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BMW goes big with new tourers

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BMW K 1600 GT
BMW K 1600 GTL

Two big new BMW touring motorcycles look set to revolutionise long-distance riding when they arrive in South Africa in mid-2011. And not only for their 118kW/175Nm, 1649cc, straight-six engines...

No, no mistake about the engine; the bikes will replace the current 1300cc units to become top models in the brand’s touring range and you can expect to pay more than R220 000 for the GT version and a whack more for the luggage-gear equipped GTL.

You will, however, get a number of “firsts” on a motorcycle and you’ll have the world’s most advanced big touring machine under your backside. And, of course, shaft drive.

For a start, the transverse-mounted engine is the world’s lightest and most compact in-line six at 103kg and 560mm long. The “low weight” them is continued into the construction of the whole bike with the use of magnesium for the front panel carrier and aluminium for the rear frame and crankshaft.

The engine mass includes clutch, gearbox and alternator in its 103kg – all taking fractions of the bike’s fuel consumption, which is listed as 4.5 litres/100km at a constant 90km/h.

Maximum engine power arrives at 7750rpm, maximum torque at 5250 – though 70% of the latter is already on tap at 1500rpm. The connection between your right hand and the engine is electronic. BMW calls the system E-Gas, we call it ride-by-wire – and it seems everybody who has tried it, loves it.

AIR-FLOWED: The BMW K 1600 GTL was wind-tunnel tested.


It’s also perhaps the most important of the high-tech innovations on the bikes. The rider can select Rain, Road or Dynamic from a switch in the handlebars and fine-tune things with electronic suspension adjustment to the Duolever and Paralever systems and invoke the (optional) traction control to prevent wheel-spin.

BMW says the electronic suspension adjustment is “world unique”.

Anti-lock brakes are standard but the also revolutionary adaptive headlights – a world first on two wheels - are an optional extra. As on BMW cars, the headlights will swing in the direction of lean and turn to illuminate the road ahead rather than the dark space on the outside of the mountain pass.

Extra driving lights and ground lights are available.

The instrument panel is also innovative: there’s a multi-controller with a colour screen and menu guidance, preparation for satnav and an interface for iPod, MP3, USB and Bluetooth. And that’s just the top of the accessories iceberg.

TWO OF A KIND: The BMW K 1600 in both formats.


BMW says another essential chassis element of the K1600 GT and K1600 GTL is the light alloy bridge-type frame. Particular attention was paid to balancing the bike because of the special requirements of a big tourer with a six-cylinder engine – even such a light one.

“All in all,” BMW explains, “the interplay of chassis and engine position, together with the seating position of the rider, not only creates a low overall centre of gravity with a very favourable concentration of masses but also provides an ideally balanced wheel-load distribution.

“The combination of ride stability, riding dynamics and lightness of handling in all riding and load conditions sets a benchmark in the touring-bike segment.”

Both models were extensively “tuned” for airflow, particularly around the pillion rider, to create the best-possible weather protection.

“The bike's aerodynamic qualities,” BMW says, “were developed in sophisticated wind-tunnel tests. The electrically powered windshield not only protects the rider and pillion but automatically returns to the starting position when the ignition is switched off to become deterrent to theft of the satnav.”

PURELY THE BIKE: High-tech for safe high-speed touring.


Other standard “comfort” features include xenon headlights, heatable grips and seat, cruise control and a comprehensive trip data computer.

Both models ride on 10-spoked, light cast-alloy wheels. The front is 3.5x17”, the rear 6x1”. The corresponding tyre sizes are 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 190/55 ZR17 at the rear. The rear tyre, BMW says, was especially developed to meet the demands of a touring motorcycle’s load and speeds.

Central locking for all compartments and the bike itself are available on top of the normal locks and anti-theft alarm.

The Bluetooth function of the audio system allows audio, phone and satnav signals to be transmitted to rider and passenger helmet speakers.
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