K1600 GT - thoughts on first 1000 miles

[bladerunner]

Or to be more specific....Jeeese what a lovely bike.


Well, I've had it a week now!
I had an all day meeting in Liverpool yesterday and was tired at the start. I left central 'pool at 17.30, missed the turn for the tunnel and took a 3 miles inner city detour, and then rode back though central wales. I arrived home near Cardiff before 9pm more awake and relaxed than when I got on!

Although I may have strayed into 3 point territory once or twice, I tried to avoid ban-able speeds. It is not so much the max speed one can achieve as the constancy of a high average. It is like riding the "East Australian current" in "Finding Nemo"! Cars in the way are dispatched with a blat even in 6th gear and it is so comfortable that it is only after 3 hours I start to wonder if I want to stop.

I took it to the Horizons meeting via Wales and Ashbourne and returned the same day with no fatigue - a 450 mile round trip. Although the HU folk probably look at it and think "I'd rather buy 2 years on the road", Dan Walsh liked it!

Some points:

It seems reasonably economical - around 50+ mpg giving 240 miles before the "Sunday afternoon, rural France amber warning light anxiety".

The GPS is mediocre - the Road trip is very slow on my Powermac and the bike can definitely out accelerate the satellites so you need to slow down to read the next junction!

I did try dynamic mode but a power out rear slide on the hairpins above Newtown had me turn it back on.

It is exceptionally quiet below 70mph.

Full acceleration leads to warp factor 10 hyperspeed, cars going backwards and you very soon run out of road.

It is impressive how an average hatchback well/bravely driven by a local can keep up with a bike on the A470!


So all in all, I'm a happy bunny

 

[Hexme]

Good post, nice bike.... Gratz

 

[Mr K]

Lovely machine.

Even if I had the money I wouldn't dare - No willpower and too easy to go fast.

 

[Gipsy]

Nice bike Simon. Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[Hexme]

Lovely machine.

Even if I had the money I wouldn't dare - No willpower and too easy to go fast.

Agree with you Mr K

 

[corsicandreamer]

How tall are you and how is the wind protection, i am 6.4" what do you think?
Nice looking bike, saw one in Antibe with acro's on but no time to wait for a listen, thanks for posting.

 

[bladerunner]

I'm a short 5"10" and it fits me perfectly. The seat is on the higher setting. I can get both feet down flat - NOT something I can say for the 1150GSA!
A very tall person of my vintage may find their hips are a bit flexed for comfort.

The screen is oddly effective. It has a notch in the top and at its lowest I guess the wind hits the helmet full on, but it is not uncomfortable. I was riding with the screen full down all the time.

The GTL with the larger screen did not suit me at all.

 

[corsicandreamer]

Thanks, i love the engine i think a test ride will be in order.

 

[FERRET]

How is the rear tyre wearing? i was in my local BMW dealers a few weeks ago getting a service and was speaking to a chap who had a 1600, he was in having a new rear tyre fitted after only 3000 miles, having seen the tyre it should have been changed a lot earlier, tyre carcas cords were visible.
Gotta say though what lovely sounding bikes and as previously stated i will have to arrange a test ride.

 

[BlueBird]

sweet

that is one goodlooking bike,like an 1200RT on steriods,

I like the idea of having enough grunt to destroy rear tyres

whats the stereo like and what'll it do mister?

 

[bladerunner]

The stereo is good to 60mph only. The ipod I think is louder. I had "born to be wild" screaming out yesterday - seemed appropriate!!
It will do more than I - allegedly 170mph. But at over 100 apparently you can feel the top box cause a slight weave.
Next year I'll take it to Germany and have a play, but top speed is never my aim - it is just reassuring to have a machine over-engineered for real world speeds and has acceleration in spades so you spend less time on the wrong side of the road.

p.s. For music on the move I have found my goal:
I pod on shuffle
aquapac protection
Scosche blue tooth to controls on handlebars to fast forward/change volume/pause if refueling
Ultimate-ears in ear speakers - (bl**dy fantastic)

 

[Zorro]

Wow, looks like a great bike. Are you comparing it with the GSA or other touring bike? How is the slow speed handling? Keep us updated on points!

 

[bladerunner]

I've still got my 1150GSA and have no plans to sell her.
If it's tarmac and hotels it's GT, dirt and tents it's GSA. I love both. The GSA has more character and quirks and shrugs off spills that could cause £1000's of damage to the GT. I've had her a long time and she is like a frankenstein cockroach - function rather than aesthetics.
The GT is EASIER to ride and feels lighter at low speeds. It is one of those bikes (like a pan euro) that you can try to ride "perfectly" - all ROSPA and IAM like.
The GSA with its snatchy servoed brakes (I'm going to take that off next spring), heavy high tank and tall (for me) seat gives me the odd sweat when I put out a leg at lights and there is gravel or an incline.
Both bikes are cumfy for hundreds of miles.

 

[Vern]

One of them thar thangs came past me a couple of weeks ago, un-feckin-believable how it picked it's skirts up overtaking. The bloke riding it must have had a get out of jail free card in the toolkit the way he was riding it.

Can't decide if I like the noise it makes or not. A bit like a Ferrari in a bean tin.

I wouldn't trust myself at all on one, so they should be banned

 

[MGJ]

I had a good look at one and I want one here we go again.

 

[Martyn B]

Can I ask how much?

Thinking about the possibility of buying one in the States where it seems to be about £3k cheaper! - $24540 with the premium package is about £15.5k at the mo.

Have to look into shipping and import duty but it might be nice to do it and combine it with a touring holiday in the USA....hmmm

Oh btw, NICE BIKE

 

[bladerunner]

They are just shy of £15k in the UK.

I added most of the gee gaws as Francis would say so I paid jsut over £19k
Pricey I know and only possible due to an inheritance from Mum who died last Summer - not that she would have approved.

I have just returned from Ireland and Norn including Bantry, Kerry and the causeway coastal road . Rubbish weather initially then OK.

I remain infatuated with the bike - as near perfect for me as anything I have ridden. Most of the add ons have been worth having.

It is also surprisingly economical and looks like it would go 260+ miles before empty, which I reckon is pretty good - I was not being too sensible!

It's fun to get the "Is that the new 6?" questions.

As for tyre wear - after 2600 miles they look OK, I would guestimate 4000 ish for the rear (so next week then )

I shall await recalls/failures due to new engine & design but so far VERY well pleased!


Sorry girls, looks like the new kitchen will have to wait - or you can pay monthly at something under £200.

 

[Martyn B]

Loadsa money...

Thanks Bladerunner - that matches what I experienced whilst you were away in Ireland. I asked Cotswold Motorrad how much to swap my June 2010, 12k mileage GSA against a fully ferkled GT and the answer was £9k! Considering I paid £13.5 for it, that's pants, so looks like a "conversion" isn't too likely in the short term.

Didn't want one anyway, so there...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Someone was selling a nice K1200LT last week for less than the depreciation on your 2010 12GSA

 

[Martyn B]

Someone was selling a nice K1200LT last week for less than the depreciation on your 2010 12GSA

Tell me about it!

Feck feck FECK