Menus
- A concentrate of power and technology for an ultimately quite cool vision of tourism
- 6 cylinders in line, 1649 cm3, 160 hp at 7,750 rpm, 175 Nm at 5,250 rpm, 364 kilos dry, from € 26,780
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Engine and transmission
- In the city
- On highways and main roads
- On departmental
- Part-cycle
- Brakes
- Comfort & duo
- Consumption and autonomy
- Conclusion
- Video test
A concentrate of power and technology for an ultimately quite cool vision of tourism
6 cylinders in line, 1649 cm3, 160 hp at 7,750 rpm, 175 Nm at 5,250 rpm, 364 kilos dry, from € 26,780
Street Glide: it’s the best selling Harley-Davidson and it’s also what we call a bagger, that is to say a road a bit stripped and with a lowered look. To fetch some of this clientele, BMW had already presented its K 1600 Bagger. The Grand America is a variation, with more road-going ambitions, as evidenced by its large windshield and the presence of a top case..
Well, the counting, it is not too much the credo of BMW which equips its K 1600 range with a plethora of comfort and safety equipment, such as the SOS on Call, which is spread moreover on many models. from the range. And this machine is interesting, because it cultivates the paradox, evidenced by its top speed limited to 162 km / h and which is quite intriguing from a manufacturer known for the performance of its two and four wheel machines..
In fact, don’t you have too many horses to ride cool, don’t you have too much gear to ride relaxed and let your mind wander? So many questions that were answered after a test of more than 2,600 kilometers and which took us through Dijon on the occasion of the Moto Legends Cups, to then go for a few loops in Ardèche and around the Mont Ventoux, before returning to Paris via the Massif Central. Did you say full test? Yes…
Discovery
Unlike the Bagger, the Grand America is not only available in black, but also in this "Austin yellow metallic" according to the manufacturer’s reference. And it must all the same admit that it has a sacred look (this color, which also comes with some additional chrome especially on the front fender, is billed 1020 €). Obviously, on the front side, we recognize the family resemblance of the K 1600, with in particular these two lights surrounded by LEDs. Like the Bagger, the K 1600 Grand America is also spectacular from the rear, with the "Z" lights squarely embedded in the cases, while the large brake light sits in the top case. Of course, the equipment is super complete, but for that you have to go through an options policy that really inflates the final price..
Do you want keyless start, central locking of suitcases, alarm, pro shifter and additional LED lights? In this case, opt for the "comfort" pack at € 1,510. Want the tire pressure sensor, LED daytime running lights, adaptive cornering lights, automatic braking when starting sideways? In this case, the "security" pack is open to you, at € 1,020. Do you want the radio with bluetooth and GPS readiness, as well as reverse gear? In this case, the "Touring" pack is essential, at € 1,925. Thus, a fully equipped K 1600 Grand America is worth more than 30,000 euros. It’s been a while, even if the competition is also in these (higher) spheres.
In the saddle
The saddle height can vary from 750 to 780 mm, which is reasonable, especially since despite its weight and dimensions, the K 1600 Grand America is easily tamed, thanks to a good distribution of masses and a rather end in its rear part. However, it is not a machine for very small sizes either, because accessing the handlebars and the steps requires a certain build..
In front of you, there is an archi complete dashboard, commodos which are just as much, with navigation in the various menus and settings which is quite intuitive (even if you sometimes touch the rotary wheel while looking for the indicators, which has the effect of changing the radio station, for example: yes I know, these are terrible problems of the rich that the proletarians who drive in MZ do not know).
Then, before leaving, there is a little checklist to do: which engine mapping to choose (normal, rain or Dynamic), which piloted suspension setting to adopt (road or cruise), which bubble height, which heating level in the handles or the saddle, which radio station, program the GPS … And if necessary, before setting off, we can use reverse gear to get the monster out of the garage.
Note, however, the small capacity of the suitcases: the Grand America like the Bagger have different exhausts from the other K 1600s, which reduces the size of the suitcases. Left for a week with this motorcycle, I ended up putting a bag on the saddle in the back, because the top case was filled by the camera bag and the two suitcases by the drone, the computer and the rain gear … In short, it is more suitable for a weekend for two than for a long vacation, in which case we will perhaps turn to a K 1600 GTL, more spacious…
Engine and transmission
It’s no secret that BMW is a talented engine manufacturer (their automotive branch is capable of a pretty impressive performance / fuel consumption ratio) and the inline six-cylinder culture is so associated with the brand’s identity (at the same time). time, they have been producing it for airplanes since 1917 and for cars since 1933) that it was logical to see this technology land on a motorcycle, to break a little the image centered on the flat-twin.
This was done in 2011, the date of the appearance of the first K 1600s. We will therefore start with the good news (there are also some bad ones): this engine is just extraordinary. Point. It is a sculpture, a marvel of pleasure which possesses a wide range of qualities suitable to delight any fan of mechanical character: it is flexible, able to resume almost on the idle speed in sixth. In ride use, we are content very well to shift gears to 2500 rpm, melodious, the 6 in line then reveals a beautiful smoothness in mid-revs, before roaring between 6 and 8000 rpm and lengthening the stride. Certainly, the power arrives in a linear way, but it is there and there and this engine seduces because it is able to comply with all types of uses while always delivering really endearing sensations..
Perfection is not in his world, however: he drags from his origins two small flaws, which some will be able to cope with. The feeling of the gearbox is quite rough, even if we can compensate by using the up & down shifter, the approval of which is however not constant. Finally, the sensitivity of the ride-by-wire is annoying for some, with a lag between the rotation of the handle and the response of the motor, which can be disturbing..
In the city
With a battery one meter wide (including retro) and a weight that exceeds 400 kilos with gasoline and two trinkets on board, one could fear that in the urban test the K 1600 Grand America would be as clumsy as a young virgin acne at a drag queens convention.
Well not at all: what is surprising is the incredible ease with which this machine plays with winding lines and surveying boulevards. Already, the engine is so smooth that it is not uncommon to take a roundabout in third and cruiser in fifth at 1500 rpm. Then, between the precise front axle, the absolutely astounding agility of the machine, the dimensions that enter easily into the eye and suddenly, the initial fears quickly disappear..
What does not change, on the other hand, is the gearbox which always makes unpleasant noises (we are not necessarily always at the shifter in town) and the ride-by-wire has obviously not gained in precision. … Finally, we appreciate the presence of warnings while if, curiously, no storage space is present in the fairing, the three suitcases are necessarily useful.
On highways and main roads
With 160 horsepower under the handle and a six in line which turns at about 3700 rpm in sixth at 130 km / h, we say to ourselves that the bike is hurtling down the long and expensive highway ribbon by mobilizing only a small part of its potential. Well not that much, actually. Because, although strictly prohibited, the following experiment was carried out (in Germany, as the useful mention wants it) for scientific purposes: at 4800 rev / min in sixth, that is to say 160 km / h counter, the electronics restrain the motorcycle and the maximum speed is thus reached. Curious. We try to be cunning by downshifting (thanks to the formidable extension of the six in line, we are at 160 km / h at 8000 rpm in third), but nothing helps, the electronic clamping acts in the same way.
So we come back to legality by saying to ourselves that we just have to take advantage of the present moment, quiet, with the cruise control. This is where the K 1600 Grand America reveals a second facet of its personality. With the idea of making a "cool" motorcycle by mimicking the spirit of American baggers, BMW has modified the suspension settings of the motorcycle, with two possible settings, Road or Cruise. So let’s tackle the problem from the north face: this "cool" setting of the bike is responsible for the bike’s permanent floating on its suspensions, with a dead stroke that has never been mastered. Suddenly, it’s nice 55 miles on coastal road number One between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but on the A6 freeway to Dijon (or elsewhere), the bike wiggles constantly. Be careful not to misunderstand these words: it is not a merguez either, we are not in dangerous maneuvers and moreover the motorcycle has, by its frame and its running gear, structural rigidity among the best ( if not the best) in the category. And we say to ourselves that it’s really a shame, because since all this is tuning and electronics, to offer in addition a "sport" mode which would have locked the suspensions a little, it was not from the realm of the impossible. No doubt this will happen for a future vintage.
Well, we make do with it, therefore, no choice. This does not detract from the driving qualities of this Grand America: the high screen protects remarkably well, the aerodynamics of the fairing are sufficiently well studied to keep you dry in the event of light rain and the saddle comfort is remarkable..
A quick word about the advanced footrest plates: this actually allows you to relax your legs over long distances and adopt a driving position that is in line with the spirit of the machine. We can regret that BMW did not go to the end of the concept, by putting foot controls on these platforms. Especially since it can play a safety role: anecdote lived, arriving near Dijon, while I was dozing a little on the handlebars (it seems that the speed is dangerous, but it is drowsiness which is the main cause of accident on the motorway), I almost got out on the ramp which then allows me to escape to the circuit, because my legs were on the forward turntables and I had forgotten that I had to change the room to downshift or take the rear brake….
On departmental
No luck: even at slower speed, the small movements of the suspension can always be improved and it is only by putting a little rhythm in large curves that the bike finally settles on its suspensions. Otherwise the permanent floating movement is still there and that will put off the purists. Nevertheless, this machine has a good base and that carried out on several loops in Ardèche with slightly more typical machines, the K 1600 has never really been taken down … when it was not showing off its respectable power. In question: the excellent front axle, the good braking and the overall rigidity which allow, by adopting a fast pace, but sunk (the ground clearance is limited, in particular at the level of the anchoring of the footrest plates , while in duo, it is possible to make the exhaust touch on compressions), without forgetting to mention the engine which deposits well. But there, we are almost in an unnatural use.
Otherwise, the K 1600 Grand America is easy to drive: we have already praised its flexibility, agility and ease of driving and these are still assets here. Finally, we will mention the good damping capacity of the machine in "Cruise", especially on small bumpy roads, which know how to preserve real comfort..
Part-cycle
No radical changes here compared to what we already knew on the various K 1600 models, apart of course from the suspension settings which we have already spoken about. We are therefore dealing with a beautiful baby (1618 mm wheelbase), with a suspension kinematics particular and specific to BMW, with the Duolever at the front (travel 115 mm) and the Paralever at the rear. The tires are 120/70 x 17 at the front and 190/55 x 17 at the rear. The very typical chassis of this bike makes it really sensitive to the quality and condition of the tire fitting and to have finished this test with good-throw tires, we can guarantee that the quality of handling is deteriorating. very quickly depending on the condition of the tires…
Brakes
Three 320 mm discs, 4 piston calipers in front and 2 pistons behind: here is the device that calls for no criticism, whether in the dosage or the power.
Comfort & duo
It’s a Pullman, this bike. Almost too much, we have seen why. But between the protection, the relaxed riding position with the advanced footrest platforms, the equipment, the heating, the quality of the saddle, the efficiency of the damping in "Cruise" mode, if that’s the comfort your top priority, this machine is hands down a great choice.
Consumption and autonomy
With 26.5 liters of gasoline, a gauge and an autonomy indicator, average and instantaneous consumption data in the on-board computer, there is enough to manage this parameter in serenity. Especially since the consumption is really reasonable: count 6.3 l / 100 on the motorway and on departmental, I oscillated according to the rhythm and the moments between 5.3 l / 100 and 6.8 l / 100. In all cases the autonomy exceeds 350 km and can even approach 400. A real road, this Grand America.
Conclusion
Difficult to conclude as this machine keeps the big permanent gap. Here, to draw a parallel with the auto branch of BMW, it is as if they had brought us an M5 with the 500 horsepower V10, that they had placed it on 24-inch chrome rims, that the seats bucket seats gave way to a large leatherette bench where you have to collapse and lead your elbow to the door, with a big sound system that takes the place of the trunk and with a limited speed, we would have said to ourselves, what the fuck, what did they do to us there !
Well, that’s it, a K 1600 Grand America, a paradox between a hellish engine, state-of-the-art techno, all this for a motorcycle restrained at top speed and which waddles easily in an artificial nonchalance.
Ah, but minute: the description above is that of the Z8, a neo-retro roadster dedicated mainly to the American market. And that’s surely how we should understand this K 1600 Grand America. Like the Z8, will the Grand America become a collector whose price is soaring? ?
Strong points
- Look
- Really punchy and musical engine
- Globally efficient up and down shift
- Overall comfort, pilot and passenger
- Wind protection
- Complete comfort equipment
- Innovative safety equipment (SOS on Call)
- Overall handling
- Quite incredible agility, precise front axle
Weak points
- Floating suspensions
- Small capacity suitcases
- Gearbox feeling
- By-wire accelerator too sensitive
- Limited top speed
- No foot controls on advanced platforms
- Option prices and final price…
The technical sheet of the BMW K1600 Grand America
Test conditions
- Itinerary: 10 trial days, 2,600 kilometers with daily life in Paris, a descent to Moto Legendes and a few loops in Ardèche and Mont Ventoux
- Motorcycle mileage: 6600 km
- Problem encountered: part with tires that were already cooler, the K 16 returned from its journey on the canvas. Obviously, the road behavior…
Competition: Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Honda GoldWing, Indian Chieftain
Video test
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