Ridden a K1600GT..?

[Sullivj]

I've recently been watching the prices of 2 year old K1600GTs, which seem to depreciate to the point where they appear to be good value!

When the weather improves I'll take one out for a spin. In advance of that, I wonder if anyone here has actually ridden one and if so, what you thought of it?

I've never really found the RT 'too heavy' and easily move it around at slow speed and also around the drive at home, so the extra weight of the K1600 doesn't bother me so much.

[BoB21]

Had one as loan bike, found to top heavy and not as nimble, preferred triumph trophy but parts could be hard to find now.
If you want it for long tours /mainroads it would be brilliant.

[Stu]

Had one as loan bike, found to top heavy and not as nimble, preferred triumph trophy but parts could be hard to find now.
If you want it for long tours /mainroads it would be brilliant.

This is exactly what I read when comparing the RT and the K16 which is what made me opt for the RT

[Old Foxy]

I had a K1600 for 2 years before getting my RT.

The K1600 is a great bike - brilliant engine and extremely comfy. I thought the reverse was a gimmick, but it actually got me out of a few situations, where I had (inadvertently) parked facing very slightly downhill.

My reason for going to the RT was that the K1600 can be a handful at low (walking pace) speeds and for moving around the garage/driveway. The weight distribution is not as good (low & central) as the RT. On the road performance for both bikes is far better than my level of riding skill, so they I never found their limits!

If BMW could make a K1600 that was the same weight as the RT, I'd really consider swapping back. As it is, the RT does everything that I need (and is capable of more) so no incentive to change. Now in my 70's, I don't do "fast" and less weight is a good thing (yes, I have been on a diet as well, LOL). There is not anything in the current BMW line up that "floats my boat". That is true for most of the other brands, as well.

These things are always a very personal choice, of course but I have never regretted the change, even though the K1600 was (until then) the best bike I had ever ridden.

I would recommend a test ride (I did a couple of hours on a K1600GT) before making up your mind. Oh, and yes, depreciation on the K1600 from new is phenomenal (that is not a good thing).

Old Foxy

[TheWeeDonkey]

Swapped my 1250RT for a K1600 GTL in January. 2.5 years old and almost half the new price and that was from a BMW dealer and included the 2 year warranty and service plan.

I've only had the chance to do about 300 miles so far and I know the GT is set up a little differently but they are quite similar.

The initial weight difference is immediately obvious but once moving the weight disappears and is only noticeable at very slow speed (walking pace) or when manouevering. I'm ten and a half stone, 5' 7" and find pushing it forward is difficult but pushing backwards much easier.

The reverse is spooky at first but a huge benefit for tight manouevering.

The engine is magnificent. And the gearbox, handling etc easy and dependable.

It certainly feels top heavy with a passenger, in fact I'd hate to drive through a busy city 2 up. On the move it's not an isuue but stopping, tight turns, trickling etc are need more care than on the RT.

I see that the GTL seems to depreciate a little faster than the GT. But both seem to be something of a bargain second hand.

[Sullivj]

Thanks for all your thoughts and opinions. Now the weather is starting to improve, I'll find one to ride and report back.

[Ed Harley]

Earlier models have this annoying "clonk" in driveline. I believe this went away with 2013...14 models or so after certain redesigning.

Front wheel bearings typically need changing at around 50k kilometres. My buddy almost dropped his 2011 GT as theses bearings broke. Mine were rusty and noisy.

Wonderful bike.