Let me state the obvious, from BMW's own stable there are the new RT and GS/GSA (I still have to test ride the RT and GSA) that can comfortably tour the continent 2 up. I have owned the GSA MU and for me it was a very good bike and could be loaded with our camping kit and we would be off for a couple of weeks. The panniers for the GSA are perfect for this and together with a 90l Ortlieb bag it was all we would need. Now I have looked at various other makes of bikes but the pannier space and a place to tie down the Ortlieb bag are my concern. The K1600GT has caught my eye for touring duties. But the problems experienced by owners puts me off. How common the problems are I don't know. This ranges from pulling left, gearbox issues, drive train backlash, switchgear faulty, overheating, cracked pistons and satnav problems from reading on the K1600 forum. I had one as a loan bike 3 years ago, the bike wasn't even a week old, and can distinctly remember the clunk from the drive train every time I changed gear and the pulling left issue on the motorway. So despite my reservations I took the revised model out for a test ride today.
First impressions as I can remember is that it is a heavy bike but well balanced as you heave it upright and set off. The engine is a peach, overtaking in 3rd and 4th on B roads is the way to do it. The torque of the machine makes riding easier and it is so smooth coming from a boxer (it should be, it is an inline 6). You still need to be in front of the bike, more than the GSA especially at town speeds. The fly by wire throttle doesn't like the rear brake and balance thing when you crawl in traffic and I could smell the clutch after being stuck in a long cue. Only when I looked down I noticed I was in 2nd may be that's why. The screen has changed from what I remember and I can now find a position where the buffeting is acceptable, not as good as the GSA though. Handling and direction change is good for such a big machine. I even managed to scrape a foot peg. The backlash from the drive train has gone. Negatives, the buffeting above 100mph (private road of course near me ), ground clearance, too many toys to make you take your eyes off the road ( but it is loaded with all the goodies), pannier space (but then again nothing is going to beat the GSA), numb bum after an hour. These would not deter me from buying it except for the price and approval from the pillion.
What I would like to know from the K1600 owners or ex owners on here are what their experience are with this bike. Good and bad. Do you go camping with it, if you do how do you load it and do you use the top box with the GT? How adept is the GT for carrying camping gear? I can always figure this out by just bringing the bike home and give it a try but any insight would be appreciated. How often do you ride the machine, miles per year, 2 up or single. Any advice on buying a used machine? Why did you buy it or sell it?
First impressions as I can remember is that it is a heavy bike but well balanced as you heave it upright and set off. The engine is a peach, overtaking in 3rd and 4th on B roads is the way to do it. The torque of the machine makes riding easier and it is so smooth coming from a boxer (it should be, it is an inline 6). You still need to be in front of the bike, more than the GSA especially at town speeds. The fly by wire throttle doesn't like the rear brake and balance thing when you crawl in traffic and I could smell the clutch after being stuck in a long cue. Only when I looked down I noticed I was in 2nd may be that's why. The screen has changed from what I remember and I can now find a position where the buffeting is acceptable, not as good as the GSA though. Handling and direction change is good for such a big machine. I even managed to scrape a foot peg. The backlash from the drive train has gone. Negatives, the buffeting above 100mph (private road of course near me ), ground clearance, too many toys to make you take your eyes off the road ( but it is loaded with all the goodies), pannier space (but then again nothing is going to beat the GSA), numb bum after an hour. These would not deter me from buying it except for the price and approval from the pillion.
What I would like to know from the K1600 owners or ex owners on here are what their experience are with this bike. Good and bad. Do you go camping with it, if you do how do you load it and do you use the top box with the GT? How adept is the GT for carrying camping gear? I can always figure this out by just bringing the bike home and give it a try but any insight would be appreciated. How often do you ride the machine, miles per year, 2 up or single. Any advice on buying a used machine? Why did you buy it or sell it?