BMW K 1600 excavator in the test

BMW K 1600 excavator in the test

How good is the six-cylinder tourer?

Summertime is quarry time! A destination made for a trip with the new, heavily contemporary Six-Machine BMW K 1600 excavator. And so that there is definitely something to dig, we have packed a small yellow digger instead of the swimming trunks.

No, we don’t want to speculate about whether the nice, good-humored gentleman in the picture is called Bodo (by the way, he doesn’t) and what he’s up to, so late at the digger hole. Rather, we want to make it clear that we definitely know that the super tourers who have been robbed of their topcases of the permanently installed suitcases or bags are called excavators in New German. And so a childish dream job comes true for the author, almost by virtue of his office: excavator driver! And immediately raises a question: What do the venerable Tin Lizzie from Ford and the latest version of the Bavarian monumental six-cylinder have in common? A little tip: It is neither the intended target group nor the total number of items to be expected. Rather, both vehicles were or are to be had in any color, as long as it is only black. Which is the darkest chapter of the official BMW, so to speak K 1600 B named battleship is named.

BMW K 1600 excavator in the test

How good is the six-cylinder tourer?

Lots of equipment options

The second darkest from the perspective of the potential excavator operator is a look at the price list. Nothing goes below 21,900 euros, and that’s just the beginning. Our test bike was equipped with the comfort, safety and tour packages, which are probably part of the standard equipment, with a total value of 4,365 euros. There are also protective bars, running boards and the intelligent SOS package for a total of 690 euros. The bottom line is a sum of 26,955 euros. Plus additional costs, of course. Although the list of accessories has a few more goodies in store, e.g. B. a main stand for 140 euros, it is difficult to feel deficient. The following is an excerpt from the equipment list, which is by no means complete: Keyless Ride, shift assistant up and down, reversing aid, cornering light, hill start aid, central locking, audio system as well as a navigation system and much more are intended to make handling the BMW K 1600 excavator easier and to make traveling more pleasant. Well then let’s go!

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There is almost nothing that this cockpit does not know. It is operated using the switches in the picture below.

In view of the enormous dimensions and the 353 kilograms live weight, the effort required for maneuvering is still okay. So turned the load towards the horizon and inspected the command center. The sheer number of buttons, switches and pushers loses its horror after a short familiarization. The structure is designed quite logically and can be operated intuitively even without studying the instructions. The most important button, of course, is the red one on the right-hand side of the handlebar, the one that starts the machine. The six-cylinder BMW K 1600 excavator starts working with a slight hiss and immediately goes into stable idle mode. The request to increase the speed via the throttle is unfortunately only delayed, which, in combination with the very smooth clutch without the right pressure point, makes confidently quick traffic light starts without embarrassing engine howls a complex and therefore rarely successfully solvable task. However, once in motion and quickly stepped through the six gears, which, by the way, works the more silently the more load is applied, the Bavarian engine factory fascinates with strong, cultivated coolness.

Just 4.7 liters for 100 kilometers

Usually you move between 1,400 and 3,000 revolutions without being slow. When the pressure is on, the needle gently strokes the four, the thrust increases significantly, the pitch changes in the direction of aggressive. Anyone who rushes the row six up to the limit at 8,400 rpm must be in a damned hurry, especially since the generally good-natured chassis then reaches its limits. Slight, absolutely harmless, but noticeable stirring tendencies at high freeway speeds make it clear why the excavator is limited at 200 km / h, which it reaches in fourth gear. Ergo, it doesn’t really matter that the factory specification of at least 160 hp is clearly missed on the test bench. So out the gas, up the windshield, put in cruise control and let it roll. Up to just over 100 km / h you can even listen to the radio, or even better, your own soundtrack from the USB stick. But actually the engine of the BMW K 1600 excavator makes the music. And he is frugal, he managed the consumption lap with just 4.7 liters for 100 kilometers.

Good figure on the country road

The excavators cut a surprisingly good figure on country roads. Of course, the weight cannot be denied, and very narrow streets are not her profession, but on the whole she is much more agile than its dimensions suggest. Until at some point the running boards that gently crackle on the asphalt urge caution. So we leave it at that and drive, no, not to the excavator hole, but with the best of all socias towards sunset. She also feels well housed, if necessary the heated seats provide for hot pants and a high-tech lamp including cornering lights for the daylight remaining route after sunset. The bottom line is that the BMW K 1600 B is a casual extension of the K 1600 family, which is not only visually and acoustically but also of some entertainment value in terms of driving dynamics. In this respect, it can justifiably be said: Driving an excavator is fun, regardless of whether it is black or yellow.

Technical data BMW K 1600 excavator

BMW K 1600 excavator

Engine:

Water-cooled six-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, dry sump lubrication, injection, 1x Ø 52 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 580 W, battery 12 V / 19 Ah, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (Anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, cardan, secondary gear ratio 2.750.

Bore x stroke: 72.0 x 67.5 mm
Displacement: 1549 cm³
Compression ratio: 12.2: 1
Rated output: 118.0 kW (160 hp) at 7,750 rpm
Max. Torque: 175 Nm at 5,250 rpm

Landing gear:

Bridge frame made of aluminum, double longitudinal control arm made of aluminum, electronically adjustable spring base and damping, two-joint single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, electronically adjustable spring base and damping, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear, Ø 320 mm, two-piston Fixed caliper, traction control, integral braking system, ABS.

Cast aluminum wheels: 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires: 120/70 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17
Tires in the test: Bridgestone BT 021 "F"

Mass and weight:

Wheelbase 1,618 mm, steering head angle 62.2 degrees, caster 106 mm, spring travel front / rear 115/125 mm, seat height * 745 mm, weight with a full tank * 353 kg, load * 207 kg, tank capacity / reserve 26.5 / 4.0 liters.

Guarantee: two years
Service intervals: every 10,000 kilometers
Colors: black
Price: 21,900 euros
Additional costs: 390 euros
Price test motorcycle: 26,955 euros

Readings:

Mileage
Top speed: 200 km / h

Acceleration*
0 – 100 km / h: 3.4 sec
0 – 140 km / h: 5.6 sec
0 – 200 km / h: 12.2 sec

Draft *
60 – 100 km / h: 4.3 sec
100 – 140 km / h: 4.5 sec
140 – 180 km / h: 5.6 sec

Speedometer deviation *
Effective (display 50/100) 48/98 km / h

Consumption:

Country road: 4.7 l / 100 km
Theoretical range: 564 kilometers
Fuel type: Super

Manufacturer information; * MOTORCYCLE measurements; ¹incl. Comfort package (1,480 euros), safety package (1,000 euros), tour package (1,885 euros), intelligent emergency call (305 euros), engine protection bar (200 euros), running board (185 euros)

Offers used BMW K 1600 B

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The K1600B is a very stable motorcycle.

BMW’s K 1600 B is a highly exclusive excavator that you will rarely see on the German streets. Its status can also be seen on the used market. The selection is relatively small and the existing copies are considered to be price stable. Here is an overview of the current BMW K 1600 B used market: used BMW K1600B in Germany.

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