All Tests – BMW K1600GTL Test: an exceptional K! – The proof by six!

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BMW K1600GTL test: an exceptional K !

All Tests - BMW K1600GTL Test: an exceptional K! - The proof by six!

With the new K1600GTL, BMW is shaking up the standards of the luxury road motorcycle category: powered by an incredible in-line six-cylinder, the new German GT also offers surprisingly efficient handling.. First try.

The proof by six !

With such dynamic behavior, the limits of the ground clearance are of course quickly reached but without this really calling into question the stability of the "admirable BMW vessel".

Even when the wide footrests happily plow the asphalt, the K1600GTL does not fall apart and still has enough leeway to improvise a sudden course correction with the rear brake brace, responsive and effective..

Thanks to the DTC option, exiting curves is no longer a problem, as this sophisticated traction control intervenes gently and discreetly on the ignition and injection to avoid the slightest start to slip..

Designed to survey bollards in all conditions and meet all desires, the K1600GTL obviously does not only enjoy "sport-road" exercise: with the ESA II option, a simple rotation of the multi-controller makes it possible to effectively configure the suspensions for much more comfort, without compromising on course stability.

And the K1600GTL as a duo ?

Also intended (especially!) For couple strolls, the K1600GTL does not offer the same treatment as a Goldwing to its passenger: space is more limited, the legs more folded up and the top-case padding does not reach the comfort of the Honda "passenger chair". In addition, stepping over suitcases is tedious. And if the seat height makes it possible to see the landscape above the pilot’s helmet, it generates exposure to the elements fatally greater at high speed. On the other hand, the passenger will appreciate being able to adjust the heating of his saddle via a switch housed to the left of his seat, which is also wide, soft and surrounded by practical handles..

Likewise, the right stalk has a button allowing you to choose between three injection maps that are validated by disengaging: Rain (rain), Road (road) and Dynamic (dynamic). The former offers a smoother throttle response, intervention of the Dynamic Traction Control earlier and torque limitation to around 150 Nm.

The Road mode does not intervene on the torque but on the sensitivity of the DTC and the way in which the power is delivered. Finally, by choosing "Dynamic" ‘mode, torque is fully available and engine response immediate. It is also with this last mode that one of the rare defects of the GTL is most felt: the slight imprecision of the electronic accelerator..

A tiny difference between the moment when the handle is turned and when the ECU (Electronic Central Unit) intervenes on the injection is indeed sensitive: it results some jerks on the thread of gas, a phenomenon exacerbated by the final drive shaft which is undoubtedly not the most discreet ever built by BMW.

In terms of areas for improvement, the BMW K1600GTL also suffers from a slow, noisy and sometimes imprecise gearbox. Especially since it enlists the services of a fairly hard clutch lever (but adjustable in spacing, just like its right counterpart) and which signals too noticeably by force feedback the activation of the anti -dribble.

Finally, Site advises its readers, future buyers of the K1600GTL not to be intoxicated by the blast of the six-cylinder on a German motorway: if it goes up to 200 km / h like a flower, its CX (drag coefficient) d ‘Norman cabinet and the weight on the back created by the suitcases and the top case causes an inevitable feeling of "blurring" of the front axle at (very) high speed.

Aware of the limits of the genre, engine manufacturers have also restricted the maximum speed to 230 km / h: for having had the opportunity to validate this data, the Journal moto du net confirms that "more, it was not serious" ! However, by remaining flexible with the steering, it is possible to enter (and exit!) A curve at more than 180 km / h without starting to hope that the theory of reincarnation is a reality. !

More reasonably, the K1600GTL invites you to cruiser – quickly – and to enjoy the exceptional velvety of its engine, as well as its royal protection: electrically raised to the maximum, the impressive windshield perfectly shelters the shoulders, the bust and the driver’s helmet.

Driving the BMW K1600GTL can easily be envisioned with a flip-up helmet in the high position or a jet: the face is spared turbulence up to a good 140 km / h, i.e. the speed at which the audio speakers placed around the panel on board are struggling to be heard.

Finally, the strong heat in the southern hemisphere enabled us to verify the usefulness of the deflectors on the side fairings: by unfolding them, the air is channeled directly to the driver’s torso. The efficiency is amazing and the approval guaranteed by over 25 ° C. Too bad the device has no equivalent for the feet, because the six-cylinder is not stingy in the evacuation of calories at this level…

Available from March 19 at a price of 22,350 euros, the K1600GTL is inevitably considered an expensive motorcycle. However, in view of its services, its generous original endowment, the sensations provided by the German "six-legged" and its astonishing cycle part, this price is not exorbitant..

And it is certainly not the future owners of the 1,100 copies of K1600GT and K1600GTL that BMW Motorrad France hopes to seduce in 2011 (with a predominance of GTL) who will say the opposite. !

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