BMW K1600 Bagger and K1600GTL 

The bagger looks amazing. I genuinely never been so excited for a bike I can't afford.

Fabulous piece as ever chaps - I loved the Bagger and the big K1600GT (didn't try the "L") too and I agree with your enthusiasm for both...but is it really that much better than the RT? I know that big ol' 6 cylinder engine is a peach but the boxer in the RT works a treat and you lose a bit of weight/cost.......

BMW are brave releasing this bike. Clearly aimed at the yanks, most of the market demographic that would buy a bagger are so closed minded with the 'if it ain't made in 'Murica (Harley) it ain't no good' attitude. Hopefully the better engineering, advanced technology and overall better quality of the BMW proves them wrong and it sells.

After watching this episode on the Bagger vs. the GTL. This is what influenced me to buy the Bagger, specifically, the Grand America! Great bike and have not looked back (except to see how far back the other baggers are...lol) JUUUST KIDDING!

PROBLEM areas are: (4:30) Ugliest handlebars ever made on anything. Lawnmower handles look better. #2 wind buffeting. That from multiple reviewers all over the internet. #3 Saddle bag doors and latches. German over-engineering. Too small and cut off way too high off the ground. Has a funny looking "T" shape from the back. #4 Ugly dashboard and gauges. It looks old. #5 Microscopic touch screen. There is no excuse BMW, its 2019 for fuck sake. #6 top bag cannot hold a large helmet and there is no option for removal (Grand America). #7 Leg/foot position. Its either slightly back or way up. Its not bad but its also not premium. #8 Oil Change procedure. Retarded. #9 Paint. Too limited. #10 Its amazing. Even after all that, it is one bad ass bike. Power, safety features, overall look, suspension, amazing. Its just so hard to look past 1-9 when its time to put down money. It also reminds me of how liberal Germans are and their self hatred. Makes me want to gag.

Just waiting for the k1600b to turn up in my garage👍

I live in So Cal and all the Harley riders here are so happy about their stage 4 kits where they can actually get maybe 120 hp and then you put up one of these bikes next to theirs and it seems like the stone age in all categories performance, comfort etc...

The GTL not good looking, huh? Totally disagree. The top box is easily removable and becomes a formidable GT like bike. The Bagger looks great but needs a functional back rest. It’s seat design won’t allow one. This Bagger model still has some tweaking to be done and needs more color ways. Finally the K1600 line of Touring bikes all need TFT screens and back-lit handlebar switches for night riding. Come on BMW!

“... Bavarian black magic... “ Classic

So not only are they better than the Harley Street and Road Glide in every way but they cost less as well.

Collecting my Bagger this Friday with at least a four hour ride to get home....Perfect! Oh and you can buy pannier liners so you don't have to carry your socks and boxers into the hotel in a Tesco bag!

GW 1800 non tour is the better bagger in my opinion. Testrode k1600b and GW and ended up wirh the wing. The big tft on the k is great but cant do nothing where the wing comes with carplay. No doubt the engine is a blast and beast and superiour to the GW boxer but The black magic gets interesting after a couple of thousand miles in terms of whether the engine still lives. GW are bulletproof, thats a fact. Still the K's are beautiful machines and fun to ride ✌️

Hello friend, all right, I speak of Brazil? Congratulations on the bike, I recently bought the same K1600 bagger, mine has already taken 12000 km rounds, made the tire changes putting the pirelli GT angel tires, and went to road test them, but when I reach a high speed the bike starts to float the ahead, at this speed stop you made, did you feel it? Sorry for the english, but i'm using google tadutor.

Absolutely love the show, but where is Donavan? He’s such a “big” part of it. 😁

Good opinionated views without just quoting specifications or over powered with backing music giving us a good sound of the bike... thats how a review should be.

The problems with the wonder wheel and a turn indicator is a problem only a first few km. Then you get used to them.

Awesome video, definitely a keeper!

Love the background track playing during the road segments.

I have one. The standard windscreen is an abomination. Changed it for a Wunderlich screen, which is too big and in summer temperatures much too hot. Furthermore, fast touring on small roads is a hassle, my upper body hurts from dragging this big thing through tight low speed corners after a day's ride. It is inmensely heavy to handle at standstill or low speeds. The stock seat is ridicilous, had it changed by a seating specialist. Although looking large from outside the panniers are very small inside, I can't put my helmet in it, a loptop case hardly fits and the maximum allowed weight is not very much. I can't see any reason for this bike existence rather then being a show piece for the BMW factory. Even the audio system is bad, speakers are absotely useless and changing the audio output to you bluetooth headset only makes the music audible at moderate speeds, on the motorway the sound is drowned by the wind- and engine noise. It is comfortable for long rides on motorways, but there it ends. Now I hate it and soon it has to go. Changing to a lighter more nimble bike like a 1000XR.

Here in the USA, we’d refer to both bikes as “baggers” actually.

just went from a Harley Davidson Electra-glide classic limited, beautiful bike, great driving slow and straight, the BMW K 1600 GTL is just plain amazing, power, sound, handling, fuel capacity, mileage, wind protection driving computer, suspension adjustment an d heated seat also.. unbelievable machine, I always feel like I am on a space ship!

I’d be interested to hear how these two bikes compare to the new GoldWing.

Regarding the weight, it's estimable, but they are hardly alone in the field.....

I absolutely am smitten with that 1600b, however I’m highly concerned about the mysterious “high speed wobble”. The steering seems to move on you at 70ish mph I think it was. Has that been remedied? I’ve heard about it too much not to be true. Also, 2022 model expected to have that great new display the RT12050 has now? Thanks in advance!!

Awesome review! You captured the soul of both machines.

ok, I give up....what is the deep bas electronic music playing in the background?

Over 12,000 miles on my GTL and that Bavarian blackmagic is still there! I commute on mine everyday in Florida. During the hot days of summer I see zero Harley riders on the road; gee I wonder why.

the K1600B is a lovely beats! i love this 6 cylinder... just great🥰🥰🥰

Love the bagger, the resale value really concerns me. Want one, but the long term runnings costs worry me

"hasn't mentioned the best part yet which is the noise! listen to this!" proceeds to pull throttle back and it sounds like a Prius accelerating. Not sure what you guys are used to in the UK but that sounds like shit

To expensive rather buy a car the Kawasaki gtr 1400 is still the king money wise and gtr do the job by a mile

I have to go with the GTL, forget looks I want to pack up!

How do you like the Shark carbon helmet?

i have the gt sport . Well if you liked those two you will like this one even more

really luv this K1600B

How do you get the halo lights to flash as at the 3:13 minute mark - GTL lights flashing and B lights not? Later GTL lights not flashing.

It's not that heavy compared to GoldWing or Yamaha Eluder though.

GET RID OF THAT STUPID CROSSBAR ON THE BAGGER!!!

Parts are super, super super expensive

Thank you guys for the amazing review.

Stop pointing the camera at your face. Nobody wants to see that. If you MUST point the camera at your face, for the love of God, put DOWN THE FACE SHIELD.

Get the bag liner’s…

obvious choice: K1600GT (without top-case) not GTL not B cheers ;o)

Read web. Serious issues with Reverse. Transmission. I have a K1600B 2019 with 215 Miles on it. I put in reverse and transmission locked up. Read internet BM’s blogs. This bike has been out 2 years and THEY HAVE NO FIX! Ruined my summer! All my friends just left hotel. I’m stuck paying 1000’s In cancelled reservations not to mention gear I bought for trip! This is a MAJOR ISSUE! Buyer beware

I have a Grand America for the past two weeks. I will not be missing the Harley. Passed on the wing

If I was older I'd definitely look into a bagger.

Just gave up my Honda Rune...beautiful, heavy, limited beast...something of a show pony. I want a tourer to do big miles and the bagger looks the part....too cool for school but still practical when I won’t to load up and do 2,500 miles in a week!

I'm sure its badass

How is that possible,that stability issue appears only in BMW's on American market? There's is nothing wrong with them in Europe. I took my 2018 Grand America fully loaded trunks plus passenger to the limit, I must admit,at 90 mph I could feel little wiggle but pushed to the limit which is 💯 mph for about two minutes and nothing, totally smooth ride like we're not moving. Amazing. Remember folks, there's always two sides to the story. Competition.

Hi Bought a 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. Planet blue metallic, brown leather seats. Magnificent bike!! Take care everyone!!

I would like to point out that you've missed one out..... there's also a K1600GT Sport.... which has a different and more sporty riding position to those two.....

They've reworked the front end on the 2021 model of the GTL and eliminated the wind over instability concerns!

Rode both. Great engine. Riding position better be enjoyable to you because its the only riding position you will be able to get into. No leg movement allowed to any other location. Deal breaker to say the least.

having rode both and at roughly the same price point, the BMW bagger and the Goldwing bagger I have got to say the Goldwing does most things better especially the screen which on the BMW K1600 B LE is woeful and at 5.11" the wind noise and buffeting at motorway speeds was unbearable and couldn't hear the radio or music which is a shame because that is exactly when you want some sounds to ease the journey. On the Wing with the screen up the music was perfect and wind noise and buffeting non existent.

Hacksaw? Just remove the top luggage, it's designed to come off quite easily!

Much love to you guys from Australia

The reveal of the black magic a strait 6 (one of the smoothest powerbands of an engine) then they dropped it as low as it can go its a big engine so works kinda like a counterweight

If it wasn't The Bike Show, I wouldn't have watched this. Great report as usual. just need a shed load of cash now!

06:52 the Harley comment at low speeds. LMAO!!! But so true!!

You said butt. Then you said big butt. This is hardly amusing, and I for one won't stand for it.

Everybody rates the new goldwing higher

NO NO NO, the best tourer far exceeds this BMW and that is the Gold Wing. This was a very Eurocentric review. You don't go to Europe to understand touring bikes, you have to go to America because America has longer and larger stretches of highways than Europe. We have highways that are 3,000 miles of uninterrupted highways. Europe has no such thing. Goldwings are the ultimate tourers. Always have been and always will be. These guys are confusing cruisers and tourers at points. They really don't know their shit. If you're going to use American terms, at least understand what they mean.

humongous? dont' know. my buddy's goldwing weighs 900 lbs.

It makes me chuckle when they continue on about how huge this bike is despite them both being the lightest, smallest most agile touring machines here in the states, how the pond changes things.

You nailed the narration. Awesome job.

Did anybody notice at 4:05 a man walking by the road in the midle of nowhere? ^_^

I like all motorcycles they are all dependable, Ducati is likely the least dependable imo

I bought a 2018 GTL. The bike is fast and for a tourer, is extremely nimble. Take it out on the highway, let 'er rip and a glaring fault soon rears it's ugly head: Instability. Once you get up to about 75 MPH, a 'crosswind' kind of instability begins to be prominent. At about 95, You'll feel a lot of things, but "one handed confidence" isn't one of them. My neighbor bought a K1600 b. He HATES the highway characteristics. I think his issue is worse on his version than it is on mine. He hates it so much, I think he's going to trade it in. When I watch a GT go up to 230 Km/h I think to myself "Are you kidding me?! I wouldn't even think of doing that. I ran my 1000cc V-Strom up to about 120 MPH no problem. I might experiment with removing the luggage and top case, a la 'GT' style. That may do it. I kinda expected this bike to feel and handle "like on rails" at speed, as the saying goes. If it did, I would think this may be the perfect big sport tourer. but, alas, it does not. I will say this though, despite being heavy, and very top heavy, it is pretty amazing in the twisties. On country roads, going at a good clip, it is everything I hoped it would be. Sadly, more often than not, I'm taking the Interstate to get to the roads I really enjoy. So, for anyone thinking of buying a K16GT/L or B, take it out on the highway before you sign off on it.

didn't say a thing about differences !

Too bad they're so unreliable.

3.51

228th like and 36th comment so early lol.

this is the exact bike that's for the stupidly crazy people. tours on such a heavy bike just kill the reason of riding a motorcycle and you are not always on long rides

How does it compare to the FJR?

5:08 no corner , maybe a slight curve .

I’m 6’4” has anyone my height have thoughts?

Great engine, might work well in a sports bike

K1600B ku pakai dinas harian 😆

OMG! It costs the same as the views :)

Hv

Highway pegs?

Humongous massiveness? Ha!

Beautiful bikes, especially the B...but new GW is coming out in 2018...

Current dream bike

I LOVE THIS MOTORCYCLE !!!!! ;-))

Angry Birds

great

i love those eyes

Top

105 speed limiter = BIG JOKE!

Hows the stereo system

COPY HONDA LOL

Only a mother could love those bikes. :/

I can see getting the GTL for touring but I'll keep my Road Glide Special instead of the BMW Bagger. One high RPM beast and then my tractor. Just need to build that 124 ci engine with around 145 hp and 145 tq. I'll get there.

They look like something out of a bad science fiction movie.

What I don't like about them is the foot positing. Riding with your legs bent like that for more than a few hours becomes rather uncomfortable.

Remember when BMW meant reliability? God they're awful to maintain.

Great as always guys. 2 questions though. 1. What microphone / camera set up are you using for your onboards? & 2. Can Matt redo his zx14r test on the newer model please. I have watched his original one dozens of times and it was one of the vids that helped me to decide on one myself

If that's the wet weight, I think the 360kg or 793lbs is quite reasonable. I used to ride sport bikes exclusively but started to ride touring bikes out of necessity (can no longer physically tolerate clip ons and rear sets). When I first started shopping for a Harley, I just couldn't wrap my head around a bike that weighed as much as two of my old bikes... heck, even an optioned out Goldwing is pushing 900 pounds! Thing is, it's actually the riders who are causing the weight gain; the manufacturers are just giving us what we ask for, as we keep demanding more tech, more comfort, more storage, and more performance. It gotten to a point where I'm just thrilled to see a weight rating under 800lbs 😁

code for 'tea bagger'