K1600 GT Sport. What's it like???

[ButtonMoon]

Time for a new bike, I'm keeping the KTM 990 ADV cos I love it !!!

Looking for something that zips along, I can tour and travel up and down to the North East every week or so in comfort. The GT Sport caught my eye as it looks a bit stylish and not too much like a Gold Wing.

So have you got one? what's it really like and is it worth almost £20k ???

My test ride list so far:

K1600 GT Sport
S1000 XR Sport
R1200 RT (had one before so might not get another)

Cheers !

 

[boxer]

If you want some thing that 'zips along' - I don't think you'll be too disappointed with a K16.

I test road a GT Sport and bought a GT, it was just how things worked out. The one problem with the Sport was the screen, the turbulence was truly awful. Even before the test the sales guy warned this would be the case and advised that a screen from the GT would need to be fitted.

Everything you've heard about the K16 engine is true, and the reason I bought the bike. I'm no big fan of multi-cylinder bikes but this power plant needs to be experienced. Wonderful exhaust note too.

The rest of the bike is superb, I can't really fault it. Comfort two up is excellent. MPG according to the on-board computer is just over 50 since I've had it [5k miles] - that includes days on French motorways and days out in North Wales .

I'm still on the original tyres and hope to see 6k miles on them which I think is pretty good considering the weight and performance.

 

[ButtonMoon]

If you want some thing that 'zips along' - I don't think you'll be too disappointed with a K16.

I test road a GT Sport and bought a GT, it was just how things worked out. The one problem with the Sport was the screen, the turbulence was truly awful. Even before the test the sales guy warned this would be the case and advised that a screen from the GT would need to be fitted.

Everything you've heard about the K16 engine is true, and the reason I bought the bike. I'm no big fan of multi-cylinder bikes but this power plant needs to be experienced. Wonderful exhaust note too.

The rest of the bike is superb, I can't really fault it. Comfort two up is excellent. MPG according to the on-board computer is just over 50 since I've had it [5k miles] - that includes days on French motorways and days out in North Wales .

I'm still on the original tyres and hope to see 6k miles on them which I think is pretty good considering the weight and performance.

Thanks for that. 50 MPG is good, what tank range are you getting?

 

[boxer]

Not sure, computer predicts 300 with a full tank but whether that holds true or not I don't know. That said, I've not found the range to be lacking.

At motorway speeds [85mph] expect low 40s mpg.

 

[ButtonMoon]

Not sure, computer predicts 300 with a full tank but whether that holds true or not I don't know. That said, I've not found the range to be lacking.

At motorway speeds [85mph] expect low 40s mpg.

Thanks again. Rang Cannon at Braintree, Essex. They've got all three for me to test ride, busy day for me tomorrow

I'll probably buy a GS knowing me cos I loved mine, particularly the tank range, could get from Sunderland to Chelmsford on a full tank and still ride at decent speed.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

You need to test ride one based upon a self made pre-agreement to walk away without doing the deal. The engine will just put you in perma-grin mode.

It's heavy and needs respect at low speeds but once on the move it becomes whatever you want it to be.

I have the GTL which works for me due to two up touring, but i'm also very happy to ride it solo.

£20K - I did not pay this for a new fully loaded GTL. There are deals to be had.

 

[Tricky]

I had a 1600GT for a couple of years and the six cylinder engine is just insane!

It's a heavy beast but you only notice it during slow maneuvers or when pushing it out of the garage. The bike is low compared to a GS so no big deal really.

It will eat tyres if you use the power (particularly in dynamic mode) but other costs are reasonable. At 12k service cost me just over £200 at main dealer. 50 mpg on long touring trips two up was achievable. The extended warranty is worth it as it is a complex machine.

Only got rid as the Mrs found a Harley Glide more comfortable.

 

[Blowzorn]

I was considering the GT1600 but was talked out of it by one of the mechanics at the Local BMW dealer.
If you're going to clock up a lot of miles like I do it has a couple of very expensive parts. Think he mentioned a thingymajig at 18,000 that was £1500. Wish I could remember the conversation more fully. All I remember was the disapoint I felt when that particular pipe dream popped.

Hope this helps

 

[ButtonMoon]

I was considering the GT1600 but was talked out of it by one of the mechanics at the Local BMW dealer.
If you're going to clock up a lot of miles like I do it has a couple of very expensive parts. Think he mentioned a thingymajig at 18,000 that was £1500. Wish I could remember the conversation more fully. All I remember was the disapoint I felt when that particular pipe dream popped.

Hope this helps

Any idea what "thingymajig" it was?

 

[Wapping]

He maybe means the valves are checked.

 

[boxer]

I was considering the GT1600 but was talked out of it by one of the mechanics at the Local BMW dealer.

I think the mech was afrit.

Even better, now available with keyless ignition.

 

[Blowzorn]

Any idea what "thingymajig" it was?

Some sort of very expensive filter??? Maybe. Sorry I can't remember.

 

[Nutty]

If you're going to sit on motorways for long periods of time, I'll save you some time, and say don't bother testing the XR. If, when you tour, you mainly stick to A and B roads, test ride the XR!

 

[ButtonMoon]

Test ride booked, got the K1600 GT all day on Thursday from 9am. But where to go !!
Might go Peterborough via A142 then Kings Lynn to Norwich A47, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Ipswich, Colchester A12 then using back roads to Burnham on Crouch finally Braintree to return the bike. Google says 8 hrs riding over 300 miles, That should tell me if I like it or not !!

 

[ButtonMoon]

If you're going to sit on motorways for long periods of time, I'll save you some time, and say don't bother testing the XR. If, when you tour, you mainly stick to A and B roads, test ride the XR!

I'll defiantly test ride the XR probably do that next week. Decided not to bother with the RT on the basis I've had one.

 

[chrisjk]

I traded a Goldwing for one of the first and have regretted it ever since. I swapped the K1600 for a GSA after only 3000 miles, the bloody thing annoyed me so much. To be fair, there were a lot of niggly faults with the K1600 some of which have no doubt been fixed. If you try or buy one - do check that it has neutral steering with your hands off the bars - mine pulled annoyingly to the left and at the time, many other examples of the bike did also.

If I wanted another Queen Mary, I'd buy a Goldwing in a heartbeat over the K1600.

 

[ButtonMoon]

I traded a Goldwing for one of the first and have regretted it ever since. I swapped the K1600 for a GSA after only 3000 miles, the bloody thing annoyed me so much. To be fair, there were a lot of niggly faults with the K1600 some of which have no doubt been fixed. If you try or buy one - do check that it has neutral steering with your hands off the bars - mine pulled annoyingly to the left and at the time, many other examples of the bike did also.

If I wanted another Queen Mary, I'd buy a Goldwing in a heartbeat over the K1600.

Cheers I'll check that out on Thursday. What year was yours buy the way?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

If you're going to sit on motorways for long periods of time, I'll save you some time, and say don't bother testing the XR. If, when you tour, you mainly stick to A and B roads, test ride the XR!

He looked at the back of one all the way round Scotland !

 

[ButtonMoon]

He looked at the back of one all the way round Scotland !

To be fair, Everyone looked at the back of one in Scotland!
I think it was Andy who said to you on the first day, "don't forget there's eight other riders with you as well."

 

[RedRick Esq.]

To be fair, Everyone looked at the back of one in Scotland!
I think it was Andy who said to you on the first day, "don't forget there's eight other riders with you as well."

I think you should try one but as nutty says it isnt a bike to sit on motorways but then again neither is that Katoom but you do alright on it