BMW's K 1600 GT bridges the gap between the straight-up bagger K 1600 B and the K 1600 GTL tour bike that all saw a host of improvements ahead of MY2022. A revised powerplant brings more torque than before along with new electronics to help it meet its EU-5 emissions rating. Adaptive lighting moves from the options list over to the standard equipment package along with a new multi-function TFT instrument interface and new optional gear from which to choose.

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Design

Lemme' go ahead and say there's a lot to like with the K 1600 GT. It starts with a very sporty front end that comes complete with turn signal lightbars set in recesses in the edge of the scoop for a good start on that clean look.

All-LED headlights come with DRL borders for daytime visibility, but the real news here is the Adaptive Lighting that uses data from the inertial-measurement unit to aim the lights so they illuminate the actual road ahead in a turn.

A well-vented windscreen punches a low-turbulence hole in the wind, but that's just the start. The front fender extends the protection down the legs and out to the bar ends to complete the wind pocket, and if you're into cold-weather riding, the stock heated grips and seats are there for the comfort of yourself and your passenger.

Around behind the glass, a new 10.25-inch color TFT display bundles all of the instrumentation along with the ride-control electronics and a Tire Pressure Monitor. The BMW Motorrad Connected App adds connectivity and navigation to the bundle of goodies, and if you want to be sure you have enough tuneage for everyone around you, you can spring for the optional Sound-Enhanced Audio System version 2.0.

At seven gallons, the fuel tank is quite voluminous and should provide some peace of mind if you ever find yourself in a fuel desert with long stretches between stops. Seat height is adjustable from 31.9 inches tall or cranked up to 32.7 inches off the deck to suit, and the rest of the rider's triangle is set to provide a relaxed, upright riding posture for long-distance comfort.

Aft of the pilot's seat we find the other major visual difference between the GT and the B, the pillion, luggage rack, and bag lines are upswept for a sportier look than what you get from the more-bagger-tastic B model.

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Chassis

The bridge-type, cast-aluminum frame on the K 1600 GT sets the stage with sporty proportions and an aggressive mien. Since the engine is a load-bearing element, the frame is a tad lighter than it would be otherwise, but in running order and fully fueled, this is still a beast of a bike at 756.2 pounds.

As such, it rates top-shelf brakeage with all-around, 320 mm discs, dual four-bore calipers up front and a twin-pot binder out back. Standard for this year, the BMW Motorrad ABS Pro delivers lean-optimized safety, so you can count on getting the most out of those most-impressive anchors.

The Hill-Start Control comes stock to hold the brake for you so you can deploy both feet to the ground for extra stability on a grade.

As for suspension, the front end is typical for the marque with two “dead” sliders on tubes that rely on a central, coil-over shock for support and damping duties. It's an odd setup relatively speaking, but it does have the benefit of separating support and steering forces for a low-effort, rider-friendly ride.

Suspension travel is generous for road use at 4.5-inches and 5.3-inches on the front and rear respectively, but the real selling point in the stems is the BMW Motorrad Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment. Info from the inertial-measurement unit informs the suspension, along with rate-of-acceleration/deceleration, and spring compression, to deliver demand-driven damping. Plus, you can dial in manually through the “Road, Rain, and Dynamic” presets to suit preference and prevailing conditions.

Rake is set at 26.3 degrees from the vertical with 4.17 inches of trail to grant the GT the handling characteristics of a somewhat-lighter sport bike. Cast-aluminum wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 120/70 ahead of a 190/55, both in 17-inch diameters with a top-tier “Z” speed rating.

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Drivetrain

Revised for the '22 year model, the six-banger mill in the K 1600 GT meets EU-5 emissions standards, partly due to the new BMS-O engine-management system, and the addition of two more Lambda probes for a total of four to better monitor the exhaust stream. It runs an oversquare layout with a 72 mm bore and 67.5 mm stroke for a total displacement of 1,649 cc and a sizzlin'-hot, 12.2-to-1 compression ratio that turns out 160 horsepower at 6,750 rpm. While this is the same output as the previous gen, it tops out a full 1,000 rpm sooner for a less-frenetic engine pace than before at speed.

The ride-control electronics are formidable with this one. Like the brakes and suspension, the traction control is of the demand-driven, lean-sensitive variety. An Engine-Brake Control helps to mitigate the effects of excessive backtorque in the drivetrain on hard downshifts and rolloffs when bleeding off speed. A shaft-type final drive delivers quiet power to the rear wheel with an overall drive ratio that will produce speeds over 120 mph in top (sixth) gear.

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Price

Base MSRP starts out at $23,895, and while there are lots of new options, the showroom model is ready for serious work with no extra modifications. Choose from the sporty white, red, and blue package, the blackout Black Storm Metallic, and the creamy Option 719 Mineral White Metallic with pinstripes.

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Competitors

Though it's destined to come up against the American marques in our market, I wanted to see how another metric motorcycle would stack up, and Honda's MY22 Gold Wing seems to fit the bill nicely.

Honda Gold Wing

Honda runs with a similar, full-bodied forward structure with lots of amenities for comfort, all wrapped up in a sporty package. Honda's infotainment package is also impressive with all of the usual features plus a CB radio feature that will let you communicate with the big rigs. That last is most handy for avoiding The Man, but you didn't hear that from me.

The Gold Wing engine is a flat opposed-six with a bit more cubeage at 1,833 cc. In spite of that size advantage, the GW generates 124.7 ponies to fall significantly short of the bar set by Beemer at 160 horsepower. I mean, fast enough is fast enough, but there it is anyway.

One thing that clearly sets the GW apart is the automatic Dual Clutch Transmission that delivers twist-and-go operation, but you'd better want it, 'cause the base GW isn't available with any other transmixxer. Price works out in Beemer's favor with a $25,300 sticker on the 'Wing against $23,895 for a slim advantage at the checkout.

Read our full review of the Honda Gold Wing.

He Said

“Honestly, I think I would prefer to have a choice in transmission type, and I think others will fall into that category of liking everything else about the GW, but going another route because of the wimp-shift gearbox. Someone needs to remind the Bavarians that the U.S. has no equivalent to the Autobahn, so a full third of the top end will never legally be used.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “Ample power gives the K 1600 K robust performance and the ESA suspension provides a very tour-tastic ride. Handling is sportbike-like so you can expect it to be very responsive. Passenger comforts are well tended to, though a storage compartment accessible while under way would be nice. Comfort-wise, this is a nice tourer and one that I would think rivals the Gold Wing. Test ride both before you buy either.”

2022 BMW K 1600 GT Specifications

Further Reading

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