.25" colour display screen for its instrument cluster, with built-in navigation, adding to the K1600's premium feel.
Between the two mirrors sits an electronically adjustable screen, which automatically retracts and folds flat once the bike is switched off, resetting the K 1600 B to its dark factory look.
Road manners
As a sport tourer, the 2022 BMW K 1600 B proved to be a perfectly balanced bike in every area. It offers refinement down to the last bolt, translating to a silky smooth ride. The seating position is comfortable and low, giving the rider confidence when manoeuvring the 336 kg bike at pedestrian speeds. To aid this, there's a reverse gear on board too.
In the B variant, the K 1600 comes with forward-positioned floorboards which give the rider room to stretch their lower limbs while munching up the miles on this premium German steed. There's nothing quite like the K 1600's inline six-cylinder engine, which lives on in this new variant, thankfully. Refinement and linear power and torque delivery are what it does best. This, combined with a silky smooth quick-shifter, ensures a unique riding experience that's in a league of its own. Minor upgrades have been made to the already stellar motor, which produces 118 kW and 180 Nm from the previous 175 Nm. If you've never been exposed to the K 1600's 6-cylinder tune, you haven't heard one of the best standard exhaust notes on a motorcycle. It reminded me of BMW's early generation naturally aspirated inline-six car engines, like that of the E36 and E46 3 Series.
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Three engine maps are on offer in this model, Road, Rain and Dynamic. However, with linear torque, you can keep it in its Road preset and still enjoy the best of the K 1600's performance. It must be mentioned that for such a large bike, the K 1600 B handles like a sturdy athlete. The K's suspension was the only unmet expectation: Even though the rest of the bike offered a sublime riding experience, the suspension felt lacking as it wasn't quite as cushy as I had expected. But it is a sport tourer, built to cover long distances of smooth, unending roads.
If you decide to embark on a long trip across provincial or national borders, the K 1600 B can facilitate this with its electronically lockable bags, pleasant seating position, heated seat and grips, and a display that connects to your smartphone. You can enjoy your tunes either through a helmet Bluetooth system, Airpods, or the bike's built-in speakers. At highway speeds, the speakers get drowned out by wind noise and don't offer the same level of sound quality as the Marshall system fitted to the R18 Transcontinental.
The K1600 B will set you back a pretty penny at R400,400, but for that price, you're getting a top-of-the-line, luxury motorcycle that's sure to turn heads. If money is no object, the K1600 B is a beautiful machine that'd make an excellent addition to any motorcycle enthusiast's collection.
Words: Gugu Masuku
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